Little Things: The Swirly
Wal-Mart is continuing to burnish its rather sorry public image by promoting environmentally sound practices. It made news in 2006 with its extensive pilot programs for energy saving within its own mega stores, the results of which it shared with its own competitors. Its latest project is the promotion of compact fluorescent bulbs for home use. From an editorial today's NY Times:
...it’s great news that Wal-Mart is putting its considerable heft behind one of the easiest ways to reduce energy consumption and the production of global-warming gases: the corkscrew-shaped light bulbs of the future. ...
As Michael Barbaro reported in The Times yesterday, Wal-Mart is pushing to sell 100 million compact fluorescents a year. Because they use 75 percent less electricity, that would save customers $3 billion on their electricity bills and save the world from 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gases.
Given that the little 'swirlies' last longer than the traditional light bulbs and use less electricity, one would think that the new version would leap off the shelf, but that's hardly the case. The first reason is obvious.
...probably the biggest impediment is that while the bulbs are cheaper to use, they cost more to buy. Compact fluorescents are often eight times more expensive, but each one saves consumers $30 over its lifespan because they last longer and use less electricity. It’s a quirk of our human brains that people generally have a hard time paying more for something today even if it’s a better deal in the long run.
Many people don't have the cash on hand to make the investment up front, although as the swirly gains in popularity, the price may go down. That popularity might very well depend on the second factor, one that I call 'interior design.' The bulbs often don't fit well into existing lighting systems. Table and floor lamps weren't built with the longer design in mind, which means that either the new bulb just doesn't fit in the lamp's recepticle or two inches of swirly hangs out the way they do in my ceiling Casablanca fan/lighting system.
If Wal-Mart is serious about this program, it should start pressuring its furnishings suppliers to design lighting systems which incorporate the compact fluorescent bulbs. After all, little things like the swirly can indeed make a big difference.
...it’s great news that Wal-Mart is putting its considerable heft behind one of the easiest ways to reduce energy consumption and the production of global-warming gases: the corkscrew-shaped light bulbs of the future. ...
As Michael Barbaro reported in The Times yesterday, Wal-Mart is pushing to sell 100 million compact fluorescents a year. Because they use 75 percent less electricity, that would save customers $3 billion on their electricity bills and save the world from 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gases.
Given that the little 'swirlies' last longer than the traditional light bulbs and use less electricity, one would think that the new version would leap off the shelf, but that's hardly the case. The first reason is obvious.
...probably the biggest impediment is that while the bulbs are cheaper to use, they cost more to buy. Compact fluorescents are often eight times more expensive, but each one saves consumers $30 over its lifespan because they last longer and use less electricity. It’s a quirk of our human brains that people generally have a hard time paying more for something today even if it’s a better deal in the long run.
Many people don't have the cash on hand to make the investment up front, although as the swirly gains in popularity, the price may go down. That popularity might very well depend on the second factor, one that I call 'interior design.' The bulbs often don't fit well into existing lighting systems. Table and floor lamps weren't built with the longer design in mind, which means that either the new bulb just doesn't fit in the lamp's recepticle or two inches of swirly hangs out the way they do in my ceiling Casablanca fan/lighting system.
If Wal-Mart is serious about this program, it should start pressuring its furnishings suppliers to design lighting systems which incorporate the compact fluorescent bulbs. After all, little things like the swirly can indeed make a big difference.
Labels: The Environment, Wal-Mart
posted by Diane at 9:47 AM
5 Comments:
Very cool indeed. Although:
1. It's not going to get me to shop at Wal-Mart, no way, no how.
2. "Swirly" always meant something very different to me ...
:)
I hate to sound like a Limbaugh-head, but megadittoes on Sinfonian's #1 point there. Wal-Mart jumping on the compact-fluorescent bandwagon screams blatant greenwash to me. Considering all the other bad shit they do, I'm not going to give them props for getting something right now and again; even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Oh, I'm not suggesting this wipes out Wal-Mart's other sins, especially their latest plans for work scheduling, but, let's face it, a whole helluva lot of Americans shop at the Great Satan.
If even 10% of them bought the compact fluorescent bulbs and actually used them, it would make a difference.
I'm amused by you crediting Walmart for this...when I've been getting these from Ikea for years!
Even if it is marketing, I'm happy for any effort in which the intent may be good, and the result is good.
the swirlies cost more? i found them being sold at the dollar store.
i just discovered ikea myself. i like their kitchen section. i found this little cream frother gadget there.
-jello
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