Going for Green - but special interest road-blocks

[AAA]

[quote OWC Larry]
That said - it is AMAZING the hypocrisy in general out there with politicians on the green. Lots talk a good talk, but are a lot less to walk the walk themselves - be it their own personal conservation or how they really pursue the green policies.
I don't think the lack of following the herd on green this and that is amazing. Not everyone sees a need. Again, my metro does not even have curbside recycling. You have to pay for it if you want to recycle and 99% of my neighbors do NOT. (Me included). Our city also BURNS (aka incinerates) our trash! gasp!!!!

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote lafinfil]Do these wireless urinals use the IEEE 802.11 "p" protocol ?

What's the steaming like ?
Steaming Piles!?!?
Wrong facility!

BGnR

[OWC Larry]

Tell ya what - in high use situations - even regular urinals seem to get quite a stink if they don't have the deodorant tab thing. Like anything, these waterless do need regular maintenance. An insert thing gets replaced - but it's sent for recharge, not to the dumper.

Like anything else - take care of it right and all is well.

[quote Racer X]We have waterless urinals at the bar I hang out at. If they get INFREQUENT use, they are fine, but heavy use overloads them and they become beyond nasty, especially in the summer if it is warm and humid. It's so bad that us regulars sneak out back and do some rehydration of the local foliage.

Your building, your smell. I do applaud your decision to do it as green as possible.

[OWC Larry]

Out of sight and out of mind. To me, conservation is just smart. We are fortunate to have at no cost the recycling bin program with our garbage pickup... and my understanding is that they make money on recycling - win win.

Oh... and for a REAL total recycled product cycle, check this one out:
http://www.terracycle.net/worm_poop.htm

Resources are finite and things like water supply we especially want to make sure are as good tomorrow for our children as they are today. Most of the Green things cost more up front - but have an ROI... so it's really just making the initial investment and you get to do right for the environmental conservation. People buy expensive electric cars - but for the same premium could do a lot more conservatively with efficiency investments to their homes.... but don't get me wrong at all - it all makes a difference.

I find the hypocrisy amazing because people don't get called on it. Maybe the groups that like the green talk, which are their own special interest in a sense, don't want the talk to stop. just amazing how much platform talking out there without action behind it.

The government does not need to subsidize green - but some supports in terms of how green projects are appraised I know would enable more to go the green route. Project loans are based on appraisal and while a green building does cost a good bit more, regardless of the ROI on the green aspects - the appraisal is still based on comparable buildings in the area per SF values with zero consideration for the green cost aspects.

It's been a really interesting experience with the green - I know in 5-10 years, this will be the norm, certainly should be... Despite all the green political plays, still a lot of roadblocks to going this route. But hey - half the fun is smashing them down.

Anyway.....

[quote AAA][quote OWC Larry]
That said - it is AMAZING the hypocrisy in general out there with politicians on the green. Lots talk a good talk, but are a lot less to walk the walk themselves - be it their own personal conservation or how they really pursue the green policies.
I don't think the lack of following the herd on green this and that is amazing. Not everyone sees a need. Again, my metro does not even have curbside recycling. You have to pay for it if you want to recycle and 99% of my neighbors do NOT. (Me included). Our city also BURNS (aka incinerates) our trash! gasp!!!!

[sscutchen]

[quote OWC Larry]Part of our plan includes the use of Waterless Urinals. Which we are now fighting to get an exception to have... because in Illinois - mainly due to protests by the Plumber's Union who claim they smell bad and are a bacterial haven.... and no offense towards plumbers.... seems the real story is they require a lot less plumbing.
I'd be pissed off.

[Lux Interior]

[quote OWC Larry]mainly due to protests by the Plumber's Union who claim they smell bad and are a bacterial haven...

lol! I want to see the presidient of that union eat out of a regular urinal (after flushing, of course)!

And Racer X, I don't think I've ever been in a bar where the men's room wasn't unbearable after a busy weekend night! People just aim in the general direction of the toilet and let go. Forget about flushing.

[Sam3]

Remember, pee is sterile, it's whatever other contaminants that it comes in contact with that changes it's quality. Also, the smell is the urea compound breaking down and releasing hydrogen and ammonia.

So, yes, waterless urinals are very much OK, it's the politics involved. The plumbers union is spreading FUD to the politicos.

[raz]

IIRC, the same arguments were raised when Philly was building its new convention center. The plumbers union demanded that they be paid to install the water feeds in case the city decided to scrap the waterless urinals at a later date.

My last cruise boat had them in the public spaces, and they didn't smell any worse than any other public toilet with equivalent use (and a bunch of tourists getting plastered nearby). I expect that they require the same level of regular cleaning.

[Seacrest]

Man, I'm torn.
I hate unions AND treehugging hippies (no offense, Larry).

[sekker]

Keep it up!

The unions need to be taught that right now, if they embraced this kind of technology, it would INCREASE their worth as they would be needed to make all the retrofit changes.

I'm installing a salt-free water softener replacement as a descaler in my new house - most of the local plumbers don't want to touch it despite the fact that it's an easy install.