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Recycled products are a good idea in general… but we shouldn’t buy something just because it’s “greener”. Why buy a thing you won’t use or wear because it’s too impractical/ugly?

Fortunately, today’s recycled product is not only environment-friendly, but also an interesting piece of jewelry. The Recycled Skateboard Circle Necklace is made from an old skateboard, so it features a part of the model it used to have. But while the pictured pendant looks good indeed, there’s no two alike, so it’s ultimately a game of luck; you can’t choose the color or model to match your clothes.

But sometimes a surprise is welcome… or would be, if this wouldn’t cost $28. Seriously, why? It’s just a piece of wood; handmade, but still just that, and you have no control over how yours would look like. So, while it might be a cool idea, I wonder how many people will be interested…

How much under $29.99?
A little: $28 on UncommonGoods.com.

Via ModernEcoHomes

Recycling and reusing is something anyone can do… but some need a little persuading. Since many people can’t be bothered to actually make an effort, ReMake It! offers a fun way of reusing without any trouble.

The Wine Cork Trivet kit is just what the name says, but the kit is actually just one object, an 8-spoke stainless steel trivet base. Now all the lazy would-be green person needs to do is drink some wine and save the corks. Step 3 is screwing them into the base and tada! a new spot to put the hot plates.

As far as recycling goes, this is probably insignificant. But we all have to start somewhere, and if a kid learns to be green by doing something fun it will probably create a lasting impression. And maybe even mum and dad will enjoy it enough to do more next time.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.99 on KarmaKiss.com.

Via BoingBoing

Being green is trendy, there’s not doubt about it. But, for once, trendy serves a purpose. If your life isn’t complete if you don’t join the latest fad, for all means, let it be an eco one.

Not a Paper Towel isn’t anything else but a new trend and it follows the Not A Paper Cup. When two pieces of cloth cost $20, you know what it means (and no, the text and the recycle image doesn’t make them any more special). But, even though you can get the same thing for a fraction of the price, these make a statement. They’re manufactured ecologically and, if they’ll stop at least a few people for using a bunch of paper towels when cloth would be better suited… they’ve reached their goal.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $20 on UncommonGoods.com.

Buying gifts for your “green” friends is difficult. You can screw up with “regular” presents because, let’s admit it, most aren’t environmentally friendly at all.

A full guide of green gifts is a huge project (and there’s probably one there already), but I can offer a starting point: presents go with greeting cards, so why not buy a special kind. Grow-A-Note Greeting Cards are unique: inside they have easy-to-grow wildflower seeds. Each card is blank, but has instructions on how to grow the flowers, and since paper is biodegradable it won’t make an impact on the environment. You can even plant the whole card and the paper will just decompose as the flowers go.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $14.95 for a set of 4 on GreenfieldPaper.com.

Via TreeHugger

Here’s a fatal combination: being concerned about wasting power (be it out of love for the environment or your pockets) and being lazy. It’s so much easier to just snap the lid of your laptop shot or leave your computer running all the time…

Potential way out: if you’re lazy but don’t mind spending some money to save some money, you should look at the Eco Button. It’s literally just a button - push it and the computer goes into super-saving mode, drawing the absolute minimum power needed (about 1.8 watts). My favorite part comes next, however: push it again and it all comes back, no delays (one of the parts I hate about turning off my PC is having to wait until it boots).

And in order to further motivate you to keep using it, the Eco Button utility monitors the power and money you’ve saved. I’m not entirely sure the numbers are that big, but hey, who knows. And they must add up to an impressive sum if you think about how much you waste in a month or in a year.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $29.70 on Firebox.com.

Continuing with the Earth Day theme, here’s a very cool t-shirt, both in design and message.

The 50 ways to help the planet t-shirt features 50 symbols of ways to live a bit greener, from using rechargeable batteries or donating no longer useful products. The full list is here and, although some suggestions are silly (“By turning off your computer instead of leaving it in sleep mode, you can save 40 watt-hours per day. That adds up to 4 cents a day, or $14 per year.” Wow, 14 dollars! Am I supposed to be impressed?), most of them are good ideas. You might not save the planet, but you’ll waste less. Maybe it’s the way I was educated, but unreasonable waste annoys me. Why throw away that bag if it can still be used, at least for the trash?!

Going back to the t-shirt, it gets a plus for being available in a women’s version and for the unusual colors. I’m starting to get sick of the standard black.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $25 on WireandTwine.com.

Via TCritic

You being eco-conscious is apparently not enough anymore. Your pets have to be too. And, since Fido doesn’t actually care how his ball was manufactured, why not pay some attention to that? Since, I assume, your Fido still relies on you do to his shopping.

The RecycleBall is made from rubbery scraps left over from the manufacture of other chew toys - and, as an interesting tidbit, it appears the manufacture of the product recently moved in the USA. Rare thing indeed.

There’s not much to say about the RecycleBall since it’s just a dog toy after all, but pet-owners who want to save a planet might want to give it a go.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12 on Branch.com.

Via cribcandy

Did the batteries in your clock ever run out? Probably, but batteries are not difficult to get. However, this is the only problem that the Water Powered Clock would solve.

Like the name says, it’s an electronic clock that runs on water (or coffee, or soda…) It’s nothing complicated if you know a bit of science: the internal converter extracts electrons from water (or other liquid) molecules and provides a steady stream of electrical current acting as a fuel cell to generate power to the clock.

That’s all fine and dandy but… who needs this? Environmentalists, maybe. People who fear the end of the world, perhaps. (But really, if an asteroid strikes the Earth, the clock will be the least of your worries). Or someone with a lack of flower vases. You decide if the novelty factor matches the price.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $12.99 on ThinkGeek.com.

Via DVICE