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Following the green consumer trail.

By
Real Estate Agent with Rocky Mountain Realty #EA40039680

 The green movement is moving forward at a rapid pace. Not a day goes by that the TV, Radio, newspaper or other media doesn't tell us that the world must correct its wicked, wicked way and go green. The conscientious consumer must purchase the newest, latest, better product in order to right the wrong that has been made by the very same consumers. The big push does make me wonder if the green movement isn't just a new way to get the consumer to open their wallets.

 

 

 

 

 

Before you open your wallet one more time to make a purchase to ease your conscience think about following the trail of the product you are purchasing. For example -

 

  • A national insurance company is telling us we can save some green by allowing them to e-mail policies to us. It would save not only a stamp but paper. But you are going to print it once it gets to you aren't you?
  • And those cars that have two engines - one gas and one electric. Think about the manufacturing process in making two engines. Is the plant that is making two engines doing its part for the environment or just elevating our guilt? And how is that car getting to your local dealer? Is the transporter environmentally friendly? And each of the car dealers employees?
  • Corn is being grown for ethanol, but are the cars that use ethanol as efficient as the car you are driving now? Are the farmers growing the corn doing so in an environmental friendly way or are they polluting the corn with pesticides?
  • Not long ago I read something about a couple who were going to replace their Formica counter tops with granite. Granite is a more sustainable product, but it made me wonder if the old counter tops needed to be replaced. Gaining granite from the earth leaves a scar on the planet. Granite is sustainable and will last a very, very long time but at the cost of deposing your old counter tops and marking the earth.

The green movement is a good thing in my mind. The population of the planet is acquiring more and more knowledge on what we think is right and what is wrong in how we treat the place we live. I'm all for education. But don't buy into everything you read, think before you open your wallet. Your money can be used to buy non-toxic, biodegradable, sustainable earth friendly products.

Please just follow the trail, make sure your money is buying things that are working for you not against the rest of us.

 

Some time ago I wrote a short post called STUFF

 

 

 

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Comments (28)

Tricia Jumonville
Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX
Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

Fortunately, in Texas, because of the problem of the use of corn causing the price of FOOD to go up, we're looking at other alternatives, including the pest tree mesquite (a non-native introduced by man that sort of took over, in many areas).  At least that was thought of BEFORE we got to the problem stage! 

And, yes, everything is green, green, green all of a sudden.  The color of money. 

 

Sep 06, 2007 01:18 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

DENA - Thanks for the challenge post! You bring up very interesting point! Stephanie and I talked today about the plasma TV's -- a waste right along with the microwave in my mind!

Granite Countertops -- interesting last week at a seminar when we learned about countertops made from a "new" formica that hold up better than granite, save considerable "green" (money, that is!) and don't leave holes in the earth! Funny you should bring that up!

Thanks for all you do for this group and keep writing!

Sep 06, 2007 01:38 PM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

Thank you all for your comments. Does anybody know the exact quote people used during the depression? It went something like : use it up, wear it our and reuse it... that's not it.

Stephanie, thanks for inspiring me!

George, you and I are both keeping our counter tops and cabinets because they still function. My cabinets are going to get a new coat of VOC free stain. I'd rather stain them then invest the money for new ones - not to mention all the work.

Mary, I'd love to hear  about the "new" Formica. I haven't heard anything about them.

Tricia, it's like Corn is a new invention! Not! I've heard mentioned that other things can be made into ethanol, like the already dead pine trees we have in the mountains. Refer to Joanne Hansons posts on pine beetle.

John, agreed! Who knew our grandparents were green and therefore cool before they knew it!

Mana, greetings to Camerillo! Good luck with the beach clean up

So what will be the next national obsession????? Maybe we can get a jump on it now

Sep 06, 2007 02:21 PM
Tricia Jumonville
Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX
Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" is how I've heard it from folks who were alive during the Depression.  (My parents and grandparents.)

 

Sep 06, 2007 02:37 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert
Dena, now that makes perfect sense to me.  Can I get you to talk to my wife ....... LOL
Sep 06, 2007 03:07 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
Dena -- you are so right!  I have come to similar conclusions.  One must carefully look at each "green" alternative and evaulte it.  There is a lot of "green talk" out there lately! Some is real and some is not.
Sep 06, 2007 03:18 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Dena! Ha! I almost didn't write that because now I have to dig out my notebook! I knew you would ask! (and actually, I am glad you did!) Let me update you this weekend when I have more time to review!
Sep 06, 2007 03:25 PM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

Tricia -  that's it! Thanks. Our parents and grandparents knew what they were talking about. We have lot track of what's important

George - I should probably actually talk to you one day. I will someday - promise

Joan - Green washing the media - somebody should write about that

Mary - Please!

Sep 06, 2007 03:45 PM
Chrissy Harrison
Referral Only Realty - Longmont, CO
Thanks for making us all stop and think. That's why you're the Ecobroker!
Sep 06, 2007 04:08 PM
Joanne Hanson
Coldwell Banker Colorado Rockies Real Estate - Frisco, CO
Summit County, Colorado Realtor
I had missed your Stuff post, so thanks for pointing it out.  I had not thought about how far back that trail goes when buying green, so from now on I will, thanks to you Dena!
Sep 06, 2007 05:15 PM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area
You bring up some very good points. Makes you think twice before jumping on the green bandwagon.
Sep 08, 2007 12:30 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Dena,  I think you should write about Greenwashing the media.  :)

By the way, I got to meet Linda today.

Sep 09, 2007 12:50 PM
Geraldina Wise
Casa Concept inc. - Houston, TX

Hi Dena,

Breaking down the issues of Green is very helpful to consumers. For all of you Greenies, or generation E, like I've called us, the green coefficient of things is now measured in CARBON FOOTPRINT, which means that we need to analize products and materials in terms of how much carbon is left in the environment to not only harvest something like granite, but to manufacture it and transport it accross the oceans and on our highways. It actually makes sense, since we are going to be intelligent and thorough about this!

One of the categories in the LEED for homes paperwork has to do with how far away a material comes from. 500 miles is considered environmentally local. To us in Houston it would mean that chosing Austin stone for our patios or building projects is more environmentally friendly than chosing stone from Oklahoma, Mexico or Oregon.

 

Sep 09, 2007 01:11 PM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

Thank you all for your comments.

Stephanie, I'm glad you got to meet Linda B. I really like her and she is such a valuable part of the Ecobrokers. Greenwashing - now there is something you and I keep bumping our heads on! It's hard to know where the standards are and where they should be.

Geraldina, you bring up valuable points!

 

Sep 09, 2007 01:32 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

I think it is hard to say where the standards really should be since there are so many shades of green and I think that this will be a topic of debate for many years.  Although there is the "ideal" green home, it may not be feasible for everyone right now.  Baby steps are ok.  :)  Right?

Linda was so nice and we had a good conversation.  Good times.

Sep 09, 2007 01:37 PM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
I like that 'shades of green'. BTW - I've tweaked this and sent it off to a local newpaper. I'll let you know if he picks it up or not - you never know.
Sep 09, 2007 01:42 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Good luck with that!!! I hope it goes through. 

They are doing a product down here real soon for production homes in the median price range.  The homes are a lighter shade of green than LEED, but I think they may be a great option for those that can not afford to build custom.  We'll see if it turns out to be greenwashing or not.  :)

Sep 09, 2007 01:48 PM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
Green production homes! Keep us up to date.  it would be fun watch the process and progress.
Sep 09, 2007 02:09 PM
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD
Excellent post! Being a 60's child myself, I am pleased to see the green movement picking up momentum!
Sep 21, 2007 01:39 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Dena,

Good reminder for all of us to keep our eyes and ears open to bogus green peddlers. Plenty of firms are now marketing themselves as eco-forward but when you look at their product or service closer, there is nothing to it. Just words. That's shameful.

Sep 21, 2007 02:27 PM