Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Bluesday Tip #6: If It's Yellow, Let It Mellow


Today is Bluesday!

Bluesday is the first Tuesday of the month. Each Bluesday, I share a tip for How To Be Blue. Being blue is about caring for the ocean -- what we put into it, and what we take out of it.

This month's Bluesday tip: If It’s Yellow, Let It Mellow.

You may have heard this one before. It tends to provoke strong reactions for and against. The whole saying is well known among treehuggers and conservationists: “If it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down.”

And – yes – it refers to selective toilet flushing.

I know, I know, I probably just lost some of you right there.

Gross!

I’m hoping a few of you are still reading – out of sheer curiosity if nothing more.

No matter your reaction to the idea of thinking before you flush, it really is an effective and simple water conservation method once you get into the habit of it. And you don’t have to do it all the time – like, for example, it probably goes without saying that this method should not be used in public restrooms.

But, in the privacy of your own home, this water-saving technique works.

Basically, it means what it says. Look at the color before you flush. If it’s yellow, leave it there until the next time the toilet is used. Don’t waste a flush. It will add up to a lot of water saved in the long run.

I recommend yellow-mellow toilets in your private, master bathroom only. Keep on flushing any other toilets used by guests or by other household members who aren’t cool with this whole idea.

And while we’re on the topic of colors… although I still think that blue is a better color for the conservation movement than green - because our planet is mostly blue ocean, and we can’t live without the ocean – in this case, yellow and being blue do make green.

So, let the yellow mellow and be blue!

Water conservation is one of the best ways to help protect the ocean. So, even if your roommate or boyfriend or spouse or partner or anyone else sharing your bathroom resists the idea of selective flushing, be bold and caring enough not to waste a flush on just pee.

It’s just pee.

The ocean and its millions of beautiful creatures will thank you.

May you turn a deeper shade of blue with each passing month!

2 comments:

gray said...

Kristen, as far back as i can remember, my old's have had a toilet that has a 2 flush option. A small and large button for respection 'work'. So for #1's you push the smaller button and only 1/2 the water is used etc, etc, etc. Its works quite well, but haven't seen it here...yet?!

Cheers Gray.

Kristen said...

good idea!! we should be like the Kiwis! :)

 

Blog Design By Sour Apple Studio © All Rights Reserved.