by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Would anyone pay a premium just because it is green or recycled or made from recycled products? Some may do but there great majority that will need to get involved in the green issues and buying environmentally friendly and such products will not and neither, I must add, would I.
Some might, as I have said and will be prepared to pay a premium for green products because it is a moral issue, a lifestyle and sometimes a health choice. However, the majority, which must get involved, as I have said, will not and cannot afford, in more case than not, to do that for they have to turn every penny over twice or thrice even, and when a recycled vase, which is nothing but an empty wine bottle with some colored cotton string wrapped around it, is being sold at £35 (US$50) the general public thinks that green is nothing but a ripoff.
The problem is that too many green products are like that, way too expensive, and for no reason. In addition to that some stuff that is being sold at such a premium most people could make for themselves if they'd just thing reuse instead of recycling bin.
Other products is a different question, whether they be compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or other energy saving devices and the like. However, they should be brought down to an affordable price and, in some cases, such as with regards to CFLs in Britain, that has been done. Recently CFLs were as low as 10pence in price but now hover around the £1 mark or thereabouts in many places. A lot better than several pounds, despite the fact that they may last so many times longer than an incandescent bulb and save money.
Other energy saving devices, I must say, have been reasonably priced in some quarters and in some instances they have even been given away, such as power controlling plugs from E-On and the Energy Savings Trust in the UK.
I run an Intellipanel that has a master and seven slave sockets, in use with the PC, which all turn off when the PC is powered down. So, no phantom power consumption by things such as drives, etc., that are not actually in use. However, I was fortunate enough not to have to buy the panes as I got it as a sample for review. Not that it was all that expensive either.
But, the ordinary working class punter is not going to pay premium for something green and environmentally friendly even though it may save him money over the years. That has to be explained to him and presented to him in a more palatable manner.
© 2011
