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New Products - New Ideas - Summer 2010
Easy Being Green
From the August, 2010 issue of Rvmagonline
By Bobby Black
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19 eco-friendly products for the outdoor lifestyle
Kermit the Frog had it wrong: It is easy being green. While the RV lifestyle already is fairly environmentally friendly, there are a number of new and useful goodies out there that make going green simple and more enjoyable.
The following products can be used at home or away and help you become more eco-friendly without having to spend a lot of "green."
SolarRoll Keep your batteries...
SolarRoll
Keep your batteries (laptop, phone, camera, vehicle, etc.) ready to go with Brunton's high-output SolarRoll panels. Featuring a unique roll-up design, the panels are durable, waterproof, and compact. Output range: 4-14 watts. Details: $295-$655.20, (800) 443-4871, www.brunton.com.
Tougher Dog Toys Even the...
Tougher Dog Toys
Even the family dog gets to be eco-friendly with West Paw Design's Zogoflex toys. Tough but pliable, the safe, colorful line of balls, discs, and chew/pull toys are 100-percent recyclable and made exclusively from reclaimed materials. Dishwasher-safe, non-toxic, and FDA-compliant. Details: $8.50-$13.50, (800) 443-5567, www.westpawdesign.com.
Solar Bottle Cap Light Those...
Solar Bottle Cap Light
Those looking for a bit of ambiance around the campsite can opt for a solar-powered, LED Cap Light. Lightweight and long-lasting, the Cap Light screws onto most popular water bottles (a version complete with a BPA-free water bottle also is available). Details: $24.95-$29.95, (888) 577-6464, www.solight.com.
Fire Starter This unique,...
Fire Starter
This unique, scented firestarter is crafted from recycled church candles and wood fiber. Only one-quarter of a stick is required to get a toasty campfire (or fireplace) blazing in minutes without tinder, newspaper or toxic chemicals. Each package contains enough to start 30 fires. Details: $6, (877) 248-2056, www.nermanlockhart.com.
Portable Toilet Formerly...
Portable Toilet
Formerly known as PETT, the Go Anywhere system is a sanitary, eco-friendly way to have an enclosed, fullsize toilet anywhere you go. Available in individual components for the minimalist traveler or as an all-inclusive package, this dry-waste system provides a clean, private solution for one of life's basic necessities. Details: $383.95 (complete system), (877) 520-0999, www.gocleanwaste.com.
Recycled Flops Perfect for...
Recycled Flops
Perfect for campsite lounging or comfy highway cruising, Splaff Flops are made from 100-percent recycled and/or natural materials. Comfortable, soft, and long-lasting, they feature soles made from recycled race car tires. Available in flip flop and open-toed styles. Details: $46-$50, (619) 221-9199, wwwsplaff.com.
Expanding Towel The Go!...
Expanding Towel
The Go! Towel is a poker-chip sized, 100-percent bamboo fiber towel that expands to 12x20 inches after adding three tablespoons of water. Naturally anti-bacterial/microbial, the soft, reusable towels are organically grown, unbleached, undyed, and unscented. Details: $15.95 (pack of 10), (310) 394-4900, www.thegotowel.com.
RV Cleaner Thetford's line...
RV Cleaner
Thetford's line of eco-friendly RV cleaning solutions is non-toxic, biodegradable, and comes in recycled-material containers. Made using EPA-approved ingredients, products include UltraFoam Black Streak Remover, awning cleaner, wash/wax, and mildew, stain, and hard-water spot removers. Details: $7.99-$21.99, (800) 543-1219, www.thetford.com.
EZ Biodiesel Kits Biodiesel...
EZ Biodiesel Kits
Biodiesel is an EPA-approved, renewable fuel source that offers owners of diesel-powered vehicles substantial savings in fuel costs. The all-inclusive EZ Biodiesel Kits make it easy and safe to produce inexpensive (approx. $1/gallon), clean-burning, high-quality fuel at home. Details: $2,700, (888) 521-6696, www.ezbiodiesel.com.
