World’s First Hybrid Street Sweeper

First Hybrid Street Sweeper

The world’s first hybrid street sweeper promises cleaner roads and cleaner air — in addition to a top speed of 60 miles an hour.

The Allianz 4000 hybrid sweeper, currently in use in New York City, features a 6.7-liter Cummins diesel in addition to two 12-volt lithium-ion batteries and an electric-traction drive system. With the setup, Allianz estimates a 40 to 45 percent fuel savings over a diesel-only sweeper.

“A sweeper is not a typical light duty truck and therefore we need to be able to accommodate many different functions including transport, sweeping, dust control and emission compliance,” said Allianz sales manager Chad Bormann. Because the sweeper needs to propel itself and spin a broom at the same time, the differential is set up to turn brooms at a constant speed regardless of how fast the sweeper travels.

“We have the ability to operate using a smaller single diesel engine running at lower RPMs,” said Bormann. “This alone creates savings against any street sweeper that requires an auxiliary engine in conjunction with the chassis engine to drive and operate the sweep functions. The fuel savings are extreme and the carbon footprint minimal considering that street sweepers are operated for long shifts daily all over the world.”

While the per-unit cost of the sweeper has yet to be determined, Bormann says that aside from fuel savings, emissions standards make the hybrid an attractive choice for cities whose fleets must meet certain targets set by law. “This alone helps to justify any upfront additional costs that are associated with the hybrid purchase,” he said.

In order to comply with laws in certain states that require street sweepers to be able to travel at highway speeds, the 4000 has a top speed that’s governed at 60 mph, though like all other sweepers we’ve been stuck behind, it can only clean roads between 3 and 7 mph.

via Allianz

High Performing Lumber

rSTUD Increases Wall Insulation Performance

A dirty little secret in the building industry is that the promised r-value of a wall is usually just a measure of the cavity insulation in a perfect installation. Often the installation of insulation is not perfect, but just as important is the fact that the studs in the wall often leak a lot of energy through thermal bridging. The rSTUD is a new product developed to make a wall’s framing every bit as insulative as the high-end insulation that fills it. It’s 4 times more energy-efficient than conventional lumber and can reduce heat loss transmitted via a wall’s assembly by 85%.

Efficient insulation is all about the numbers, so lets take a look at what the rSTUD has to offer. The 2×6 has an r-value of 21 which makes it 3 times the efficiency of a typical 2×6 fir board rated at r 7.7. As framing can compose up to 20% of the total surface of a given wall, the real world r-value of the wall system will only be 3/4 of what is advertised. Headers, the beams that go across doors and windows, are also available with the dense pack insulation in-between structural members. Many builders make headers with foam insulation in-between the wood on-site, so this is not as ground breaking.

The rSTUD is not cheap, but like most things in building you have to look at the big picture to appreciate the benefits. If the wall is insulated with very expensive expanded foam, the real r-value of the wall system is maintained with this product rather than degraded by up to 20% through thermal bridging. This may also eliminate the need to foam the outside of the wall. The price can also be reduced with the good, old-fashioned practice of advanced framing or Optimum Value Engineering (OVE), which ironically is relatively simple and can reduce 5-15% of the framing. With demand for highly isolative building envelopes becoming more normal, especially as Passivhaus and other systems become more common, products like this will be critical.

rSTUD

Happy (Green) Thanksgiving

Top Green Thanksgiving Day Tips


1.   know your guests
2.   plan your meal
3.   shop for your staples and non-perishable items
4.   clean house
5.   decorate lightly
6.   shop for perishables and pick up your turkey
7.   pre-fab as much prep as you can
8.   cook like you've never cooked before
9.   give thanks
10. dispose of the leftovers

more details HERE + turkey impact

REPLENSIH Spray Bottle Could Disrupt Home Cleaning Market

Innovative, Reusable "Replenish" Spray Bottle Could Disrupt Home Cleaning Market

We love to tout sustainability in the consumer sector, but of the 60 billion pounds of plastic discarded annually, only 7 percent is recycled—meaning that billions of pounds end up in landfills. That said, recycling shouldn't be our only objective; the other Rs (reduce and reuse) should be our primary targets.

That's where Replenish comes in. The company rightly describes its new spray bottle as a "disruptive" product: Its reusable spray bottle is made of a sturdy, durable PET-1 plastic, meaning you don't have to replace it (though every part of it is recyclable). At the bottom of the bottle is an interchangeable "twist-on concentrate pod." To use it, you simply attach the pod to the bottle, flip it upside down, squeeze the pod until the internal measurement cup is full, and add with water. Each pod contains four bottles' worth of concentrate, and each time you buy a refill, you're not only reducing plastic waste, you're also saving money on packaging.


