Comments on: Buying fresh vs. freezing

By: GeoffCJ

GeoffCJ — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:30:57 +0000

We have a kill-a-watt, it's been interesting. Especially surprising is the phantom power created by devices not even turned on.

Now we unplug nearly everything. Of course, my memory is terrible and i always freak out thinking my printer or stove are broken....

Costco always seems to cost me more money than it should. But the rotisserie chickens are delicious and gluten free.

By: GeoffCJ

GeoffCJ — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:30:57 +0000

By: Christian Knuetter

Christian Knuetter — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:35:11 +0000

Yes - all good points.

It will be interesting to see if we get to a point where we can understand the true cost of everything in our lives. I wonder how much people would change if information was more readily available.

Of course packaging and transport can be an argument for buying in bulk (as opposed to buying smaller packages at the market) - This obviously doesn't hold up as well to more sustainably produced and procured goods.

I would argue that Hybrids can still be considered an overall positive if you consider the R&D benefits. It's pretty clear that whatever solution we have in the future is going to have some kind of energy-storing needs and that research has to come from somewhere.

By: davecort

davecort — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:18:24 +0000

If you take it to the next level, then you need to know the sunk energy costs of creating, packaging, transporting, storing, and selling the item in question as well. And of course the ultimate cost of disposing of it when you're done. This is why I think hybrid cars are a bit of a greenwashing effort. I think the batteries have a lot more sunk energy cost on the manufacture and disposal ends than people realize.

BTW, if you want to green your home, you should talk to Lisa. She worked on a project helping folks in Palo Alto do exactly this. High on the list, by the way, is eat less meat.