Posted on 29 September 2009
Polar fleece — aka microfleece, aka micrafleece aka fleece — is an inherently eco-friendly fiber. Made from same material as Tupperware and bottle caps, fleece becomes fleece when the material, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), is heated up and manipulated. Polyester is also made from PET. But unlike polyester, fleece is plush, breathable, and uber warm. Here are five fleeces culled from REI, the best retailer for fleece option at all prices and styles.
The Muir Woods jacket ($45) has a nice nubby texture and is available in vibrant fall colors. Pair this 62% recycled fleece with a flannel or button down shirt and corduroys and voila.
North Face makes the most widely known fleece jackets on the market. In fact, it has become such as staple item in the winter for warmth and style, it is not uncommon to see anyone from fraternity brothers to urban kids wearing the Denali fleece ($165), which is made from 87% recycled PET.
A vest ($49.50) is a great layer item. Wear it under a rain jacket, blazer, or trench coat to add a bit of warmth on days when the wind is whipping. If you don’t “get it” with vests, just try owning one for a season or two.
If you remember the first years that fleece came into style as a fashionable/practical alternative to a wool sweater, you probably remember that they looked like this. And personally, I’ve never gotten sick of this old school style –snaps at the neck and all– because while it’s not a zip-up, it is a classic ($95).
This uber thin fleece top ($68) is honest to goodness the softest thing you’ll ever touch. But if that’s not enough for you, check out the cool thumb loops that will keep your hands warm when it’s chilly out.
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Posted on 29 September 2009
Eco Factor: Highly efficient solar cell developed by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
German scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) have announced that they’ve successfully developed a single-crystal silicon solar cell that is made by forming a thin p-type semiconductor layer on an n-type semiconductor substrate.
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Posted on 29 September 2009
Eco Factor: Rainwater harvesting system prevents the growth of algae.
One of the major downsides of harvesting rainwater in large tanks and using it to supplement water demand in your house is the growth of algae in the tank that stores rainwater for a long period of time.
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Posted on 29 September 2009
Eco Factor: Zero-emission car with a carbon fiber body.
Compact bodywork and the use of lightweight materials can do a world of good for a car that is designed to run efficiently on clean fuel such as electricity. The E-Wolf E1 is one such electric car that makes use of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber.
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Posted on 29 September 2009
Eco Factor: All-electric car with swappable batteries.
Tesla Motor’s forthcoming all-electric Model S sedan will have the ability to recharge in less than five minutes, courtesy swappable batteries that can be exchanged with new ones in less than five minutes, which is same amount of time it takes to fill up a regular car with gas at a gas station.
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Posted on 29 September 2009
Eco Factor: Interactive tree harnesses solar energy for power.
Folks over at Loop.pH have designed a unique interactive solar-powered tree, which was unveiled at the London Design Festival. The structure comes with strands of light-emitting fabric woven into a lucent web of branches.
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