Solar Oven Hybrid Taking...
Solar Oven Hybrid
Taking the eco-friendly stove to the next level is the Tulsi-Hybrid solar oven. In addition to being able to cook large food items safely using solar power, this unit features auxiliary electric power for when no sunlight is available. Space-saving design sets up quickly; includes containers and reflector. Details: $299, (315) 651-8821, www.sundbcorp.com.
Low-flow Showerhead Available...
Low-flow Showerhead
Available in a variety of styles, Oxygenics' low-flow RV massaging showerhead conserves 30 to 70 percent of the water and energy consumed by traditional models. The easily installed unit uses air pressure to "charge" the water to increase pressure and invigorate the user. Details: $49.95-$59.95, (800) 344-3242, www.oxygenics.com.
Sport Solar Oven Cook just...
Sport Solar Oven
Cook just about anything using only the sun's rays with the Sport Solar Oven. Spacious yet lightweight, it's made from recycled materials and maintains steady, cooking temperatures (210-260 degrees) to safely prepare food on the road without expensive propane. Includes pots and recipe book. Details: $167.94-$190.91, (612) 623-4700, www.solarovens.org.
Sportsman's Oil This light,...
Sportsman's Oil
This light, environmentally friendly oil is designed to safely clean, lube, and protect a variety of materials including metal, leather, plastic, and wood. Ballistol can be used when preparing/maintaining vehicles, boats, firearms, or leather products and as an all-around home-based lubricant. Details: $8.95-$12.95, (800) 253-2460, www.ballistol.com.
Solar Hybrid Flashlight Tough,...
Solar Hybrid Flashlight
Tough, lightweight, and waterproof to 80 feet, the Hybrid Solar Lite features a powerful 1-watt LED bulb and provides up to 10 hours of illumination per charge. A built-in lithium battery makes buying/disposing of batteries a thing of the past. Details: $24.95, (800) 365-0350, www.hybridlight.com.
Eco-Air Mattress Aerobed's...
Eco-Air Mattress
Aerobed's new EcoLite inflatable air mattresses are constructed with environmentally safe materials that are both more durable and 40-percent lighter than conventional models. Inflates in approximately 90 seconds using supplied NiCad-rechargeable pump. Available in twin or queen; comes with compact storage bag. Details: $79.99-$99.99, (888) 462-4468, www.aerobed.com.
Natural Sunscreen Keep your...
Natural Sunscreen
Keep your skin safe using Burnout Natural Sunscreens. Available in several formulations (waterproof, sensitive skin, and children's), these lotions are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, PABA-free, non-greasy, and perfect for those sensitive to the sun. Details: $15.99, (800) 798-7970, www.burnoutsun.com.
Multi-Band Radio This multi-band...
Multi-Band Radio
This multi-band radio is a self-sufficient unit that operates using solar, electric, and hand-cranked power. Compact and laden with such features as a large speaker, weather alerts, alarm clock, digital clock, and backlit display, the Summit radio requires no costly batteries. Details: $99, (866) 697-7529, www.freeplayenergy.com.
Deet-Free Bug Repellant Natrapel's...
Deet-Free Bug Repellant
Natrapel's DEET-free bug repellant (active ingredient: Picaridin) keeps mosquitoes, black flies, ticks, and other biting insects at bay for up to eight hours. The non-irritating, non-greasy formula is good for sensitive skin and not detrimental to plastics, glass, clothing, etc. Details: $5.99, (800) 258-4696, www.tendercorp.com.
Solar Raillight The stainless...
Solar Raillight
The stainless steel, solar-powered RailLight Premium quickly mounts to just about anything around the campsite, RV, truck or boat. The water-resistant unit provides eight hours of light per charge and can switch between low- and high-light modes. Details: $39.95, (888) 577-6464, www.solight.com.
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