Environmental stewardship isn't something I have written much about, but I definitely am critical of the wastefulness that we often see in modern life. I don't like seeing perfectly good toys, furniture or large plastic items placed out for trash collection simply because people can't be bothered to take a minimal amount of time necessary to sell, donate or rehome them. Obviously we need to throw away stuff that is actually broken and can't be repaired, but many items that end up in landfills are still in good shape.
For example, I recently witnessed someone who was moving throw away a large sectional sofa that I know for a fact was only a year or two old. I've become slightly obsessed with Charlie Munger and his philosophy of money in recent years, and furniture is a big ticket item that people often fiance with debt. Furniture stores and credit cards both charge high interest rates. Given that, how ridiculous it is to buy or even fiance a new sofa only to throw it away a year or two later because of laziness and poor planning? It's bad for the earth and bad for the pocketbook to be so wasteful.
I think we have a duty to be better stewards of the earth with things that are under our direct control, such as what we throw away. There is no "away," in "throw away," when much of what we trash is plastic, which never breaks down and will still be siting in a landfill thousands of years from now. It doesn’t seem like a very good trade-off, a couple years of use versus thousands of years of pollution. Planning ahead to rehome, sell or donate used items can help others and keeps things out of landfills that don't need to be there. Here is how:
For example, I recently witnessed someone who was moving throw away a large sectional sofa that I know for a fact was only a year or two old. I've become slightly obsessed with Charlie Munger and his philosophy of money in recent years, and furniture is a big ticket item that people often fiance with debt. Furniture stores and credit cards both charge high interest rates. Given that, how ridiculous it is to buy or even fiance a new sofa only to throw it away a year or two later because of laziness and poor planning? It's bad for the earth and bad for the pocketbook to be so wasteful.
I think we have a duty to be better stewards of the earth with things that are under our direct control, such as what we throw away. There is no "away," in "throw away," when much of what we trash is plastic, which never breaks down and will still be siting in a landfill thousands of years from now. It doesn’t seem like a very good trade-off, a couple years of use versus thousands of years of pollution. Planning ahead to rehome, sell or donate used items can help others and keeps things out of landfills that don't need to be there. Here is how:
1. Don't Buy What You Don't Need
A good rule of thumb is to sit on your hands and not do anything for 24 hours (or more) before you spend on something that you aren't totally sure you need. Everything we own we have to maintain, clean, organize, and eventually plan to get rid of. There is a fine line between enough and too much which we must walk for the sake of our pocketbooks, our free time and ultimately the earth.
Let me be clear here that I am not a minimalist. I like having the right tool for the job, quality home goods, and enough clothes that I'm not always wearing the same thing or constantly doing laundry. But I also don't like overspending and too much consumption. Moderation really is key. If you can do without an item or you can get it second hand, that is often a win. This is especially true for big ticket items where you could invest money saved and earn a return on it.
Let me be clear here that I am not a minimalist. I like having the right tool for the job, quality home goods, and enough clothes that I'm not always wearing the same thing or constantly doing laundry. But I also don't like overspending and too much consumption. Moderation really is key. If you can do without an item or you can get it second hand, that is often a win. This is especially true for big ticket items where you could invest money saved and earn a return on it.
2. Sell or Give Stuff Away Rather Than Throwing it Out
Some of the best sites for giving away items and keeping stuff out of the landfill are Freecycle.org, Buy Nothing Facebook groups and Craigslist.com. There usually is a local chapter for your town or area that you can join. Search Freecycle.org for a group near you or search Facebook for “Freecycle,” or “Buy Nothing,” and your town name. You can also sell on Facebook and Craigslist. If you are not in the United States there are likely similar things in your area.
I personally do not find it worth the time to sell things that are worth less than $50, and I tend to give stuff away (rather than get) on Buy Nothing about 99 percent of the time. I have given away hundreds of items and furniture on these site over the years. You can also make posts on these groups asking the other members for an item that you need. I once asked for a kid's pack-n play and got one the same day!
Like I said, this does sometimes require coordination and advanced planning. I once saved the contact information of someone looking for electrical outlets and gave him a bunch later when we were doing renovations. If you know you are moving and have a lot to get rid of, you will probably need to start doing it months in advance. But it is really satisfying being able to declutter your home and ensure that an item will go to someone who really wants or needs it.
I personally do not find it worth the time to sell things that are worth less than $50, and I tend to give stuff away (rather than get) on Buy Nothing about 99 percent of the time. I have given away hundreds of items and furniture on these site over the years. You can also make posts on these groups asking the other members for an item that you need. I once asked for a kid's pack-n play and got one the same day!
Like I said, this does sometimes require coordination and advanced planning. I once saved the contact information of someone looking for electrical outlets and gave him a bunch later when we were doing renovations. If you know you are moving and have a lot to get rid of, you will probably need to start doing it months in advance. But it is really satisfying being able to declutter your home and ensure that an item will go to someone who really wants or needs it.
3. Post a Curb Alert or Donate to Charity
If you have stuff to get rid of that you either can’t sell or have been unable to give away, put a free at curb notice in your local Facebook group or in the free stuff section on your local Craigslist. More likely than not, someone will pick up the item. This is an especially good idea for larger items like baby and kids stuff, furniture, or metal that can be scrapped. You can also scour Craigslist for free/curb alerts for items that you may need.
You can also donate bags of clothes and household items to groups like Vietnam Veterans of America, Salvation Army or Green Drop. Libraries will often take donations of books.
You can also donate bags of clothes and household items to groups like Vietnam Veterans of America, Salvation Army or Green Drop. Libraries will often take donations of books.
4. Trash Pick
I don’t think there is any shame in occasionally trash picking items that are in good shape and that you really will use. Some people take this too far, hoarding items for "projects," that they never end up doing. I certainly do not want a cluttered home full of unfinished projects constantly reminding me of all my inadequacies!
But occasionally trash picking gently used items helps keep stuff out of landfills and you get something free that you will actually enjoy. For example, I have trash picked an antique mirror, a glider for my kids nursery when they were little, a gently used (and not expired) car seat and a perfectly good water table that my kids played with for years outside.
The antique mirror is an especially nice find since it looks perfect above my mantle and it reminds me of the historic town where we used to live. This is a win for me and for the earth:
"Do what you can with what you have, where you are." - Teddy Roosevelt
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this post.
~
Read Next:
Why You Should Create Your Own Culture to Be Happier
4 Ideas for Living Seasonally and in Tune With the Natural World
The Gaze of Foolish People: An Interview on Stoicism and Fashion
But occasionally trash picking gently used items helps keep stuff out of landfills and you get something free that you will actually enjoy. For example, I have trash picked an antique mirror, a glider for my kids nursery when they were little, a gently used (and not expired) car seat and a perfectly good water table that my kids played with for years outside.
The antique mirror is an especially nice find since it looks perfect above my mantle and it reminds me of the historic town where we used to live. This is a win for me and for the earth:
"Do what you can with what you have, where you are." - Teddy Roosevelt
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this post.
~
Read Next:
Why You Should Create Your Own Culture to Be Happier
4 Ideas for Living Seasonally and in Tune With the Natural World
The Gaze of Foolish People: An Interview on Stoicism and Fashion
