It Ain't Easy Being Green...

I work with several elderly people on fixed incomes. I drop by from time to time, not so much as a Realtor but as a friend. If a light bulb is out or they need something else done, I do it. My feeling is we all have one thing in common and that is we will all get older or die trying.

One of these friends has given me several referrals.

But what this post is about is being green. The pressure on older people to recycle and preserve is huge. One day while changing a bulb in a can light for a friend we discovered I had changed that same bulb less than a year before. One thing I've discovered is that seniors are the very best record keepers.

She knew;

• When she bought the bulb
• What she paid for it
• When I replaced the bulb
• The brand and where it was made

Her Granddaughter had told her she should use the new florescent bulbs because they use less energy and are better for the environment.

In fact;

• This bulb cost twice what a regular can light bulb costs
• Lasted less than a year
• Broke up in my hand when I attempted to remove it
• The same wattage regular bulb, operated by the same light switch, has been in service for over 2 years
• Last, the florescent bulb, made in China, is noted as hazardous waste by our Pierce County solid waste authority.

That doesn't seem very environmentally sound to me. How about you?

Authored by Paul S. Henderson, Realtor ®, RE/MAX Professionals, Dupont & Lacey, WA.

(http://phenderson.net) or http://www.lacey-washington.com

©2009 Paul S. Henderson, It Ain't Easy Being Green, All Rights Reserved