What is the cost of being "green"?
Apparently to the city of Charlotte, it's a product that is 4 times more expensive and lasts only 1/4th the time of the usual product.
In this instance it's rubber sidewalks.
The city is undertaking a "test" of the product by replacing a couple of blocks of traditional concrete sidewalks with rubber ones made from recycled tires.
However:
Coleman said concrete costs about $20 per linear foot, while the rubber costs about $80.
She said that according to Rubber Sidewalks, Inc., the life span of
rubber sidewalks is more than 15 years. Coleman said concrete usually
lasts 50 to 60 years.
I'm all for "going green" when it is shown to reduce costs over the long term (replacement windows, lightbulbs, etc.) but this seems to be all costs and little known benefits.
Leave a Comment