Green Design

Hot Green Products

Apple's new MacBook Air makes an impressive eco-conscious statement—as does an array of other recent items ranging from flashlights to diapers

By Paula Lehman

From clothing to gadgets to toys, manufacturers are working hard to create environmentally friendly products for an increasingly eco-conscious consumer base. Take the Apple MacBook Air. The new ultra-thin computer has a recyclable carrying case and was given a silver rating by the new Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) standard from the Green Electronics Council. Lloyd Alter, a correspondent with environmental advocate sites Treehugger.com and Planetgreen.com, believes the move is significant. Having a major player such as Apple step up to the sustainability plate emphasizes the movement's importance. "Jobs made a big deal that this computer was designed to be green," he says. "It's wonderful to see Apple take a step in that direction."

Of course, the definition of "sustainable" depends on who you're talking to. And it's clear consumer-focused companies such as Apple can do more to "green" their product lines. But in the meantime, here's a selection of recent consumer products designed with the environment in mind, from cheap and cheerful, to megabucks.