If you don’t already recycle your plastic bottles, you should make a simple experiment: don’t throw any of the empty bottles for a week, then admire the results. A lot, huh? But before you throw them in the recycling bin, save two; they can serve a better (and fun!) purpose: flotation device
The Bottle Catamaran kit comes with everything you need to create a motor boat; you just need to supply the bottles. It’s not very well suited for adults or young kids, but a 10-year old would learn some mechanics plus the principles of being green and have a blast in the process.
No sign of a remote though, so unless you want Davey to kiss his toy goodbye after 2 minutes, make sure the pond isn’t very large and you can recover the catamaran easily.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $16.99 on Amazon.com.
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
Recycling and reusing have become buzzwords in recent years. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming, but this one thing that I don’t mind hearing about all the time. The more people talk about it, the more others will learn about the ideas and principles of green living and, even if just a fraction of them actually do something about it, it’s a step forward.
The KOR One is the lastest blogosphere “star” in the eco department. And it’s nothing more than a water bottle… or is it? KOR aims to make reusable water bottles cool – and pricing them at almost $30 might work.
I have to admit: it does look impressive. Nice design. BPA-free. Probably easier to reuse than a standard PET. Though $30 still looks a lot to me… But anyway, I am not the target for this: the tap water in my area is not exactly drinkable (it won’t kill you, but you don’t want know what’s in there). So I’m sorry planet, I’m sticking to bottled water since I don’t enjoy drinking rust and residue.
How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.95 on KorWater.com. (from August 1, 2008)
Via BoingBoing
After this awfulness, I felt the need to write about something to redeem cup-kind. It’s Not A Paper Cup.
Yeah, I was fooled too, it looks just like one. The coffee-addict’s alternative to Not a Plastic Bag, this cup is actually ceramic, therefore just as reusable as your regular cups. If you feel your status depends on whether or not you drink your latte from a trendy coffeeshop, but are against the waste this entails, just get this non-paper-cup and fill it up with your favorite brew. And, of course, be careful not to drop it.
Although I don’t quite get why having a coffee to go might be a social symbol, if something fashionable discourages waste then bring it on. Let’s see if this becomes as popular as its bag counterpart.
How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on ThinkGeek.com.
I always get funny looks from cashiers when I decline a bag and say I’ll just put the stuff in my backback. I must be a rarity. But I still need to get a reusable bag – for major shopping, when all the products can’t fit in my moderately-sized backpack. I’ve featured a couple of such bags here (MyBag and the Flip & Tumble 24-7 bag), but they are not the only options.
The ChicoBag is sturdy, affordable and (this is what I like best) it folds until into a tiny pouch which can be hooked to your keys or backpack. One if the reason I never remember to take along a textile bag is that they are so large they have to be kept in a separate place, and I still haven’t formed that reflex to grab a bag along with my purse. The Chico also comes in a lot of colors, so the girlie types can even match their shopping bag to their clothes (which, I have to admit, is very tempting).
Since it’s Earth Day, what better opportunity to get a little more environmentally-friendly?
How much under $29.99?
A lot: $5 on ChicoBag.com.
