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LOOKING FOR A FIELD trip that’ll inspire you? It may sound strange, but I suggest visiting your local landfill. I just went to mine to discard a rug. I returned with a commitment to change my behavior.
The landfill was a surprisingly busy place. This was my first visit, so I was confused about where and how to drop off my rug. Dozens of more-seasoned visitors sped past me to drop off their loads. Seeing them made me ponder the ease with which people throw things away.
I was surprised that a large portion of the items still appeared to be in working condition. Furniture and toys topped this list. I saw several bikes with air in their tires that could have been ridden home. I may have tried to snag a few lawn chairs if not for the “no scavenging” signs. Couldn’t these have been recycled or passed on to someone else?
Another section that caught my eye was the area for appliances. I had never considered where old appliances ended up. There were dozens of stainless-steel dishwashers and refrigerators. Again, many appeared to be in decent shape. I would guess that most were within a decade of their original purchase. Certainly, some appliances are donated or sold, but why not more?
My landfill experience made me reflect on how wasteful we can be. I’ve since made three pledges to limit my personal waste. First, I’ll try to repair household items when they break. The internet makes it easy to find replacement parts, and it seems like there’s a YouTube video to guide every home repair. I’ve kept dishwashers and barbecues working through such efforts.
Second, I will emphasize quality when making purchase decisions. Pinching pennies is tempting, but there’s truth to the adage that you “get what you pay for.” I worked for Patagonia for years and still enjoy the quality of its products. I’d rather have one Patagonia jacket that lasts for decades than a cheaper brand I need to replace repeatedly.
Finally, I’ll try to find someone who can use my old items before I discard them. My preference is to give used items to friends and neighbors. I’ve had success placing bulkier items on the street with a sign that says “free.” I won’t get a tax deduction from this form of giving, but I take comfort knowing the goods will be used. In the future, I may consider using the Buy Nothing Project website, which facilitates sharing among neighbors.
A landfill is not a joyful place, but it’s a jarring one. With my three pledges, I hope to stay away for a long time.
The last time I moved, I contacted a small local junk/recycle company to haul away things I wasn’t taking. The owner walked through my house and told me frankly that I could make at least $10k selling larger items through consignment store instead of paying him to haul away. I explained that I had movers coming the next day, so I’d happily pay him to haul away and dispose off however he wished. The team sorted into sell, donate, recycle, landfill as they loaded. Two hours and $500 later, they drove off, leaving only the stuff for movers to load next day and a few cleaning supplies. I was delighted that very little was headed for the landfill.
No doubt you went to the dump for the same actual reason as the others – when you try to sell for a song, offer as free, or even donate, nobody steps up and there you are with no recourse except the dump. Even the charities and resellers are getting picky just like the munincipal recycling efforts have become. What happens when the landfills become exclusionary?
Yes, the dump was a last resort. I’d managed to avoid it for over a decade, but as you note no one wanted what we had. Really makes me think about what I buy going forward.
Great article Kyle. Moving last year really pointed out how much stuff we had accumulated. We were able to donate a bunch of stuff, sold some to the new buyers, and threw out more than I would have liked. It’s a shame that quality old textbooks are basically worthless. I recommend downsizing as soon as possible as you approach retirement.