Most of the Developed World is making a GREAT effort at The Green Initiative, but we have all seen some of those terrific ideas that actually cause more waste than they save; defeating the purpose of trying to save our valuable natural resources. Here are a few examples of failed Green Initiative products we find in our everyday lives, and which is probably one of the largest areas of waste in most of the Developed World.

1. The Automatic Light Sensor

Who among us hasn't been first in the washroom in the dark, flailing around trying to activate the lights?

2. The Auto-Flushing Toilet

Surely most of us have reigned on this Throne. That light/movement sensitive eye is defeating the triple purpose of low volume flushing to save water, allowing hands-free operation for fewer opportunities of contamination, and keeping the Throne room clean for future Royalty. The problem with this effort is that the sensor has to be adjusted perfectly; otherwise your peaceful Reign will be interrupted by the transformation of your Throne into a Vicious Water-Spewing Dragon!

Here is one method to avoid a few of the extra encounters with the Water Dragon:

3. The Jumbo Toilet Roll

When both rolls are full, neither will spin. I won't even get started on how much lower than the toilet they are mounted, causing more encounters with the Water Dragon, as well as uncomfortable angles on hands struggling to grasp even the smallest piece of dignity.

New rolls are so hard to get started, pinch by pinch, in either the single jumbo or the double jumbo; both types resulting in more wasted than saved.

4. The Automatic Faucet

By the time you've figured out where the eye will sense your presence, there is a line waiting behind you and water flow stopped before you were able to rinse of your soap.

5. The Automatic Soap Dispenser

While a great idea for hands free sanitation and conserving of liquid soap, the sensor doesn't "see" your movements until your hand is not under the spout to catch the soap. Having been a commercial housekeeper, I've had experience with the mess of the missed blobs of soap, and trying to clean the area with the Automatic Faucet; definitely not the best way to conserve resources.

6. The Automatic Air Dryer

While you are stumbling around trying to activate this device, a line is forming behind you, and now you've touched every surface of it to get it to turn on. In the meantime, you could have just used the same shirt tail you will use to open the door to exit the washroom.

This Automatic Paper-Towel Dispenser is a fantastic product, that actually works as intended. As well as, a recycling bin just for used paper towels near it. This method can also save your poor shirt tail from falling victim to the icky door handle, while still having a recycling bin outside the door.

Kudos to the efforts of many manufacturers taking initiative in making our communities more Eco Friendly and aware of methods to conserve our precious resources. I'm sure as the years pass these models will be among their predecessors in recycling bins around the world.