Unlike our little green Sasquatch Izzit, who legend has it was home schooled, it’s almost time for kiddies of all ages to get back to school and further their education.  To help students do everything from staying organized to getting their lunches, books and other supplies to their temples of learning in an eco-sustainable way, IzzitGreen has found a bunch of cool, environmentally friendly school products from our partner BuyGreen.com.  And as part of IzzitGreen’s efforts to help educate all youngsters, and through them hopefully their parents, Izzit will donate a portion of our proceeds from August 18th to August 25th, 2010 to help the non profit “e”inc. continue its mission of bringing environmental learning right into the classroom.

How about those cool back to school products?

Well we found a lot of items that we feel are practical, unique, and quite frankly pretty hip, we would love your personal take on them through feedback and reviews.  Here are our top five. . .

1. The Laptop Bento Box

Even the name is cool.  The Laptop Bento Box is a take-off on a childhood classic.  This updated lunchbox offers many great features such as removable compartments, 3 sealable lids; a dip container for sauces, salad dressings, hummus etc.  And like an all-in-one survival kit (hey, middle school for me was like a 2 year episode of Survivor) it comes equipped with inner containers, utensils, and a book of healthy lunch ideas and recipes.  Everything is reusable, recyclable, and dishwasher safe.

Laptop Lunches are manufactured in California using plastics (polypropylene and polyethylene) that are FDA-approved for food use. There are no binding agents or plasticizers used in the manufacturing process. In addition, there are no materials used that are suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters.  They are also lead-free, microwave and dishwasher safe.

The convenient size fits in almost any backpack which brings us to our next item…

2. Voltaic Solar Backpack

This versatile Backpack is the perfect eco-friendly choice for students to carry everything they could possibly need to get through their busy day. The backpack is solar powered, so as you carry your water,  lunch, books, and supplies, you can also use the solar pack’s pockets and wire channels to keep your devices (any kind of cell or smart phone) charged while you’re on the go between classes. The Voltaic Solar Backpack is lightweight and is also ideal for outdoor activities such as field trips, hiking or camping.  It’s a green option that allows you to conserve electricity without being left chained to your home when your personal gadgets are out of batteries….).

Now, how about some green options for the everyday supplies that will be transported in your new backpack?  Luckily there are plenty of options.

3. Ban the plastic bottle!  SIGG Swiss Engineered Aluminum Reusable Water Bottles…

SIGG bottles save money too! Assuming you drink 1 liter per day, you’d spend $500-$1,000 in bottled water a year. Many SIGG bottles are still being used 10-20 years after they are purchased so you get good bang for your buck!

4. New Leaf Binders

Now to reading, writing and arithmetic. These 3 Ring Binders are simple, durable and eco-friendly.  Why consume virgin material when you can use a New Leaf binder.

100% recycled with 35% Post-Consumer content and processed Chlorine Free.  3 Ring Binders are Craft Colored with White New Leaf Band and Recycled Corrugate.

Two sizes:
- 1/2″ thick and Cases have ten (10) items
- 1″ thick and cases have eight (8) items

Paper with a past and a future. New Leaf has a vision for a sustainable paper industry, inspired by nature. Natural systems are cyclical: waste from one process is food to another. Natural systems are sustainable: they create beauty, abundance, biodiversity, and are life-supporting. They do not pollute the water we drink and the air we breathe.

5. Autonomie Project Ethletic  High-top Sneaker

And the best part about going back to school? Hey, throwback shoes!

The Autonomie Project Ethletic Black & White High-top Sneaker has a sole produced and stamped with Forest Stewardship Council-certified all natural and sustainable rubber. It is 100% vegan and entirely cruelty-free, plus it is imported from a Fair Trade certified workshop in Pakistan.

The Deal

In an effort to support the critical mission of “e”-inc., IzzitGreen will donate 50% of our proceeds on any back to school item purchased through Izzit from our partner BuyGreen.com.  Simply click on any BuyGreen item on this page or our in our product catalogue and you will be directed to the BuyGreen site to complete your purchase.

At Izzit we have a lot of fun finding great green products and educating our followers on the potential eco-benefits of those items.  “e”-inc is a non profit that takes the eco-education piece in a different and important direction; right into the classroom, right to the generation that can have the biggest impact on creating a sustainable world and right to those kids who are on their way back to school.