"When you buy a spray bottle of normal household cleaner," says founder Jason Foster, "you're basically paying for water and plastic. I kept thinking, why are we wasting money and resources shipping water and plastic. Replenish is a drastic reduction on both counts."

An added bonus is that, once stores start carrying it, they can store far more inventory of pods on their shelves—making it a win for consumers, retailers, and the environment.

Replenish

BBQs saving the planet

Could backyard BBQs save the planet?


Backyard cooking usually invokes a cloud of smoke hovering over both barbeque and cooker, hardly presenting an image of eco-friendly earth practices. But The Guardian reports barbecues can in fact help flight climate change with just a few simple steps. Recently, climate change expert Durwood Zaelke pointed out that barbecues can be rigged to generate rather than consume energy, all through the use of biochar.


Biochar is an extremely stable type of charcoal that is made from heating crop wastes, wood or other biomasses. It creates energy instead of consuming it, as it releases more combustible gases than needed to produce heat. In some parts of the world, a special stove creates biochar, turning it into a charcoal that can be mixed into soils to boost crops. This process allows the captured carbon in the biochar to "sequester" for thousands of years in the soil. In the meantime, it boosts crop productivity. Biochar contains microscopic pores great for housing helpful bacteria and fungi for soil nutrients.

Zaelke, who is president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, believes that these outdoor ovens could be applied on a large scale throughout the westernized world. As he told the Guardian, "Done on a wide scale, this could help people of all political persuasions to painlessly do their bit to tackle climate change, at the same time as adding to the productivity of their gardens."
Zaelke focuses his efforts on reducing the quick-warming chemicals that go into our air. Black carbon, methane tropospheric ozone and hydrofluorcarbons all warm the planet much as carbon dioxide does. But unlike carbon dioxide, which is warming the planet over a thousand years, they do so in short bursts and then cool down. As Zaelke points out, cutting them out from the atmosphere may promote cooler temperatures more quickly.

Further, using a biochar barbeque would in fact help suck CO2 out of the air and return it to the soil, where it could enhance crops. While it would be on a smaller scale, experts believe that if sufficient amounts of biochar were produced, the planet could reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. In the meantime, crops would be enhanced to the point of increased food production. And as Zaelke points out to the Guardian with a wink, "It would help make sure my environmental friends don't criticize me when I'm grilling my steak."

via The Guardian

Life Sack - clean water for everyone

One of the biggest problems in many parts of the world is the scarcity of clean water. There have been plenty of solutions proposed--from slow-working tablets to UV water bottles--but most are either too impractical or too expensive to be a long-term solution. Enter the Life Sack.

This solar powered water purification system uses UV-A radiation and a thermal treatment process to create clean drinking water. The sack itself is not unlike those used for donating grains and other foods to third-world countries, which means it can serve a dual purpose: initially used to hold donated foods, once those foods are stored away it can then go on being a water purification system. It's also extremely portable, with straps that allow it to be carried around like a backpack.

Phantom Load No More

This power-saving device, inspired by the behaviour of a leech, physically disconnects consumer electronics from the outlet. once full of blood, a leech will simply fall of its host to digest. this product mimics the leeches inelegant yet efficient solution for over-consumption. 
It is hard to tell when electronics are or are not taking energy and many never stop taking energy if they are plugged in (e.g. cellphone chargers). this device addresses that problem by using a timer circuit and electromechanics to eject its plug which disconnects your device from the wall outlet. once the plug falls out, all energy consumption stops and only resumes once the plug is inserted again.


Watch the Video
via Conor Klein

Eco Business Cards

Eco-friendly consultants are sure to turn green with envy when they see Andrea Romani’s brilliant Ecological Business Card ecocards. 
The concept consists of a simple stamp that can be used to print contact information upon virtually any recycled material. The clever concept is economical and not only cuts down on manufacturing costs and energy waste, but also re-uses materials that are already on the road to being tossed away.


It is interesting how many companies that are considered eco-friendly still carry around paper business cards. It’s quite a shame too because the odds are low that most people end up saving that little piece of card stock — if not immediately thrown in the trash or recycled, it could sit in one’s pocket’s for days winding up as a wet pulp ball at the end of a wash cycle. Even if that little contact summary is considered valuable, most likely the recipient inserts the critical info into their Outlook contacts and tosses the card out nonetheless.


Romani’s Ecological Business Card design acknowledges the cost and waste involved in printed business cards and instead focuses on what the card is intended for – marketing. Romani uses a self-inking custom designed stamp that can be applied to any type of appealing scrap paper. Self-inking stamps are an easy and affordable option since they are available at just about any business supply store and range around 15 dollars each. Even the industrial graphic nature of the stamp itself is helpful in promoting a minimalist image.

