The real trouble with condo and apartment living is the lack of storage space — when it’s time to pack up camping gear or that deck-size beer can trebuchet, there’s no basement or garage where you can tuck your precious junk out of sight. I mean, just look at recycling bins: you get three different tubs for sorting, but where’s the extra real estate in your apartment to keep it all during the week?

Check out the ecopod e1 Home Recycling Center (backed by BMW Designworks), a one-stop shop for household (or office) recycling. The top loading aluminum can and plastic bottle compressor activates with the touch of a pedal to quickly compact and release recyclables into the capture bin below. Extra removable storage containers help you wrangle the junkmail and beer bottles, too. This heavyweight helper is actually a lightweight — standing 31″ tall, 16″ wide x 21″ deep, this 50lb wonder easily tucks into the corner of your kitchen or pantry.

Check out a video of the ecopod in action, or visit the ecopod site to pick one up for $328.

In case you missed it, May is National Bike Month, and tomorrow kicks off Bike-to-Work Week. If you haven’t before, think about using your bike instead of your car at some point this week — it’s a great way to get your heart pumping in the morning, meet some new neighbors, and promote bike safety in your neighborhood.

Start off the week in the right gear with this original timepiece: a stand-mount Pendulum Bicycle Gear Clock made of salvaged bike parts. A polished wheel rim forms the neck of the clock connecting the base and the clock face, both made of (de-greased) chain rings. Even the working pendulum is a small cog attached to the clock by a short extension of bike chain. Standing 12″ tall, this curious timepiece can go anywhere with two AA batteries. Everyone in your office will be intrigued, and you’ll feel great about picking up this clever recycled piece and supporting bike awareness. Available at bluefrog goods for $78.95.

EcoSpheres are ecological systems that contain actual living micro organisms such as red shrimp and algae living together in a carefully balanced environment of filtered sea water. The delicate equilibrium of water, air, animal, and plant life is enclosed in a permanently sealed hand blown globe that will provide a clear view of the life inside.

Interestingly enough, the EcoSpheres were developed in result of NASA scientists and their efforts to create environments where they could sustain life for long periods of time in space. I think its time for us to all take a moment and thank NASA for another great invention. First, Astronaut Ice Cream, then the Tempurpedic Pillow, and now an elegant looking glass globe that will please your boss when it replaces the plastic Sea Monkey tank on your desk.

The Ecospheres are available in 4, 5, and 9 inch versions with prices starting at just under 90 bucks for the 4 inch model.

The new H2O Clock is the latest thing in ecological and environmental design. In itself the clock is not all that amazing but the technology itself is amazing. This multifunctional clock runs on everyday water with the use of a new H20 replaceable battery.

The patented battery works by placing one positive and one negative special alloy at each end of the battery. The result when submersed in water is an electrochemical reaction that results in electrical energy.

The clock itself is an old school style digital display with a twist. Simply rotate the clock 90 degrees and the clock will switch from Time, to Alarm, to Temperature, to Countdown timer.

We are all fans of any kind of power that is environmentally clean and the new SC002 solar powered charger is just that. You no longer have to worry about running out of power or carrying extra batteries for your gadgets, with solar style all you need is some indoor or outdoor light. With just a few hours of light you will have enough juice to charge your cell phone, PDA, MP3 Player, CD Player, Gaming Device or Digital Camera.

Each of the two versions of the Solar Style come with seven different connectors and a cigarette car charger assuring that you will always have what you need to power your electronics. The cheapest place to pick one up is at Amazon for just under 50 bucks ($5.00 off MSRP). More detailed photos after the jump…

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This kind of stuff straight out of an old sci-fi movie are my favorite gadgets. I can’t wait until this kind of thing is perfected and we are able to convert solar power even more efficiently. The new Solio won’t exactly power your flat screen TV but it is powerful enough to charge all of your handheld electronic products at home or on the move, anywhere under the sun.

Solio works by absorbing power from either the wall socket or the Sun storing this energy within the Solio’s own internal battery. To give you an idea of the kind of juice Solio puts out, when fully charged, Solio can store enough power to charge a typical cell phone or an iPod Nano at least two times.

If you are a boater, camper, or any kind of outdoor adventurist this could be a really cool addition to your arsenal. Grab your own Solio for $20 off MSRP at Amazon. Cool action photos after the jump…

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