Here at Sustainability in Review, we think a lot about our "stuff".
Where do it come from? Do we know where every part comes from? When we are done with it, where does it go?
Ever since we are little kids, we are taught a common phrase: "throw it away." Are you done with eating your snack and still have the wrapper? Throw it away. Did your toy break and we cannot fix it? Throw it away.
Something we have to change is this concept that there is this easy place called "away" where we can get rid of things. Our garbage dumps are heaping mountains of stuff that got thrown away. Our oceans are teeming with waste the size of countries. We even have trash floating around in space. Space! Trash in the final frontier!
Our world grows more interconnected everyday - both in the physical (more people, more stuff, more waste) and the non-physical (the global economy, the internet, social media). We must start acknowledging that our small seemingly meaningless actions can and do affect the large, complex system.
We think the best way to change from the perception that it is easy to "throw it away" to there is no "away" and we have to be conscious and intentional with how we treat the end of life of our stuff is education about the other options. Before you throw it away think about a couple things:
1. Is there another option?
Can it be recycled? Can it be composted? Best yet, can someone else use it? Even if the whole item cannot be recycle, composted, or reused, can part of it be composted, recycled or reused? What are your other options? Change your perception of what is possible.
2. Can my trash become someone else's treasure?
Reuse is the best option. Keep it circular. Keep stuff useful. With vast networks of makers, artisans, and upcyclers growing because of the new interconnectedness of the field, can you share some or part of your stuff with people who can repurpose it into something truly different and useful again?
3. Do I need another one?
After you have rid yourself of old stuff, how quickly do you need to replace it? That $5 t-shirt that ripped almost immediately that you just got rid of - do you need another $5 low quality t-shirt that you know you will be throwing away again soon? If you do need another t-shirt, can you find one of higher quality that you will be able to keep longer?
Ever since we are little kids, we are taught a common phrase: "throw it away." Are you done with eating your snack and still have the wrapper? Throw it away. Did your toy break and we cannot fix it? Throw it away.
Something we have to change is this concept that there is this easy place called "away" where we can get rid of things. Our garbage dumps are heaping mountains of stuff that got thrown away. Our oceans are teeming with waste the size of countries. We even have trash floating around in space. Space! Trash in the final frontier!
Our world grows more interconnected everyday - both in the physical (more people, more stuff, more waste) and the non-physical (the global economy, the internet, social media). We must start acknowledging that our small seemingly meaningless actions can and do affect the large, complex system.
We think the best way to change from the perception that it is easy to "throw it away" to there is no "away" and we have to be conscious and intentional with how we treat the end of life of our stuff is education about the other options. Before you throw it away think about a couple things:
1. Is there another option?
Can it be recycled? Can it be composted? Best yet, can someone else use it? Even if the whole item cannot be recycle, composted, or reused, can part of it be composted, recycled or reused? What are your other options? Change your perception of what is possible.
2. Can my trash become someone else's treasure?
Reuse is the best option. Keep it circular. Keep stuff useful. With vast networks of makers, artisans, and upcyclers growing because of the new interconnectedness of the field, can you share some or part of your stuff with people who can repurpose it into something truly different and useful again?
3. Do I need another one?
After you have rid yourself of old stuff, how quickly do you need to replace it? That $5 t-shirt that ripped almost immediately that you just got rid of - do you need another $5 low quality t-shirt that you know you will be throwing away again soon? If you do need another t-shirt, can you find one of higher quality that you will be able to keep longer?
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