Do you know how much energy you use? Most of us don’t. Sure we have meters outside some where but those gauges only mean something to the trained city technicians that come by once a month. For the rest of us, we need something else that translates energy usage into laymen’s terms. Perhaps something like the Power Conscience.

It’s a simple device that gives you up to the minute stats on your energy usage and calculates your current electric bill. (more…)

While some people are used to average-quality portable media players, that only have audio and video playback functions, the new PMP from Yahee Technologies presents us new features that are pretty rare to see on a player.

To start with, the YHM-PMP 678 can work with solar power, which means there is no need for batteries during the summer, or if you live on a sunny place. Also, it is compatible with 8-bit FC/NES and 16-bit GB/GBC games, meaning Nintendo games for everyone.

As you can imagine, all the other specifications are pretty good as well, (more…)

You can charge anywhere from any accessible powered USB. There is no need for a separate charger or cables when traveling. You can easily charge cells in your game station and just swap over to continue play, and charging for just a few minutes provides extra hours of instant use for most input devices.

This NiMH AA cell can be used like a normal battery and can be recharged simply by plugging into a USB port. (more…)

Hungarian designer Levente Szabó won the 2007 Electrolux Design Lab competition with his concept for the “E-wash,” a washing machine that substitutes “soap nuts” for chemical detergent which are completely organic.

In India and Nepal, people have used the soap nut (sapindus mucorossi) for centuries to get their clothes clean. (more…)

Thank goodness someone is doing a solar holiday string light set that is a little different than your hum-drum white or multi-colored led’s!

Behold the beauty and spirit, as these hanging stars slowly change colors as you sip your spiked egg-nog.

Each of the 6 acrylic (4″ diameter) starbursts on this solar powered garland has a bright white LED inside for a classic lighting effect. Each starburst hangs down one foot from the 18 ft. long (including 10 ft. lead wire) main wire. (more…)

Use your own pee-sources… I mean resources to recharge these batteries! Before you go flushing all that natural energy down the toilet, you may want to check if your batteries are low in that remote.

In 2005, Scientists in Singapore developed a battery powered by urine. The Scientists were able to produce electric power using liquid as a catalyst thanks to a special mixture of magnesium and carbon inside the batteries.

Now, a Japanese company has brought this urine powered battery technology to market with the NoPoPo (Non-Pollution Power) Aqua Batteries. Just use the included plastic pipette to inject urine into the battery chamber. Grossed out by pee? You can also use other types of liquid including beer, apple juice, cola, and saliva and of course urine.

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Someone has finally come up with a cool idea to reuse all those almost obsolete black plastic things you have hidden way back in the corner of your closet!

Brought to you by Vinylux, this collection is created from vintage record albums that have been transformed into a variety of designs. The original record labels are intact and represent some of the most popular music ever put on vinyl. Made from LPs, 45s, and vintage album covers, these unique gifts bring vinyl records back into your home.

Each bowl is created from a single record, which has been molded in to a vessel form. (more…)

What could be more practical for the ladies than these hot eco handbags from Noon Solar?! The Chicago company’s new line has just been released, consisting of three amazingly stylish bags that can charge everything from your cell phone to iPod while you’re out shopping.

Noon Solar takes sustainable style to the next level, proving once and for all that solar power can be a stylish accessory.

Each bag integrates a flexible solar panel that is capable of charging small electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, or PDAs. The panel charges an internal battery pack that stores the power until it’s used. (more…)