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Archive for the ‘Green Tips’ Category

DepotEco Presents PowerGenix High Yeild NiZn 1.6 Volt Rechargeable AA Batteries

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

DepotEco Introduces PowerGenix  AA Nickel-Zinc High Yield Technology Batteries, (IN STOCK NOW!)

Move over Li-ion , Zinc is about to get all up in your area. Energizer has already announced the Zinc Air Prismatic , and now DepotEco will carry the new PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) AA cells. (IN STOCK NOW!)

San Diego-based PowerGenix, developer and manufacturer of nontoxic, high performance NiZn rechargeable technology.

NiZn batteries provide greater power for today’s high drain consumer electronics, enabling superior camera performance compared to existing rechargeable batteries.

Despite rapid innovation in the capabilities of portable electronics, until recently, progress has been slow to develop batteries able to meet the demand of these power-hungry devices. With advanced NiZn performance, the NiZn  has been introduced by PowerGenix to fulfill the growing needs of high drain digital cameras and accessories. By delivering a higher voltage than existing rechargeable cells, cameras equipped with NiZn cells benefit from brighter flash, shorter flash recovery time, and more shots per charge.

Earlier this year, PowerGenix’s NiZn technology was certified by the RBRC for collection and recycling, becoming only the fifth rechargeable chemistry recognized by the program.  PowerGenix’s NiZn batteries contain no toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or mercury and are the most recyclable rechargeable chemistry on the market.

NiZn 1.6 Volt AA From PowerGenix

  • PowerGenix AA Charger and 4 AA
  • Nickel and zinc are among the Earth’s most abundant elements, found virtually everywhere in our daily lives. These natural elements are found in the earth, in the food you eat and in a wide variety of products. Both elements are readily recyclable and many products on the market today come from these recycled supplies.


    About Nickel

    Nickel has many uses from construction materials to food preparation, but its many favorable characteristics make it an excellent choice in the use of high powered rechargeable batteries. For more information on nickel, its many uses and its metallurgical properties, visit the Nickel Institute.

    Zinc Facts

    Zinc’s unique properties allow it to be used in an array of products from cosmetics, to baby powder, to precision parts for automobiles, airplanes and appliances. The International Zinc Association notes that one of the most useful characteristics of zinc is its resistance to atmospheric corrosion. The ranking of zinc in the electromotive series of metals (an indication of a metal’s tendency to oxidize, or give up electrons) positioned below magnesium and aluminum but above cadmium, iron, nickel and hydrogen, make it an exceptional material to use in conjunction with nickel when designing a battery. The electronegative characteristics of zinc have made it a popular choice in a variety of primary (single use) battery technologies for many years.

    Recyclability

    More than 6.5 million metric tons of zinc slab, oxides, powders and dusts are consumed each year in the Western World, two million of which come from recycled zinc. In the United States, the Bureau of Mines estimates that with enhanced recovery, recycled zinc will ultimately account for more than 40% of the total amount of zinc used

    Meanwhile, nickel’s resistance to corrosion means that when most nickel-containing products are eventually discarded, they are still intact and easily identifiable (e.g., a kitchen sink made of stainless steel). This aids in the collection and sorting of nickel-containing products for recycling.

    Sustainability

    While abundant, both nickel and zinc are finite resources. However, their innate characteristics and recyclability assure environmentally sensitive availability for long-term development. Unlike many other materials nickel and zinc can be recycled again and again while maintaining their physical and chemical properties. There remains the same amount of each element at the end of a particular product cycle as at the beginning.

    www.powergenix.com

    PowerGenix Video

    PowerGenix White Paper

    Chicobag rePETe Reusable Eco Shopping Bag for Earth Day – Depoteco.com

    Monday, April 6th, 2009

    ChicoBag Reusable Eco Bags

    The average American uses between 300 and 700 plastic bags per year. If everyone in the United States tied their annual consumption of plastic bags together in a giant chain, the chain would reach around the earth 760 times!

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag, now at depoteco.com

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag

    This bag is made from 7 plastic bottles 99% recycled content by weight rePETe Original

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag

    ChicoBag rePETe Original Canyon Brown

    • Materials: Fabric 100% Recycled PET, Carabiner 97% Recycled Aluminium, Cord 100% Recycled PET, Cordlock 100% Recycled Polyurethane (Thread, Screen Print, Care Label Made from Virgin Material)
    • Dimensions:Bag 18 x 14.5- Pouch 3×4 (approximately)
    • Weight: 1.5 oz
    • Capacity: 25 lbs. (One gallon of milk is approximately 7 lbs.)
    • Washing: Machine wash cold and hang dry.
    • See More Colors below

    Vendor: Depoteco.com

    Chico bag Eco BagsChico Bag Repete bag

    ChicoBag rePETe Original reusable shopping bag now at DepotEco.com!

