A few years ago, Consumer Reports revealed a startling statistic. An investigation found that New York City’s Department of Sanitation collects over 700,000 tons of reusable “garbage.” If this has happened in one city, isn’t it likely to be happening in many other towns and cities as well?
A lot of what gets defined as garbage in many people’s homes could be reused in another capacity, but instead, it gets thrown away. Why do you suppose this happens? Well, I believe it has something to do with most of us being conditioned to see only one purpose for the products we purchase. Additionally, I believe we’re bombarded in a variety of ways throughout our day to desire the latest and greatest versions of our products.
When I was growing up, everything my parents purchased was based on quality and longevity. We didn’t have a lot of clothes but what we had was “well made.” Items bought for our home, such as furniture, televisions, and even dishes, were bought as a one-time purchase (at least for the next 20-30 years). We were taught to care for what we had because we wouldn’t be able to have it replaced any time soon if we damaged or broke the item. Growing up, items were repaired rather than thrown out and replaced. My parents were both depression-era babies, so taking care of what they had was very important to them. They were proud of what they acquired and they made sure every item was well maintained.
As for me, even in my young adult life, I made purchases based on dependability–considering whether what I purchased would “stand the test of time.” For instance, my first washer and dryer did just that, lasting about 25 years. It was made by the company whose commercial shows a repairman sitting by the phone–waiting for a call, any call. When we replaced that set, we were told to expect about 10 years of life out of our new model! Today, not only are we primed to desire the latest and greatest, but the items we acquire are not made with durability and longevity as key objectives. Additionally, it is generally more cost-effective to replace an item than to have it repaired, if we even own it long enough for the item to break down.
The good news is that what was once done out of a sense of frugality by our depression-era parents and grandparents can be embraced by us today out of our desire to live a deeper shade of green. Although extending the longevity of our consumable goods may be a frugal action, it can be an environmentally friendly one as well! We benefit financially and our planet benefits each time we are able to lengthen the lifetime of a product and/or reuse our purchases.
As we learn to reduce our eco-impact and extend the life of a purchase by using it in new ways or by caring for and maintaining it to maximize its longevity, we learn to treat each item with greater respect. Today, on Magical Monday, why not look at the household and personal items you use to see if they can take on a new life form prior to landing in the garbage or recycling bin? For instance, could that quart-sized glass jar become the holder of homemade bath salts or a receptacle for a child’s savings? Could the paper towel roll take on a new life as the preserver of your child’s rolled-up art projects or to prevent holiday lights from becoming tangled? Before throwing something out, ask yourself if there are other ways to magically transform an item into something new.
Instead of speaking the consumer mantra, “I need another one,” try repeating, “Once is not enough.” With a little creativity and ingenuity, we can infuse new life into many things, including those products which weren’t intended to live very long.
