Here's an exciting innovation in home appliances for the growing numbers of women interested in making their cleaning routine a little greener.

According to a 2007 survey conducted by Electrolux, 70 percent of North American and European consumers want their appliances to be environmentally friendly, 76 percent compare the energy efficiency ratings of different brands and 93 percent of those buyers said that the ratings strongly influenced their purchasing decision. This feedback led the company to develop the UltraSilencer Green vacuum cleaner.

55 percent of the UltraSilencer Green from Electrolux is made from plastic recycled from old cars—how's that for an interesting way to use some of the clunkers that the Cash for Clunkers program got off the road. Although the vacuum comes with 9 amps of power, it actually uses 33 percent less energy than a standard vacuum and operates at a quiet 65 decibels, about the same as an average conversation. The packaging is made from 80 percent recycled, unbleached cardboard and the manuals are printed on recycled paper.

The vacuum will be available at bestbuy.com in September for $299.