This week, in acknowledgment of America Recycles Day (November 15th), we’re featuring products made from recycled materials like this very cool wall clock made from a recycled bicycle wheel. The one of a kind clock is made from a real bike tire so it has the commensurate scuffs, dings and character of a used wheel.
The clock mounts directly to the wall through the hub using a hollow wall anchor, giving the clock the illusion of floating just off the wall. The timepiece features a high torque German quartz movement mounted and concealed behind a set of rear bike gears. The clock measures roughly 20 inches in diameter and runs on two included AA batteries.
Made in the USA by Allan Young and sold at his pixelthis Etsy shop for $129
Related: more clocks made from recycled stuff by pixelthis
A Tried and True Green Products Review…
Designed as a pick-me-up solution that’s all natural and made with organic ingredients by a team of leading naturopathic physicians and licensed dietitians to enhance the body’s natural healing power … Phix is packed with 14 vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, yerba mate, and NADH … After drinking-in 3 different flavors, here’s what we think of Phix:
It definitely delivers an energy boost, a pleasant buzz of sorts. Purported to provide natural, sustained energy while actually bolstering one’s health — it delivers a nice boost, both physically and mentally. No edgy, over-revved sensations or crashing, either.- Flavor-wise, we prefer either Teaberry or Tropic hands down over Citron.
- The slim packets of powder are designed to go wherever you go. Just tear open, add to a glass of water, stir and drink. At home, I enjoy it most when it’s added to a glass of plain seltzer. Fizz always makes things more fun. Before heading to yoga class, I mix Teaberry in water, fill my reusable drink container, and take it with me … instant karma. (more…)
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone for leaving such awesome comments. It’s official – Congrats to Trish F of Newton, New Jersey, our lucky winner… stay tuned for our next Great Green Giveaway … and have a Happy Thanksgiving. (original post follows)
NBCUniversal just kicked off their fifth annual “Green Week” this past Sunday, reminding everyone about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling with their Mugs Save Trees campaign.
Be green and win some green … Here’s how to enter for your chance to win a $100 NBCUniversal Gift Card:
It’s all about being green and “paying it forward.” Give us an example of a green effort and how you’ve paid it forward, or set an example for others to follow.
Do you volunteer for your local beach clean-up, pick-up trash on the street, donate electronics to a nonprofit, donate books to your local library, compost organic waste instead of throwing it in the landfill, donate your bag credit at the supermarket, recycle those wine corks and plastic yogurt cups at Whole Foods and set a good example for your children? Leave a comment and inspire others to be less wasteful and more eco-conscious…
More ways to enter:
note – be sure to include (m at alternativeconsumer.com) in your address book so if you’re the winner you’ll be able to receive our notification. Contest is open to USA residents only. Winner will be selected at random and notified by email on Wednesday, Nov 23. Contest ends Tuesday, Nov 22, 11:59pm, EST.
By switching to a reusable cup, over the course of a year, we can:
- save millions of trees
- save 5.7 billion gallons of water
- save enough energy to light 77,000 homes
- divert 363 million pounds of solid waste from being generated.
As part of the Mugs Save Trees promotion, from Nov 14-18, select coffee carts in NYC, Chicago and LA will be serving free coffee to anyone who brings their own reusable mug AND the first 100 people to show up will receive a free reusable mug made of biodegradable corn plastic. Also new on the scene is their Green Square app for smartphones.
You can also enter NBC’s Show Us Your Mug Facebook contest.
Well, the temperature certainly is dropping here in Seattle! A nice, warm soak in a bathtub would be nice. But before we all bask in some heated water, might I provide some helpful tips for those of you who are thinking of replacing their current water heater.
Consider purchasing a water heater that has been ENERGY STAR approved. Did you know that ENERGY STAR is a program owned jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that offers energy efficient products and practices for the everyday consumer? 
I will be honest with you. I had heard of ENERGY STAR approved products, but I was not quite so familiar with the program’s origins. Then, I snuck a peek at an amazing statistic from the year 2010 offered on the program’s website, “Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2010 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 33 million cars — all while saving nearly $18 billion on their utility bills.” So, about replacing that water heater…
The following are the benefits one will experience from using these ENERGY STAR approved water heaters:
- gas condensing water heater: trims your water heating use by 30% and you save about $100 from your natural gas bill
- heat pump water heater: save nearly $300 annually on your electric bills
- high efficiency gas storage water heater: around $30 per year is saved, also, if everyone in the United States invested in a qualified gas storage model it’s estimated it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by one billion pounds annually.
- solar water heater: annual hot water costs can be cut in half; can take up to 10 years to pay for it itself but the costs can be recovered more quickly by utilizing Federal tax credits; can prevent up to 4,000 pounds of carbon dioxide
from hitting the earth’s atmosphere; most systems last 20 years.
- whole home gas tankless water heaters: save $100 annually on gas bills; heats water only when needed but allows continuous access to hot water; small in size and mounts on wall; has a 20 year life expectancy.
For more information about Energy Star rated products in general, check out this link. In the mean time, stay warm!
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