    The ChicoBag rePETe Original follows the Original reusable shopping bag design but is made from 99% recycled content by weight! Each rePETe has uniquely accented handles with the phrase, “This bag is made from 7 plastic bottles!” accompanied by a custom illustration. A list of the recycled materials used in manufacturing the rePETe is printed on the inside of each bag. All ChicoBags are reusable shopping bags designed to be unforgettable. They effortlessly fit in your pocket when they are stuffed into their integrated stuff pouch. Design encourages you to always have your ChicoBag on hand or pocket or purse.

    What is PET?

    Polyethylene terephthalate, abbreviated PET, is found in the polyester family and often used in the production of beverage containers like plastic bottles.

    Learn the Facts

    The average American uses between 300 and 700 plastic bags per year. If everyone in the United States tied their annual consumption of plastic bags together in a giant chain, the chain would reach around the earth 760 times! Learn more

    Did You know…?

    • The average American uses between 300 and 700 plastic bags per year. If everyone in the United States tied their annual consumption of plastic bags together in a giant chain, the chain would reach around the Earth 760 times!
    • Windblown plastic bags are so prevalent in South Africa that a cottage industry has sprung up harvesting up to 30,000 plastic bags a month to weave into hats and handbags. – BBC
    • The world’s largest landfill can be found floating between Hawaii and San Francisco. Wind and sea currents carry marine debris from all over the world to what is now known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This “landfill” is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and thousands of pounds of our discarded trash, mostly plastics. Each year hundreds of thousands of sea birds and marine life die from digested plastics mistaken for food. –LA Times

    Background on Bag Consumption

    Single-use Plastic Bags:

    • First introduced in 1977, single-use bags, now account for 4 out of every 5 bags handed out at grocery stores.
    • According to the Wall Street Journal, 100 billion plastic shopping bags are consumed in the United States annually.
    • Cutting single-use bag waste in half would reduce our oil consumption by more than 2,000 barrels a day and keep out 73,000 tons of rubbish out of landfills.
    • EPA research has shown that only 1% of plastic bags get recycled while about 20% of paper bags are recycled.

    Single-use Paper Bags:

    • Paper bags generate 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.
    • Paper in landfills doesn’t break down faster than plastic.

    Solution:

    • Reusable bags! A sturdy, reusable shopping bag needs only be used 11 times to have a lower environmental impact than using disposable plastic bags.

    Sources:

    Paper or Plastic?, Healthwell
    Reusable Bags Tackle Plastic Bag Mess, Organic Trade Association
    “Paper Cuts: Recovering the Paper Landscape”, Abromovitz & Mattoon, Worldwatch Institute, Washington DC, 1999
    Keep the Sea Plastic Free—Bin It, Australian Government, Department of the Environment and HeritageSea Turtles Don’t Shop, Earth Resource Foundation

    10 Things You Can Do to Create a Reusable Bag Habit in your Community

    1. Wage a campaign in your town or city to end the use of single-use bags by encouraging legislators to implement a grocery bag fee. Contact advocacy@chicobag.com for more information.
    2. Talk to local community and environmental groups about the bag issue and find out if they want to get involved.
    3. Create a petition asking for your city to take on the single-use bag problem. Circulate it at schools, universities, the library, grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and anywhere else where you can connect with your neighbors.
    4. Encourage local retailers to start a smart bagging policy with these tips:
      - Offer a bag refund to customers who bring their own bags.
      - Place signs reminding people to bring their own bags
      - Create a reusable bag drop-off for others to use.
      - Create an in-store bag recycling program.
      - Sell reusable bags in their store.
    5. Bring an extra reusable bag to the grocery story the next time you shop and give it away to a stranger who doesn’t have them. Ask them to “Pay it Forward” and give a bag away the next time they shop.
    6. Write a letter to the newspaper explaining the environmental problems with paper and plastic bags. Use our resources to help you come up with talking points.
    7. Start a ChicoBag fundraiser to raise money for an environmental or litter prevention group. Contact fundraisers@chicobag.com for more information!
    8. Stage a Bag Monster sighting in your community. Contact bagmonster@chicobag.com to set it up!
    9. Give your friends and family reusable bags as gifts for birthdays, graduation, housewarming parties, and special holidays.
    10. Set a good example by just saying no to single-use bags when you’re at the store. Others in line will follow suit!

