waste not, want not

Apparently this idiom was first recorded in 1772 (yes, I Googled, LOL), but an even earlier version "willful waste makes woeful want" (never heard of that one I have to admit) goes all the way back to 1576. So I'm certainly not the first or only person to dislike waste, but it continues to surprise me when blatant waste occurs in times that are not exactly economically healthy, or by people who I wouldn't think could afford it. For example, not too long ago I saw this woman throw a skirt into the garbage can at the laundromat. When I happened to walk by I noticed that it still had a price tag attached and was obviously brand new. In a joking manner I asked her what was wrong with it, and she replied that it didn't fit. Personally I was floored as I would have automatically tried to pass it along to someone else or would have donated it to a second-hand clothing store, but what really got to me is that this happened in a laundromat. I mean, most people who can afford their own washer and dryer don't have to go to there, or else they simply to drop off their clothes and pay someone else to do it for them. (I once peeked at someone's bag to see how much it cost and was so flabbergasted that I now don't mind paying the $3 per load.)

But waste is everywhere. While I might complain about what I consider to be major waste at the macro level (and certainly lots of people would disagree with my stance on the Olympics for example), it's everywhere you go and it drives me nuts. Now I'm not saying that I never waste anything because of course I do, but I've lost count of the number of times I've seen perfectly good couches, chairs, tables and TV's so big they dwarf my little 20" antique set, just rotting in the rain. Hello? And it's a shame because there are lots of agencies that will come and pick up your stuff as long as you call them. (Or if you want to donate more directly, post your items on Craigslist, Kijiji or Freecycle.) The other day I saw this couple literally unload an entire truck of belongings at one of those charity boxes. I actually went up to them and asked them about it (no, I don't always mind my own business, snort) and they replied that they didn't have room in their new place. The kicker though was that they looked as if they couldn't even afford the old stuff they were getting rid of. I left shaking my head.

My own personal feeling is that wasting is not only foolish, but also disrespectful. It's taking for granted what you have, and what you can acquire, and it's almost like thumbing your nose at those who may not be able to afford what you can. If you think about it, it's just kinda rude on all levels. Don't you agree?

Comments

[krissa]

I 100% agree about the woman at the laundromat. In fact, I was thinking to myself "someone in a laundromat did that?" before I read to the part where you pointed that out yourself. ... Personally I am not wasteful myself. I'm sure I was when I was a teenager. Can't remember any specific examples, but I'm sure I was. My parents are not wasteful so I grew up with a good example, though. And I am in no position to afford to waste anything, but even if I could 'afford' to be wasteful, I don't think I would. Maybe I misunderstood, but I don't think you are wasteful if you don't pick up the things others have left out that you could use. Maybe you are not an opportunist. :) ha ha! But anyway, it IS annoying to see ANYONE being wasteful. We agree on another thing, wasteful=disrespectful. Whether it's disrespecting Nature or those in need, whenever anything is wasted, it's disrespecting something/one. And now I'll have to really think and make sure I'm not guilty of it myself, but I don't think I am. ... Btw, I've looked at Freecycle before. That's a very good link. I hope people check it out.

[monkey]

so glad you're back.

[think outside the piggy bank]

Yeah, my frugality habits are so ingrained by now that I don't think I'd ever be wasteful even if I came into wealth. In fact, some of my friends joke that no one would even know if I suddenly became rich as my lifestyle wouldn't change. And I daresay they're right.

I have to admit I almost asked that woman if she would mind my taking the skirt as I was planning to drop off some of my used clothes anyway, but chickened out at the end. But absolutely I've picked up things that I have found! Come to think of it, I've had some interesting coincidences happen that I should post about some day....

Thanks monkabunk! :)

[Cris]

I love a bargain, and free is the best. I would have taken the skirt. I don't know about Canadian law, but American law allows you to take something that was thrown away, and you don't have to say anything. I live in a poor neighborhood, and when I want to get rid of something, I put it out on the sidewalk in front of my house with a sign saying "free". Everything gets taken. I got religion when we once tried to throw out an ironing board. It sagged and the legs were stuck and you couldn't put it away, not to mention I quit ironing. The damn thing wouldn't fit in the can, so we left it next to it for the garbage man. The next day we saw a car driving down the street with our ironing board tied on top. I realized that my old stuff was someone else's good stuff, and vice versa. I give the neighbors first dibs on my stuff, and I take their stuff. Our charities are picky. They often refuse stuff with the slightest wear and refuse to pick stuff up. They want you to hire guys and rent a truck. Screw that. My neighbors are not so picky.

[krissa]

Hi Cris,
When I lived in Brooklyn, we did that too, put things out for free (for neighbors first, we lived in a huge complex so there were hundreds of immediate neighbors in our building alone) and everything was always taken. We 'rescued' the coolest coffee table ever that someone else was throwing out and loved it so much it's in storage now in Newark with our other things for when we go back to the US someday. Well, when I lived in Indiana there were times I tried to give perfectly good things to Goodwill and they refused. It was a joke. I lived in a pretty upscale community even though I personally wasn't wealthy, but even the Goodwills in the less affluent neighborhoods wouldn't take them. It was mind-boggling. Before those experiences with Goodwill, I'd see mattresses, couches, etc. on the side of the road from time to time and think "what the...."? Turns out, the only place to dump things of that size that Goodwill wouldn't take charges a lot of money to do it. Not a good set-up all around. I ended up selling my entire bedroom set and a futon and entertainment center to some guy who made a living this way (hmmmm, guess something good comes out of it after all for someone) for $50. As you know from personal experience I'm sure, the only thing wrong with any of the stuff was minor scratches. They actually told me that the futon wasn't "good enough". There wasn't anything wrong with it!!! .... Well, anyway, just wanted to share. :)

[think outside the piggy bank]

Sounds like the Goodwills aren't really filled with that much goodwill!

Putting out stuff by the curb is a better way to go I think, but here it doesn't work quite the way it used to. Before, there were designated days (about four times a year) when you could put out all your bulk items for the garbage men and it would actually be kind of fun seeing what was left out. People would drive in pick-up trucks even and scour the streets for goodies. Now they've stopped having 'bulk days' and you have to call the City a week in advance and request they pick up a particular item on garbage day. As a result you see far fewer things, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot more things end up in the dump. A real shame if you ask me.