While surfing the web doing online shopping I like to check the “about” or mission statement sections to see about a shops environmental initiatives. One of my favorite clothing brands is Banana Republic and their parent company is The Gap. I was pleasantly surprised that they have an Environment section now. The Gap has had social responsibility initiatives for a while mostly pertaining to fair labor in the textile factories, but now they have expanded on their social responsibility just like many major companies have recently.

The Gap is exploring the more use of organic cotton, which is cotton that is grown without the use of pesticides and fertilizers that can be harmful to the environment. Did you know that a quarter of all pesticides are for the apparel industry? Well the Gap has been offering, at select stores, Men’s T-shirts and tanks made of 100% organic cotton. These t-shirts are not chemically dyed too. Call 1-800-GAP-STYLE to find the Gap locations where these items might be available….

Also during summer 2006, Banana Republic sold a skirt made of hemp/silk blend. Hemp is eco friendly because it grows fast like a weed, requires few pesticides and fertilizers which are harmful to the soil and environment.

The Gap is also looking into sustainable packaging and store fixtures. For example, Banana Republic’s new fragrance collection comes in cute wood boxes harvested from harvested from certified sustainable forests. It’s a small step, but it’s a start at least…

Also the Gap headquarters building in San Francisco also used eco friendly construction. For instance the concrete used was Fly ash which is a by-product from burning coal. The construction diverted 1,800 tons of ash from landfills, and eliminated 2,000 tons of CO2 that would have been generated during cement production.

More at Gap’s Environmental Initiatives
Hope more is soon to follow.

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Cool looking toy car operates on hydrogen. You add water to the tanks in back of the car and it combines it with oxygen to produce hydrogen. The car also has some cool blue led lights from inside the cockpit.

Hydrocar
$79.95 at the Discovery Store.

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Learn the power of sustainable energy with this kit. If it can be done with a model kit, it can be done with real housing. With this kit you can do over 70 experiments by building 20 projects.

Seems like a cool gift for adults or for an adult to learn with your young teen or 12 year old.

The kit includes windmill, greenhouse and desalination system. The energy taught includes solar heat and light energy, wind power, and electrochemical and plant energy. You will be able to build an electric train, solar cooker, solar hot water tank, electric motor, sail car and more…

It comes with a 96 page illustrated experiment book.

Power House: Sustainable Living in the 21st Century Science Kit
$149.95 at the Discovery Store

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This cool looking ant farm allows you to see ants at work. Its based on a 2003 space shuttle experiment. It actually requires no food as the ants feed off the special clear non toxic gel.

You have to order the ants by mail order though. I wonder if you can just get some ants from the yard… Anyways the ant farm is an affordable $19.95 from the Discovery Channel Store.

Discovery Ant Gel Habitat

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Most eco décor is very tacky I have to admit, but these wall clocks by Uncommon Goods come of as stylish if you are a bike rider or are planning to give as a gift to a rider…

Each clock is made in the USA in Oregon out of retired bike parts. Portland, Oregon happens to be a top bike friendly city with lots of riders. They got to do something with all those left over bike parts. Nothing goes to waste in that progressive green city!

Recycled Bike Parts Wall Clock
$64 by Uncommon Goods. Measures 8″ in diameter

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This storage box is perfect for that hockey fan. Its made out of vintage hockey sticks. Even the handle is made of a reclaimed faucet knob.

The box measures 12’L 10’ W 9” H and is available at Uncommon Goods. Unfortunately they are out of stock for now.
Hockey Stick Box
$230

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These recycled frosted platters are simple, but artistic. 10% of profits go to a non profit that provides volunteers to advocate in court for children who are victims of abuse in neglect in western Pennsylvania. They are handcrafted in the USA too.

Recycled Glass Platters
$72 by Uncommon Goods

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This stylish case packs small gadgets like MP3 players, cell phones and Ipods. Its vibrantly colored. Cool for that young look. Each case is made of recycled billboasZrds. The cases have a Velcro-lined back flap that lets you attach to a belt.

Gadget Cases made of Recycled Billboards

$28 via Uncommon Goods

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Another cool find by Inhabitat. With this invention you can quickly charge up your gadgets. Put in on the window sill or the dashboard of your car to quickly charge up your gadgets. A famous mountaneer has already used in in an expedition inn the Himalayas.

It will cost you for this one at $199 to $499. If you are a high tech camper that can’t live without the laptop then this gadget is for you. You will never be disconnected! Especially with a lot of laptop batteries running out in just a few hours.

Get it at Brunton

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This rocket operates on hydrogen using tap water as its main fuel source. You can teach your kid the power of renewable energy. It comes is with an electronic command center that teaches the virtues of hydrogen. Once launched the rocket comes down to earth with a unique helicopter recovery system. The rocket will go up to 200 feet in the air.

Discovery Hydrogen Fuel Rocket
Only $39.95 at the Discovery Store

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