    Buy Now Colors Below!

    repete colors

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    ChicoBag rePETe Original Canyon Brown
    $8.00

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    ChicoBag rePETe Original Green Cypress
    $8.00

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    ChicoBag rePETe Original Moss Green
    $8.00

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    ChicoBag rePETe Original Pacific Blue
    $8.00

    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    The rePETe Original Reusable Shopping Bag
    ChicoBag rePETe Original Red Clay
    $8.00

    Green PET/Lawn Solutions

    Monday, March 30th, 2009

    Pet Waste Cleanup & Lawn Care

    by Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
    Lawn Care Solutions

    Lawn Care Solutions
    Keeping your lawn free of pet waste and looking its best can be a challenge for pet owners. Let’s face it, dog waste cleanup is not a task we look forward to. And the 4″ diameter brown polka dots in our yard from urine burns? Not very attractive.

    Thankfully, there are a number of pet waste pickup and urine burn prevention products that help make cleanup easier, faster and more effective, and there are solutions for preventing urine burns. We’ll review a few of our favorites here.

    http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20060413172258/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/products/swatches/st_3965_FS12117D.jpgDoggy Dooley In-Ground Digester systems are a convenient and environmentally safe way to dispose of your pet’s solid waste. You simply bury the unit in your yard so that the lid is flush with your grass, step on the trigger which makes the Doggy Dooley lid pop-up, and drop your pet’s waste inside. The stool digester solution that you add to the unit breaks down the waste into a harmless liquid that is absorbed into the earth beneath the unit. The Doggy Dooley dog waste system is convenient, it doesn’t make your garbage can smell, and it’s environmentally friendly.

    Scooper Pans with Rake or Spade Potty Pick-up
    Getting the dog waste to the In-Ground Digester system (or wherever you put it) is the part we don’t like. Fortunately there are tools to help make this job less unpleasant. Probably the most common products for pet waste cleanup are what are commonly called “pooper scoopers,” like The Grabber or a shovel and rake set. We would also hope that everyone practices responsible dog ownership courtesy and picks up after their dog when on walks, in parks, or if your dog wanders next door. Portable and disposable pick-up bags such as Dispoz-A-Scoop or Bottoms Up Waste Disposal Bags & Dispenser should be a product every pet owner has on hand.

    Keeping Lawns Green
    The nitrogen in your dog’s urine is what causes grass to die and leave brown and yellow marks in your otherwise beautiful lawn. The best way to prevent urine burns is to hose down the grass immediately after your dog eliminates, thus diluting the nitrogen and preventing it from burning your grass.

    Lawn Guard® Treats There are products, such as Green Um you simply add to your pet’s food and it helps promote a healthy urinary tract. Our favorite, though, is the Lawn Guard® Treats because of their convenience and overall effectiveness. Because these products contain ingredients that work differently from dog to dog, we recommend starting with the Lawn Guard Treats and if you don’t see a noticeable improvement within a few weeks, try one of the other solutions.

    Keeping your lawn free of pet waste is important for the health of your pet since very serious diseases, like parvovirus, can be transmitted through feces. We recommend immediate cleanup of stools, not only for the health of your pet, but also so you can enjoy your yard without worrying about your next step.

    source: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?acatid=196&aid=1071&ref=4612&subref=AA&cmpid=E-_-ART-_-33009-_-DA

    A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems

    Thursday, March 5th, 2009

    Did you know that as a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system?

    Did you know thatmaintaining your septic system protects your investment in your home?

    Did you know that you should periodically inspect your system and pump out your septic tank?

    If properly designed, constructed and maintained, your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained,
    you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars.  A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater that might be a source of drinking water. And if you sell your
    home, your septic system must be in good working order.

    This guide will help you care for your septic system. It will help you understand how your system works and what steps you can take as a homeowner
    to ensure your system will work properly.
    Components
    A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield, and the soil. Microbes in the soil digest or remove most contaminants from wastewater before it eventually
    reaches groundwater.
    Your Septic System is your responsibility!
    Howdoes it work?

    1. Regularly inspect your system and pump your tank as necessary.
    2. Use water efficiently.
    3. Don’t dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets.
    4. Care for your drainfield.

