Throwaway Society

We live in a society where the mindset is to throw things away if we feel we no longer have a use for them. Our landfills are overflowing with things that should not be there; much of it toxic to the ground, and some of it tossed when it still may have a purpose.

Many years ago, the trend turned to manufacturing things for a single use - plates, utensils, paper towels, diapers and so much more. Marketers convinced everyone that these new and innovative items made our lives so much easier; no fuss, no mess. Nobody thought about the consequences to the earth.

There were times, such as during the depression or during war, that people were very cautious about what they used, and didn't throw things away needlessly. There always seemed to be something else they could do with an item after its initial purpose was done. Out of necessity came many innovative and creative ideas on how to use a "used" item.

Growing up we were taught ways to reuse everything from paper bags to coffee cans, gift wrap, magazines and so much more. It just took a bit of imagination and sometimes talent to breathe new life into them. Some of the ways things were, and can still be recycled:

• Paper Bags: covers for schoolbooks, making gift tags, shred and use to keep breakable items safe for shipping, line a trash can, use as a tablecloth while carving pumpkins then compost the whole thing when done.
• Coffee Cans: great for holding screws, nails, buttons, thread, or secret treasures.
• Greeting Cards: cut the pictures off the front and use for projects or place in small frames for inexpensive artwork.
• Gift Wrap: reuse if in good condition or use as a shelf liner.
• Newspapers: cover schoolbooks (used to love the comic section for this), or wash windows with them.
• Magazines: donate to schools for classroom projects.
• Books: if they are in good condition donate them to a used bookstore, or to a church - some churches have thrift stores to support the church.
• Clothing: anything in good condition give away or donate to used clothing stores. If they are worn out cotton T-shirts and old towels make good rags for cleaning.

We need to stop filling our landfills with items that can be repurposed. Not everything we have in life needs to be brand new; sometimes the old things that have been cleaned up for another go around have much more character, and certainly a greater story, Perhaps if we share with our children and grandchildren ideas from the "old" days to recycle items, they will turn them into new ideas for transforming things and giving them a new purpose.

If we continue to be a throwaway society, eventually the earth will not be habitable for anyone.