Giving and receiving the gift of green takes on a new meaning in the 21st century.
Americans are going green. There is no longer a typical demographic to define the green consumer. Studies show that women primarily purchase green products for themselves and on behalf of men. Children influence their parent's purchasing decisions. Adults buy from businesses that stock their shelves with renewable consumer products. According to a 2005 report from UK's Green Futures, three in 10 Americans are now considered green consumers, bringing $225 billion to the marketplace. Finding and selecting a green technology gift is easier than ever.
Renewable Energy
Wind, water and sun are renewable energy sources.
Consider solar power, wind and water, and give gifts that take advantage of the renewable resources of the earth. Solar-powered gifts are available for all budgets. From battery chargers and bike lamps to spa heaters and solar trailers, solar-powered gifts now meet consumer demand for price and availability. Portable water purifiers that make dirty water drinkable are great gifts for the outdoorsman or -woman.
Renewable Materials
Wood and cotton are renewable materials used to manufacture some green technology gifts.
Choose high-quality gifts made from renewable materials. Wood and cotton are renewable because they are continuously harvested and replanted. Find a gift that incorporates both of these renewable materials and environmentally-friendly packaging, and you have hit the trifecta of green technology gift-giving. Timber Sound LLC, makes Thinksound headphones using real wood from renewable forests, a cotton carrying pouch and PVC-free cables. The company uses bleach-free packaging and has eliminated unnecessary plastic bubble inserts.
High-Tech Green
Some high-tech electronics have recycled components.
A green gift doesn't have to be a cheap trinket, gadget or toy. Computers, cell phones and other high-tech electronics can make great green gifts. Some stereo speakers, boom boxes and even computers are now encased in recycled cardboard instead of plastic and incorporate a high amount of other recycled material in their design. Samsung's Reclaim cell phone is manufactured from 80 percent recycled materials and Sony's GreenHeart Elm received top honors in 2010 with a ranking of 4.3 out of 5 on green standard credentials.
Gifts For Kids
Give a gift that teaches kids about green technology.
Kids learn while they play with toys that stimulate them. Teach your kids about green technology by giving them a gift that simulates life in an environmentally-friendly community. Eco Town, from PlanToys, is an interactive play mat for kids age 3 years and older. Kids build streets for electric cars, bicycle trails and walking paths, and an eco-train station. It introduces children to clean energy sources by giving them a choice about where they place charging stations, parks and ponds.
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