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An old SmartPlanet favourite has been given a new twist of life. Voltaic Systems was one of the first to invent a hip solar backpack, and it's now making its bags even greener by manufacturing them from recycled plastic bottles instead of virgin material.
It's about time for the switch -- rival Reware has been offering solar bags made from recycled material for a while -- so the good news is that the move applies to all of Voltaic's bags. The material in question is similar to the stuff we've seen recently in school uniforms by M&S and Nike's mighty fine Trail jacket. As eco textiles go, it's certainly a step in the right direction -- it equals less energy to make the material in the first place plus less junk in landfill -- though it is reliant on us all continuing to gulp lots of bottled fizzy drinks and water.
We've had a Voltaic backpack for two years and it's endured well, aside from the zip. Solar charging's a tad slow in the grey ol' UK, but we've found the bags hold up well to the official claims of an hour's sun producing three hours' iPod battery life and 1.5 hours mobile phone talk-time.
The new, greener bags are cheapest ($200 plus postage) in the UK via a US store from this list, though UK-based Electronic Zone is currently stocking the old skool, non-recycled versions.
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