“e” inc. believes that by reaching young people (and through them their families), it can change the shape of our global future through the use of knowledge and action.  “e”inc combines science education with community action to drive environmental change in urban communities.

They do so by working with after school programs in urban Community Centers, Public Schools, and Charter Schools to bring “Planet Protectors” – their standards-based science programs on energy, habitats, ocean biodiversity, or climate change that culminate in solution-driven actions – to all students.   For more info on how they affect this change check out their site at  www.e-action.us

Here is our uber green, pretty cool if I don’t say so myself, Father’s Day gift buying guide:

For the Outdoorsy Dad

SE 2.0 Portable Water Filtration Bottle ($34.95, BuyGreen), Filtered Water Bottle ($9.95, Bobble)

A water bottle with built in filtration – not only replacing plastic bottles but also ensuring you drink the highest quality water. For the SE 2.0 Portable Water Filtration Bottle (left) each Sovereign Earth water filter produces over 100 gallons of pure water – 99.99% pure, removing contaminants like chlorine, agricultural and industrial pollutants heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals. Bobble (right) has a carbon-based filter that removes organic contaminates from regular municipal tap water and meets or exceeds NSF International Standard 42 for chlorine, taste and odor reduction. This filter you have to change every 2 months or after 40 gallons.

Solar Hybrid Flashlight ($19.95, BuyGreen)

An innovative solar flashlight, the Solar Hybrid Flashlight generates renewable power from sun or room light. An 8-hour charge in sunlight or room light will provide up to 16 hours of continuous light, and it can be charged over and over again. It also holds a single charge for over 3 years and comes fully charged.

Ultimate Hammock ($199, Gaiam), Sling Handmade Hammock ($744, Branch)

A hammock to chillax in. Let’s face it, every Dad deserves a break. The Ultimate Hammock from Gaiam (left) is made from recycled soda bottles. The Sling hammock from Branch, designed by Ting (right), is handmade from 100% unused, reclaimed nylon seat belt webbing.

For the Book Loving Dad

Shirt from Out of Print ($28, Out of Print)

A well designed shirt to advertise his literary expertise. For each shirt Out of Print sells, one book is donated to a community in need through their partner Books For Africa.

For the Fashionable Dad

Blottoe Bag ($75, Simple)

An eco friendly messenger bag with some style points. The Blottoe Bag is made from hemp and recycled plastic bottles.

Jimi Wallet ($14.95, GreenLoop), English Retreads Wallets ($46, BuyGreen)

A wallet to stash his paper notes. The Jimi Wallet (left & center) is manufactured in the US from 100% recycled materials, and 1% of its sales revenue is invested in the environment. The Bi-Fold Wallet by English Retreads (right) is made from recycled rubber inner tubes.

Anchor Embroidered Classics ($54, TOMS), Men’s Gumshoe ($60, Simple)

A comfy pair of slip-ons. For the TOMS (left), with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. The Simples (right) are made from organic cotton, recycled car tires, scraps and post-consumer foams.

For the Sporty Dad

Organic Polo ($51.95, Football Fanatics)

An organic polo to support his favorite sports team, and well, to look sporty. Three cheers for organic cotton – all the benefits of cotton without the toxic chemicals. These three are from Football Fanatics. They also have a wide variety of other branding options. I would suggest doing a quick search for “organic polo” on their site.

Separated at Birth Golfers BBQ Set ($25, UncommonGoods)

The stainless steel Golfers BBQ Set covers the sporty grill enthusiasts. Stainless steel is a great alternative to plastics that can leach harmful chemicals into your food.

Dixon Earth Eco-Distance Golf Balls ($19.95, Amazon)

A dozen eco distance golf balls to hit. Unlike other brands who use harsh heavy-metal pollutants like tungsten, cobalt and lead, and contain non-renewable synthetic materials and compounds; the Dixon Earth Eco-Distance Golf Ball is made from a proprietary polymer that maintains the playable properties of the ball, but ensures that it is 100% renewable.

