Growers and Grocers

My current, conventional, digital bathroom scale is powered by one 9-volt battery, which I think I’ve changed twice in the 7 or 8 years that I’ve owned the scale. Now, two batteries over nearly a decade is not exactly going to create a landfill problem, whereas ditching my current scale to buy a new one might. So although I won’t be replacing my own bathroom scale until it dies, I do see the advantages of a solar-powered bathroom scale and will probably seek one out in the future. 

Overall, testing this scale, I liked it quite a bit, though it’s environmentally friendly aspect was not the most relevant of all the attributes that appealed to me. True, the lack of batteries is a plus, but it’s not like my everyday digital scale is the Hummer of weight-monitoring devices.

The Tanita model is sleek, streamlined, and comfortable to stand on. Best of all, it has a huge display, which is easy to read even though it’s not backlit. To reset the scale, you need only tap the reset button, located on the near edge, with your toe. No need to get off the scale to adjust it.

Although Tanita claims that the scale is suited to ambient artificial light, I was skeptical. My bathroom is not well lit, having only one small, curtained window in addition to the lights over the vanity and the overhead. My fears were unfounded though. Even though the light isn’t particularly strong or focused, the scale performed consistently.

For about $35.00, you get a nice bathroom scale and save yourself from the guilt of adding even one more battery to the overcrowded landfills of America. You might just want to wait until your current scale kicks the bucket first.

Image from The Competitive Edge