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Are Big Box Stores Doing Enough To Address Water Conservation? |
13 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Climate Change, Conservation, Water | June 24, 2008 | ||
A few weeks back, I wrote an article detailing my desire to pick up a rain barrel to save some water for my garden. Living in the Northeast makes one rather immune to all the issues experienced by those living in drought-prone areas — particularly the hard-hit Southwest.
I posed a question then to those living in these areas as to whether or not their “big box” stores* like Home Depot and Lowes carried rain water cachment systems. The general response was fairly negative — though some reasearch of my own has discovered efforts by these chains to offer some support; whether through instructions (Lowe’s instructions were great — but they’re gone now) on how to create rain barrels using in-store items or pre-assembled kits.
The problem, however, is that availability or support on this level varies from store to store. There isn’t a real company-wide initiative to stock or have on hand pre-assembled rain barrels. Try going to either Home Depot’s or Lowe’s online stores, type in “rain barrel”, and see what you get. Nothing. (Interestingly, go to Home Depot’s Canadian site, and you at least get the option to purchase a “Rain Barrel Pump”.)
Not stocking pre-assembled rain barrel kits is in my opinion a fault in the judgment of big box stores — especially in those areas where water conservation is championed on a daily basis. Most people I know are not DIY individuals — in fact, we’ve been raised to expect everything pre-assembled and ready to go. Patience for such projects is hard to find — and it would be much easier to plop fully functional barrel under a spout than spend an afternoon drilling, gluing, and placing A into B.
Plus, let’s be honest, people have a certain degree of aesthetics when it comes to how their homes look on the outside — especially in suburban America. Buying a garbage can and retrofitting it into a rain barrel might not pass muster with a majority of people bent on homes straight out of Better Homes and Gardens. The pre-assembled kits that are out there — or coming — are much more attractive. Personally, I could care less on the looks, but I’m assuming that I’m in the minority on that.
So, what to do? Well, if you live in those areas, try to pressure your stores into carrying more rain barrels for the masses. That, or shop locally. I’ve found many local stores carrying rain barrels where other chains will not. But in terms of pushing water conservation to the masses, it’s your Lowes and Home Depots that ultimately may have the largest impact. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another year of drought to communicate that idea.
* Not to just pick on Home Depot and Lowes, Walmart and Target also do not carry said product.
Diedra said,
Several of my collegues have recently installed rain barrels and have reported that they have assumed fowl stenches–although they all use screens. One individual applies a very small amount of bleach into the rain barrel to prevent the stench, but would prefer an alternative to this. Do you have any recommendations on how to prevent rain barrel stink?
Sarah M said,
I work at The Home Depot, sorry you did not find what you were looking for at our store. To clarify, we do sell rain barrels, but currently they are not available in your market. I encourage your readers to request these products in the local Home Depot stores, so we can better gauge the customer demand in your area. We have a few different models, from a simple, non-descript model to a very attractive converted wine barrel, which would be very popular in the Finger Lakes area, I’m sure.
As a native of Western NY and a gardener, I can appreciate your desire to conserve water, even if New York State doesn’t show up on the national drought maps. We identify products that have less of an impact on the environment with our Eco Options designation, after meeting criteria for sustainable forestry, energy efficiency, clean water, clean air and healthy home. Products Some of the products that help you conserve water include: Wireless Moisture Sensors that test moisture levels in the soil and override your timer cycle if no water is needed; Automatic Rain Monitors to prevent watering when you’ve had a recent rainfall; a new Smart Seed grass seed that requires up to 30 percent less water; a collection of plants that require less water.
You can also view a video on our website with Danny Lipford, who explains a number of ways to conserve water inside and outside your home: http://www6.homedepot.com/tv/hdtv_player.html?videoID=000338
or visit: http://www.homedepot.com/ecooptions
Sarah
Barry said,
Diedra – the problem is standing water that can not escape – many poor designs in the market place are built around the same idea – Check out http://www.aquabarrel and you will see that not all rain barrels are created equal. Aquabarrel offers a DIY parts kit (http://www.aquabarrel.com/product_rain_barrel_parts_kits.php) that will allow you to retro-fit your rain barrel and drain from the very bottom of your rain barrel – thus being able to drain it nearly complete each time.
