I'm typically not a jargon or buzzword guy. Matter of fact, I typically go out of my way to not use them at all. But something about this word I really like.Greenvenience.
It perfectly describes the parameters people put on their willingness to act in a "green" manner.
Recycling has become, at least in larger cities, incredibly convenient. Here in Denver we have big purple trash cans on wheels. We put all our recyclables in that big, wheel it out to the curb with the trash every other week, and the city picks it up. No sorting whatsoever. Due to the incredibly high level of greenvenience, recycling has gone up 40% in our city since they initiated the big purple bins.
For the majority of Americans, that's the level of greenvenience they need to make it worth their while. The more involved I have to get, the more it's going to slow me down, the less likely I am to do it.
So how about you? What's your greenvenient threshhold?
Are you like Asbestos Dust, who dumps the old motor oil from his 1972 Ford 3/4-ton into the wetlands behind his house? Or are you like Venessa, who uses Aster leaves for toilet paper?
Do you use paper towels, or do you clean with sponges and rags?
Do you recycle every single thing you can, including all forms of paper, or do you sometimes throw things in the trash because it's just easier?
Do you buy milk and juice and other beverages in recyclable containers only, or do you buy them in non-recyclable wax-coated paper cartons, maybe because of price or maybe because of brand preference?
Do you carpool?
Do you drive to lunch?
Do you use compact fluorescent bulbs at home, or do you prefer regular bulbs because you don't like the color that comes from compact fluorescent?
Do you make sure bottles and cans always get put in recycling, or do you toss them in the trash if that's what's closest and easiest?
What else?
In the spirit of full disclosure, I've done every single one of the "non-green" things listed above. Well, except the oil thing.
I had a 1984 Ford Bronco.
