The Polk Atrium loudspeakers are rugged, weather-resistant, self-powered and portable. Many outdoor speakers are suitable only for sheltered locations. The Atrium speakers meet industry & military specs for full exposure to the elements. The speakers are constructed of stainless steel and brass components to resist rust and corrosion. The cabinets are completely sealed to enhance weatherproofing and are designed to withstand temperatures above 175 degrees by using a UV-protected polymer.

Three Atrium models are available. The Atrium 45 is the least expensive at $145, the newer Atrium 55 costs $299 per pair. The Atrium 65DSI has a dual capabilities — it can function as a single speaker or part of part of a pair, and costs $269.

Home Page: Polk Audio

Available from Amazon: Atrium 45 ($145) or the newer Atrium 55 ($299)

When some people vacation, they take their homes with them.

Those are the people Irene Rawlings and Mary Abel write about in Portable Houses, a book devoted to all sorts of movable shelters and the people who created or renovated them. The examples featured in the book range in elaborateness from a canvas miner’s tent to a Boeing 737 jet and include a tree-hung tent, a few gypsy and sheep wagons and a Ski Haus that resembles a science-fiction rover. There’s even a 1966 Airstream trailer decked out by designers Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs in their signature whimsical style.

The book isn’t intended to be a how-to manual, but it does include some helpful information for would-be owners such as what to look for, what to avoid and what a similar portable home might cost.

Available from: Amazon ($15.37)

The miner’s/wall tent (seen in photo) above available from Cabela’s and Wall Tent Shop.

The Boostaroo is a pocket-size portable audio amplifier that will give anything that uses a headphone an increase in volume by 100%.

It also functions as a splitter and allows you to share your music with two other people (3 mini-headphone jacks total).

It increases the battery life of your audio player, because the player does not have to function as the amplifier. It does not distort the frequency response of the audio (the specs are: 20 to 20,000Hz +/- 2 dB). It runs on two AA batteries.

Home Page: Boostaroo, also a review page.

Available from: Thinkgeek ($24.95)

Teflon contains a toxic chemical called C8 or PFOA which has been linked to cancer and birth defects in animals. Its effects have never been formally tested on humans.

The chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid, is a soaplike material. It is used to make many widely used products, such as non-stick cookware, fast food containers, clothing, Gortex outdoor gear, furniture, carpet treatments such as Stainmaster, cleaning products and even cosmetics.

(more…)

Ceramics are a renewable material, and are generally an eco-effective choice over materials such as plastics. Treehugger points out that HeathCeramics use only half the energy to create their ceramics because they only fire them once and use matt glazes, which do not contain the questionable materials in some glazes.

Home Page: Heath Ceramics

Available from various stores across the country.

I’m not sure if I’d want to live here, but interesting nonetheless — an apartment lit solely by LEDs. The light is supplied by 120 color-changing RGB LED fittings, using 360W of power total.

A customized Lutron system control system changes intensity and hue of the light in various room and can be used to create static or changing moods.

The bathroom features an LED-illuminated spa bath and a side illuminated shower screen made from Litelogic panels.

LED fixtures such as these could also be used to generate an appealing warm white or yellow glow too.

Home Page: Vos Solutions

Thanks to GRN8 for the lead.

<

James Clar makes 3D sculptures out of LEDs. They can function as a 3D spectrum analyzer or act as a primitive camera. Clar says "Each LED acts as one pixel in the spatial array and can be refreshed at a rate of over 60 frames per second creating a low resolution 3D television."

We also like the back-lit wall sconces (see above) that alter their intensity and shift their hue. Clar’s site has movies and more images of his works.

Home Page: JamesClar

Thanks to Mocoloco for the lead.

Infants absorb chemicals more easily than adults — their bodies run at a higher metabolic rate, and their skin is ten times thinner.

Infant toys and teether made of PVC plastic often leak phthalates (pronounced “thay-lates”) and other toxic substances (see more details in this report on 2003 PVC Report Card on Kid’s Toys Manufacturers).

(more…)

This is a canister vacuum with the longest name we’ve seen so far. Designed by James Dyson in the U.K., this vacuum has only recently become available in the U.S., and it has a impressive list of design features, including the claim that it is “the first vacuum that doesn’t lose suction.”

(more…)

Grapefruit Seed Extract is a powerful disinfectant. It can be used to disinfect wounds, sterilize fruit and vegetables, purify drinking water, sanitize dishes, countertops and cutting boards and inhibit bacteria growth in pools and spas. The active ingredient of grapefruit seed extract is synthesized from the seed and pulp of certified organically grown grapefruit. The process converts the grapefruit bioflavonoids (polyphenolics) into an extremely potent compound that kills Strep, Staph, Salmonella, E. Coli, Candida, Herpes, Influenza, parasites, and fungi.

(more…)

This was my first low-flow showerhead, and it’s still one of my favorites. The Earth Massage showerhead produces a fine spray or pulsing jet but only uses 1.75 gallons per minute. It works consistently in both low and high water pressures. A “soak and soap” button reduces the flow rate to 1.0 gpm for soaping up and allows for the greatest amount of water savings possible.

The Earth Massage showerhead is available from Amazon.

This minimalist rocking chair is made of renewable banana leaves and rattan. It has a steel base. It is quite comfortable to sit in and massages your pressure points a little.

Available from: Ikea ($59)

When building, adhesives are often overlooked and considered at the last minute. However, adhesives are often more toxic than the flooring and other products they are made to adhere.

(more…)

The TidalForce E-Bike is a powerful motor-assisted mountain bike. Originally developed for the U.S. Airforce, the bike has rugged body and folds down to 18″ x 42″ x 36″ (with the front wheel removed).

(more…)

These large hemp pillows (18″ x 18″) are made by villagers in Thailand for Tribal Fiber under a FairTrade agreement.

Hemp is a durable, mold resistant fabric that softens with use. The pillows are filled with natural kapok - a silky fiber grown Southern Asia. The color comes from dyes made with flowers, leaves, seeds, bark and earth.

Available from: Good Humans ($35)

These rugs are 95% virgin wool (a renewable resource), and reportedly very durable and colorfast. They are handwoven using flat braids by Capel in North Carolina. The cost is $80 to $570. They are available in nine colors and seven different sizes.

Capel also makes other carpets woven from renewable material.

Available from: L.L. Bean

Lead from: Apartment Therapy

A stronger bioplastic has been created by NEC.

It was achieved by reinforcing polylactic acid with kenaf fiber.

Kenaf is an extremely fast growing plant which absorbs more CO₂ than other other crop.

The bioplastic would be beneficial to the ecosystem during its manufacture and when it is discarded and biodegrades.

The superior stength and heat resistance of this bioplastic allows use in products such as walkmans, computer cases and other electronics. NEC expects to make use of the new material in 2005-2006.

More Information: NEC Press Release on new Bioplastic

This chair is made of 100% white oak salvaged from wine barrels discarded by California wineries. It is treated with linseed oil. The chair folds together like so:

The price for one chair is $125. They also construct other furniture.

Available from: Whit McLeod

“Interface FLOR” carpet tiles are made from renewable materials that can recycled easily.

They are also built to be modular: if an accident happens, you can clean them in the sink put them back on the floor. They are held down by “low tack” adhesive dots. You can also create new designs by rearranging the tiles.

(more…)

American Clay natural interior plasters resist mold growth, do not outgas, are easily repaired, and are available in twelve earth inspired colors. Here is an article explaining the advantages of earth plasters.

Available from: American Clay