The process involved in creating a business card not only requires hiring and paying for attention-grabbing graphic work, but also includes releasing the designs for manufacturing. Although the stamp as a product certainly has production costs of its own, the production process for printed card stock uses a tremendous amount of ink, paper and electricity. Sometimes even shipping costs are incorporated — depending on the location of the card manufacturer in respect to the purchaser. With a world full of small, necessary, yet generally useless tiny pieces of paper, it’s smart to just use what already exists.

Learn more at Ads of the World

Wind Powered Composter

KinetiCompost is a wind powered rotating composter made of 100% recycled material. Designed by Ben Bangser, an industrial design and sculpture double major at Syracuse University, KinetiCompost works by using a geared down wind turbine to slowly turn the compost barrel. Just put your compostable materials in KinetiCompost’s rotomolded barrel, pop on the lid, and let mother nature do what she would normally do – only about 10X faster!

Fan Innovation

The Air Multiplier from Dyson will blow you away!
As the world’s climate heats up, will we continue to use more energy-intensive air conditioning, generating ever-higher greenhouse gas emissions? It’s a valid question considering that the average American household already uses 2,822 kWh of energy each year to cool off, spending $276 a year. The answer will likely depend on building efficiency measures and new cooling technologies like these efficient new bladeless fans announced by Sir James Dyson, of vacuum fame. 
The fan works like a jet engine, sucking air into a cyclone accelerator that amplifies it 15 to 18 times before blowing it out over an airfoil-shaped ramp. As that air is blown out, more is sucked in from behind. With no blades, the airstream is smooth and the contraption is easy to clean. The fan runs on a modest 40-watt motor. Dyson’s fans may not be the final answer to staying cool in a warming climate, but they’re certainly a step in the right direction.
via Dyson

The Truth about Bugs Repellents

DEET vs. the alternatives
DEET is not the only insect repellent that works, but may be the most effective against the widest range of bugs. It is also a synthetic chemical with known and suspected adverse effects on human health.

That makes for a quandary. Should you use products made with DEET or try a newer—or natural—alternative: in particular, Picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil or soy oil? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but following are the things to consider when making your choice.

THE FACTS ABOUT DEET

Toxicity: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the "acute toxicity" of DEET is low, meaning adverse effects are mild and temporary—mainly rashes. A few cases of seizures have been reported, but the link to DEET is inconclusive, says the EPA.

So far so good. However, the EPA's safety review was conducted in the 1990s, and the research it was based on did not adequately explore chronic toxicity. More recent research shows that DEET is a neurotoxin and could have long-term effects. Moreover, DEET may increase the toxicity of other chemicals to which people are exposed. For instance, people wearing DEET more easily absorb 2,4-D, a toxic weed killer that was used in Agent Orange and is now commonly used on lawns (where a DEET-slathered individual might be).

Clearly, more research is needed into the long-term health effects of DEET—especially on children. (One third of children in the U.S. are estimated to use DEET-based products.)

Also note that there are additional risks from very high doses of DEET and prolonged exposure. The National Institutes of Health says the high levels to which military personnel or game wardens might be exposed could lead to severe skin reactions (blisters, burning and scars), insomnia and mood changes. Completely improper use, such as swallowing, has its own, serious hazards.

Concentration: In the U.S., you can buy products with up to 100% DEET, but NRDC senior scientist Gina Solomon recommends 30% or less. While protection time increases with higher concentrations, it plateaus by 50%, and the protection afforded by 30% is sufficient for almost all circumstances. In Canada, 30% is the legal limit.

Safe usage: The EPA believes that "the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population." But "normal use" does not really mean normal use. It means careful use of a prescribed kind. That's why the EPA requires the following text on all product labels:

• Do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young children.
• Do not allow young children to apply this product.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Do not use under clothing.
• Avoid over-application of this product.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
• Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.

Labels on sprays must also say:

• Do not spray in enclosed areas.
• To apply to face, spray on hands first and then rub on face. Do not spray directly onto face.

If you decide to use DEET, do follow these instructions for safety.

Age of user: Notwithstanding the special precautions recommended for children above, the EPA has approved DEET for use on children of any age at any concentration.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends more caution. It advises no DEET for infants under two months and a maximum concentration of 30% for children over two months (which, to reiterate, is a good cap for adults too). Duke University pharmacologist Mohammed Abou Donia says to avoid DEET on infants altogether for two reasons. First, a baby's skin is too thin to act as a barrier to absorption. Second, babies cannot metabolize chemicals as well as older children and adults.

As many substances that affect kids can also affect fetuses, pregnant women may want to consider the possible risks to children in connection with their own use of DEET.

