BOTTLING THE SUN

Collecting sunshine is no longer outside the realms of possibility. The Sun Jar (right), based on an original design by Tobias Wong and made with a traditional Mason jar and high tech energy efficient lighting, does just that. Inside the jar you’ll find a highly efficient solar cell, rechargeable battery and low energy LED lamps. When placed in sunlight the solar cell creates an electrical current that charges the battery over a few hours. This energy powers the three LED lamps inside the jar at night. Each jar offers the equivalent brightness of a candle. Available from www.thegreenshop.co.za

PLANET-FRIENDLY PHONE

Motorola unveiled the world’s first mobile phone using recycled water bottle plastic at the 2009 International CES in Las Vegas. The MOTO W233 Renew delivers the quality you expect while empowering you to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only is the plastic housing made from recycled plastic bottles, it is 100% recyclable and is the world’s first carbon neutral phone.

Through an alliance with Carbonfund.org, Motorola offsets the carbon dioxide required to manufacture, distribute and operate the phone through investments in renewable energy sources and reforestation. The phone has earned Carbonfund.org’s CarbonFree® Product Certification after an extensive product life-cycle assessment. Packaging was reduced by 22% while the box and inside materials are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. We look forward to seeing its South African release. www.motorola.com

FROM PAPER TO FIRE

New Dawn Engineering, based in Matswapa, Swaziland, has developed a fabulous way to re-use waste paper and cardboard. Their Paper Brick maker uses recycled paper material to make combustible bricks for use in place of firewood. Paper alone is sufficient but it can be mixed with many combustible fuels like wood chips, grass or coal dust to increase efficiency. The bricks can be moulded at a rate of about one every 45 seconds. A couple of brick makers and a little effort during summer could well take care of all one’s winter firewood needs! www.newdawnengineering.com