Great Green Idea: Green Products: Top Eco-Friendly Green Gadgets Everyone Should Use for the New Year

Top Eco-Friendly Green Gadgets Everyone Should Use for the New Year

Green is everywhere and in everything-and that's good news indeed. But just when you thought things couldn't be greener, new "must have" green gadgets are on the market and there's something for everyone. Here are just a few of the most popular gadgets to add to your wish list.

Solar Toothbrush

Manufactured in Japan, this toothbrush uses negative ions rather than toothpaste to kill mouth bacteria. The solar powered toothbrush requires about the same amount of light as a solar calculator, which means it will work indoors in a lighted room. The ions are generated with light and water; which react to titanium. Since it does not use toothpaste, it eliminates the disposal of empty toothpaste tubes and cardboard boxes, making the toothbrush a true eco friendly grooming tool. Mint oil can be put on the toothbrush for those who still desire that minty fresh flavor.

Eco Friendly BBQ

This do-it-yourself solar barbeque concept eliminates air pollution that comes from burning wood, gas or charcoal. It produces no smoke at all so it is also less harmful to people with respiratory conditions. It uses the sun to heat the food with focused sunlight. Materials used to construct it can be bought used or can be repurposed from items you already own. Some people use mirrors, CDs and aluminum foil as reflective material for the barbeque. The basic design is a large reflective surface beneath a container which holds the food. Basically, the light heats up the container, cooking the food inside.

Green Mower

For that committed but lazy environmentalist-a solar power automated lawn mower. The mower has no carbon emission and nearly zero noise pollution. It moves about the lawn on its own and cuts to the owner's desired height with the help of wires that are buried beneath the lawn. The mower runs on 10 hours of continuous charging from the solar energy. When it runs out of solar power, it draws power from its charging station, which leaves no carbon footprints. For now at least, the price for this one of a kind green gadget is not cheap; it costs about $3100 retail.

Geek and Green

This would not be a true list of green gadgets without including at least a couple of electronic and computer widgets. Among the latest gadgets in this category are computer peripherals made of bamboo. The computer keyboard, mouse and even headphones are made of eco-friendly bamboo. The hardware is fashioned to look like polished wood. According to the manufacturer, these peripherals, at least to some extent, lessen the impact of the computer systems they are made to work with since earth conscious owners may keep their computers longer.

And then there's the battery charger that uses not only the sun but also the wind to recharge. The portable charger is equipped with a solar panel and a fan to recharge two AA batteries. The same batteries can power other devices that can be supported with USB. The charger can also be plugged in and used like a regular charger if necessary.