For the First Time Beer Brewing Dad

Premium Gold Beer Kit ($59.95, Cooking.com), Beer Making Mix Refill Set ($39.95, Cooking.com)

The Premium Gold Beer Kit (left) is a microbrew beer kit that combines modern technology with select ingredients to assure reliable results every time you brew. There are no industrial CO2 cartridges needed. The brew keg is made from an Advanced Rez-Tech Poly Vinyl Chloride, an FDA compliant plastic, and the reusable plastic bottles are made from PET plastic, also FDA approved for food and beverage. All beer mixes, including the Beer Making Mix Refill Set (right) sold separately, are made of 100% natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives.

For the Tech Savvy Dad

Fantom Drives G-Force Greendrive ($99, MacMall)

The GreenDrive features the latest advances in power saving technology and ROHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) compliant materials and process. Your geeky dad will commend you on staying up to date on your green technology.

Vers Cases (Starting at $34.95, BuyGreen), Vers 1.5R ($199, BuyGreen)

A wood accessory or sound system made from renewable resources. Vers not only makes a sweet docking station (right) for your iPhone or iPod, they also have you covered, literally, with their wood cases (left).

Viewsonic announced its newest green nettop-slash-mini-PC this week, the VOT125.  The VOT125 is packed with green cred galore, including form factor and powerplant that consume 90% less plastic and energy than traditional desktop PCs and is fully Energy Star and RoHS compliant.

The VOT125 is built around Intel’s newest ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processors, and is geared toward the business market, where energy savings across a fleet of PCs can really add-up, and with a $499 MSRP the system’s energy savings turn the tiny beauty in an ROI-positive spend for companies sporting lots of older desktops.  The VOT125 also boasts a 250GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, Windows 7 and 1080p video output.Home users worry not, Viewsonic will likely soon follow the VOT125 with consumer-focused models to improve the performance and eco-credentials of their existing VOT132 Mini Home PC and other home nettops.  Though existing models already offer a healthy list of green features including lower power, less plastic and RoHS compliance – though more in the 45% less range from traditional PCs than the super-green VOT125.  Get Engadget’s full review of the VOT132 -  http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/24/viewsonic-vot132-nettop-review/

Still don’t know what a nettop is?  Here’s the skinny:

PC manufacturers have begun to develop slim and light computers designed as either secondary home computers (think the kids’ rooms) or to boost the integrated capabilities of the convergent living room – meaning, you plug it into your TV, next to the BluRay and Wii for a fully webified living room experience.   The name of the game for all nettops is cheap and small but with enough horsepower to thrill with multimedia.  So they sport enough processor speed and memory to crush Hulu, YouTube and any other website you can think of.  Most also offer 1080p video output, so your iTunes movie rentals will look sweet, and you’ll be able to join the cool group of folks griping that NetFlix still doesn’t offer their streaming in HD.

When paired with newer generation LED display – like ViewSonic’s 22-Inch LED Monitor – nettops become a very cool upgrade to the wired home.

Via Engadget

Remember way back in 2007 when Greenpeace and other green orgs slammed Apple for their incredibly non-granny-smithish (meaning green) manufacturing habits?  As you may know, since then Mr. Jobs and company have reasserted their commitment to sustainable practices, launched a few i-baubles, ran a big ‘Apple is SO green’ advertising campaign – and then leaped headfirst into the tablet computing abyss with the iPad.

According to Apple, the iPad is indeed a leader in the green electronics space.  With no Mercury, Arsenic, BFR or PVC in the iPad, Apple has achieved its usual designerly objectives without befouling the earth.  At least that’s what Apple is saying – and we’ve got no reason to believe that Apple would risk their brand equity for a little green bathing.

And let’s hope so – otherwise, this guy is in serious trouble.  After all, those handsome glasses aren’t keeping any carcinogenic dust out of his gleaming choppers – never mind his lungs…

Via: Engadget and BlendTec

As the world has become more globalized, we have all become heavily dependent on a well-oiled, seamlessly functioning system to keep our busy lives afloat.  We have become fully reliant on having well stocked stores close by to fulfill our basic necessities and meet our daily needs.  A gap in this highly effective and efficient supply chain of food, water and electricity is but a major natural disaster away.