    Top Four Things You Can Do to Protect Your Septic System
    Typical septic system

    Septic tank
    The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the
    wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge) and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum). It also allows partial decomposition of the solid materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the
    septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. Screens are also recommended to keep solids from entering the drainfield.
    Newer tanks generally have risers with lids at the ground surface to allow easy location, inspection, and pumping of the tank.

    Septic system aliases:
    • On-lot system
    • Onsite system
    • Individual sewage disposal system
    • Onsite sewage disposal system
    • Onsite wastewater treatment system
    Tip To prevent buildup, sludge and floating scum need to be removed through periodic pumping of the septic tank. Regular inspections and pumping are the best and cheapest way to keep your septic
    system in good working order.  Typical single-compartment septic tank with ground-level inspection risers and screen
    All of your household wastewater exits your home  through a pipe to the septic tank.

    Drainfield
    The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drainfield  for further treatment by the soil. The partially treated waste water is pushed
    along into the drainfield for further treatment every time new wastewater enters the tank. If the drainfield is overloaded with too much liquid, it will flood, causing
    sewage to flow to the ground surface or create backups in plumbing fixtures and prevent treatment of all wastewater.
    A reserve drainfield, required by many states, is an area on your property suitable for a new drainfield system if your current drainfield fails. Treat
    this area with the same care as your septic system.
    Soil
    Septic tank wastewater flows to the drainfield, where it percolates into the soil, which provides final treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses,
    and nutrients. Suitable soil is necessary for successful wastewater treatment.
    Alternative systems
    Because many areas don’t have soils suitable for typical septic systems, you might have or need an alternative system. You might also have or need an
    alternative system if there are too many typical septic systems in one area or the systems are too close to groundwater or surface waters.
    Finding Your System
    Your septic tank, drainfield, and reserve drainfield  should be clearly designated on the
    “as-built” drawing for your home. (An “as-built” drawing is a line drawing that accurately portrays the buildings on your property and is usually filed in your local
    land records.) You might also see lids or manhole covers for your septic tank. Older tanks are often hard to find because there
    are no visible parts. An inspector/pumper can help you locate your septic system if your septic tank has no risers.

    Systems systems use new technology to improve treatment processes and might need special care and maintenance. Some alternative systems use sand, peat,
    or plastic media instead of soil to promote wastewater treatment. Other systems might use wetlands, lagoons, aerators, or disinfection devices.
    Float switches, pumps, and other electrical or mechanical components are often used in alternative systems. Alternative systems should be inspected
    annually. Check with your local health department or installer for more information on operation and maintenance needs if you have or need an
    alternative system.
    When septic systems are properly designed, constructed, and maintained, they effectively reduce or eliminate most human health or environmental
    threats posed by pollutants in household wastewater. However, they require regular maintenance or they can fail. Septic systems need to be monitored to
    ensure that they work properly throughout their service lives.
    Saving money
    A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often
    the culprit. Having your septic system inspected regularly is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need
    pumping depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your
    property value and could pose a legal liability.
    Protecting health and the environment
    Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the spread of infection and disease and protecting water resources. Typical

    pollutants in household wastewater are nitrogen, phosphorus, and disease – causing bacteria and viruses. If a septic system is working properly, it will
    effectively remove most of these pollutants.
    With one-fourth of U.S. homes using septic systems, more than 4 billion gallons of wastewater per day is dispersed below the ground’s surface.
    Inadequately treated sewage from septic systems can be a cause of groundwater contamination. It poses a significant threat to drinking water and
    human health because it can contaminate drinking water wells and cause diseases and infections in people and animals. Improperly treated sewage
    that contaminates nearby surface waters also increases the chance of swimmers contracting a variety of infectious diseases. These range from eye
    and ear infections to acute gastrointestinal illness and diseases like hepatitis.
    Inspect and pump frequently
    You should have a typical septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped
    as recommended by the inspector (generally every 3 to 5 years). Alternative systems with electrical float switches,
    pumps, or mechanical components need to be inspected more often, generally once a year. Your service provider
    should inspect for leaks and look at the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank. If the bottom of the scum layer is
    within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet tee or the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet tee, your
    tank needs to be pumped. Remember to note the sludge and scum levels determined by your service provider in
    your operation and maintenance records.

