Today, British mobile network company O2 released its Eco Rating system, devised in conjunction with sustainable development organization Forum for the Future. The rating system is a laudable undertaking: cell phones use energy, can contain toxic materials, and provide yet another e-waste challenge… so having a “simple and transparent” system for sustainability information on phones can help consumers make smarter choices here.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to see how the O2 system really provides useful information in a transparent manner.

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At the federal level, the US tends to rely on various forms of tax incentives to spur consumer demand for energy efficiency and renewable installations. States and cities have tended to be a bit more creative in providing forms of up-front cost support, such as property tax financing and loan programs. Perhaps the feds should take a look at approach the new British government floated in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech: a “pay-as-you-save” loan program.

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What do you do with food scraps? OK, some of them probably go into the trash can or garbage disposal, but you may also compost vegetable and fruit peelings and leftovers. If you’re really die-hard, you may even use a bokashi system, which allows you to compost meat and dairy scraps.

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Ever wonder how sexy your city is? Well, if you’re based in the UK, you have a chance to find out: UK sex toy retailer LoveHoney has created the UK Sex Map, which uses data on sex-related spending to determine just how sexy different townships are.

For example: the people of red hot Upminster spends 10.8 times the national average on their sex lives overall, with 16.5 times the amount of spending on adult DVDs alone; the cold fish of Ongar clock in at a measly 0.2 times the national average (note to self: cancel romantic getaway to Ongar).

Granted, there’s no proof that there’s a direct relationship between how much you spend on sex and, ahem, how good you are at it, but it’s still interesting to see how the data shakes out. In fact, it’s making us wonder how sexy our own city is…US Sex Map, anyone?

LoveHoney UK Sex Map [lovehoney.co.uk]