Lifting the Clothesline Ban: Let it all Hang Out

Jesse in Urban Issues, Lifestyle

Clothes are one step closer to flapping in the wind. The Ontario Government's Ministry of Energy is proceeding to end a ban on clotheslines for freehold detached, semi-detached and row-houses; echoing the delay of the green-bin program, condominiums and high rise buildings will be considered at a later date.

Frowned upon for conjuring images contrary to the 'ideal neighbourhood', communities of new developments had prohibited the use of clotheslines decades ago. Our twenty-first century of environmental awareness has drawn attention to this issue once again with the hopes of giving Ontario residents freedom to dry outside.

Citing an average hydro savings of $30 annually if 25% of household laundry is dried on a clothesline, Energy Minister Gerry Phillips hopes that this will encourage Ontario residents to take their clothes off the grid, at least during the warmest months (June to August); opting to line-dry for a longer period (mid-April to mid-October) would further increase monetary and environmental savings.  Installing and using a clothesline is a cost effective way to becoming environmentally conscious while saving money – not just in utility bills, but prolonging the life of your dryer as well. 

A 60-day consultation period has been established appealing to the public on ways to end these restrictions. I will be keeping watch on the outcome which, in my opinion, should be obvious.  An interesting article from All About Cities mentions the debate between home owners who are for clotheslines vs. those who are not: property value vs. a sustainable environment.  Is real estate finally trumping climate change? Maybe the outcome is not an obvious one.

Jesse Fleming is a freelance writer based in Toronto. Email Jesse

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photo credits: www.art.com

Comments

[Rachel]

I find it hard to believe that in an era of apparent energy crisis, increased environmental awareness and a persistent nagging cough from vehicle and industry emissions, that developers would be able to trump government initiatives and enforce these anti-environmental policies.

This is not a neon-green garage door badly expressing individuality (as I recall a recent conversation regarding the benefits of homeowner’s associations and social control), but rather a real way to make small beneficial changes that reduce our collective footprint.