    This information will help you decide how often pumping is necessary.
    How do I maintain my septic system?
    What Does an
    Inspection Include?
    • Locating the system.
    • Uncovering access holes.
    • Flushing the toilets.
    • Checking for signs of back up.
    • Measuring scum and sludge layers.
    • Identifying any leaks.
    • Inspecting mechanical components.
    • Pumping the tank if necessary.
    Four major factors influence the frequency of pumping: the number of people in your household, the amount of wastewater generated (based on
    the number of people in the household and the amount of water used), the volume of solids in the wastewater (for example, using a garbage disposal
    increases the amount of solids), and septic tank size.
    Some makers of septic tank additives claim that their products break down the sludge in septic tanks so the tanks never need to be pumped. Not
    everyone agrees on the effectiveness of additives. In fact, septic tanks already contain the microbes they need for effective treatment. Periodic
    pumping is a much better way to ensure that septic systems work properlyand provide many years of service. Regardless, every septic tank requires
    periodic pumping.
    In the service report, the pumper should note any repairs completed and whether the tank is in good condition. If the pumper recommends additional
    repairs he or she can’t perform, hire someone to make the repairs as soon as possible.

    Use water efficiently
    Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons per person per day. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200
    gallons each day. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use can improve the operation of
    the septic system and reduce the risk of failure.
    High-efficiency toilets
    Toilet use accounts for 25 to 30 percent of household water use. Do you know how many gallons of water your toilet uses to empty the bowl? Most
    older homes have toilets with 3.5- to 5-gallon reservoirs, while newer high-efficiency toilets use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. If you have
    problems with your septic system being flooded with household water, consider reducing the volume of water in the toilet tank if you don’t have a
    high-efficiency model or replacing your existing toilets with high-efficiency models.

    Faucet aerators and highefficiency showerheads
    Faucet aerators help reduce water use and the volume of water entering your septic system. High-efficiency showerheads
    or shower flow restrictors also reduce water use.

    Check to make sure your toilet’s reservoir isn’t leaking into the bowl.
    Add five drops of liquid food coloring to the reservoir before bed. If the dye
    is in the bowl the next morning, thereservoir is leaking and repairs are
    needed.
    A small drip from a faucet adds many gallons of unnecessary water to your system every day. To see how much a
    leak adds to your water usage, place a cup under the drip for 10 minutes.
    Multiply the amount of water in the cup by 144 (the number of minutes in 24 hours, divided by 10). This is the
    total amount of clean water traveling to your septic system each day from that
    little leak.
    Use Water Efficiently!
    • Install high-efficiency showerheads

    • Fill the bathtub with only as much water as you need
    • Turn off faucets while shaving or brushing your teeth
    • Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they’re full
    • Use toilets to flush sanitary waste only (not kitty litter, diapers, or other trash)
    • Make sure all faucets are completely turned off when not in use
    • Maintain your plumbing to eliminate leaks
    • Install aerators in the faucets in your kitchen and bathroom
    • Replace old dishwashers, toilets, and clothes washers with new, highefficiency models.

    For more information on water conservation, please visit
    http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/index.htm

    Vector VEC164 26 LED Rechargeable Work Light

    Sunday, December 14th, 2008

    Vector VEC164 26

    This Very Popular LED Work Light is flying off our shelvs.

    We really like it because it rechargeable and the LEDs allow the unit to stay bright for a long time.

    Details blow.

    Product Details

    LED Rechargeable Work Light

    • Flip-out kickstand for flexibility
    • Built-in Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery Pack Included
    • Swivel Hook
    • High-Impact, shatter resistant housing
    • Model: VEC164 – Brand: Vector

    Detail Images

    VEC164vec164

    The extremely well-designed Vector VEC164 26 LED Foldable/Rechargeable Work Light & Flashlight is ideal for roadside emergencies, power failures, camping and much more! The Vector VEC164 features 180 degree of rotation for optimal light positioning with long lasting ultra-bright LED bulbs that never need replacing! With the Vector VEC164 you can get up to 7 hours of continuous use on low mode and up to 4 hours on high mode! Its water-resistant, shatterproof housing is great for outdoor use. 120 volt AC and 12 volt DC power/charging cords are also included.
  • Built-in Rechargeable Ni-MH Battery Pack Included
  • Swivel Hook
  • High-Impact, shatter resistant housing
  • Vector VEC164 26

    Vector VEC164 26
    LED Rechargeable Work Light
    $29.99

    Brand Information
    VEC164
    Brand: Vector
    Model: VEC164


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