A wind-up lantern is the perfect eco-accessory for the garden
For eco-friendly light on the go, use a Freeplay wind-up lantern. Perfect for camping, travelling, or even just in the garden, this is a perfect eco-friendly source of light and requires almost no effort to run – as little as 60 seconds winding gives you up to three hours light. This portable lantern is fitted with a dimmer switch so you can set it to your perfect brightness – maximum light if you need it, or a more subtle glow. The Freeplay wind-up lantern doesn’t need batteries or replacement bulbs so is cheap to run and environmentally friendly – no toxic batteries to dispose of and no mains electricity needed. It also has a cluster of ultra-bright LED lights as a primary light source but a second, single LED bulb to use as a directional light – so you can use it like a torch if needed. When fully charged the light gives you around three hours of bright light but lasts an impressive 70 hours at the lowest setting – perfect for lighting on the go. (You also get 40 hours of directional light from a fully charged lantern). Pleasantly retro looking in design, this lantern in fact utilises modern wind up technology to create the perfect eco-solution and to give you the light you need anywhere, anytime.
Save money and cut fuel consumption with a digital tyre inflator
You may wonder why a digital tyre inflator is a green gadget – and the answer might surprise you! Driving is a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions but unfortunately for many people it’s a necessity. While we should all be cutting back on car use where we can – most of us could easily walk to the shops if we had to – those for whom a car is simply essential to getting around can still make changes that reduce their fuel consumption and therefore make their driving habits more eco-friendly. One of these changes is simply to keep your tyres correctly inflated: some sources estimate that up to 50% of cars have under inflated tyres, which increases the rate of wear (and therefore means you have to spend money replacing them more often) and decreases fuel efficiency. This digital tyre inflator is super easy to use: you simply pre-programme it to the desired pressure, plug it into your cigarette lighter and it will switch off automatically when the tyres reach that pressure. The inflator comes with an LED worklight so you can always see what you are doing, and it’s small enough to store easily in your boot. So you should check your tyres are correctly inflated every couple of weeks and use the inflator to correct any under-inflation. By keeping your tyres inflated to the correct pressure, you will increase their longevity and your fuel efficiency, which will both save you money and reduce your carbon emissions. We can’t all stop driving – but we can all take small steps to reduce the impact that driving has on the planet, and the digital tyre inflator will help you do that.
An eco camp kit is great for camping or festivals
The weather might be so grim at the minute that you don’t even want to go out, but it will be spring sooner than you know it – so why not be prepared with this eco camp kit from Biome Lifestyle? Bringing together everything you need for a jaunt to the great outdoors, the kit is perfect for campers, travellers or festival goers – anyone who wants to get back to nature without doing nature any harm in the process! The environmentally friendly eco camp kit contains a bedroll made from hand-woven, organically grown cotton which is dyed with natural colourfast dyes; a solar shower (a solar heated reusable shower which has a capacity sufficient for 2-3 showers); a water-powered, battery-free digital alarm clock – so no chance of sleeping in when your favourite band are on stage! – and a self-powered wind-up LED lantern. The products in the kit are all either made in the UK or sea-freighted, so they are not racking up the air miles in transport, and are all designed with sustainability and the environment in mind. So you can be sure that, if you choose to holiday in the UK to reduce your carbon footprint, your eco camp kit is working just as hard for the environment as you are. The only thing they can’t supply is the weather…
Save money and fuel with the Econav GPS range
We’ve mentioned before the Econav GPS range, but manufacturers Vexia have launched a new range of eco-friendly Econav GPS systems in time for Christmas. These Econav systems are designed to help you reduce your fuel consumption by informing you of the most ecological and economical way to drive, so you can save money and help save the planet at the same time. The Econav 380 (3.5 inch screen) and Econav 480 (4.3 inch screen) are both lightweight and stylish, being slimmer and lighter than previous versions. Like all Econav systems, they will warn you of excessive acceleration and braking, show you when to change gear in order to drive more efficiently, and indicate a safe following distance to the car in front. They include Econav Reports, which show you just how much fuel you are saving. The Econav 380 and 480 feature an updated vehicle database (which contains over 8000 models!) which allows your vehicle to be personalised for optimum fuel economy, and both models are available in the UK and Ireland or European mapping versions. While we’re all keen to reduce the amount of driving we do, few people can eliminate car journeys completely, but with the Econav range you can at least be sure that you are being as fuel efficient as possible, which is good news for the planet and your wallet!
