Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Insert Coin: Berlin Boombox recyclable cardboard stereo (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/insert-coin-berlin-boombox/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/insert-coin-berlin-boombox/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/insert-coin-berlin-boombox/#commentsIn Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
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It's been years since we've spotted a proper handle-sporting boombox on this side of the equator (in public, at least), but we're decidedly impressed with this unique Kickstarter creation, dubbed the Berlin Boombox. Constructed nearly entirely of cardboard, save for some metal- and plastic-based essentials, the speaker rig ships disassembled in a flat cardboard box. Getting the Boombox up and running shouldn't require much effort, however -- the designer states that you won't need any tools during the quick assembly process. After you're done, you can connect the setup to any source with a 3.5mm headphone jack, then control volume with the large aluminum power/volume knob. The Berlin Boombox also ships with four AA batteries, though it's not clear how many hours of music you'll be able to pipe through the speakers with that initial set of cells. We also can't speak to sound quality, though there is a free custom sound profile available for iOS devices -- audio "will be remastered in real-time to use the full potential of the Berlin Boombox."

You can pre-order your own with a $50 pledge, saving you 9 bucks off the estimated retail price. There's also a "limited edition" two-tone box, available with a $100 pledge, while $250 will net you a custom-designed model, which can also be paired with a dinner and tour of Berlin with the inventor if you're willing to fork over $500 or more. There's just shy of two weeks left during the funding period -- you'll need to provide that financial support before noon on April 25th. The project is on track to meet its $14,000 funding goal, however, so it's fairly safe to say that you'll be able to snag one of these cardboard contraptions even if you aren't ready to take the plunge just yet. Jump past the break to see the Berlin Boombox in action, and to catch up with our last Insert Coin project: The PowerPot.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Berlin Boombox recyclable cardboard stereo (video)

Insert Coin: Berlin Boombox recyclable cardboard stereo (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioAxel PfaenderAxelPfaenderberlinberlin boomboxBerlinBoomboxboomboxcardboarddockdocksfundfundinggermanygreenInsert CoinInsertCoinkickstarterprototypeprototypesrecyclablerecyclerecyclingspeakerspeaker dockSpeakerDockspeakersvideoWed, 11 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ReCellular's headquarters toured by iFixit, recycling and redistribution gets a closer look]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/11/recellular-phone-recycling-tour/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/11/recellular-phone-recycling-tour/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/11/recellular-phone-recycling-tour/#comments ReCellular's hardly a new name in the recycling universe, but as more and more individuals toss their dumbphone for a smarter alternative, the Ann Arbor-based outfit is seeing a new wave of interest. iFixit, a company that thrives on tearing down gadgetry both new and old in order to inform people of their repair and upgrade options, recently had the opportunity to tour ReCellular's monolithic warehouse, where some 10,000 used phones are processed every 24 hours. The tour also included a bit of back-and-forth with the founder, who isn't against the seemingly endless churn of devices. In fact, he quips that "we have the right to get a phone that's smaller and a prettier color if we want," insinuating that ReCellular simply exists to provide a better home to older gizmos than in some landfill. Perhaps surprisingly, Chuck Newman even confesses that the whole "environmental message" isn't very effective, which is why it distributes prepaid envelopes to encourage recycling that would probably not happen otherwise. Eager to read more? Give those links below a tap.

ReCellular's headquarters toured by iFixit, recycling and redistribution gets a closer look originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chuck NewmanChuckNewmanecoeco friendlyeco-friendlyEcoFriendlygreenmobilepostcrossRecellularrecyclerecyclingSun, 11 Mar 2012 17:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan to reduce rare earth consumption in response to China's export controls]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/japan-china-rare-earths-consumption/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/japan-china-rare-earths-consumption/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/08/japan-china-rare-earths-consumption/#comments
Japan took another step toward lessening its rare earths dependence today, announcing plans to drastically reduce consumption levels in response to China's continued market dominance. Of particular concern to the Japanese government is dysprosium -- a rare earth used in the production of high-powered magnets. China, which accounts for about 95 percent of the world's rare earth supply, has been tightening export controls on the metal in recent months, sending global prices skyward. With its domestic supplies dwindling, Japan has now committed to reducing its dysprosium consumption by 30 percent over the next few years, as part of a $65 million initiative. Much of that money will presumably go toward helping manufacturers develop alternative production and recycling methods, as some already have. Toyota, for instance, has found a way to produce hybrid and electric vehicles without using dysprosium, while Mitsubishi, Panasonic and TDK are currently looking at ways to extract the metal from old air conditioners. If effective, the government's program would reduce domestic consumption by between 200 and 400 tonnes per year.

Japan to reduce rare earth consumption in response to China's export controls originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachinaconsumptiondysprosiumeconomicseconomyexportexport controlExportControljapanjapanesemanufacturingmetalmitsubishipanasonicrare earthrare earth mineralsrare earthsRareEarthRareEarthMineralsRareEarthsrecyclingresourcestdktoyotatradeWed, 08 Feb 2012 21:41:00 EST<![CDATA[FurniGadget: N+ew freezes your e-waste into a stool]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/furnigadget-n-ew-freezes-your-e-waste-into-a-stool/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/furnigadget-n-ew-freezes-your-e-waste-into-a-stool/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/31/furnigadget-n-ew-freezes-your-e-waste-into-a-stool/#comments
This is one of Rodrigo Alonso's stools. It's part of a series of furniture called N+ew, which stands for "No More Electronic Waste," the Chilean artist felt the best way to dispose of electronic gadgetry that had fallen by the wayside, was to encase it in epoxy resin and sell it to aesthetes worldwide. As you can see, the collection has a rare, distinct beauty that recalls Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chair and Arne Jacobsen's No. 7 seat. If you find yourself unable to resist a purchase, bespoke editions can be ordered from the sculptor's website as the perfect conversation starter -- as long as you enjoy every conversation beginning with "What on earth possessed you to buy one of those things?"

FurniGadget: N+ew freezes your e-waste into a stool originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Arne JacobsenArneJacobsenBarcelona ChairBarcelonaChairChileChileanFurnitureGadgetLudwig Mies van der RoheLudwigMiesVanDerRoheMies van der RoheMiesVanDerRoheN+ewNo More Electronic WasteNo. 7 SeatNo.7SeatNoMoreElectronicWasteRecyclaRecycleRecyclingRodrigo AlonsoRodrigoAlonsoTrue BeautyTrueBeautyTue, 31 Jan 2012 14:41:00 EST<![CDATA[European Union retailers to be required to accept e-waste without charge, says Parliament]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/european-union-retailers-required-to-accept-e-waste-without-fees/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/european-union-retailers-required-to-accept-e-waste-without-fees/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/22/european-union-retailers-required-to-accept-e-waste-without-fees/#comments Not sure what to do with your old, outdated electronics? If you live within the European Union, getting rid of your e-waste may soon be as easy as dropping by the local electronics shop. In an effort to increase electronic waste collection from four kilograms per capita to 20, the European Parliament has approved plans that would require electronic retailers with a retail space of 400 square meters or larger to accept e-waste for disposal, free of charge. The new rules will be implemented over the next seven years, and are part of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive -- a measure that also aims to limit illegal e-waste exports to developing countries. Between keeping your house uncluttered with old gadgets and keeping developing nations clean, what's not to like?

