1. They’ve both partied in Amsterdam
2. Impossible to go a week without hearing about either of them
3. Money … big money
4. Pro on energy independence
5. Not really compatible with the simple life
6. Multi-talented, but with a long way to go before reaching meaningful, lasting success
7. Occasionally controversial, especially in California
8. Big on Google (thanks, Andrew Schlegel at Telvent!)
9. Have made appearances in the United Arab Emirates
10. Two words: electronic monitoring

That’s because we’re not talking dirty, slimy green, but eco-efficient, water-conserving green, thanks to envii bacterial urinal tablets.

While urinals offer men around the world no-flush convenience, the fixtures still automatically flush every 10 minutes on average to prevent blockages. For a standard 4.5-litre cistern, this equates to total fresh water use of over 235,000 litres — or £500 going down the drain — every year.

BioNovum’s solution? Envii: urinal cubes made out of natural bacteria which feed off urine. The specially selected bacterium means no water at all has to be used in urinals, saving both water and money.

Each tablet lasts up to four weeks, with a pack of 12 selling for £36.

While BioNovum has only started operations this quarter, envii has already generated a lot of interest; in fact, the new bacteria tablets are now being used throughout Germany and in some airports.

What’s next for envii? Replacing the ever-present yellow urinal tablets so familiar to drunken clubbers? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Willetts allegedly spent £150 of taxpayers’ money to replace 25 lamps in his second home in West London and another £80 to change the lights in his bathroom.

According to RS Components, energy-efficient LED lamps require up to 80 per cent less electricity than a standard lamp, and typically last up to 50,000 hours. Assuming Willetts would use such lamps 12 hours per day, seven days a week (at a cost of £0.10 per kilowatt-hour), the current media furor might have been avoided, the firm suggests:

“Had these been used in the first place, the taxpayer would only need to foot the bill for their replacement every 11 years,” according to RS Components.

The Corby, Northamptonshire-based firm is also offering to send a free energy-efficient lamp to any other Parliamentary Member.

“Perhaps if every MP switched to energy-efficient lamps, further embarrassment on related expense claims could be avoided,” said Neil Harrison, customer marketing manager at RS Components. “The potential savings for taxpayers on energy bills and maintenance would run into the millions over time.”

Not to minimise some of the real concerns being raised by people, but part of us keeps imagining the Judean People’s Front and various splitters in action. Anyone else notice a resemblance?