Ideal Bite

If you throw that hideous Valentine's gift away, just where does it go?

02.13.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Mon, 02/13/2006 - 6:00pm.

Resources

The Bite:

Out of sight is out of mind, but it turns out there’s really no such place as “away.” Before you consign an ill-conceived gift or other item to a landfill or incinerator, offer it directly to charities or others who may want it.

The Benefits:

Starve a landfill. Americans generate trash at an astonishing rate of 4 lbs/day/person—a total of 210 million tons/yr.
Reusing eliminates the need for new items whose production requires the extraction of natural resources from our land, plus water, energy and/or chemicals to turn them into new products.
Your donations support the good work of charities and non-profits. Common usable items include books for libraries and schools, old towels for local animal shelters, and computers and office equipment for all kinds of organizations.

Personally Speaking:

Jen is offloading the many cookbooks, pots and pans her admirers have been sending in a vain effort to encourage her to cook. It’s just not happening.

Wanna Try:

ThrowPlace – the Internet’s landfill alternative, encouraging users to “take what you need, and throw what you don’t.”
Freecycle Network – Freecyclers in 3,259 communities “gifted” more than 100 million pounds of stuff in 2005.
Craigslist – every month, more than 10 million people use these free local forums to exchange stuff, find jobs and advertise goods and services.
Reuse Development Organization – resources to help local communities start up new reuse centers and programs.

Cocktail Fact

At 1,045 feet above sea level, a municipal landfill affectionately known as "Mount Rumpke" is the second highest point in the state of Ohio.

Bang For The Bite

Get rid of your old stuff for free, keep it out of landfills, and help worthwhile charities all at once… a Biter trifecta! (And you may even get a tax deduction).

0 comments