Human population has trebled during his lifetime, causing the accelerating massive extinction of species, threatening life on Earth. As Sir David Attenborough, famous documentarian and naturalist puts it: “We are overrunning the Earth.” When asked, “What can we do about it,” he responded: “Don’t waste … Don’t waste anything!”
What should we trash? I sort items into recyclables allowed in my community. I began composting food scraps. I found a seamstress who accepts old clothing scraps. Much of the rest is scraps of plastic packaging. I am not handy at repair, which would enable more reuse, less trash.
My Spanish brother-in-law grew up during World War II. Nobody threw away anything of value. He kept his frugality: His basement shelves were arranged with used bottles, jars, yogurt containers; an artisan, he also repaired.
It feels wrong to crush glass jars – separated from their metallic lids; to melt down even crude plastic containers. We destroy value and create unmanageable waste.
Farmers use compost from food waste; re-use egg cartons for farm eggs.
Folks who make jam or syrup use jars and plastic jugs.
We used to take milk or soda bottles to collection centers for refund.
We can bring our own produce containers and bags to the grocery store.
We can recycle reusables, as we do in garage sales.
NICHOLAS OURUSOFF
New London