Stop your battery going flat with a Sunforce solar car battery charger
This Sunforce solar car battery charger is perfect for cars, small boats and motorbikes and other vehicles. It utilises solar power to provide a ‘trickle’ charge to your 12 V car battery and is the perfect way to ensure your car battery never goes flat. (This is a particular concern at this time of year, when the last thing you want is to be stranded on the roadside in the cold weather hoping someone will stop to help jump start your car!) Compact, easy to install and affordable, the charger connects in seconds via crocodile clips or your cigarette lighter and is easily mounted on the inside of your car window via suction cups (a cigarette lighter adapter cable, suction cups and battery clips are all included with the price of the solar car battery charger). The charger will also not overcharge a standard car battery, so you don’t need to worry about your car suddenly short circuiting! You can also easily adapt it for long-term use by simply using a silicone sealant to attach it to the car/boat window. It is rated at 1.8W and has a five year warranty. So why not add a Sunforce solar car battery charger to your car care kit? You never know when you might need it!
Eco-friendly coffee from the Handpresso portable espresso maker
If you’re a coffee addict who also likes to be on the move, this Handpresso portable espresso maker is perfect for you. Stylish and environmentally friendly, the Handpresso allows you to have premium quality coffee on the go – whether it’s on holiday, hiking, day trips or even in the garden or house! It’s simple to use and doesn’t need any electricity – you simply pump up the handle, insert an Easy Serving Espresso pod, fill the reservoir with hot water and press the release button to have the perfect coffee every time. Lightweight and chic, this sleek piece of equipment is made from environmentally friendly materials and, as it doesn’t need electricity to run like standard espresso machines, it is eco friendly and saves energy. It’s also ideal for those kitchens where space is at a premium, as it can easily be packed away and stored, unlike than bulky and expensive machines. Or, if you are the outdoors type, but can’t face the wilderness (or even the bottom of the garden) without a decent cup of coffee, it’s worth investing in the Handpresso Wild outdoor kit – this comes with everything you need for great coffee on the go, including four unbreakable cups, napkins, and a 300ml thermo-insulated stainless steel flask – for that all important hot water. It also comes in a stylish bag, so it is easy to transport and looks as chic as you’d expect. The Handpresso portable coffee maker really does make the ideal Christmas gift for the coffee lover in your life.
Green light ahead with a Vexia Econav
Highlighted recently by The Times magazine as one of the best new eco-gadgets around, the Vexia Econav 380 takes satnav GPS technology into the green age. The Vexia Econav 380 GPS Satellite Navigation System is similar to a standard satnav system but is specifically designed to help you get the most out of your vehicle: to gear shift at the right time and avoid unnecessary acceleration or braking and to maximise the power of your car without compromising performance. The eco-friendly Vexia Econav 380 is designed to provide you with the most economical and environmentally friendly ways to drive by directing the driver on the most fuel-friendly route: in doing so, the makers claim that the Vexia Econav 380 can offer a 15-30% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, depending on your driving habits and the make and age of your car. The Vexia Econav 380 will also tell drivers the best (and most energy efficient) gear to drive in. Given the high price of fuel – and the heavy cost to the planet of our motoring habits – this potentially revolutionary device should be high on every driver’s Christmas wish list, and is one gadget that will pay for itself in a very short period of time. The Vexia Econav 380 is easy to install and to use, and comes with everything you need to plug in and set up in your car. So why not get started saving fuel and money today?