European Union retailers to be required to accept e-waste without charge, says Parliament originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delle-wasteenvironmentEuropean ParliamentEuropean UnionEuropeanParliamentEuropeanUnionewasteFinancegadget recyclingGadgetRecyclingrecyclingSciTechtoxic wasteToxicWasteWaste Electrical and Electronic Equipment DirectiveWasteElectricalAndElectronicEquipmentDirectiveSun, 22 Jan 2012 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Let the turkey power your Christmas tree lights]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/let-the-turkey-power-your-christmas-tree-lights/#comments No one's attempted this in a commercial product before, but Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co has reportedly developed a device that makes it achievable: a 'rectenna' that can fit inside a microwave oven and recycle unused wave energy. The palm-sized gadget combines both an antenna for catching waves and a rectifier for converting them into DC current, with a maximum output of 100 watts. Foods with a low water content have the worst heating efficiency, which means they offer the best opportunity for reclaiming energy -- so stodgy Christmas cuisine would be perfect.

Let the turkey power your Christmas tree lights originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennachristmascookingdefrostingDengyomicrowavemicrowave ovenMicrowaveOvenNihon Dengyo KosakuNihonDengyoKosakurectennarectifierrecyclerecyclingMon, 12 Dec 2011 08:12:00 EST<![CDATA[EcoATM offers instant money for your old phone, we go hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/ecoatm-offers-instant-money-for-your-old-phone-we-go-hands-on-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/ecoatm-offers-instant-money-for-your-old-phone-we-go-hands-on-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/ecoatm-offers-instant-money-for-your-old-phone-we-go-hands-on-a/#comments Old-fashioned ATM meets modern-day phone recycling program. That's the idea behind EcoATM, a startup aimed to help reduce electronic waste and beef up your wallet at the same time. Of course, it's not a new concept: phone recycling programs have been around for a while now, helping you stay green by giving you some green. Trading in an old phone for the almighty dollar, however, typically involves filling out paperwork, printing labels, shipping the device to the facility and waiting for four weeks for a check. EcoATM's goal is to eliminate all of that in favor of a simple 5-minute process that ends with cash in-hand. The company has machines set up in popular shopping malls in various cities across the country, ready to help you part ways with your old device. Take a gander at a gallery and the full demonstration below.

Gallery: EcoATM hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011


Zachary Lutz contributed to this report.

Continue reading EcoATM offers instant money for your old phone, we go hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video)

EcoATM offers instant money for your old phone, we go hands-on at CTIA E&A 2011 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atmctiactia2011ctiaea2011ecoatmhands-onmobilepostcrossphone recyclePhoneRecyclerecyclerecyclingtrade-intrade-in programTrade-inProgramtrade-insvideoThu, 13 Oct 2011 12:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Visualized: A gadget graveyard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/visualized-a-gadget-graveyard/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/visualized-a-gadget-graveyard/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/12/visualized-a-gadget-graveyard/#comments
Wonder where your old SDTV went to die? Wonder no more.

Visualized: A gadget graveyard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dumpgraveyardrecyclerecycledrecycled technologyRecycledTechnologyrecyclingthrow outthrown outThrownOutThrowOutvisualizedFri, 12 Aug 2011 10:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/apple-puts-pcs-on-free-recycling-party-list-opens-doors-to-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/apple-puts-pcs-on-free-recycling-party-list-opens-doors-to-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/apple-puts-pcs-on-free-recycling-party-list-opens-doors-to-ipad/#comments After being forced to pay off the door man to get into Apple's electronics recycling party for years now, PCs are finally getting in for free -- VIP style. Apple has revised its Reuse and Recycling Program and opened the gates to sheep from another shepherd's flock. The new rules are quite a departure from past protocol, which charged PC users 30 bones to recycle non-Apple computers and displays -- unless of course they agreed to purchase a Mac, in which case Apple would kindly do it for free. As part of the restructured program, ripe old iPads and iPhones are now eligible for Apple's exchange program as well, where you'll get a gift card if your device is actually worth anything. The company still recycles old iPods and mobile phones (regardless of manufacturer) for free, and offers 10% off a new iPod if you hand over an old one. With the revised plan it's safe to say the folks at Apple ditched the program's old theme song, "It's Not Easy Being Green," and are instead spinning a new track. Sparkly silver jacket not included.

Continue reading Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones

Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleeco friendlyeco-friendlyEcoFriendlyelectronicelectronicsenvironmentenvironmentalEnvironmentallyFriendlygadgetsgreenipadiphoneiPodjunkmacpcrecyclerecyclingreducereuseWed, 10 Aug 2011 00:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Space shuttle's final voyage will include recycling urine into sports drink, crafting hilarious brand name]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/space-shuttles-final-voyage-will-include-recycling-urine-into-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/space-shuttles-final-voyage-will-include-recycling-urine-into-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/space-shuttles-final-voyage-will-include-recycling-urine-into-s/#comments
Just because the space shuttle Atlantis is on its final mission, that doesn't mean NASA's run out of cool experiments. Its latest example? A shiny silver bag -- consciously inspired by the "stillsuits" from Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic, Dune -- that turns astronaut urine into potable drinking water. It's been done, you say? Sure, but the earlier tech relied on electricity: a precious commodity aboard the International Space Station. The Forward Osmosis Bag requires no outside power source, relying on, you guessed it, forward osmosis to produce clean, filtered water. Not only that, but the resulting water mixes with a sugary solution to make a electrolyte-rich sports drink. On Earth this process takes four to six hours, but Atlantis astronauts will test its viability in space near the end of their mission. For an extensive on-planet demonstration, see the video after the break.

Continue reading Space shuttle's final voyage will include recycling urine into sports drink, crafting hilarious brand name

Space shuttle's final voyage will include recycling urine into sports drink, crafting hilarious brand name originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>experimentForward Osmosis BagForwardOsmosisBagNASAosmosisrecyclingshuttlespacespace racespace shuttlespace shuttle atlantisSpaceRaceSpaceShuttleSpaceShuttleAtlantisSpaceTravelsts 135sts-135Sts135travelurinewaterFri, 08 Jul 2011 18:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Coca-Cola's green billboard consumes carbon dioxide like so much sugary soda]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/coca-colas-green-billboard-consumes-carbon-dioxide-like-so-much/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/coca-colas-green-billboard-consumes-carbon-dioxide-like-so-much/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/06/coca-colas-green-billboard-consumes-carbon-dioxide-like-so-much/#comments Sure, we've seen plenty of cool billboard features over the years, from facial recognition to interactive Pong games, but few have managed the dual feat of promoting a popular soft drink and making the world a slightly greener place. All of that fuzzy area you see surrounding the silhouette of the Coke bottle in the above 60 by 60 foot billboard is made up of a number of Fukien tea plants, each of which can soak up around 13 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, for a combined total of 46,800 pounds. The plants are housed in pots made from recycled Coke bottles and are watered via a drip irrigation system. The billboard is the product of a partnership between Coca-Cola Philippines and the World Wildlife Fund. No word on when it might be greening up more skylines around the world. Press release below.

