Composting Toilets: Straight Poop on a Taboo Subject
Do you live out in the country or off-the-grid? Have you ever had to contemplate buying, installing, and using one of the many composting toilets on the market? If so, then this post is for you!
Green Tech
2017 Kia Niro Is a Hybrid Hit
Kia has been in the hybrid gas/electric propulsion game for about six years now and for 2017 they have released the brand’s first dedicated hybrid model dubbed Niro. The Kia Niro is described as an urban crossover hybrid vehicle that combines utility with excellent fuel economy.
This Gadget Turns Food Scraps to Compost in 24 Hours
Many eco-minded people argue if you want to get serious about reducing your waste, it’s necessary to have a compost pile for the food waste. However, composting can be complicated, and it could take over a year to bring a compost heap to fruition depending on how involved you are in the process.
2017 Toyota Prius Prime Plug-in Helps You Cut the Cord at the Pump
While the word prime can be defined as being of greatest relevance or significance it can also describe something basic or fundamental. The latest member of the Toyota Prius family has been named Prime and I believe it encompasses many of the definitions of the word.
Mistbox Brings Evaporative Cooling to the Home to Reduce Cooling Energy Costs
Mistbox was invented to help your air conditioner keep up with the heat while also saving you money on energy costs. Using evaporative cooling, Mistbox creates a fine mist around your AC unit to cool the surrounding air, therefore allowing your AC unit to work less. With a built-in solar panel, Mistbox recharges itself. Purchase yours from Mistbox or Lowes.
2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Finally!
What do you get when you drop a Toyota RAV4 body on a Prius powertrain? The RAV4 Hybrid. And surprisingly, even though both RAV4 and Prius have been on the market for some time, it was not until this past year Toyota put the two together to form the newest gas/electric hybrid vehicle in its showroom.
2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e: Better, Brighter, Greener
BMW has launched the next chapter in its EffecientDynamics initiative and it arrives in the form of a plug-in hybrid on the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle. Arriving in showrooms is the X5 xDrive40e that mates the TwinPower turbo 2.0-liter I-4 gas engine to a synchronous electric motor powered by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack.
Luci by MPOWERD Inflatable/Rechargeable Outdoor Solar Lantern Review
This inflatable, rechargeable solar lantern from Luci by MPOWERD has great durability, easy use, and convenient applications when you’re hiking, fishing, camping, biking, boating, barbecuing, by the pool or anywhere else where you might need some outdoor illumination. Also available in aura, lux, and original models.
2014 Lexus CT 200h Offers Luxury and Sport in a Hybrid
I hadn’t driven the Lexus CT 200h hybrid Cross Tourer since its launch four years ago, despite my efforts to the contrary. I enjoyed testing the new hybrid-only wagon-like vehicle from Toyota’s luxury division and looked forward to spending a full week behind the wheel, but it did not come to fruition until only recently. And I still liked it.
2015 Kia Soul EV: 100 Miles of Electric Vehicle Style
Did you know that when you drive an electric vehicle, random people will wave at you, like you’re a member of some special club? It’s true. I leaned that the other day while driving the 2015 Kia Soul EV. I also figured out that while electric vehicles are getting much more attainable, they still aren’t a realistic choice for me. I haven’t had a lot of experience with electric cars. I live in West Texas after all, and our infrastructure is simply not yet ready for vehicles which — with the exception of the $71,000 Tesla — typically only get 100 miles or less per charge. The other reason I haven’t seriously considered Electric…
Gearing up for the annual Go Further with Ford Trend Conference
As we step into the first full week of summer, it’s time once again for the annual Trend Conference hosted by Ford Motor Company. This is the fourth such event that takes a deeper look into key global trends and issues influencing consumers – all consumers. Gear Diary will once again be covering the event that runs June 24-26.
You Can’t Leave the Solar-Powered Bracketron Xolar3000 in Direct Sunlight?
It is rare that we recommend a device or accessory and then, at a later date, retract that recommendation. When that does occur you can be sure that it is for a good reason; that’s the case with the Bracketron Xolar3000. We reviewed it last week and are now withdrawing our recommendation. The reason? Read on and we will explain.
2014 Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion Energi Review Updates
During a recent (and very short) schedule with Ford press vehicles, I was able to revisit two vehicles first reviewed here last summer, specifically the Ford Fiesta and Ford Fusion Energi. As I had already become familiar with these models, would a week behind the wheel of each still prove them to my liking?
TAG Heuer MERIDIIST INFINITE Uses Wysips Crystal Technology for Charging
The TAG Heuer MERIDIIST INFINITE phone being shown at Baselworld 2014 may be just another overpriced luxury phone of questionable smartness, but it has one trick up its sleeve that makes it pretty freaking cool — photovoltaic charging. In other words, due to Wysips Crystal Technology, the battery charges when the phone is exposed to light — sunlight or artificial(!!!).
2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Is a Big Green Hit
Last year we reviewed the ninth-generation Honda Accord sedan that quickly became one of our favorite new rides. Fast-forward a year, and we test the newest of that family in the form of the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid with the most significant difference being the next-generation two-motor hybrid-drive powertrain and, just like that, Honda has another hit on its hands.
Amphiro A1 Review: A Futuristic Energy-Saving Shower Accessory
The amphiro a1 is a digital meter that displays the water and energy usage in real-time during your shower. It installs easily and does not need any batteries; it also grades your shower from A+ through G-, and sometimes makes you feel guilty for your long, steamy shower. It retails for $89.
Kia Announces an All-Electric Kia Soul
Earlier this week, we reviewed the 2014 Kia Soul; if you looked at that car and thought “it needs to be electric”, then you’re in luck! Kia has announced an all-electric Soul, with a range of 80-100 miles between charges. This is in line with other electric vehicles, but the Soul makes being an EV look good.
Dan Talks #FORDNAIAS on the Green Divas Radio Show
Gear Diary’s own Dan Cohen headed to the North American International Auto Show earlier this month to check out Ford’s 2014 lineup. He shared some of his thoughts on the week as a guest on the Green Divas Radio Show. Be sure to head to the podcast and listen up! You can find the podcast here.
RUSSBE Reusable Snack Bags – Saving the Earth One Bag at a Time
Packing your own lunch is often a cheaper and healthier alternative to eating out, so brown-bagging it is becoming even more popular among frugal workers. But think of all the disposable snack bags you’ve been paying for and contributing to the landfill. Fortunately, here comes RUSSBE Reusable Snack and Sandwich Bags to the rescue!
Bumgenius FreeTime All-in-One Cloth Diapers Review – Money Saving and Environmentally Friendly
Sarah and I are really enjoying using cloth diapers on our son. It’s economical and better for the environment, and as a bonus it horrified my parents. After trying a few different styles, we’re very pleased with Bumgenius Freetimes. At $20 per diaper they aren’t the cheapest, but they work well, are easy, and come in an Albert Einstein pattern.
The Nourishmat Starts Your Gardening Adventure with Ease!
Do you lack a green thumb, but like fresh vegetables? Have only a small space in your yard but want a garden? If so, the good folks at Nourishmat have a special package for you! At $64.95 for the base model, the Nourishmat comes with a weed-barrier mat with plant templates for seeds and step-by-step instructions—perfect for beginners! It is ingeniously simple. Using the companion planting technique, the neat little package helps simplify gardening for busy folks or people with limited space. Everything from seeds (82 seedballs with 19 different garden plant types), garden mat staples to plant location and spacing is…