There’s a lot of bad news out there right now, and green business has unfortunately suffered like any other industry in this unsettling economy. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of green entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists making breakthroughs and building promising businesses, though – and Business Pundit has the proof. They’ve come up with a list of 25 incredible bright spots that’ll put a little spring in the step of anyone who’s rooting for the green movement.
25. Bionic Power Inc.
Bionic Power Inc.’s Biomechanical Energy Harvester uses the energy your body creates during the process of walking to charge portable batteries. The device, which after development should weigh about two pounds, is geared towards people need easy, cheap portable power. Importing disposable batteries costs heavily in terms of fuel for transportation. Target markets include the military, public safety officials, first responders, and others who need charged batteries during blackouts. Bonus: Wearers can charge their cellphones on it at night.
24. Feelgoodz
Feelgoodz manufactures eco-friendly shoes using hemp, bamboo, natural rubber, and recycled paper. 3% of its profits go to charitable causes, including the Fair Trade and 1% For the Planet. Their comfortable flip-flops are all-natural and 100% biodegradable. The flip-flops could be huge if they gain an international market.
23. DEKA: The Slingshot
Better known as the inventor of the Segway, Dean Kamen is now manufacturing the Slingshot, a filterless water purifier that makes drinking water out of sketchy water sources like sewage, ocean water, and urine. It runs off of cow dung and generates enough electricity to run a building full of light bulbs. Hoping to instigate a phenomenon, Kamen is handing units to impoverished villages. The handy device costs the rest of us $1,000-$2,000.
22. WhiteWave Foods
Dairy food specialist WhiteWave Foods produces natural foods while offsetting 100% of its electricity with renewable power purchases. The company works with both human sustainability, in which soy and organics may play a big role, and industrial sustainability. Their flagship brands include the popular Silk (soy products), Land O Lakes, and Horizon organic dairy products. The company is recognized for its green power use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
21. Ice Energy
Ever lived in a city that has rolling blackouts during the summer? Energy glutton air conditioners are a main reason for peak electricity issues. Ice Energy has a solution that lets you keep cool in summer and save energy
. Their Ice Bear cooling unit, which plugs into air conditioners, makes ice at night, when electricity is off-peak. During the day, the Ice Bear cools the air conditioner’s coolant (usually cooled with electricity) using ice, cutting electricity consumption by as much as 30%. So far, the company only sells to businesses, but look for it residentially soon.
Check out the remaining 20 over at Business Pundit!
Link [BusinessPundit]