Continue reading Coca-Cola's green billboard consumes carbon dioxide like so much sugary soda

Coca-Cola's green billboard consumes carbon dioxide like so much sugary soda originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadsadvertisementbillboardbillboardscoca-colacokeenvironmentgreenPhilippinesplantspollutionrecyclingworld wildlife fundWorldWildlifeFundwwfWed, 06 Jul 2011 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[BinCam posts photos of your trash on Facebook, shames you into recycling (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bincam-posts-photos-of-your-trash-on-facebook-shames-you-into-r/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bincam-posts-photos-of-your-trash-on-facebook-shames-you-into-r/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bincam-posts-photos-of-your-trash-on-facebook-shames-you-into-r/#comments BinCam We're not sure how comfortable we are with everyone online being able to examine our, as the Brits would say, "rubbish." But our friends across the pond are apparently ok with it, seeing as it's the home of BinCam -- a research project out of Newcastle University that posts pictures of people's trash on Facebook. At the heart of the experiment is an Xperia X10 Mini strapped under the lid of a garbage can that automatically snaps a photo every time it's opened and closed. That image is then uploaded to the BinCam Facebook app, where you're showered with public shame for failing to sort your recyclables or celebrated for not wasting food. And, just in case you think this is all an elaborate joke, check out the BBC report after the break the the study of how it affected student behavior at the source.

Continue reading BinCam posts photos of your trash on Facebook, shames you into recycling (video)

BinCam posts photos of your trash on Facebook, shames you into recycling (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behaviorbincamfacebookgarbagegreennewcastle universityNewcastleUniversityrecyclingresearchsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtrashvideoFri, 10 Jun 2011 01:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: hydrogen-powered space plane, Japan's solar surge and urban farms of Ze Future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/inhabitats-week-in-green-hydrogen-powered-space-plane-japans/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/inhabitats-week-in-green-hydrogen-powered-space-plane-japans/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/inhabitats-week-in-green-hydrogen-powered-space-plane-japans/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Green transportation took off for the stars this week as Inhabitat reported that the European Space Agency has approved of a new hydrogen-powered "Skylon" space plane, and we spotted a hot Star Wars-inspired electric chopper that wouldn't look out of place on the Death Star. We also learned that NASA plans to rejoin the space race with a new MPCV craft fit for deep space flights, while here on Earth we saw GE harness the power of the sun to charge Volt EVs before they hit dealerships.

Speaking of solar power, Japan unveiled plans to construct 10 new solar power plants in the wake of the Fukushima Nuclear Crisis, while Switzerland announced that it will completely phase out the use of nuclear power. We also showcased a stunning chandelier made from 500 fluttering photovoltaic butterflies, and we saw Nevada kick-start construction on the US' first molten salt solar plant, which will generate energy long after the sun has set.

We also brought you several incredible feats of architecture this week, from a restaurant made from a recycled Soviet airplane in Zurich to an innovative cocoon-like building made from sugarcane that recently won an AIA competition. We also showed how Plantlab is making vertical urban farms a reality, and we spotted a sky-high proposal for an energy-generating city on stilts that would hover over Manhattan. Finally, this week we rounded up some of our favorite eco apps and services that can help you green your consumption.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: hydrogen-powered space plane, Japan's solar surge and urban farms of Ze Future originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>butterfliesbutterflyChevy VoltChevyVolteco-friendlygreenInhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenjapanmolten saltMoltenSaltnasaNevadaPlantlabrecycledrecyclingskylonsolarsolar powersolar poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredSwitzerlandVoltWeek in GreenWeekInGreenSun, 29 May 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google I/O attendees asked to give their old Android phones to charity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/google-i-o-attendees-asked-to-give-their-old-android-phones-to-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/google-i-o-attendees-asked-to-give-their-old-android-phones-to-c/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/22/google-i-o-attendees-asked-to-give-their-old-android-phones-to-c/#commentsSteve Jobs might not think much of Google's old "don't be evil" mantra, but it's hard to fault a company for using its products' popularity for the common good. In what seems to be a spiritual successor to last year's Chrome for a Cause drive, Google is asking I/O 2011 attendees for their unwanted, unlocked Android smartphones in a campaign dubbed "Android for Good." Donated devices collected at the event will be put to use at charities in developing nations -- for instance, your old phone could save elephants from poachers, or help remote villages get healthcare. We aren't saying hording your old G1 is evil per se, but what good is it doing in your junk drawer?

Google I/O attendees asked to give their old Android phones to charity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 01:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAndroid for GoodAndroidForGoodcharitydonationgoogle charitygoogle ioGoogle IO 2011GoogleCharityGoogleIoGoogleIo2011recyclingsmartphoneFri, 22 Apr 2011 01:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: SunPower supplants Ford, lava power, and the airlifted eco shelter]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/27/inhabitats-week-in-green-sunpower-supplants-ford-lava-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/27/inhabitats-week-in-green-sunpower-supplants-ford-lava-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/27/inhabitats-week-in-green-sunpower-supplants-ford-lava-power/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

This week Inhabitat saw geothermal power projects pick up steam around the world as Iceland eyed liquid magma as an energy source and the UK sought to tap geothermal reserves under Newcastle. We also saw scientists develop a stretchable solar-powered sensor that can detect the drop of a pin, and we were impressed by a brilliant system that uses algae to treat wastewater and generate fuel in one fell swoop.

We also showcased several innovative examples of high-tech architecture - Wales' futuristic newport transit station and a massive green-roofed innovation hub that is set to become Botswana's first LEED-certified building. Solar-powered structures were a hot topic as well as we took a look inside SunPower's incredible renovated headquarters, learned about the new location of the 2011 Solar Decathlon, and showcased a photovoltaic-powered alpine eco shelter.

Finally, this week we got set for the start of spring by sharing our five favorite green gadget gardening tools and a rainwater recycling system that comes complete with a solar pump. We also spotted a chic cradle-to-cradle raincoat that will fend off impending showers and a natty wool iPad cover that will keep your tablet cozy in blustery weather.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: SunPower supplants Ford, lava power, and the airlifted eco shelter originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>geothermalgeothermal energyGeothermalEnergyInhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenlavamagmarecyclerecyclingshelterSolar DecathlonSolarDecathlonSunPowerwastewastewaterweek in greenWeekInGreenSun, 27 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla details Closed Loop battery recycling program for Europe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/tesla-details-closed-loop-battery-recycling-program-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/tesla-details-closed-loop-battery-recycling-program-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/28/tesla-details-closed-loop-battery-recycling-program-for-europe/#commentsTesla details 'Closed Loop' battery recycling program for Europe Electric cars need big 'ol batteries, like the Model S pack shown above, and while we've seen time and again that those cells hold up better than expected for years, eventually they're going to need to be decommissioned. What happens then? Tesla already has a recycling program in the US and now it's detailing plans for a similar program in Europe in partnership with Umicore. Tesla's packs are now eligible for Umicore's "Closed Loop" process, disassembling them to remove easily re-used components and then refining the rest of the cell constituents into things like lithium cobalt oxide, which can be used in other batteries, and other various byproducts that can be used in cement or as fill. The whole process of breaking down and extracting all the components is actually profitable, so hopefully Euro drivers won't get hit with any pricey Roadster disposal fees when they trade up to a Model S.

