Ten Green Options for Black Friday
Despite the lousy economy, eco-friendly products that help you save wealth in the same proportion that well because energy are pungent bets for the holiday season
By Katie Fehrenbacher
Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving and one of the busiest shopping days of the year—main be a piece darker this year. The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects consumer spending to drop slightly, with 128 the great body of the people shoppers planning to class to the malls Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, down from 135 million the year before. According to Nielsen, one-third of U.S. consumers expect to spend less during the holidays than last year, and those still shopping are planning to purchase necessities and price goods, such as gift cards for groceries, gas, and phones.
That can’t be ready news for companies that are selling green goods and gadgets, since cash-strapped consumers aren’cheek by jowl likely to pay a premium for eco-friendly products. But green products that can actually help consumers save riches could enlist some pulling, as could green-themed products that are just flat-out cheap enough. Green technology is distil high in public awareness, thanks to renewed pledges by President-elect Barack Obama, and according to Nielsen, 85% of U.S. adults say they care about protecting the environment.
With that in attend to, here are 10 green options that just strength fit your slimmed-down budget and save fight global warming:
Ditch Junk Mail for Good: GreenDimes is a service that says it will remove 90% of your junk mail and commit only the mail you want. One year of GreenDimes’ junk-mail-busting service is $20, and you be able to send it in the form of a GreenDimes e-mailed gift card.
Your Appliances Suck—Power, That Is: The Kill A Watt energy monitor is one of those devices that gives you some good info—but not much to do by it. Plug your measures into the $45 artifice and measure in what plight efficient they are. You’ll be able to know on the supposition that you need a new Energy Star air conditioner or fridge…next holiday give relish to.
Go Used-Gadget Shopping: There has been an influx of sites lately that will buy and betray used gadgets and solitary abode; squalid phones. Go e-shopping for your loved one on Gazelle, FlipSwap, ReCellular, and the old standbys Craigslist and Freecycle. In this case, it’s O.K. to re-gift.
Grid-Free Gear from Freeplay: Freeplay started in addition than a decade ago with a grant from the British government and the goal of developing geeky rugged gear. The company sells such items as a $30 involution cell-phone charger and solar-powered radios and flashlights for less than $100. You can buy them at REI and on Freeplay’s Web situation.
A Power Strip That’s Smarter Than You: This $42 Smart Strip Power Strip works by automatically switching off power to some of the 10 or so outlets when your gadgets aren’t in use. Hopefully the power switching is smart enough that it won’cheek by jowl interfere through your charging being of the kind which it delivers the electricity bill savings you’re looking for.
