It’s tough finding eco friendly swimwear.  Here’s a different take on eco minded beach wear — rather than focus on the fabric, consider the manufacturing process itself.  The structural and performance challenges inherent in the creation of swimwear — fit, style, stretchability and the all-important transparency issue make the use of many eco-friendly materials impractical.  To look good in the surf some compromises must sometimes be made in the materials used, thus Miss Peaches reversible swimwear is constructed of 80% polyester and 20% spandex.

On the greener side of things…traditional textile manufacturing and printing is a messy, toxic, water and energy-intensive endeavor.  In order to tremendously reduce the environmental impact in the production of their perky fashions, Miss Peaches uses the water-free AirDye process to print all their swimwear and cover-ups — saving energy, water and the environment from toxic waste water.  Pictured above is the Tie Dye and Stripe Reversible top and bottom.

Related: previously on altCon
(4.24.09) emobi – eco friendly swimwear from down under
(7.20.08) eco bikini from niksters
(5.28.08) eco swimsuits – green is sexy
(5.7.07) ashley paige eco chic swimsuits
(1.10.07) hemp on the beach

Beasty Boys’ NO SLEEP TIL BROOKLYN kept spinning round my brain as we road tripped to Bklyn Designs last Saturday.  You could lose a checkered cab in one of those pot holes; it’s no wonder everyone bikes around there.

Making our way around St Ann’s warehouse we saw some pretty cool Brooklyn-based designs, not all was eco-based, but there was plenty to love. Here are a few (of the many) stand-outs. (more…)

California electronics junkies and outdoor enthusiasts will soon be able to combine passions.  Sometime in the next month, you’ll be able to shop for both a new iPod and an electric bike at some California Best Buys. Big box Best Buy plans to carry several models of Currie Tech’s Izip, and Utra Motors A2B e-bikes.

Above: Izip Urban Cruiser Enlightened   Source: bicycleretailer.com