My wife, dog, and I spent a few hours on Sunday attending a local event known as the Moss Rock Festival. The opportunity was appealing for all of us; Lucy could make a few dog friends, my creative half wanted to peruse the regional art, and I was interested in the eco-friendly products that would be on display. Different from the typical convention-style corporate gathering, this was a chance for small companies and retailers in our area to show the end user how they can make a positive environmental impact. All in all, it was a great way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon.
After browsing the hundred or so booths, listening to countless sales pitches, and picking up a handful of flyers, we called it a day and went home to sort through all the swag. Using criteria based upon practicality and originality, I did my best to whittle down the stack to a notable few products/services that were worth a mention. Here are my favorites:
Filtered Water Bottles
If you are the type of person who enjoys getting lost in the wilderness, then here is your excuse to get even more lost: the ech2o filtered water bottle. This handy little product will take rain or fresh water and convert it to the potable variety, thus turning streams, lakes, and rivers into your own personal faucet. With the ech2o in tow, you can cut down on pack weight and leave the gallon jugs at home.
As you might expect, the price point is a bit higher than most water bottles ($30-$40), but it is certainly worth the investment if you spend a lot of time off the beaten path. Check out ecousable online, or if you live in my hometown of Birmingham, AL, go visit Green Central Station: 2717 7th Ave South in the Lakeview area (humorous note: they are closed on Sunday and Monday for croquet….couldn’t make that up).
Foton Electric Bicycle
The electric bicycle is certainly not a new concept in the marketplace. It is, however, a product that could potentially attract more attention with the advancement of its associated technology (namely the battery range) and price point. Enter the Foton electric bicycle. This new model can carry you up to thirty miles at twenty miles per hour, and it still looks like a normal mountain bike. What’s even better is the price. According to their representative, both the male and female versions of the Foton will retail for about $500 (at Wal-Mart and other retailers). Compare that to other similar bikes that start at a minimum of a grand. Google searches have not turned up a whole lot on these products, but I will send out an update if I find more info. I would really like to try one of these out once it hits stores and see if it lives up to the promises.
Recycled Concrete Walls
Here is a concept I wish I had thought of. Several companies are now starting to offer recycled concrete as a building material option. The cut-to-shape chunks of concrete are well suited for retaining walls and other outdoor uses. I was pretty impressed with the overall appearance of the material, as well as the affordability. Notably, from an environmental perspective, you really have to appreciate how many Visit Southern Benchmark to learn more.
The Home Energy Audit
I have seen this before, but this was definitely worth a mention. A few consultants have popped up in our area, offering a “home energy audit” for around $300-$500. They offer a range of services, but are primarily concerned with finding issues with insulation and airflow inside the home. Using sophisticated thermal detection equipment; consultants can pinpoint the problems and suggest a cost-effective remedy.
Whether your house is old our new, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce energy consumption. It is their job to find out what would work best.
Note: these companies only offer solutions and will not actually fix your house, so I would only recommend this service if you intend to follow through with the repair work.
Please feel free to submit your eco-friendly suggestions to matt@dogoodedness.com!
DoGood!
matt