NEWER—AND NATURAL—ALTERNATIVES

Picaridin: Picaridin has been widely used in other parts of the world, and has been available in the U.S. in a variety of brands since 2005. Structurally based on chemicals in pepper, it appears to interfere with the mosquito's ability to smell its prey. The chemical is extremely effective for some species of mosquito (including important disease-carrying mosquitoes such as A. aegypti), but is less effective for other species that don't appear to rely on smell, so overall it may be somewhat less effective than DEET. A 20% Picaridin formulation has been shown to repel mosquitoes for 8-10 hours.

Picaridin is much less irritating to the skin than DEET, so it might be a better choice for people with sensitive skin. It has very low toxicity and does not appear to cause adverse neurological or reproductive effects. Nor does it cause cancer in animals. It also lacks the unpleasant odor of DEET.

Natural alternatives: Studies have shown that oil of lemon eucalyptus and soy oil perform comparably to many DEET-based products. A recent Consumer Reports study found one commercial preparation with lemon eucalyptus was effective for seven hours. Note that use of lemon eucalyptus is not advised on children under three. It is important to remember in this context that the fact that a chemical is natural, not synthetic, does not necessarily mean it is safe.

Other natural repellents have been shown in tests to be very short-lasting. Some lose efficacy in less than 20 minutes and cannot be considered practical options.


Search for a Repellent that is Right for You

German car-maker Volkswagen has designed a bike. Weird, right? Actually, no. The Bik.e is actually a sidekick for your car, something you are supposed to remove from the trunk when you have parked up and can go no further on four wheels.

The Bik.e is electric, and folds up to fit in the spare-wheel well in the back of your car. While sitting in the dark like a kidnap victim, the Bik.e recharges from the car’s electrical system as you drive, meaning it is always ready to go. And that’s just as well, as the Bik.e has no pedals. If you run out of juice when away from the mother-ship then you’ll be scooting back Fred Flintstone-style, or just pushing.

With a 12.5 mile range and a 12.5 mph top speed, it’ll be fine to take you from your Walmart parking space right up to the front door, while the disk-brakes and LED lights will keep you safe. VW doesn’t seem to be planning to supply the Bik.e with its own cars yet, but Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, the R&D boss at VW, told an audience at Auto China 2010 that it is committed to actually bringing it to market.

via engadget

Solar Bulb

1.6 billion people in the world still use kerosene lamps for light. Not only are they non-renewable and expensive — they can consume up to 5% of a family’s income — they also give off noxious cancer-causing fumes that amount to the emissions of 30 million cars. Nokero plans to improve air quality and reduce global warming emissions by replacing the unhealthy use of kerosene with their durable, rainproof, solar powered LED light bulb. They hope that this low cost, rechargeable light bulb will improve lives in the developing world by allowing people to kick kerosene to the curb.

The Nokero light is fitted with 4 solar panels, 5 LED’s, is about 5 inches long, and when fully charged it will give off light for up to four hours. It is rainproof so there’s no worry of it being damaged by the elements, and it has a nighttime-only circuit in it that prevents the light from turning on in the daytime. The battery lasts for over two years, and as most of us now know, the LED’s will last even longer. It has a hook for hanging and is currently available for purchase.
The Nokero team is selling the bulbs right now for $15 each — or you can buy 48 bulbs for $10 each. They hope to get costs down to as low as $6 by manufacturing thousands at a time for different NGO’s and non-profits around the world. Currently the world uses 1.3 million barrels of oil per day for illumination — imagine if those 1.6 billion people were given a little Nokero light. We’d be giving them a light that is five times brighter for 1/200 of the energy expended.

How many Polar Bears have you drowned?

This is the question Milan-based designer Jovana Bogdanovi asks you to consider with her evocative Polar Bear Sugar Cubes project.

“Polar bears are an endangered species because of global warming. Their land is ice, the ice is melting and more and more polar bears are drowning. Awareness of global warming can be raised with the smallest of details,” explains the designer.

Created as part of the larger Redesign Your Mind initiative from Serbian od-do arhitekti, the Polar Bear Sugar Cubes encourage people to think about the impact of humankind on the planet, through the simple act of dissolving sugar into coffee or tea.

Redesign Your Mind

Mobile Energy

Cheng Peng has designed a portable wind turbine with solar panels on its blades for Yanko Design. The device is capable of generating enough energy to power your cell phone or GPS, or it can power its own built-in LED light. It’s called Mobile Energy, and it measures just half a meter long when folded down, making it portable enough to carry with you on backpacking or cycling trips.
If the turbine’s base is really stable enough to hold this thing up when the wind is blowing, who could argue with the genius of this creation? You could take it with you everywhere and never plug in a charger again.

Check out this other idea.