Going Green – Why Not.
Which is more important; doing one’s part in saving the environment or, saving money? When doing our part for the environment and the ecology of where we live also puts a little extra cash in our pockets, why do people still resist?
Why are many households still averse to recycling their garbage properly?
Why are people still cleaning with chemicals rather than natural solutions which do as good a job?
Why do many shoppers buy imported products over locally produced or homegrown?
Why is there not a composter in every back yard?
Why are outside clothes lines still banned in many neighborhoods? Why are not more households using them?
Why are larger cars and pick-ups still the most popular vehicles in North America?
Why do we still find litter on our streets and byways?
Why do we build 3000 sqft homes for 4 people when 1200 sqft will more than do?
These questions and many more are probably answered by one of two responses, convenience and lifestyle. It takes time and purpose to change our mindsets to living green. Just doing the little things which can make a difference in our lives and our communities takes time out of our day.
It means an extra stop out of our way to take that old cellphone, or lithium battery, or CFL, or Styrofoam to the proper recycle dropoff. Much easier to throw it out with the regular garbage, no one will see it anyway.
Commercial cleaners are specific purposed, come in easy to use dispensers, and many even have an eco-label on them.
One stop shopping at Walmart is much more convenient than actually shopping for the most environmentally friendly product or produce.
It is quicker to buy pre-mixed planter medium than produce our own even though premix contains 20% Styrofoam.
Clothes lines are just too non-atractive and ugly to have in an upper class neighborhood regardless of how much energy they save.
We have grown more comfortable driving a larger vehicle even if we never use the extra seating or cargo space, besides, it is a matter of status.
It is just too inconvenient to carry that coffee cup or burger wrapper to a garbage can.
We used to use the rec-room when we first moved in. We even have exercise equipment down there. That third bathroom, it’s for convenience.
According to digitalhome.ca, Canadians are watching TV on average per household, eight hours and 21 minutes a day. This is a 20% increase over 10 years ago. Computer time per person is over a 100% increase. Can we really use time and inconvenience as an excuse for not fully doing our part in Greening our communities?
If it is not a matter of having the time to go “green” than it must be convenience and/or lifestyle. Even though there are local ordinances in place as to recycling and litter, when the act of going green is a presumed inconvenience, many just won’t bother. As to lifestyle, education is the only avenue to changing peoples mindset to adapting to healthier, less costly communities.
Going Green; not only good for the environment, going green will save you, your budget and your community money.