Wind-up Gadgets: Eco-toys or Eco-trash

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Wind-up gadgets such as flashlights and radios, marketed as environmentally friendly devices because they do not require battery replacements, continue to receive rave reviews from many environmental outlets around the internet.

The top picture shows one such product, a wind-up flashlight, complete with three attached LED lights. The product claims that winding the crank for a minute produces approximately one hour worth of light. Additionally, the button on the device allows for either one or all three of the lights to be lit during operation.

A few initial experiments with the light confirmed the claims, albeit with one caveat. The light dimmed considerably after fifteen minutes of use on the three light setting. Rewinding the device produced another stream of bright light.

For use in emergency situations, or any situation requiring a limited use of light, such as a short stroll down a hiking trail during the night, first impressions of the flashlight lean to the cool eco-toy category.

Despite this initial applause, it's important to note that little research into the longevity of these wind-up gadgets exist. How long do they last with day to day or week to week use, compared for example, to traditional flashlights that can operate on rechargeable batteries? After all, once a wind-up flashlight fails, the entire flashlight needs to be thrown away.

Comparing the complete life cycle of the wind-up gadgets with the traditional gadgets still stands as the basis for a sound judgement on the gadget's environmental friendliness. Until the comparisons are produced, any review of the current crop of wind-up gadgets should lead to the conclusion that they might be either eco-toys or eco-trash.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels