Greener Real Estate

  I wandered the halls looking for it- up and down, up and down- still it remained elusive. I searched underneath coutertops and inside cabinets. I crawled on my hands and knees peering under desks. Nothin'.

  Baffled and bewildered, I finally asked someone, "Where IS the recycling bin?"  

  Maybe it's the former Californian in me, but shouldn't Realtors be protective of the land we are trying to sell? Particularly since we are HUGE consumers paper products, fuel and styrofoam coffee cups (or Red Bull cans)?

  Back West where rolling blackouts, water conservation and Green living are natural states of existance, recycling is part of life.  In a neighborhood of 50 homes, 1/4 might utilize some form of alternative energy- to heat their pool, to run their home, power their cars. Hoot the Don't Pollute Owl and Smokey the Bear tag- teamed school assemblies and public broadcast networks ingraining in the impressionable the importance of preservation.

  It's been awhile since my last assembly- is Hoot still around?

  It comes down to accountability. Individually, we can do our part with paper-saving avenues like e-fax or filling out contracts electronically. And though we are all slaves to the roadway by trade, ethanol-fuel or hybrid vehicles not only allow for bank account breathing room, but better breathing alltogether.

  So maybe we can't all rush out and buy a Prius or construct giant windmills in our backyards- but we can do something. Empty out a box and fill it with unwanted paper. Have McDonalds use your go-mug for coffee.

  We all have a vested interest in the planet...Realtors especially.