Tesla details Closed Loop battery recycling program for Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battery recyclingBatteryRecyclingclosed loopClosedLoopelectric vehicleElectricVehicleevrecyclingteslaumicoreFri, 28 Jan 2011 13:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Genovation G2 aims to be the greenest thing you can drive, will be made from renewable and recycled parts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/genovation-g2-aims-to-be-the-greenest-thing-you-can-drive-will/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/genovation-g2-aims-to-be-the-greenest-thing-you-can-drive-will/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/24/genovation-g2-aims-to-be-the-greenest-thing-you-can-drive-will/#comments One big sticking point for those still unwilling to embrace the eco-friendly credentials of electric vehicles is the undeniable fact that building an EV costs plenty in terms of resource and energy use. Hoping to counter this concern, Genovation is working on developing a new G2 electric car (the G1 was a Ford Focus modified with off-the-shelf parts to run on batteries), which will try to maximize the use of renewable and recycled materials in its construction. It's just completed the first phase of its development, where quarter-size models have been built by Tata Technologies and a bunch of simulations, analyses, and performance tests have been run. Phases two and three will involve the building of functional prototypes and pre-production road vehicles, with phase four presumably being the onset of our sustainable living utopia.

Continue reading Genovation G2 aims to be the greenest thing you can drive, will be made from renewable and recycled parts

Genovation G2 aims to be the greenest thing you can drive, will be made from renewable and recycled parts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cardesigndevelopmenteco-consciouselectricelectric vehicleElectricVehicleenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlyevg2genovationgenovation g2GenovationG2greenhybridmaterialsphevplug-inrecycledrecyclingrenewablerenewable materialsRenewableMaterialssustainabletatavehicleMon, 24 Jan 2011 05:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo: we've shipped more than 150 million Eneloop rechargeable batteries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/sanyo-weve-shipped-more-than-150-million-eneloop-rechargeable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/sanyo-weve-shipped-more-than-150-million-eneloop-rechargeable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/sanyo-weve-shipped-more-than-150-million-eneloop-rechargeable/#comments
 Sanyo has announced that as of the end of 2010, it had officially shipped more than 150 million rechargeable Eneloop batteries. The company now ships the batteries -- which can be recharged up to 1,500 times -- to more than 60 countries. We reviewed Sanyo's rechargeable offering alongside another battery a few months back, which you can check out if you'd like. Other than that: the full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Sanyo: we've shipped more than 150 million Eneloop rechargeable batteries

Sanyo: we've shipped more than 150 million Eneloop rechargeable batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterychargingenelooprechargeablebatteriesrecyclablerecyclingsanyoThu, 06 Jan 2011 11:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: electric cars compared, molten salt solar, and a renewable Merry Christmas!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-electric-cars-compared-molten-salt-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-electric-cars-compared-molten-salt-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/19/inhabitats-week-in-green-electric-cars-compared-molten-salt-s/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Electric vehicles took the country by storm this week as both the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt were officially released to eager customers - if you're still trying to decide between the two, check out our electric vehicle smackdown, which compares the two EVs based on their most important features. We also took a spin inside Honda's electric Fit, and we showcased a futuristic home decked out with enough solar panels to completely charge an EV. The Sonex airplane also signaled bright horizons for electric aviation as it completed its maiden flight.

Meanwhile California lit up the newswires by giving the green light for the state's first molten salt solar energy project, and San Francisco announced a plan to generate 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. We also saw ten European countries forge a plan to build a massive renewable energy supergrid in the North Sea, and we showcased two hot examples of wearable teach that harness body heat - Fujitsu's solar-thermal power band and a band-aid styled mp3 player.

Finally, this week Inhabitat geared up for the holidays by showcasing 6 brands of dazzling LED christmas lights that save you energy and money, we showcased some innovative Christmas trees made with unusual materials, and we highlighted out favorite green gadget gifts for the holidays this year. And when all those presents are unwrapped we know exactly what to do with the aftermath - researchers have developed a way to recycle 100% of the material in plastic wrapping paper and artist Jason Rogenes wowed us with his incredible futuristic spaceships made from the styrofoam used to package electronics.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: electric cars compared, molten salt solar, and a renewable Merry Christmas! originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chevy VoltChevyVoltelectric vehicleelectric vehicleselectricityElectricVehicleElectricVehiclesevgridHonda FitHondaFitinhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenJason RogenesJasonRogenesmolten saltMoltenSaltNissan LeafNissanLeafrecyclingrenewable energyRenewableEnergysolarsolar powerSolarPowerSonexsupergridweek in greenWeekInGreenSun, 19 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: of electric tractor unicycles, garbage-powered garbage trucks, and luminous nanoparticle trees]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/14/inhabitats-week-in-green-of-electric-unicycles-garbage-powere/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/14/inhabitats-week-in-green-of-electric-unicycles-garbage-powere/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/14/inhabitats-week-in-green-of-electric-unicycles-garbage-powere/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

This week we were blinded by the light as researchers unveiled a way to transform city trees into luminous streetlights using gold nanoparticles. We also showcased a mesmerizing paper LED structure shaped like a tree at Tokyo Designers Week, and speaking of stellar architecture, check out this stunning star-shaped Taiwanese tower topped with a built-in wind turbine.

In other news, strap on your rollerblades and hang tight - from the Department of Questionable Transportation comes the FlyRad, an insane electric unicycle that pulls you down the street at 25 miles per hour. Meanwhile, the city of Toronto is doing their part to preserve the environment by rolling out a fleet of garbage trucks that can be powered by the very waste they collect. Finally, the University of Rhode Island signaled a bright future for efficient transportation as they unveiled four designs that could tap the United States' 2.7 million miles of roadways for solar energy.

This week we also looked at several new applications for futuristic manufacturing technologies - a dutch designer has pioneered a way to create 3D printed shoes that fit feet perfectly, and researchers have found that activated carbon cloth is a quicker picker-upper for toxic waste. Finally, with the holidays on their way, this week we rounded up our top ten green gadget gifts for 2010!

Inhabitat's Week in Green: of electric tractor unicycles, garbage-powered garbage trucks, and luminous nanoparticle trees originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3D printing3dPrintingarcitecturecarbon clothCarbonClothFlyRadinhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreennanonanoparticlesnanotechnanotechnologyrecyclingsolar powerSolarPowertokyo designers weekTokyoDesignersWeekunicyclewind powerWindPowerSun, 14 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: serpentine solar, sustainable studios and shape-shifting shade]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/07/inhabitats-week-in-green-serpentine-solar-sustainable-studios/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/07/inhabitats-week-in-green-serpentine-solar-sustainable-studios/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/07/inhabitats-week-in-green-serpentine-solar-sustainable-studios/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

This week we warmed up for cool days ahead by taking a look inside an incredible igloo made from 322 recycled refrigerators. We also showcased several feats of architecture that harness high-tech systems to achieve exceptional levels of efficiency - the ultra-modern world's most sustainable broadcasting studio, and Santiago Calatrava's shape-shifting pavilion for the Milwaukee Art Museum.

