Power-Hog will not end global warming, but it does make an attempt at familiarizing kids with the cost of running energy using devices, like video games and computers. It takes loose change (or allowance) and a red light blinks when time is running out. Plenty of people, presumably parents, think Power-Hog is a great idea for metering energy use. Still, it seems more like a novel parenting tool than a product that will genuinely benefit the green movement.

The Laundry Pod is essentially a large salad spinner for the clothes you need to wash, but don’t want to waste energy on in your main clothes washing machine. This hand powered washing machine has simple instructions and might even give you an arm workout as you pump the hand lever to activate the wash cycle. Where it might not save you time, the Laundry Pod will save you money and trips to the coin laundry--that is if all you need to wash is socks.

The Riti Printer solves the problem of costly ink cartridges, the difficulty to replace them, and finally gives you something to do with coffee and tea dregs. This clever printer is completely powered by the user moving the ink cartridge--packed with breakfast recyclables--by hand, from left to right until the paper has moved through the printer. This small printer is probably best for printing things like a letter to Aunt Trudy in Nebraska, not important business documents, but it is still an idea to be admired. Could be dangerous to use after six expressos, however.