Last December, I read Garbage Land by Elizabeth Royte, a book about consumption, waste, and disposal. I came across it again recently while cleaning out my Jeep. Picking it up amongst the rest of the hidden crap (oh! there's my checkbook!), I slipped dimensions and suddenly felt the urge to document my weekly disposal of trash as Elizabeth did in her book. Maybe I too would find something out about myself. Is it true if space is available, trash will fill it? I know if counter space is available, I clutter it up within days.I can't think of any better way to start this blog than by sharing with you the trash I dispose of:
Halls mentho-lyptus 30 drops
Five banana peals
A post-it with the piano chords to Pachelbel’s Canon
Another post-it reminding me of things to buy at the store and the piano chords to Hey Jude
Bob’s Java Hut matchbook (w/o the matches)
Letters from Citibank American Airlines, John Hancock Life Insurance, bank reward programs
Brochure on Iraq War Protest, Univ. of Minnesota Health Wellness Plan, First Avenue Saturday Dance Parties, Lunds coupons
Plastic lining of the inside of a Cheerios box
A plastic cap to a carton of orange juice
A second cap from a gallon of skim milk
One Apple core
Two bad tomatoes
CD wrapping of Yo La Tengo
Green Forest plastic wrapping of toilet paper and paper towel
Graduate School Loan information
Thank You card from the Univ. of Minnesota’s UPlan
Toilet paper roll
Approximately 14 crumpled up used tissue
Hand soap dispenser
Advil container
(recycled items not included, but range from small card board boxes to milk cartons)
I’m not sure what the above says about me, but I’m open to interpretation. I do agree that spam and sharing of personal information makes for more waste. How did the marketing department of a San Diego loan company know I was looking for graduate loan information?
I would like to think I lean toward a minimalist lifestyle. But does that mean I waste less by not collecting “stuff” to begin with, or does it mean I just don't have a lot of things around because I quickly throw them away? Obviously, further analysis with focus groups and pie charts is needed. For now, what does your garbage say about you?
3 comments:
hey, minimalist does not mean that you can't surround yourself with things you love. Momentos, photos, pictures, comfy clothes, candles, books,and so forth. Your home is a source of replenishment whether in 'things' or food. Comfort and ease leads to enjoyment and peace.
I agree. Having photos of people and places you love make your environment, your living space comforting. You could almost call these needs. Though, I draw the line at glass unicorns. Why? Cause I don't need them. I'm addressing the need/want line here we all walk. Maggie, I think we are on the same page here.
glass unicorns....interesting. Of course we are on the same page but for some reason I still can't let go of my Santa Bears. All 13 of them.
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