The Ego Electric Street Scoota is the eco-friendly commuting solution
In today’s congested cities and towns, a scooter can seem an ideal transport solution, able to nip in and out of traffic and far cheaper to run than a car – but, as a scooter still uses petrol, it’s not the most environmentally friendly option. That isn’t true of the Ego Electric Street Scoota – this little runaround is completely electric! Simply plug the scooter in overnight to charge it with enough electricity to run it for 40 miles – more than enough for most people’s daily commute. Even better, it will cost only pennies to run. With a 1400-Watt motor, the Street Scoota can reach speeds of up to 30mph (though, in today’s traffic, you might not need to go that high!) and is a nifty ride that enables you to manoeuvre traffic with ease. Although not cheap – it retails at between £800-£1000, depending on colour and finishes – given that the average person spends nearly £2,000 a year on petrol, it will pay for itself in less than a year! Also, because it is electric, you do not need to pay road tax or the Congestion Charge, so the savings keep adding up. But the most important saving of all is environmental – as our fossil fuel reserves dwindle and the environmental and social costs of using petrol rise, it is increasingly important that we develop eco-friendly modes of transport. The Ego Electric Street Scoota is the perfect eco-solution to city commuting. Plug in yours today!
Stay safe and stay green with eco-friendly cycle lights
Cycling is one of the most eco-friendly modes of transport, but now that the evenings and mornings are darker, it’s important to keep safe when you are cycling. Luckily, there is now a range of eco-friendly products available to help you cycle safely without damaging your eco-credentials! Pedalite battery free 360 degree pedal lights are a brilliant solution to the problem of visibility. Designed to keep cyclists visible to motorists from any angle, these lights are powered by your kinetic energy, so as soon as you start pedalling, the pedals harvest and store energy. This means that, if the bike is stopped at a junction or you are freewheeling, the lights continue to flash. Because they use no batteries or rechargers, they are environmentally friendly and cheaper to run. Pedalite also produce a solar powered bag light: this light slips easily over rucksacks and gives over three hours light when fully charged, so is ideal for cyclists (or horse riders) who want to be sure they are seen on the road. Another eco-friendly, battery-free solution is the Power Plus wind-up head light, which comes with a universal clip to attach it to any bike. Visibility isn’t the only issue in these winter months: no one wants to break down on a wet and windy road, so make sure you keep your bike well-maintained. You can buy eco-friendly bike maintenance kits from Green Oil UK, which will help keep you on the road all through the winter.
Eco-friendly outdoor clothing from Patagonia
Now that the clocks have gone back and autumn in truly upon us, a warm coat seems a vital investment – but it can be hard to find warm winter clothing with good eco-credentials. Step forward outdoor and technical clothing company Patagonia, who do a range of stylish jackets and coats suitable for the British outdoors and all that it can throw at us, without compromising on green ethics. Starting out as a one-man company that made tools for climbers, Patagonia remains a major name for climbing, surfing and outdoor apparel, but the simple, stylish lines of its clothes have won it a broader audience. Patagonia uses recycled polyester and organic cotton in many of its clothes; for example, its Isotope Parka is made from double-layered 50% recycled polyester, incorporating a wear-alone vest filled with 90% recycled Thermogreen insulation and has a 50% recycled polyester waterproof/breathable barrier – making it perfect for hill walking or just navigating a rainy city afternoon. Likewise, its lightweight stormproof jacket (available for both men and women) comprises a 2-layer fabric with a 100% recycled-polyester hanging mesh and 100% recycled polyester taffeta liner. The company produces a wide range of clothes for men and women: fleeces, organic cotton t-shirts, flannel shirts, trainers and walking shoes, organic cotton yoga pants for women, dresses made from recycled polyester and organic cotton, cord trousers for men and bright, stylish tops for women. All are made to the same high eco standards, reflecting the company’s Mission Statement: “Build the best product, do no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” Given Patagonia’s strong ties to the natural environment, it isn’t surprising that the company donates time, services and money (at least 1% of sales) to environmental groups. So you can keep dry and warm this winter, without giving up your high eco standards.
