The Daily Five: Friday, 06 November, 2009
Making sustainability mainstream; Solar Power Mobile Power; Toilet, Sink, Grey Water Cistern; EcoFactor thermostats; Collapsible, portable rain barrel
Video: How can we make sustainability mainstream? Campaigner and environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill reflects on the concept of sustainability and what it will take to make it mainstream.
Making Solar Power Mobile Power The units come with a block of solar panels that extend and tilt out from the trailer, as well as batteries, inverters and — just in case — a backup diesel generator. The trailers themselves are roadworthy and can be towed by any truck with a V8 engine, according to a company spokeswoman.
Roca Toilet Integrates Sink, Grey Water Cistern This is fantastic. Its sleek design houses a nifty self-contained greywater system that is capable of reducing water use by up to 25% compared to a standard 6/3-litre dual flush toilet.
EcoFactor pings thermostats to save energy There are several companies developing Web-based software or displays to show consumers, in more detail than a monthly bill, how much energy they are using. But EcoFactor’s software, by contrast, works behind the scenes by gathering data from a two-way thermostat and then analyzing the information to optimize heating and cooling systems, which often account for about half of home electricity use.
Collapsible, portable rain barrel This rain barrel is collapsible making it easy to take with you wherever you go. It will hold 34 gallons of rain water to use in your home.


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