Repsol YPF

The use of renewable energy and the recycling of waste are known to be the two main methods to achieving sustainable development. Every day we hear of new systems and initiatives from around the world with respect to these two fundamental factors in an ecological way of life, which allow us to conserve the environment and as a result, maintain our quality of life. Nevertheless, rarely do we find ourselves before inventions which allow us to combine the two in such a simple and ingenious manner.

The plastic bottles which until now were almost invariably thrown away have found a new use as nothing less than light bulbs. These lamps do not function using any kind of electrically-supplied energy but by using sunlight.

This peculiar invention is called LightCap 200. The company Sol Light has commercialised a novel LED device which comes integrated into a cap which fits perfectly on any bottle whose rim measures 5.7 centimetres. It also includes a NiMH battery and 4 white LEDs which emit light in different shades based on the colour of bottle they are fitted to. To prevent the battery from discharging unnecessarily, it has a sensor which turns the device off automatically once the sun comes up.

And it is the sun which recharges its batteries. In order for it to do so they must be exposed to the sun for about four hours and the total number of times that it can be recharged, or its useful life, is of 300 charges, according to the manufacturer. This is equivalent to using it continuously for approximately ten months. This is not bad considering that they are sold in the United States for around 20 dollars, about 13.50 euros.

The use of this apparatus is ideal for going camping, so that the bottle which would originally have ended up in the rubbish can be used to illuminate the inside of any tent. It weighs a little over 70 grams, making it easy to take on any excursion. It can also be used as a decorative piece in the home, giving a very original and alternative look. Finally, it is worth remembering that because it uses LEDs which run off solar energy there is no danger of electric shock, and so the bottle to which it is connected can either be filled with water or left empty. In this way we can have water available in the lamp for whatever use we may require.

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