We also saw transportation get a solar-powered supercharge as designer Mans Tham unveiled plans for a serpentine photovoltaic skin for the Santa Monica Freeway. If that seems a bit ostentatious for your taste, then check out this award-winning plan to create roads using sand and bacteria instead of oil. And speaking of eco infrastructure, this week we were thrilled to see the launch of the world's first wireless electric vehicle charger in the UK.

We also showcased several new horizons for ultra-efficient lighting as we shared our top ten picks for stylish LED desk lamps, and took a look at a new interactive night light adorned with fun illuminated Glo balls. Finally, we were blown away by Levi's new WaterLess jeans, which can be produced using up to 96% less water than de rigueur dungarees.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: serpentine solar, sustainable studios and shape-shifting shade originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>infrastructureinhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenlevilevisMans ThamMansThamrecyclingSantiago CalatravaSantiagoCalatravasolar powerSolarPowerwaterlessweek in greenWeekInGreenwireless chargingWirelessChargingSun, 07 Nov 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar paper planes, Denmark's flaming tower, and used coffee power]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/24/inhabitats-week-in-green-solar-paper-planes-denmarks-flaming/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/24/inhabitats-week-in-green-solar-paper-planes-denmarks-flaming/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/24/inhabitats-week-in-green-solar-paper-planes-denmarks-flaming/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.
Green power lit up the world this week as ZenithSolar smashed the record for solar efficiency with its massive parabolic mirrors and Denmark unveiled plans to construct a towering "cathedral" that will transform waste into energy. We were also all abuzz about these batteries made from used coffee capsules and MIT rolled out a new type of foldable paper-thin solar cells.

Speaking of super-thin foldable tech, this week we showcased the world's first biodegradable paper watch and we spotted an ingenious folding beer box that can transform a six-pack into a pitch-perfect xylophone. And while you're working on that one, you can keep your rowdy kids busy with our Top 5 smart smartphone apps for kids that educate and entertain.

High-tech lighting was another hot topic this week as GE launched a new super-bright LED bulb that harnesses jet engine cooling techniques to cut its energy use. GE also flipped the switch on its funky new hybrid halogen-CFL light bulbs, and we saw San Diego blaze a trail for energy-efficient lighting as they unveiled plans to construct the nation's largest interactive LED light show - on a bridge! Finally, we wrapped up this week's Apple news with a look at a chic new laptop bag courtesy of vegan handbag company Matt & Nat.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar paper planes, Denmark's flaming tower, and used coffee power originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodegradableDenmarkinhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenlight showLightShowMITrecyclingsolarsolar powerSolarPowerweek in greenWeekInGreenxylophoneZenith SolarZenithSolarSun, 24 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla, Nissan, and GM working today to find uses for tomorrow's used EV batteries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/tesla-nissan-and-gm-working-today-to-find-uses-for-tomorrows/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/tesla-nissan-and-gm-working-today-to-find-uses-for-tomorrows/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/27/tesla-nissan-and-gm-working-today-to-find-uses-for-tomorrows/#commentsTesla, Nissan, and GM working today to find uses for tomorrow's used EV batteries The single-biggest cost of an electric or hybrid car today? Batteries, of course. A full set of cells is around half the cost of many such vehicles, and that they'll likely need replacing in 10 years means we'll soon have a huge number of formerly very expensive and still very toxic entities lying about. So, many companies that produce cars containing the things are taking this opportunity to hypothesize what to do with them when you're through. They could, of course, be stripped down and recycled, but after a decade they should still offer around half of their capacity, enough to buffer the power generated in a home solar array or wind turbine. In other words: reuse is the name of the game, with SolarCity and Tesla partnering to see if the former can make use of the latter's depleted batteries. GM (creator of the Chevrolet Volt) and Nissan (grower of the Leaf) have recently established similar partnerships with various energy and electrics firms, meaning that today's greenest cars could continue their enviro-friendly ways in the future -- even as their shells rust away in the scrap heap.

Tesla, Nissan, and GM working today to find uses for tomorrow's used EV batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterycellchevroletelectric vehicleElectricVehicleevgeneral motorsGeneralMotorshybridhybrid carhybrid vehicleHybridCarHybridVehicleleafnissanre-userecyclingreusesolarcityteslavoltMon, 27 Sep 2010 15:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Only 600 products use Amazon's frustration-free packaging]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/11/only-600-products-use-amazons-frustration-free-packaging/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/11/only-600-products-use-amazons-frustration-free-packaging/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/11/only-600-products-use-amazons-frustration-free-packaging/#comments
We know it's been said before, but it's worth saying again: over-packaging is, by almost everyone's judgment, rampant and ridiculous. Nearly two years after Amazon introduced its "frustration-free" packaging -- with a few hiccups -- only 600 of the millions of products on Amazon.com have been modified to reflect the simpler packaging needs of online customers over their retail counterparts (no need for theft deterrence or making products stand out on the shelf). It's a big hit with customers: when manufacturers switch to more streamlined wrappers their products earn a whopping 73% reduction in negative feedback. Amazon is trying to take this message directly to product manufacturers: Philips, for example, recently saw success with downsized packaging for its Essence toothbrush and plans to "expand [its] frustration-free packaging options with Amazon." Happy online shoppers still don't seem to be enough to make a lot of the big dogs cut down on packaging, however. Even though streamlined wrappers save oodles of resources up and down the supply chain, the bottleneck towards making the switch seems to be in the glacial pace of change in packaging design and distribution at big manufacturers and retailers like Target and Walmart. Le sigh. If we were running for office in 2012 -- which we can neither confirm nor deny at this point -- we'd fast-track wrapper downsizing faster than you could say "I just slashed my wrist trying to open this bubble pack of ball-point pens."

[Image credit: boltron~'s flickr]

Only 600 products use Amazon's frustration-free packaging originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonconsumer productsConsumerProductse-commercee-wastepackagingrecyclingshippingtargetwalmartwasteSat, 11 Sep 2010 15:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists using metallic wastes to generate clean energy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/06/scientists-using-metallic-wastes-to-generate-clean-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/06/scientists-using-metallic-wastes-to-generate-clean-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/06/scientists-using-metallic-wastes-to-generate-clean-energy/#comments Solar farms are swell and all, but they aren't exactly fit for laboratories or studio apartments. Thanks to new discoveries by gurus at the University of Birmingham, though, we could be on our way to a far more diminutive method of creating clean energy. As the story goes, we could soon be using microbes to transform wastes in metals into energy. The team managed to pinpoint Hydrogenase enzymes and BioPd in their research, which they believe can be used as catalysts for the treatment of persistent pollutants. The overriding goal, however, is to "develop a one-step technology that allows for the conversion of metallic wastes into high value catalysts for green chemistry and clean energy generation," but it's difficult to say at this point how close they are to realizing it. The best news? This is bound to start a new rash of Cash 4 Gold commercials.

Scientists using metallic wastes to generate clean energy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bateriaclean energyCleanEnergyeco-friendlyelectricityenergygreenmetalMicrobesnanotechnanotechnologyPalladiumplatinumpowerrecyclerecyclingscienceMon, 06 Sep 2010 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Used ink cartridges repurposed as sci-fi movie mementos]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/used-ink-cartridges-repurposed-as-sci-fi-movie-momentos/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/used-ink-cartridges-repurposed-as-sci-fi-movie-momentos/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/26/used-ink-cartridges-repurposed-as-sci-fi-movie-momentos/#comments We've seen ink cartridges enlisted to provide light and as the basis for a bike path, and so many other things that it makes us wonder if we missed the boat by using them to, you know, print stuff. Apparently the kids at the Ink and Media Blog feel the same way, so rather than throw out the used cartridges, they handed 'em off to an artist named Faith Pearson, who used 'em to recreate scenes from her favorite sci-fi movies. They look great and sure as hell beat the C-SPAN re-enactments that we did last summer using Popsicle sticks and a broken Lego Mindstorms kit. Hit the source link to see for yourself.

Used ink cartridges repurposed as sci-fi movie mementos originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Faith PearsonFaithPearsongreeninkink cartridgeink cartridgesInkCartridgeInkCartridgesprinterrecyclerecyclingstar trekStarTrekuss enterpriseUssEnterpriseThu, 26 Aug 2010 19:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: nanotech tea, pollution-sucking stones and the world's most efficient car]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/inhabitats-week-in-green-nanotech-tea-pollution-sucking-stone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/inhabitats-week-in-green-nanotech-tea-pollution-sucking-stone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/inhabitats-week-in-green-nanotech-tea-pollution-sucking-stone/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.
This week we saw the shattering of a new record as NYC's high-tech One Bryant Park skyscraper achieved LEED Platinum certification, making it the world's greenest office tower. We also turned over a new high-tech paving stone that can absorb airborne pollution and visited a hyper-efficient solar city in Germany that is able to produce four times the amount of energy that it consumes.

The world of efficient transportation is also heating up as four electric vehicles blazed a trail through Europe in a race to circle the globe in 80 days. We also watched a team of DeLaSalle students unveil the world's most efficient zero-emissions car and took a look at an incredible electrified Porsche. Finally, sun-powered transportation reached for the stars as NASA unveiled plans to launch its solar NanoSail into space this fall.

Nanotechnology is also changing lives here on earth as researchers revealed a nanotech tea bag that can purify a liter of drinking water for less than a penny. And speaking of liquid refreshment, this week we took a plunge in Manhattan's new recycled dumpster swimming pools -- and brought back tons of photos! But summer won't last forever, so if you're gearing up to head back to school next month be sure to check out our top picks for the best solar-powered book bags.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: nanotech tea, pollution-sucking stones and the world's most efficient car originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DeLaSalleDeLaSalle SchoolDelasalleSchoolelectric carelectric porscheElectricCarElectricPorscheevgreeninhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenLEED platinumLeedPlatinumnanosailNASAPorscherecyclerecycledrecyclingsolarsolar powerSolarPowerweek in greenWeekInGreenzero-emissionsSun, 22 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cleveland approves $2.5 million for RFID recycling bins (update)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/cleveland-approves-2-5-million-for-rfid-recycling-bins-a-hopef/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/cleveland-approves-2-5-million-for-rfid-recycling-bins-a-hopef/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/22/cleveland-approves-2-5-million-for-rfid-recycling-bins-a-hopef/#comments
When it comes to trash can technology, there's little doubt the United Kingdom is on top, what with the bomb-proof and RFID-laden bins denizens have been subjected to for years. Still, the US has trialed traceable cans for some time now, and the city of Cleveland, Ohio's just decided to make them stick, shelling out $2.5 million last week for 150,000 households worth of electronically-accountable recycling. Unlike prior garbage tracing schemes, however, citizens won't be charged according to the raw weight of undesirables in their can, but rather tested to make sure at least 10 percent of the recycling bin's contents are actually recyclable -- else face a $100 fine. That may sound a little pricey, but let's face facts: if 91 percent of what you toss in your recycling bin is garbage, you're not exactly helping the planet. they aren't throwing recycling in the trash bin instead. If over 10% of a resident's trash is actually recyclable, they're slapped with a $100 fine, a costly reminder to take better care of the planet next time.

Update: We read it wrong; it's actually your trash can that's measured for recyclables. That makes much more sense! [Thanks, Adam Z.]

Cleveland approves $2.5 million for RFID recycling bins (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Aug 2010 04:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clevelandfinegarbagegreenohiorecyclingtrashSun, 22 Aug 2010 04:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple Battery Charger gets official: a battery charger, only you know, better (update: hands-on)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/apple-battery-charger-gets-official-a-battery-charger-only-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/apple-battery-charger-gets-official-a-battery-charger-only-you/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/apple-battery-charger-gets-official-a-battery-charger-only-you/#comments Apple's just slipped something into its iMac update press release that we didn't want to go unnoticed: a battery charger. Apple's AA battery-powered lineup now includes the wireless keyboard, the Magic Mouse (which seriously burns through the juice) and the Magic Trackpad, and for $29 you can score a dedicated charger for all that gear. The Apple Battery Charger comes with six long-lived NiMH rechargeable batteries which apparently have a lifetime of up to 10 years.

Update: We just had a chance to get a quick hands-on with the little guy, and well, it's a battery charger. Apple tells us the charger has the lowest vampire power draw of any charger on the market -- the idea is for users to keep two batteries in each of their peripherals and two in the charger, so they can quickly swap out as the cells run out. Interestingly, the batteries are some of the only Apple products in recent memory that don't have an Apple logo on them -- they're just plain silver with "Rechargeable" printed on them. The charger itself has slightly nicer charging contacts than the usual spring-and-flap arrangement, and it features the same removable flippy-prong AC plug as Apple's laptop and iPad power adapters, so you can theoretically swap it for a longer power cord if you like.

Gallery: Apple Battery Charger hands-on

Apple Battery Charger gets official: a battery charger, only you know, better (update: hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple battery chargerAppleBatteryChargerbatteriesbatterybattery chargerBatteryChargerchargingenvironmenthands onhands-onHandsOnRechargablerechargable batteriesRechargableBatteriesrechargeablerechargeable batteryRechargeableBatteryrecyclingTue, 27 Jul 2010 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[LCDs can be transformed from e-waste to infection fighters, says new research]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/lcds-can-be-transformed-from-e-waste-to-infection-fighters-says/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/lcds-can-be-transformed-from-e-waste-to-infection-fighters-says/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/lcds-can-be-transformed-from-e-waste-to-infection-fighters-says/#comments
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a possible use for discarded LCDs which should come as a relief to anyone familiar with the world's rampant e-waste problem. According to the report, which will be presented today at the Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference in Washington, D.C., a process of heating, then cooling and dehydrating the PVA (polyvinyl-alcohol, the key component of LCDs) with ethanol produces a surface area of mesoporous material with great potential for use in biomedicine. The resultant product's anti-microbial properties can now be enhanced by adding silver nanoparticles, producing something which is anti-bacterial and can kill things like E.coli. The potential application of course, is that hospital surfaces could be made of it in the future. This is just one (major) step in a long-term project, so don't expect to see it in real life anytime soon.

