The Visable Shower Tank

December 2nd 2010

Everybody loves new gadgets and there are tons of green gizmos that tell you how much energy you’re using and how long you’ve been in the shower compared to yesterday. But how much notice do we take of all these blinking screens and colour changing thingybobs, especially on a cold Monday morning in winter? What would be great is something bold and obvious, something unmissable... insert the Visible Shower Tank!

No matter how bleary eyed and almost asleep you are, a massive tank of water (stylishly) plonked into your bathroom is going to make you rather aware of how much water you’re using.


Designed to stop people turning the shower on to warm up and then leaving it to waste up to a massive 6L of water, it has a temperature system and the constant reminder of how much water you are letting gurgle away down the plug.

Showers aren’t the only place that water is overused, the system also has a tank for the sink and toilet flushing. If you add to this your Stop The Water Whilst Using Me showergel and pop on a Short Sharp Showercast, well, it will be a good morning.


(Spotted on Treehugger)
http://www.dothegreenthing.com/blog/the_visible_shower_tank

Calling All Unreasonable People

December 1st 2010

So you have this AMAZING idea, it’s fantastic, it’s perfect, it’s going to revolutionise the green movement...but where to begin? This year the Unreasonable Institute are looking for people like you with big new ideas about the environment. 25 entrepreneurs will take part in this six week fellowship complete with mentoring and development to get your idea off the ground. You‘ll have meetings with big businesses, possible partners and investors.


Some of the Unreasonable ventures and projects from last year include a carbon neutral agricultural waste converter creating clean burning fuel in Kenya and toilet paper made from 100% recycled materials with 50% of the profits going towards building toilets in developing countries.


So if you want to start up that project you’ve been working on and change the world with your incredible ideas then apply now and this time next year your ideas could be changing the world!

http://www.dothegreenthing.com/blog/calling_all_unreasonble_people

Second Hand Gadgets

November 17th 2010

You want to buy that amazing touch screen, super gadget-y, does everything except washes your face in the morning phone that ALL your friends have but that big price tag just doesn't even come close to the number on your bank balance and you're conscience is telling you to stick with what you've got. Well if you live in Sweden, Denmark or Norway (or can understand the language) fret no more. Recycling doesn't just mean wearing your older brothers hand-me-downs and sticking wrapping paper onto ice cream tubs to make desk tidys. Siba, the electronics chain, have added a secondhand section to their website selling hundreds of gadgets and electronics at cheaper prices. With no listing fees you can sell your old camera and use the money to buy another second hand one or save for a rainy day. So before you empty your purse buying that new laptop, see if you can find it pre-owned and post-big retail price.

Ps- If you like to know more about Electronics Recycing check out this post, "Designed for the Dump".


(Spotted on Springwise)
http://www.dothegreenthing.com/blog/second_hand_gadgets

B Line

November 15th 2010

B-Line are a fantastic urban delivery company in Portland, America using electric-assisted tricycles with a trailer attached to move around goods in an eco-friendly way. Rather than using cumbersome, fume belching lorries and vans to transport fresh food and other goods around congested, busy cities, this nimble cargo trike is the perfect alternative.


In just under a year they have cycled 16,000 miles and reduced their CO2 emissions by 37,000 pounds. For in-city deliveries these nippy little tricycles couldn't be better, you can even advertise on the sides of the trailer. B-Line works with local businesses, provides green-collar jobs and helps communities become increasing environmentally friendly. I cant wait for similar businesses to spring up in the UK.

http://www.dothegreenthing.com/blog/b_line

King of the Road

November 11th 2010

Welcome to the new generation of car games. Forget I Spy and the Numberplate Game, this game reduces the amount of cars on the road and could crown you King of the Road. How's that for a title?

Ridekicks is a new website that links to your favourite social network sites (like Facebook, Twitter and more) to encourage car sharing. You upload your upcoming journeys and advertise for car-friends on the same route; either as a passenger or for a passenger. Every mile shared is a point earned. You can even charge your passengers through the site (with a 5% fee to Ridekicks).


Get sharing, make new friends and become your city's Hometown Hero. Maybe one day you might become Captain Planet - and all because you let someone else drive.

(Spotted on TriplePundit)
http://www.dothegreenthing.com/blog/king_of_the_road

Cycle Super Highway

November 10th 2010

Hate the early morning squash into the tube? Clinging to the rail with your face jammed into that sweaty man's armpit? All the while your trusty old bike is propped up at home housing the last of September's spiders. It's ok, I'm guilty too. The roads are terrifying with cars whizzing past and grazing your elbow and I get lost in this city more than I've ever been lost anywhere (with the exception of Amsterdam).


But these excuses no longer hold any weight. Say hello to the Cycle Super Highway. A specific bike path to be extended around the City next to, but for the most part separate from, the road with extra matching signs to stop directionally challenged cyclists like me ending up miles from home.


To differentiate from the tradition cycle paths, some are raised to pavement level - the curb being a handy barrier between spokes and those too-fast, too-close drivers. And in case you think it might be missed, it is painted a bright blue, Barclays blue in fact. Not content with just providing Londoners with bikes to cycle around on, they are making sure people use the bikes on these safer, quicker cycle highways. Two paths are already up and cycling from Merton and Barking into the City with 10 more planned to be completed by 2015.


With more bike parking, cutting congestion, reducing car use, taking the pressure off public transport AND encouraging more people to get cycling and get fit, what isn't to love? So (sorry, I cant help myself, I'm gonna say it) On Yer Bike!

(Spotted on Springwise)
http://www.dothegreenthing.com/blog/cycle_super_highway

Blog catch up plus excuses

I have been writing blogs for a fantastic climate change charity I volunteer for called Do The Green Thing. I started writing for them in November, around the same time I stopped blogging on here. But to prove that I didn't in fact just give up and hide under a recycling bin, I am now going to add my previous Green Thing blogs and continue to put them up after they've been published on their (infinitely higher read) blog.
Get ready for an influx of green opinion.