Gadgets for the eco-conscious consumer
Your laptop deserves a cool bag and this one has a big bonus—it charges your ‘puter with solar power! Its solar charger has high-efficiency cells that can recharge the battery in about five hours, and the fabric is made from recycled pop bottles. Available at Florida EcoProducts, $449.
Got a bare spot in the yard you’d like to decorate, but don’t have a power outlet nearby? Class it up with this terra cotta fountain that’s powered by a solar pump, but also includes an AC adapter for indoor use.
$109.95 at Amazon
Sick of taking those freezing showers on camping trips? This five-gallon Solar Shower will heat water for bathing and washing dishes in only three hours. Spoil yourself while roughing it! Available at Sundance Solar, $9.75.
You don’t want a plain old, dull charger for your hip new iPhone, do you? Of course not! You need this snazzy bright red Solar Energy Charger, which can also be juiced up via the AC adapter. Think how cool it will look soaking up the sun on the table at your favorite outdoor café. Available from Senyx at Amazon
This handy item not only saves you from spending money on expensive non-rechargeable batteries, it reduces waste. You can recharge up to four AA, AAA, C or D cells or up to two 9V batteries at once, and at $19.99, this one will pay for itself in no time! Available at Gaiam.com.
