If you have a screen saver set up on your computer, it automatically shuts off after a specificied number of minutes–yours might be set at ten minutes, three minutes or even one minute. But chances are, there’s still a lot of time that your screen is on using energy and you’re not even looking at it. That’s where PecoBOO comes in.

The software works with your webcam and uses face detection technology to determine whether or not you’re actually looking at your screen. So when you look away from your screen for more than a few seconds, it’ll turn off, saving energy by reducing backlight use. When you look back to your computer, it’ll turn on, no fidgeting with the mouse required. The program is one great way to green your computer. Besides the obvious eco-friendly plus of saving energy, you’ll boost your battery life, too.

PecoBOO was developed by Brit Pete Hopton, a self-proclaimed eco geek. His program only works on Windows Vista and XP platforms, so Mac users are out of luck for now, but similar programs may be developed in the future. Other similar technology already exists. The iPhone for example, knows when you put the phone to your ear and at that time, disables the touchscreen.

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With the growing number of hybrid vehicles on the road, one might assume that all car rental agencies are now offering hybrids, but while many of the biggest ones are, they’re not always available at all locations. Another unfortunate reality is that renting a hybrid will often cost you more per day, most likely because car rental agencies aren’t getting the same deals on buying hybrids as they are on their other vehicles. If you can’t afford the increase, don’t worry. You can almost always find a vehicle to rent (at any agency) with good fuel efficiency and that’ll help reduce your impact, although when it comes to emissions a hybrid will always be a better choice. Or, better yet, plan a trip where you can use public transportation, which will save you money and be the most eco-friendly option of all.

If you want to go green on your next vacation by renting a hybrid vehicle, you’ll need to research beforehand to see whether the agency you renting with has them and which location you’ll need to visit to get one. Here’s our list of hybrid-offering car rentals to get you started. Click here to read more

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From dipping their hands in finger paints to mixing cookie dough by hand kids love getting their hands dirty and their clothes messier. So every kid could use an apron made just for them. But when choosing a kid-sized apron, watch out for ones made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

While the flexible plastic material may seem like just the thing for fending off wet or gooey spills, it’s toxic. Dioxins, the strongest cancer causing chemicals ever tested according to Healthy Child Healthy World, are produced when it’s manufactured and incinerated. Plus hormone disrupting phthalates are what makes the material soft, while potent neurotoxin lead is often added as a stabilizer.

So opt for an eco-friendly apron like Mimi the Sardine Apron, which is made from Oeko-Tex certified cotton that’s coated with acrylic instead of PVC. Click here to read more

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Make no mistake, Nissan will be making a zero-emissions electric vehicle (currently nicknamed the ZEV), but they may be pulling the plug all the same. That’s because the company has developed the technology to wirelessly charge electric cars—kind of makes Nokia’s wireless cellphone charging technology pale in comparison, doesn’t it? The technology relies on inductive charging (charging electrical batteries through electromagnetic induction) and you may already use it everyday if you own a certain model of electric toothbrush. Nissan plans to take the technology up a notch and see if it can be of use in the ZEV.

Nissan is hoping the plug-free technology will help convince car buyers who are hesitant about purchasing an electric vehicle because of recharging concerns (something Nissan found more than half of consumer research respondents to worry about). It wouldn’t be as simple, however, as charging wirelessly from your home; the inductive charging would require a special charging bay and because of that the company sees it more as a public option. ZEV drivers would still recharge by plugging in at night, but could pull into designated parking bays to recharge wirelessly during the day. Nissan is even playing with the idea of wireless car-charging lanes, which would be sections of roads that were fitted on the sides with the inductive charging panels, enabling drivers to charge as they drive. Many scientists have doubts about the feasibility of the idea, though. Click here to read more

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Most guys could care less about what shaving cream they slather on their face as long as it gets the job done. But what you might not know is that most shaving creams contain potentially toxic butane derived from petroleum. What’s more, the ingredient can cause irritation and dry skin–the last thing you need when you’re trying to get a close shave.

So do yourself a favor guys (or girls, do your guy a favor) and try The Gentlemens Refinery Black Ice Shave System. Inside the gift box you’ll find The Standard Pre Shave Oil to calm, tone and restore skin; Black Ice Shave Cream that lathers up generously and made to open pores for a smooth shave, which is scented with essential oils; Unscented Aftershave Balm that’s amazing for super-sensitive skin and it’s naturally antibacterial; The Standard Moisturizer to keep skin balanced without leaving a scent; and The Standard Eye Gel to decrease dark circles. Click here to read more

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