LCDs can be transformed from e-waste to infection fighters, says new research originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-bacterialantibacteriale-wasteenvironmentewastehospitalhosptialslcdlcdsmedicalrecyclerecyclingresearchscienceuniversity of yorkUniversityOfYorkThu, 24 Jun 2010 05:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Recycled ink cartridges used to build bike path in Australian National Park]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/13/recycled-ink-cartridges-used-to-build-bike-path-in-australian-na/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/13/recycled-ink-cartridges-used-to-build-bike-path-in-australian-na/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/13/recycled-ink-cartridges-used-to-build-bike-path-in-australian-na/#comments We've certainly witnessed one too many ink cartridges perish at the hands of a crushing radial, but those instances all stemmed from fighting the good fight with frustration. Australia's National Park Service is giving those fed up with paying far too much for far too little ink another, more reasonable method of extinguishing their anger with the creation of a 17 kilometer long bike path connecting Alice Springs to Simpsons Gap in West MacDonnell National Park. 'Course, recycled ink cartridges are just part of the eco-friendly solution, but it's not too far-fetched to think that another couldn't be built entirely from what your own corporation trashes in a single month, right? On a related note, that guy looks like he's having an insane amount of fun. Jealous.

[Image courtesy of Centralian Advocate]

Recycled ink cartridges used to build bike path in Australian National Park originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Jun 2010 05:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AustraliaAustraliangreeninkink cartridgeInkCartridgenational parkNationalParkprinterprintingrecyclerecyclingtravelSun, 13 Jun 2010 05:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: cow treadmills, electric cars, and the Milan Furniture Fair]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/inhabitats-week-in-green-cow-treadmills-electric-cars-and-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/inhabitats-week-in-green-cow-treadmills-electric-cars-and-th/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/26/inhabitats-week-in-green-cow-treadmills-electric-cars-and-th/#comments
The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us.

It was a busy week in green design as the design world's most important trade show, the Milan Furniture Fair, wrapped up, and Earth Day hit with full force on Thursday, April 22nd. Inhabitat brought you the most incredible green designs from Milan -- from LED lamps made almost entirely from soap to Inigo Mauerer's stunning new stripped-down OLED chandelier to gigantic architectural LEGO bricks (with life-size lego furniture to match!)

We also caught wind of several curious new energy developments from across the pond -- first, the UK is hatching a plan to recycle human waste into fuel by piping biomethane from the sewage system back into homes in Oxfordshire. Meanwhile a farmer in Norther Ireland has created a treadmill for cows that he thinks could generate 6% of the world's power. More conventional alt energy sources are on the rise as well - this week researchers announced advances in dye solar cells that make strides towards grid parity and a gasification process that is capable of doubling biofuel production.

Several major auto manufacturers also got our engines racing this week as they unveiled the next generation of sleek electric rides. Toyota officially revealed plans for a minivan sequel to it's ever-popular Prius while Chevy charged ahead with the MPV5, a larger version of the Volt sedan that seats five and packs extra space in the trunk. And finally, if classic cars are more your style, don't miss this cloth-covered retrofit to a rusty old MG Midget.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: cow treadmills, electric cars, and the Milan Furniture Fair originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcarschandelierEarth DayEarthDayevinhabitatlegallightingmgmg midgetMgMidgetmidgetmilan furniture fairMilanFurnitureFairmpv5oledpriusrecycingrecyclingsolar carSolarCartoyotaweek in greenWeekInGreenwigMon, 26 Apr 2010 20:17:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T moves toward eco-friendly packaging, earns our approbation]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/atandt-moves-toward-eco-friendly-packaging-earns-our-approbation/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/atandt-moves-toward-eco-friendly-packaging-earns-our-approbation/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/05/atandt-moves-toward-eco-friendly-packaging-earns-our-approbation/#comments Notice to all gadget makers and vendors: if you reduce your packaging and engage in environmentally conscious behavior, you'll get free press out of it and positive brand awareness to boot. Take for example AT&T's newly announced design specifications for its own-brand phone accessories and packaging requirements for cellphone makers. Both are geared toward minimizing the surplus of paper and plastic that tends to come with the purchase of your device, and both will require the use of recycled and recyclable materials. AT&T expects to save 200 tons of excess materials by the end of 2010, which is very encouraging, but also disturbing in that it lets us know we were wasting 200 tons each year that could, presumably, have been saved by some sager planning. Anyway, better late than never -- and guess what, it will probably end up costing the company less than those inane advert attacks on Verizon.

AT&T moves toward eco-friendly packaging, earns our approbation originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atteco-friendlyenvironmentenvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentallyFriendlypackagingpollutionrecyclingsustainabilitysustainableFri, 05 Mar 2010 05:41:00 EST<![CDATA[United Nations identifies e-waste as an urgent and growing problem, wants change]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/united-nations-identifies-e-waste-as-an-urgent-and-growing-probl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/united-nations-identifies-e-waste-as-an-urgent-and-growing-probl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/23/united-nations-identifies-e-waste-as-an-urgent-and-growing-probl/#comments E-waste might be one of the biggest misnomers in the history of nomery -- the image it creates in the mind is of a bunch of email and document files clogging up your local internet pipes. The reality of it is that electronic waste is rapidly populating ever-growing landfill areas in so-called developing countries (they're poor, just call a spade a spade) and the issue has now garnered the attention of the United Nations. The UN Environment Programme has issued a wideranging report warning that e-waste in China and South Africa could double or even quadruple within the next decade, whereas India could experience a five-fold rise. Major hazards exist in the unregulated and informal recycling of circuit boards and techno gadgets, as processes like backyard incineration for the retrieval of gold generate toxic gases while also being wildly inefficient. The whole point of the report is to encourage some global cooperation in setting up modern and safe recycling facilities in the affected countries to ameliorate the problem, though being generally more careful in our consumption and disposal of electronics wouldn't do the environment's chances any harm either.

United Nations identifies e-waste as an urgent and growing problem, wants change originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developing countriesDevelopingCountriese wastee-wasteelectronic wasteElectronicWasteenvironmentEWastegarbagelandfillpollutionrecyclingrubbishununepunited nationsUnited nations environment programUnitedNationsUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramwasteTue, 23 Feb 2010 05:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PrePeat rewritable printer lets you undo print jobs, no ink or toner used]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/prepeat-rewritable-printer-lets-you-undo-print-jobs-no-ink-or-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/prepeat-rewritable-printer-lets-you-undo-print-jobs-no-ink-or-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/09/prepeat-rewritable-printer-lets-you-undo-print-jobs-no-ink-or-t/#commentsInkless / tonerless printers aren't exactly new, but here's a more novel approach: inkless, tonerless, and completely reusable. The PrePeat rewritable printer is exactly that: using special paper made of PET plastic, you can make all the flowcharts and meeting notes you need, and when you want to start fresh, feed the paper back in to start fresh. Upfront cost is 500,000 yen (about $5,600 in US) for the printer and 300 yen for each sheet, in lots of 1,000 -- which we're taking to mean at least another 300,000 yen / $3,360 to get some use out of it. Each piece of paper is said to work about 1,000 times, but no word on how much (if any) history can be extracted from the materials -- just keep that in mind should sensitive information be your daily trade. Video demonstration after the break.

