–Washington, DC
November, 2009–
Ahh the abnormally clean marble bathrooms of an office complex. You know, the ones that require a key, walking through two extremely heavy firedoors and then into that palace of mirrors and more mirrors and rows of sinks… In my office bathroom at least, there is ALWAYS one sink running. Yes, I have told floor management, that has called facilities, time after time…however, the faucet is regularly running.
Un-Green Workday Rant #7: Why do some people care so little about precious resources that they can’t be bothered to make sure the faucet has stopped running?
The thing about this faucet is that it is supposed to be on “automatic shutoff” which is actually designed to eliminate water waste. However, this particular faucet requires that you fiddle with the buttons and “pull them up” until the faucet stops running. It is very annoying and adds about 15 seconds to your bathroom run. Wow- 15 seconds. I guess when you are billable at $500 an hour (as many lawyers on our floor likely are) then 15 seconds might actually count for something…but really?
No, it is that people can’t be bothered! They will try to shut it off for about 1 second and then give up.
Solution? I don’t know! Exercise Voice and have everyone storm facilities (why isn’t it fixed? I don’t know!) or simply educate people about the importance of preserving, not wasting? But these are smart people. Educated at least…
I don’t have a solution to except….
Un-Green Workday Rant #7 Solution: Just make sure the faucet is completely off before you leave! If it is truely broken, go to reception, go to facilities, to building management. Do something! Don’t just walk away.
Really, it’s that simple….. can’t we all just try?!
Interesting update. Was in the restroom playing with the faucet handle and this woman next to me said “oh- so that is how you get it to shut off!” So I explained the oh- so-complex process of pulling the not upwards quickly, and now 1 less person in the universe is letting the water run…
Change beings with small steps!