I’m pretty sure that we could win an Ugliest Toaster Award if we entered ours. We’ve been sporting a bottom-of-the-line, been using it since I was living in a dorm room, toaster for way too long. Most of our other appliances are black, so receiving the hip, conveniently black TRU Eco 2 Slice Toaster from Select Brands this week was a dream come true. I’m sure you question me when I use words like “dream come true” in reference to toasters, well, scoff if you must, but once you get a look at the TRU Eco Toaster, I think you’ll be dreaming of everything bagels and cream cheese too.

I could tell even from the packaging that I was going to love this baby! Upon closer examination of the box, I immediately learned several key points about the TRU Eco. Wondering what makes this toaster eco-friendly? I was too, and then I read this:

The True Eco is RoHS compliant. It meets or exceeds the RoHS (reduction of hazardous substances) standard by containing less than the permitted levels of potentially harmful materials.

The packaging for this toaster uses environmentally-friendly, natural, water-based late adhesives rather than potentially harmful petroleum-based glue.

This Carton consists of over 85%, post-consumer recycled materials, while the full color brand is compromized of 75-85% post-consumer recycled materials.

By closing the heat-insulating sealing slots of this toaster, one can achieve a twenty percent energy savings versus toasting without the slots sealed.

All components of this packaging are 100% recyclable. Please prolong the life of these materials by recycling when you are ready to discard them.

This packaging was printed using less harsh, soy-based inks rather than petroleum-based printing products.

Using the TRU Eco 2 Slice Toaster is actually quite fun! There are a series of green lights on the front of the device that act as a visual timer, and the dots dim as your toasting cycle draws to a close. I also love the fact that I can not only close the top of the toaster to harness energy when toasting, but also to keep dust and cat hair out of the toaster when it’s not in use.

And, to answer perhaps the most significant question, how it toasts, I was pleased to find two perfectly browned and crispy wheat thins just begging for cream cheese! I’m very happy with this unique toaster, and the fact that it is eco-friendly, for me, is a great perk!

Disclosure: Select Brands provided me with a Tru Eco Toaster for review. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. No additional compensation was received for this review.