We have become too comfortable in our own reliance on this system, with many dismissing the need to prepare and store supplies required to keep their family protected in an emergency. The blackout of 2003, Hurricane Katrina and the recent tragic Earthquake in Haiti is a sign for all of us to make our own efforts to prepare for the worst so that in times of need, we have the ability to help others.

With the uncertainty of the consistency of environmental conditions due to climate change, the call to prepare is now greater than ever.

The realm of green gadgets has brought a slew of new products to the market that can help you and your family prepare for any situation.

We’ve got the gadgets that will make you the leading survivalist in your neighborhood.

3 in 1 Survival Light–Dynamo/Hand Crank, Emergency Zone, No Batteries Required, Emergency AM FM Radio, Mobile Phone Charger

This Hand crank powered gadget triples as a flashlight, AM/FM radio and a cellphone charger for $16.95.

Powertraveller SG-010 Solargorilla Portable Solar Charger for your Notebook/Laptop, Cell Phone and other Handheld Devices

This solar power charger from Solargorilla will keep all of your electronics fully operational so you can keep in touch with loved ones, or if nothing else can keep your music going to ward off boredom. This item sells for $249.95.

Solar Weatherband Radio by Real Goods

Keep up to date with emergency radio broadcasts. This radio runs off battery, solar power or hand crank,  giving you versatility in choice. Also doubles as a flashlight. This item sells for $50.99.

V-dimension Helius Solar Powered Backpack ($105.98)

Voltaic Systems Converter ($169.00)

Voltaic Solar Backpack ($219.00)

Survivalists always tote about having a “bug-out” bag packed and ready to have, stocked with survivalist gear to take with you in case of an emergency. It is one of the easiest things to prepare, and could be the most important item to have. Why not put your “bug-out” bag to work with one of the above three options.  All three bags allow for the solar powering of devices and electronics. It’s as mobile powered as you can become.

Visit the Gadgets and Electronics Marketplace for a bunch of other great green products!!

The science of growing plants strictly in water is anything but a new concept. Several cultures throughout history have grown plants in water as an alternative to conventional agriculture. So what’s all the hype about hydroponics?

As development continues to encroach on arable, high quality farming land with housing and infrastructure, our ability to increase our current food stocks with ever growing populations is beginning to dwindle. Many would say a food crisis is just around the corner. Throw the uncertainty of climate change into the mix and it’s evident that a solution is needed. In comes hydroponics to save the day.

Hydroponic food production uses a fraction of the water of soil based production, requires no harmful pesticides or herbicides, buffers the effects of climate change on our food supply through controlling the growing environment and can be grown virtually anywhere. At the basics of hydroponics, roots grow down into a container of water aerated with a pump. Plant nutrients are added to the water to feed the plants growing needs and light is provided through a high UV output grow bulb. Sounds pretty low key doesn’t it?

You don’t have to go invest in a large-scale greenhouse operation to get in on the action. There is an extremely simple, well designed, affordable option that gives you the ability to grow useful plants right on your counter top. It’s the Aerogarden!

The Aerogarden allows you to grow virtually anything from seed. They offer a wide selection of pre-seeded starter kits, or you can even grow your own heirloom varieties your family may have passed down from generation to generation. Whether you have a green or brown thumb, this product is fool proof, with sensors that notify you when to add water and nutrients. It even has an automatic light timer.

So whether you are looking to create micro-scale food security, grow delicious herbs to spice up some culinary pizazz, or are re-educating yourself on the deep connection between humanity and the natural world of plants, this product is a winner.

Check out some of Aerogarden’s awesome lineup of products in the Marketplace!

Still looking for that big, stocking-busting present for that movie lover, gamer or regular guy in your life?  Here’s a sure-fire winner: Samsung’s 46-Inch 7000-Series LED TV, aka the UN46B7000.

With this beauty, Samsung has spun a real winner.  The UN36B700 has all the high-end specs you’d want in a premium flat screen tele, including 1080p resolution, 120Hz motion refresh, and super-deep blacks to go along with naturally vibrant colors.  As evidence of this brilliance, Samsung has won a host of accolades for the UN36B700, including Wired Magazine’s TV of 2009 distinction, and the highest rating among LED TVs on CNET.  So it’s got the good part down for sure.

