Recent Comments:
A Wind-Win Situation {Green Daily}
May 14th 2008 11:33AM Good news - but I'm hard pressed to really consider it "100% wind powered". Their approach works because it's attached to a grid that can accept excess power when it's windy, and supply power when it isn't. They can't cut the cord.
Of course, this is a problem with many alternative energy sources: They don't work all the time - yet we expect a power supply system that's always available. We need a way to address this fundamental limitation in order to fully incorporate alternative energy.
Triac to arrive this July, reservations being accepted, and other juicy details {Autoblog Green}
May 14th 2008 6:31AM As a (former) Ohio resident and (hopeful) future EV owner, I also thank you for your efforts and hope this issue is resolved soon.
The Haz Mat side of Compact Fluorescents {Green Daily}
May 13th 2008 4:00PM Sigghhhh.... "mercuring" = "mercury"
The Haz Mat side of Compact Fluorescents {Green Daily}
May 13th 2008 3:59PM Rick -
Sadly, I've already discovered that CFLs are no more resistant to thrown toys that regular light bulbs. Kids have no concept being careful around an expensive, mercuring-containing light bulb...
Peel-and-stick solar is here {Green Daily}
May 13th 2008 3:57PM Interesting. But I've never seen such a perfectly flat, white, clean roof.
Here on the east coast, typical flat roof structure found on commercial buildings is topped with black tar and gravel aggregate. I don't think sticky-back panels would work too well. I wonder kind of installation these panels require on such roofs.
The Haz Mat side of Compact Fluorescents {Green Daily}
May 13th 2008 2:38PM Sea -
It looks to me like they charge $120.95 for a bucket that can recycle 30 CFLs.
Though it also appears some of their web page content was cut-n-pasted from other places. The CFL page confusingly mentions tube-style T-12 and T-8 bulbs. But they clearly state: "One pail will recycle up to thirty compact fluorescent bulbs". Return shipping is included in that price.
Interesting: They ship the empty kit to you via UPS - but return shipping is through FedEx. Surely there's a reason for using two different shipping companies to complete this process, but I don't know what it is. Hazardous waste transport rules, perhaps?
So it looks like they charge about $4 per bulb to recycle. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart sells 6 packs of GE CFLs (100W equivalent) for about $2.50 per bulb. Higher wattage or fancy format CFL bulbs (floodlight, dimmable, etc.) are more.
Clearly, they aren't after the homeowner market. Their notes say not to store spent bulbs more than one year. Given how long CFLs last, would you go through 30 bulbs in one year or less?
The Haz Mat side of Compact Fluorescents {Green Daily}
May 13th 2008 12:03PM Wow - the lightbulbrecycling.com kits cost MORE THAN THE BULBS DO! What's up with that?
Does it really make sense to ship overpriced containers across the country - and back again - just to recycle a light bulb? Surely we can do better.
At least I've discovered a few local places that accept CFLs for recycling. My real annoyance: I haven't found anyplace in my area that will accept 4' tube bulbs - a technology that's been common for many years. Yes, I've tried the usual web sites - and have come up empty.
Sadly, this explains why I see them in regular trash: People don't know what to do with them. I've got quite a few in my basement, still waiting to find a safe home...
Carchops.com take on the Aptera {Autoblog Green}
May 13th 2008 8:56AM This discussion - and the Aptera - will fade to irrelevance unless they actually build it in sufficient numbers to make a difference in how the public views personal transportation.
Diesels set market share record in UK {Autoblog Green}
May 13th 2008 8:53AM I've been telling my friends to just wait: They'll see diesel take off soon in the US.
Now I'm not so sure. Diesel prices in my area are at least 25% higher than gas - closing in on the boost in fuel economy you'd expect by switching to a diesel vehicle. If the vehicles cost the same, I'd still be interested in diesel.
But they don't, so most car buyers won't put out the extra up-front investment.
Perhaps diesel prices will come back in line with gasoline. Maybe the US will finally get a broad selection of popular, affordable diesel vehicles. But diesel isn't looking as inevitable as it did just a couple of years ago.
Oh lord, won't you buy me a Neuton lawn mower? {Green Daily}
May 12th 2008 8:09PM Tim -
Ugghhh - Since I didn't use the "reply" button the first time...
My current lawn is big enough that a push mower doesn't cut it anymore. More details in other posts below...