AS for the big box stores – keep in mind that they are like the 5&10cent store of days gone by -a little bit of every thing , cheap – when you want a real solution to a real problem you really need to seek a specialist out. Aquabarrel offers not only rain barrel kits but also a number of unique downspout filters, downspout diverters and first flush water diverters too.
Be aware that the wine barrel MAY look beautiful – BUT after it dries out and wooden slats shift – then the metal bands move – and well- it may not be water tight after that.
Natalie said,
Unfortunately, in some western states (like Colorado) you cannot legally use rain barrels. Colorado water law is so strict that the little rain we do get does not belong to us and must flow to the downstream owner of that water or let it recharge the groundwater.
I wonder these legal issues are the reason big stores don’t sell them online.
Don said,
No, this is the problem – “we’ve been raised to expect everything pre-assembled and ready to go”
That being said, that doesn’t make you incapable of figuring out how to do it yourself.
You’re just too damned lazy.
Teach yourself something, stop waiting for someone else to do it for you.
In Colorado, Rain Barrels Are Illegal. Yup. » GroovyGreen.com - Start Today :: Save Tomorrow said,
[...] after I vented a bit on the lack of rain barrel options at Big Box stores, a reader tipped us off to a very interesting issue in her state of Colorado. Rain barrels there, [...]
bigheadmom said,
I live in Missouri and our Walmart carries two different sizes of rain barrels made by fiskars. We ended up making two of our own because it actually ended up being a bit cheaper. We used a nice rectangle shaped green trash can and have gotten compliments on it.
Alex G. said,
When I read the headline of this post, I assumed you were referring to what big box stores are doing to address their OWN water runoff issues. I was disappointed, then, to realize you were not advocating they address the problem, but rather encouraging people to shop at big box stores for their environmental needs.
Stormwater runoff is a HUGE environmental problem at big box stores. Most Wal-Marts and Home Depots are built on paved-over greenspaces, and their huge parking lots mean toxic runoff into groundwater. To anyone concerned with water conservation, I strongly encourage you NOT to shop at big box stores and support your local hardware store instead.
http://walmartwatch.com/environment
xJane said,
My parents bought two 50 gallon barrels from a company that transported carmel coloring (like, for Coke). They were only allowed to be used once, so they cost them like $5 each (back in the late ’80s). The rest of their system was from Home Despot (a faucet at the bottom, overflow valves, &c.).
Linda said,
I definitely agree that with you that we need to ‘push’ the big box stores to offer these, however, no sense sitting around waiting – right?? There are so many resources online that show you how to make one yourself. It is really not difficult and you can save yourself a heep of money. The pre-ready ones I saw online were like $100 or more – and I’m sure the big box stores will be quite pricey if/when they finally offer them. My husband and I recently purchased a 55gal food grade barrel from a local company for $15. I didn’t like the smurf blue, so we had to put a couple coats of spray paint on it (extra $10 or so). Finally, we drilled the hole for the spigot and inserted it. You can check out the end result here…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lkenyon66/2517673381/
Scott Smith said,
I have seen Rain Barrels foe sale at The Home Depot (in Canada). In fact, it was the same one we sell. We do sell a neat addition to the downspout (“eaves trough” if you’re Canadian…):
http://www.envirolet.com/gawa.html
Mike Schatz said,
Ace Hardware stores carry a great rain barrel — equipped with a “wideoverflow” system.
About 300 stores currently carry the product and all Ace Hardware stroes can order it — Stock # 7200736.
The Wide Overflow is great for heavy rain downpours.
More Detailed Control From Hilary Benn « Broken Britain said,
[...] after I vented a bit on the lack of rain barrel options at Big Box stores, a reader tipped us off to a very interesting issue in her state of Colorado. Rain barrels there, [...]