We all know that Being Green is good for the environment, but is it good for the wallet? Here in North America it isn't.
Green/Eco-friendly/Organic products generally cost more - You either pay more outright, or for the same price you get less - which raises an interesting dilemma.
What reason does the average person have to go green if it's only reserved for those who can afford it? I thought the saying was "It pays to be ______", not "It costs to be ______".
In Sweden, they have turned that thinking right around.
In Sweden it does pay to be Green.
Literally.
The government has implemented a program whereby commuters are paid to not drive their cars into the downtown core.
Using cameras on the major bridges and highways entering the city, license plate numbers are recorded as cars enter.
For every day your car is not caught on camera, the government sends you a check.
The program has encouraged residents to use alternative means of transportation, including public transit, and bikes.
This program is a great way to get people thinking about the benefits of being environmentally conscious.
It's great because it really drives home the concept of how being green is beneficial in a number of ways, reinforcing the positive behavior.
Back in North America we use a similar technique, but we focus a lot on the costs of not being green - $0.
05/bag at the grocery store every time we forget to bring a reusable bag from home, or we have to BUY another reusable bag.
The hysteria in the media about the rising COST of fuel.
It seems like a lot of companies are profiting from this green shift more than individuals learning to embrace greener living.
Lets go back to the plastic bag scenario.
Major grocery chains and retailers have in one swoop reduced their plastic bags costs by purchasing less, while also profiting from selling bags they use to provide for free - all while being praised for going Green.
In retrospect, I really should change the title of the article.
I guess it does pay to be green everywhere after all.
Green/Eco-friendly/Organic products generally cost more - You either pay more outright, or for the same price you get less - which raises an interesting dilemma.
What reason does the average person have to go green if it's only reserved for those who can afford it? I thought the saying was "It pays to be ______", not "It costs to be ______".
In Sweden, they have turned that thinking right around.
In Sweden it does pay to be Green.
Literally.
The government has implemented a program whereby commuters are paid to not drive their cars into the downtown core.
Using cameras on the major bridges and highways entering the city, license plate numbers are recorded as cars enter.
For every day your car is not caught on camera, the government sends you a check.
The program has encouraged residents to use alternative means of transportation, including public transit, and bikes.
This program is a great way to get people thinking about the benefits of being environmentally conscious.
It's great because it really drives home the concept of how being green is beneficial in a number of ways, reinforcing the positive behavior.
Back in North America we use a similar technique, but we focus a lot on the costs of not being green - $0.
05/bag at the grocery store every time we forget to bring a reusable bag from home, or we have to BUY another reusable bag.
The hysteria in the media about the rising COST of fuel.
It seems like a lot of companies are profiting from this green shift more than individuals learning to embrace greener living.
Lets go back to the plastic bag scenario.
Major grocery chains and retailers have in one swoop reduced their plastic bags costs by purchasing less, while also profiting from selling bags they use to provide for free - all while being praised for going Green.
In retrospect, I really should change the title of the article.
I guess it does pay to be green everywhere after all.
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