Green tech finds (6/2/11)
Mini electric Hummers, solar-powered prisons, and the climate risk posed by biodegradable products… this week’s green tech finds.
- Autodesk meets sustainability: Design/engineering software suite Autodesk has now added a tool that allows users to generate environmental impact assessments of their creations.
- Biodegradable products may not be climate-friendly: Turns out that biodegradable disposable tableware and such may have a real downside — the creation of methane in landfills (most of which aren’t set up to capture the potent greenhouse gas). (via @conservationval)
- Yelp for electric vehicle charging: Recargo is an iPhone app that allows users to find and review charging stations for their electric vehicles. (via George Dearing at Facebook)
- A national clearinghouse for your stuff: You can give away excess stuff on Craigslist or Freecycle, but that limits you to a local audience. New site Givmo allows you to present your unwanted items to users nationwide (instead of tossing them). (via 1-800-Recycling)
- The mini electric Hummer: Technically, this downsized version of the pinnacle of automotive excess isn’t a car; it’s a “proportionally correct licensed resort vehicle” (yeah, I don’t know what that means, either). But, judging from the video above, the MEV Hummer HX can move… and probably won’t earn your gratuitous fingers. (via Inhabitat)
- The mobile hybrid solar system: David L. Roberts at Cleantechnica calls SunScience’s hybrid concentrated and thermal solar unit a “gamechanger” because of its versatility and mobility.
- Solar-powered prisons: Allison Leahy of Earth & Industry gives an overview of prisons shifting to solar power at Cleantechies. The real good news here: they’re doing it to cut costs.
Found something even better in the green tech space? Leave us a comment…
MORE FROM SUSTAINABLOG:
- Caroline Savery’s Sust Enable documentary takes another shot at fundraising.
- Part two of our look at upcycling designers in St. Louis.
