The statistics have changed for Australia....
Here is and excerpt from the Australian Bureau of Statistics data of Jan 2008 on washing machine ownership (and appliances in general) with the link below.
'Almost all households in Australia had washing machines (97%) (table 5.3). The more energy efficient front loading washing machines were used by 22% of households. This proportion increased from 13% in 2005. The highest proportion of households with front loading washing machines were South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (28%) (table 5.11).
Since 1994, Australians have used their washing machines less frequently. In 1994, 62% of households in Australia averaged 5 washing machine loads or less per week, and this proportion has increased to 75% in 2008. In the same period, the number of households loading 6 or more loads per week decreased from 38% in 1994 to 25% in 2008 (table 5.12).
The use of cold water in washing machines has been steadily increasing in Australian households, rising from 61% in 1994, to 74% in 2008 (table 5.13)'
Whilst Rapunzel may not be 'spot on' with the stats, he is correct that the majority of people still have top load machines though this is changing rapidly. From the above statistics you can see that since 2005 there has been a 70% increase in the ownership of front load machines (13-22% average). That is a relatively large change in 3yrs. Additionally, I am in the ACT (Canberra) and we have the highest ownership in the country...possibly because we have been on water restrictions since 2004 (and this is WITHOUT any financial incentives). This is about choice. People may have a financial incentive, but they are also taking responcibility for their actions and what happens in the future with resource usage.
I also think that some people may have missed what I have tried to say...
- That we ALL have a responcibility to the environment via our consumption of water, power and waste (sewerage and disposability of appliance)
- That either way cleans (top or front)
- That TIME taken by a machine to perform a function is irrelevant (it GIVES us time regardless)
- That governments have differing ways of influencing behaviours (I prefer ours to the USA...at this point in time, we still have a choice when buying new, the choice for Americans is being restricted by legislation on manufacturing which does make me wonder how much choice you really have)
- I (and most Australians and MANY Americans) live with water restrictions
- That we have consideration for the impact we cause not only today, but down the chain.
- That this issue is bigger and more important than the effect on your back pocket (it isn't ALWAYS about how much you save by using less)
Ultimately, the tide is turning on consumption. 'Because we can' is no longer a good or moral reason to use something long term. Everywhere you look there are people, manufacturers and elected officials trying to make us use less. Less petrol, less power, less water to create less waste and recycle more rather than send it to land fill.
When it all boils down to it, I don't begrudge anyone using an appliance appropriately (you define it!) be it vintage or new. What I do begrudge is the 'don't give a toss' attitude that some people exhibit when responding to others and that includes deriding your elected officials. If people don't like what is happening in their oun country, they should lobby those responcible for making the changes. If you can't be bothered voting and having a say with your vote or writing a letter to a local member, then your criticism and moans fall on deaf ears no matter how valid they are.
And finally, a particularly inspirational man once said 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country'
We could all learn a lot from that.....
www.abs.gov.au
