Admit it: we’re a little lazy when it comes to caring for the planet. We like Tumblr more than we like trees. And, you know, processed foods sometimes rock. But still, we feel guilty when we throw away our newspapers while laughing menacingly under an incandescent lightbulb. Or maybe that’s just me. A small step in the right direction? Sun jars. 

By Kerri Sorrell

Sustainability is easy—there are literally hundreds of thousands of ways to reduce your environmental impact. And although we hear the terms “going green” and “carbon footprint” enough to want to drive our fuel-efficient hybrids off a bridge, one fact remains: we kind of suck at keeping the earth clean.

But greening up doesn’t have to be hard—it can even be fun—and it’s all about the little things.

Honesty time: sometimes people are afraid of the dark. Nightlights comfort us like only the arms of our mothers (or cats, you know, whatever) can. But nightlights suck up energy, and are wasteful appliances. The solution? A sun jar.

Made by Iowa City Summer of Solutions, sun jars are the cutest way to light up your life. Solar garden lights are attached to plain old Mason jars, which are customized to be any color and pattern your little green heart desires. Just stick them in the windowsill during the day (charging the mini solar panel on top), and during the night, the jar will light up your room. Bright enough to play cards, read a good book or throw a séance, (but not too bright so as to disturb your slumber), sun jars are the perfect way to spruce up your apartment.

Did I mention they’re only $15? They make really awesome gifts for your technology-baffled parents and grandparents. Plus, all proceeds go to ICSoS, a local environmental non-profit working for sustainability in Iowa communities. How hip.

Gotta get your hands on one? Check out ICSoS’s website for more information.

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Posted by

Joe Stych

Related Posts

Peepoo Portable Toilet: Toilet bag helps fight poverty

Over 2.6 billion people worldwide are without access to toilets. Call in the Peepoo portable toilet bag. Nasty? Maybe, but the Peepoo bags are solving a world of problems in impoverished communities. Special powder in the bag’s...

Rock the Green music festival in Milwaukee: less waste, more fun

At the last concert you went to, you probably had a bottle of water, maybe a beer (or three) and then you threw them all away in a large, black bag-lined trashcan. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.  By Laura Jordan You...