Green Design Library

Samsung G Series

Adele — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:09:56 +0000

This hard drive reduces power consumption by over 95 percent. Using smart power management, the drive is turned on and off by the host computer. It automatically enters standby after five minutes of inactivity. It’s designed to be lightweight, and is approximately 20% smaller than a typical drive with the same features. It’s also free of halogen and TBBP-A, and meets ROHS requirements. The glittering, multi-level surface, inspired by nature, reflects light and helps resist scratches and fingerprints.

Vers speaker

Adele — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:53:39 +0000

These iPod speakers have an MDF core made from locally sourced and managed eucalyptus and pine plantations. All parts of the tree are used as stock, with no waste. The MDF has no added formaldehyde, and natural lignin-based wood adhesives are used. The Class D amplifier inside more energy efficient than a traditional Class AB amp (50-80% efficient vs. 15-40% efficient). The speaker also uses switching-type power adaptors, which use less energy than traditional non-switching adaptors. The system is 100% RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) compliant, meaning there is no Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Polybrominated biphenyls or Polybrominated diphenyl ether used. Plastic components are PVC and BFR-free.

Paper used in packaging is 100% post-consumer recycled stock and nearly all of the internal plastic packaging, bags & wrapping have either been replaced with post-consumer paper or eliminated altogether. Package size has been reduced 12% by replacing styrene foam packaging material with recycled pulp paper.

Xeros washing machine

Adele — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:05:01 +0000

The Xeros washing machine, currently in development at Leeds University in the U.K., uses only a cup of water to wash a load of clothes, and a fraction of the energy a typical machine requires. Rather than water, the Xeros cleans with reusable nylon beads that attract stains. Because the clothes come out clean and virtually dry, there’s no longer any need to use an energy-intensive dryer. No detergent is necessary either.

DBA pen

Adele — Fri, 14 May 2010 00:02:43 +0000

This pen is 98% compostable– everything except the nib. Most pens can’t be recycled, because they’re made of a mix of different plastics, chemicals, and steel. The DBA pen is made of a potato-based, non-GMO material, and the ink reservoir inside is made from a renewable, biodegradable fiber. The ink itself is nontoxic, unlike the ink in conventional pens. The pen’s manufactured in a Harbec facility that’s powered by an onsite wind turbine; the facility also uses hybrid and zero-emission vehicles, and a rainwater-assisted cooling system. Unlike the ordinary blister packs used to package pens (which can’t be recycled), the DBA pen packaging is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable. It’s also printed with vegetable-based inks and uses FSC-certified paper. While the plastic in conventional pens can remain intact in landfills for thousands of years– while toxic inks leach into the soil and groundwater– the DBA pen will decompose in a composting facility in 180 days.

Other People’s Rubbish

Adele — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:32:05 +0000

These lamps are handmade by a South African designer from discarded plastic bottles.

EnduraLED

Adele — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:20:56 +0000

Philips’ new LED bulb is designed to replace the standard 60-watt incandescent, while lasting 25 times longer and using 20% less energy. If everyone in the U.S. switched to this type of bulb, it would save enough energy to power 17 million homes. Unlike CFLs, LEDs don’t contain mercury, so they are less dangerous to dispose of.

(Re)Drive

Adele — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:18:42 +0000

This 500GB hard drive is cased in bamboo and recycled aluminum; the aluminum acts as a heat sink, so a cooling fan isn’t needed. The packaging is minimal, with instructions printed within the cardboard box rather than on separate paper, no CD, and no plastic bag. Though these are good steps, the real impact from the hard drive comes from the components within, which the designers haven’t addressed.

Conserve

Adele — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:57:54 +0000

The Belkin Conserve power strip allows you to completely shut off some electronics, eliminating vampire power use, while two outlets stay on so that you can keep certain products on. It comes with a remote control so that the strip can easily be turned on and off with a wall switch. Phantom energy loss is estimated to be as much as 15% of household energy use, though this should be changing as design improves overall.

Tealight holder

Adele — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:34:04 +0000

This candleholder is made from reeds and 3Form ™ Eco-Resin, which is made from a minimum of 40% recycled resin.

Forest of woods

Adele — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:30:54 +0000

This small toy forest is handmade in a limited edition from pieces of scrap wood in Oakland, California.