U.S. residents fight for the right to hang laundry

There is a growing number of people across America fighting for the right to dry their laundry outside against a rising tide of housing associations who appose the practice, despite its energy-saving green appeal.

The interest is represented by Project Laundry List, a group that argues people can save money and reduce carbon emissions by not using their electric or gas dryers, according to the group's executive director, Alexander Lee.

The adoption of clotheslines could significantly reduce the U.S. energy consumption, argues Lee, who said dryer use accounts for about 6 percent of U.S. residential electricity use.

Florida, Utah, Maine, Vermont, Colorado, and Hawaii have passed laws restricting the rights of local authorities to stop residents using clotheslines. Another five states are considering similar measures, said lee, 35, a former lawyer who quit to run the non-profit group.

'RIGHT TO HANG'

According to the article written by John Hurdle for Reuters, Lee's principal opponents are the housing associations such as condominiums and townhouse communities that are home to an estimated 60 million Americans, or about 20 percent of the population. About half of those organizations have 'no hanging' rules, Lee said, and enforce them with fines.

Carl Weiner, a lawyer for about 50 homeowners associations in suburban Philadelphia, said the no-hanging rules are usually included by the communities' developers along with regulations such as a ban on sheds or commercial vehicles. The no-hanging rules are an aesthetic issues, Weiner said.

"The consensus is most communities is that people don't want to see everybody else's laundry."

Eventually opposition to clotheslines may ease as more people understand it can save energy and reduce greenhouse gases.

"there is more awareness of impact on the environment, " he said. "I would not be surprised to see people questioning these restrictions."

To many in America, 'right to hang' is the embodiment of the American tradition of freedom.