Want vs Need: Gadgets
While it is true that there are many economical steps to go green without spending money, sometimes you just want things. That is human nature in America, right? Shop? I always read about these green gadgets and really want them. I don’t really need them, though. Like a solar charger for my iPod – the Solio – very cool. Sure I’d love to have one, but the payoff versus cost just isn’t worth it. I could charge my iPod for its entire life for less than the $100 I’d spend. Yeah – I know – its about getting clean solar energy versus dirty coal-fired power from the grid. I’d agree with that argument if it was on a larger scale.
My question to all of you is: Is there a green gadget that you really, really want (but probably don’t need)?
I’ll tell you what mine is. I’ve actually talked about it before. It’s a product that is readily available in many parts of the world, yet a novelty here in the States. Its a toilet tank sink. I happened to see the video for the SinkPositive toilet tank sink (my favorite of the few available) again today. Of course I want the one with the nice stainless steel ”faucet.” That ups the price to a cool $110. Now – I do think about one of these each time I use a toilet and how much water is literally being flushed down the drain. At least with this gadget I’d feel like I wasn’t totally wasting the water. I think it would be a long, long time before I’d be able to recoup that cost, though. There is a way to build one of these on Instructables, but my wife isn’t so keen on the plywood design 
Ideally, I’d get a nice Caroma dual-flush toilet with the tank sink built in. Caroma Gods – Please send me one of those
I actually bought one and I believe I needed it in my 278 sf home. I had no sink in my bath area and had to use the kitchen sink to wash my hands. This is ever so much more practical and hygenic. I love it!
BTW, I just found your website and I am having a great time exploring. Fine work.
Kate -
So – do you think I should get one or not? I really want a dual-flush toilet, but that costs way too much right now. Do I put the $100 into this or save it? Such a dilemma…and the fact that I have to convince my wife, too
-Jason
Jason, I just read your November post on the Caroma toilet – among other references. Clearly, you have done more homework than I have. I love my tank sink, but I don’t have high traffic use. For the most part, it is just me.
I’d like to think that the the Caroma could give the American plumbing companies a run for their money.
My fiance and I have bee eying a rather expensive solar lantern it’s about $80 and low on the cost scale compare to your toilet/sink but it would be a large expense for us. We would like to use in the house after dark and when camping but realistically I can see us forgetting to charge it or forgetting to pack it. Sigh we’d like a whole premade green house too but I know we will never be able to afford that! Instead we plan on buying a fixer upper and fixing it green.
http://badhuman.wordpress.com