If you are moving soon, or just finally got around to that spring household cleaning, you should be aware that prime opportunities to be a waste prevention activist loom on the horizon. Whether you repair broken goods, donate items to charitable organizations, or even buy used products, you can help in the fight against unnecessary waste.
Repairing broken, damaged or worn-out possessions is usually preferable to throwing them away or buying new replacements because it saves you money. There are several ways to find a person or shop to repair items. These include checking your telephone directory, newspaper ads and hardware stores, or taking recommendations from friends and acquaintances.
Phone Book -- If you're trying to find out about repairs of durable goods, check the Yellow Pages under "fix-it services" and "home repair and maintenance," or look under the names of particular items you need serviced. Some sample listings are:
Major Appliances -- dealers and service
Lawn mowers -- sharpening and repairing
Shoe repairing
Upholsterers
Vacuum cleaners -- repairing and parts
Video equipment -- service and repair
Computers -- service and repairs, supplies and parts
Copying machines and supplies
Typewriters
Newspapers -- Check the classified ads for repair services and handypeople. Many newspapers often have separate display advertising sections labeled "Dial-a-Pro" or something similar.
Hardware Stores -- Look at the business cards displayed on bulletin boards at local hardware stores and ask for any other information they may have.
Personal Recommendations -- Don't forget to ask friends and neighbors for recommendations about repair shops. It is often best to speak to friends or neighbors to get some indication of the quality of a person's past work.
Beyond repairs, other possible waste prevention techniques include the act of donation. If you don't have time for a garage sale, don't want to place a classified ad and have already offered your rich assortment of goodies to all your friends, consider giving what's left to family members, neighbors or charitable organizations. Or, better yet, consider organizing a food or clothing drive. Where appropriate, encourage area merchants to donate damaged goods or food items that are still edible to food banks, shelters and groups that serve the homeless.
Charitable organizations can also repair, clean and resell many of your old treasures. In many cases, these organizations will pickup items right from your home. Donors may sometimes receive tax deductions. Remember, all items should be usable, clean and of reasonable quality.
In addition to the many community agencies that welcome donations, there are many places where you can not only give away or sell your reusable items, but can also buy good used items. This "give and take" approach to possessions is sound from a solid waste management standpoint. Patronize both nonprofit and commercial stores that further the reuse ethic. Consider purchases not only of used clothing or furniture, but also musical instruments, toys and video games, sports equipment and even medical equipment and supplies.
Remember, opting for used or "irregular" items is another good way to practice waste prevention. It's often hard to determine why an item might be considered flawed. Such products are often less expensive than new or "first quality" items, and using them will keep them from being thrown away.
The bit of extra thought you give to these ideas now can mean a great deal to those who'll benefit when you "leave less behind for the future." The environment also benefits any time waste is reduced and resources are reused and conserved.
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