And did I mention that this 46 in screen is a mere 1.2 inches deep.  There was a time when a 3-inch deep television was a marvel – I believe that time was way back in 2008 – but with new LED TVs hitting the market, ultra-thinness is the name of the game.

So the UN36B700 has goodness to spare, and plenty of green cred too.  Unlike most LCD and Plasma TVS, most new LED TVs, including the UN36B700, are mercury free.  Samsung’s LED line also consumes about 40% less energy than comparably sized LCD TVS – keeping in mind that LCDs used a ton less that traditional tube TVs do.  So you’ll be way ahead in the green game too with this upgrade.

Check out more on the Samsung UN36B700 in the IzzitGreen Products Listings – and then go splurge on the UN36B700 as a gift.  Even if you’re the recipient – there’s nothing wrong with self-gifting the good and green…

Sometimes even when you’re out in touch with nature, out on a hike or a bird watching adventure, it can be hard to detach yourself from the modern world and leave your plethora of gadgets behind, but without access to a place to plug in and keep your gadgets charged it can be hard to maintain your addiction.

The Voltaic Solar Daypack is perfect for a day hike in the woods so you can get in touch with nature and bring your favorite companions along; your Blackberry, iPod, iPhone, GPS and whatever else you just can’t stand to leave at home. The backpack is solar powered, so as you carry your water, a lunch, and your camera, you can also use the solar pack’s pockets and wire channels to keep your devices charged while you’re on the go. It’s a green option that allows you to conserve electricity without being left chained to your home when your personal gadgets are out of batteries.

Since the sun isn’t always out, no matter how much you might want it to be, the daypack comes with a variety of hookups so the contained battery pack can be charged on those gloomy days, that way there’s never a fear of being disconnected even during your retreat away from all things technological.

Hey, you know and I know just how hard it is to break away from your gadgets; whether you’re a small business owner, a parent who constantly worries about their children or a teenager who would have to lose their thumbs in order to stop texting. So it’s nice to have options and those that are nice to the environment as well as your technological addiction.

Obviously I’m not leading you astray…the answer is a resounding yes thanks to a really cool interactive water bottle, the Hydracoach. Firstly, it’s a durable reusable water bottle that allows you to refill directly from your tap or on-board water dispenser on your fridge that doesn’t come with the same environmental impact as purchasing bottled spring water. But, it also does many things that my trusted Nalgene bottle does not. The Hydracoach actually calculates exactly how much water each individual needs to drink everyday, based on weight, level of physical fitness and more; so it might tell you that the 8 glasses of water are a little excessive, or that you need to amp up your water intake even if it means feeling a little bit water logged.

Since refilling a reusable water bottle doesn’t allow individuals to keep track of exactly how much water they’re drinking everyday, the Hydracoach interactive water bottle also keeps track of how much water you’ve consumed each day, and how close you can percentage wise to meeting your recommended daily water intake, so expect it to give you trouble when you’re not living up to your end of the bargain by drinking up!

A pretty cool gadget that is eco-friendly and health conscious; if you can find anything better that checks all of those boxes, I challenge you to tell me.

And charging it couldn’t be easier.  Just remove the solar panel, put it in the window and charge. Charging takes about nine to twelve hours on a bright and sunny day and a bit longer on a cloudy day.  But once the lamp is charged, it will stay lit for about four hours.   The lamp not only saves you money on electricity, the LED bulb lasts at least four times longer than traditional bulbs as well.  When bad weather strikes, you can always count on your solar lamp when the electricity goes out!  Available at IKEA stores, the lamp includes three rechargeable AA batteries and retails for under $20 each.

But wait, there’s more!  IKEA and UNICEF are working together in the SUNNAN Lamp Campaign.  For each lamp that is sold at IKEA, another will be donated to a child without electricity.  The project provides the SUNNAN lamps to children who would otherwise be in the dark.  This means they are able to do their homework at night. The sturdy solar lamps include batteries that can withstand high temperatures.  Beginning in June 2009, the first lamp donations will go to children in Pakistan, victims of the 2008 earthquake.  The SUNNAN Lamp Campaign is lighting the way for the children around the world without electricity.

So why not get rid of all those annoying electrical cords and plug into the free energy of the sun instead?  You’ll save on electricity, help the environment and help a child in need at the same time.

Sources: Ikea & Unicef