Continue reading PrePeat rewritable printer lets you undo print jobs, no ink or toner used

PrePeat rewritable printer lets you undo print jobs, no ink or toner used originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecogreenink lessInkLesspetpet plasticPetPlasticplasticpre peatPrePeatprinterre usablerecyclingReUsablesanwatoner lessTonerLessTue, 09 Feb 2010 00:37:00 EST<![CDATA[ReCellular will recycle your phone and donate all proceeds to Haiti disaster relief]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/recellular-will-recycle-your-phone-and-donate-all-proceeds-to-ha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/recellular-will-recycle-your-phone-and-donate-all-proceeds-to-ha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/19/recellular-will-recycle-your-phone-and-donate-all-proceeds-to-ha/#comments It might've been hard to watch pictures of the latest natural disaster striking the island of Haiti recently, but lending a hand in the relief effort shouldn't be. If you've got an older cellphone -- functioning or otherwise -- batteries, chargers, or other accessories, ReCellular wants to hear from you. The cellphone recycling company has launched a Phones for Haiti program, whereby you can donate your unwanted handsets and rest assured that 100 percent of the revenue raised from them will go to helping Haiti survivors rebuild. Partnering with the American Red Cross, ReCellular will even pay for the shipping of your castoff electronics, so really, how much easier do you want it?

ReCellular will recycle your phone and donate all proceeds to Haiti disaster relief originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american red crossAmericanRedCrossdisasterdisaster reliefDisasterReliefdonationhaitihaiti reliefHaitiReliefmobile phonesMobilePhonesphone recyclingPhoneRecyclingphones for haitiPhonesForHaitirecellularrecyclingred crossRedCrossTue, 19 Jan 2010 05:43:00 EST<![CDATA[List of most-recycled phones has two RAZRs at the top, possibly being melted right into CLIQ molds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/21/list-of-most-recycled-phones-has-two-razrs-at-the-top-possibly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/21/list-of-most-recycled-phones-has-two-razrs-at-the-top-possibly/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/21/list-of-most-recycled-phones-has-two-razrs-at-the-top-possibly/#comments Remember back when RAZRs were the most amazing thing you'd ever seen and they ran like $400 on a two-year contract? Yeah, it feels like an eternity and a half ago -- and most owners seem to feel that way, too, because they're being recycled en masse these days. Phone recycling specialist ReCellular has released its list of the ten most-recycled handsets of the year, and by 2009 standards, there really aren't any surprises -- the chart reads like a directory of forgettable has-been dumbphones with the possible exception, of course, of the industry-changing RAZRs up top. It'll be interesting to see if or when the first smartphones break the top ten -- what do you think, a Treo or two?

List of most-recycled phones has two RAZRs at the top, possibly being melted right into CLIQ molds originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobilerazrrazr v3RazrV3recellularrecyclingv3v3mMon, 21 Dec 2009 15:38:00 EST<![CDATA[How-to: recycle your old gadgets]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/how-to-recycle-your-old-gadgets/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/how-to-recycle-your-old-gadgets/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/how-to-recycle-your-old-gadgets/#comments We see a lot of gadgets come in the door here at Engadget. In fact, getting them in the door is actually the easy part... it's getting them back out that's a bit confusing. Recycling -- something that most of us do on a day-to-day basis with our trash -- is a bit stickier when it comes to gadgets. In recent years, however, most major consumer electronics companies have stepped up their games a bit and begun "take back" recycling programs of their own. There are a lot of resources out there if you want to rid yourself of old gadgets in a responsible way, but it can be a pretty overwhelming prospect, especially if (like us) you have an actual pile of old cellphones which has been growing since 1998. We thought about that a lot, and decided to try to make sense of all the wild masses of information out there on the internet, and to provide our readers a central location to look for all that information. Read on and see what we've come up with!

Continue reading How-to: recycle your old gadgets

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How-to: recycle your old gadgets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-cyclinge-wasteecoeco-friendlyewastefeaturefeaturedfeaturesgreenguidehow tohow to recyclehow-toHowToHowToRecyclerecyclerecyclingrecycling guideRecyclingGuideTue, 27 Oct 2009 13:56:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Olympic medals include material from recycled circuit boards]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/17/2010-olympic-medals-include-material-from-recycled-circuit-board/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/17/2010-olympic-medals-include-material-from-recycled-circuit-board/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/17/2010-olympic-medals-include-material-from-recycled-circuit-board/#comments
The just-unveiled medals for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver certainly break with a few conventions in terms of appearance, but it looks like they also contain a few surprises that aren't immediately apparent -- namely, they're all made at least partly from recycled circuit boards. Of course, the circuit boards have also been recycled beyond recognition, but each of the medals do apparently sport a one of a kind design, not to mention some considerable heft (weighing between 500 and 576 grams apiece). Sure, it's not enough to make a dent in the e-waste problem, but it's a heckuva way to kick start a trend.

[Via Technabob]

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2010 Olympic medals include material from recycled circuit boards originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 olympics2010Olympicsolympic medalsolympic winter gamesOlympicMedalsolympicsOlympicWinterGamesrecyclerecycledrecyclingvancouvervancouver olypmicsVancouverOlypmicswinter gamesWinterGamesSat, 17 Oct 2009 03:47:00 EST<![CDATA[New Scientist and MIT track your trash for the good of the planet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/16/new-scientist-and-mit-track-your-trash-for-the-good-of-the-plane/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/16/new-scientist-and-mit-track-your-trash-for-the-good-of-the-plane/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/16/new-scientist-and-mit-track-your-trash-for-the-good-of-the-plane/#comments
On a long enough timeline, all gadgets, white goods, furniture and consumables end up in the trash bin, and the latest tech from MIT is designed to track their subsequent journey from your porch to the great beyond. Partnering with the New Scientist magazine, researchers are hoping that by mapping where garbage ends up, they can awaken that atrophied muscle of environmental awareness in us all. The project will attach SIM cards to particular items of trash, which will beep out their location information every 15 minutes. You might think this somewhat underwhelming -- given all the bells, whistles and bomb-proofing that garbage cans have been adorned with over the years -- but interest appears high enough to justify exhibitions of the project in New York and Seattle starting this September.

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New Scientist and MIT track your trash for the good of the planet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cleanlinessenvironmentMassachussetsInstituteOfTechnologyMITNewScientistrecyclingtagstrackingtrashThu, 16 Jul 2009 03:41:00 EST