Non-rechargeable batteries contribute to garbage and add dangerous toxins to waste making them an environmental threat. Rechargeable batteries have long been touted as safe or at least better for the environment but when you do not find a socket outdoors the entire praise falls flat.

It is in these circumstances that people look for those AA and AAA 1.5volts options that once used can be chucked into the bin. A rechargeable solution that needs no electric socket would also be a great option. But until now, it has been a far-fetched dream.

(more…)

If you're new here and you like our articles, how about subscribing free for our updates via RSS feed.

Clayton Homes unveiled their green modular i-House at last week’s Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholders meeting. With a focus on energy saving, the i-House is expected to be 30% more energy efficient than traditional homes. Monthly energy bills are expected to go south of $70. Or you could move into Silicon Valley where are monthly energy bills are less than that already.

i-House by Clayton Homes

Designed with a contemporary feel and featuring solar panels (if the orientation permits it) on a butterfly roof that gathers rainwater, the i-House comes with Ikea fixtures, dual-flush toilets, low-flow faucets, easily renewable bamboo flooring, recycled content decking material, Japanese-style climate control in each room and low E efficient windows.

As for prices – there are two versions of the i-House. One is smaller with only one bedroom and one bathroom, covering 723 sq ft and priced at $74,900, while the other one is larger covering some 1,023 sq ft with a structure that accommodates two bedrooms and a bathroom for $93,300. Now here is where we charge your $500K for a minuscule lot to put the house on thus defeating the purpose of having cheap energy prices.

And if anyone was wondering, we really like the clean sleek design and the modernish interior. Good news for the housing market eh? Great news for the green industry.

Hitachi Lighting Ltd. in April has plans to mass produce high-efficiency fluorescent lights which use up to 50% less power than present fluorescent bulbs.

The Hitachi Ltd. group company has invested Y 1 billion ($10 million) to install production equipment at its plant in Ome, Tokyo. The company has plans to release some 10 models this fiscal year.

Hitachi’s high-efficiency lights will last 20,000 hours, almost two times that of existing products.

Hitachi will target convenience stores, factories and large commercial facilities.

It’s always about the money.

The company expects the market for environmentally friendly lighting to grow because of fiscal 2009 revisions to the energy conservation laws.

Hitachi Lighting with its high-efficiency lighting business is going head-to-head against many companies in the lighting industry that are putting therir efforts into LED lighting. Hitachi thinks its option is the more practical one.