Back to school, back to basics. The lousy economy has many of us looking for ways to save some green. Luckily, this might mean it makes sense for you to go green too.

Sure - you probably swapped out of the regular light bulbs in favor of the twisty numbers long ago, but you knew there was more you could do, if only it made sense on the bottom line. Between government initiatives (like the Cash For Clunkers program and a rumored second one planned for appliances) and your local retailer eager to get a little more business, it all adds up to savings for you and the environment.

Here are a few interesting products that caught our attention:



1. SolarGorilla, $245

How many times have you forgotten your cell phone or laptop charger? The Solar Gorilla comes with a good variety of plugs to power most portable devices, from your laptop to your mp3 player.

2. PowerMonkey, $125

The PowerMonkey is the mini version, best for digital cameras and small electronics. It can be easily attached to your backpack while on the trail or stowed on your front dash as you drive to charge on the go.

3. Neogreene, $25-40

You want a neoprene laptop sleeve to protect your fancy Mac but hate the toxic VOCs. Switch to Neogreene - the same protection in an eco-friendly version; available in several laptop and netbook sizes or as an insulated drink bottle sleeve.


4. 100% Bamboo Sheet set, $98

Bamboo is all the rage now, as an eco-friendly textile that truly delivers style and comfort. Pure bamboo bedsheets feel softer than 700-threadcount cotton. For even higher threadcounts, try a bamboo/egyptian cotton mix.

5. Solar- and Crank Powered Emergency Radio/Flashlight, $54

An emergency weather radio usually requires batteries. Be truly prepared with this radio/flashlight combo model that is powered by solar or winding it up! Some models will even charge your cell phone.


Imagine a car that gets 230 miles/gallon (1 L/100km). That is the mileage GM claims its new Chevy Volt hybrid (#4) will deliver. Nissan's Leaf  (#5) is purely electric - a full "tank" costs you a piddly 90¢. Both models have a distance range that most mid-range commuters will have little problem achieving the mileage promised.


Now, in the future you'll park that shiny new hybrid or electric in a parking lot shaded by a solar forest. The "leaves" follow the path of the sun and capture energy to feed into the local grid or direct to the plug at the front of your car, while providing the shade needed to avoid those hot seats and corresponding thigh burns. Cool, yes?

by Claire Rahn