Green ... It's Everywhere

By now if you have not read about, heard about or talked about how the glass industry is getting green, then you've just been under a rock or something. I don't know of a glass or glazing company that's not doing something in this realm, be it creating new energy-efficient products, installing them or getting involved in one of the industry's groups or organizations that have a green focus.

But that's our industry and it's something we're constantly exposed to. Sometimes I get so caught up in my job and all that's happening in that world, that it's funny when those in my life outside of the industry start sounding like us. Because, you see, more and more consumers are trying to be more environmentally aware.

I was visiting my friend Doug this week and his new kick is how we as Americans are spoiled to pieces with our big gas-guzzling SUVs and our big houses with wasted space that just sucks up heat or cold air.

"You should get yourself some Energy Star products in your home," I told him. "That will help save energy." He quickly responded that they had an Energy Star refrigerator. "You could upgrade your windows, too," I reminded him.

But what really got me, was the next day we were talking to another friend, Peggy, at the gym, and he again goes on about wasteful we all are.

"You're going green!" Peggy said to him. "Green," she again said. "Haven't you head about the 'greening' of the country?"

It was the first time anyone in my everyday life had talked about green, and it was surreal. I think that's when it really hit me how big green is; it's not just us glass folks anymore--it's everyone (or it will be before you know it).

Have you had a green encounter outside the glass industry? Post a comment here or send me an email and tell me about it.