Wasteful people (rant)

[brett]

+100, wish more folks thought as we do. Would save a lot of conflict.

BTW, I am sure there are a few who would moan about us spraying Round Up on our Driveway weeds too. Live and Let Live.

We take the same approach to some of our relatives. Absolutely no cheese in being a busybody.

Who needs the self inflicted angst?? Certainly not us.

 

[braumeister]

About 8 % of plastic is actually recycled into another product. We used to "recycle" everything by shipping it to China in big bales so they could throw most of it into the ocean for us, but they cut that off. So, most of plastic recycling, at least, is performance art.

I thought of this thread today when I got an email from my local recycling outfit. A few excerpts:

Rumpke Waste & Recycling, a 90-year-old, Midwest recycling leader, processes more than a billion pounds of recycling annually through its 12 recycling facilities. More than 90% of those materials are processed and shipped to end-users right here in the Midwest.

Plastic production is up, especially the demand for Polypropylene (tubs), Polyethylene Terephthalate (water bottles) and High-Density Polyethylene (milk jugs and detergent bottles). The Polyethylene products become shipping strapping, new carpet fibers and new bottles. The High-Density Polyethylene is converted into irrigation piping, plastic pallets and new containers.

The newcomer to the plastics recycling stream is Polypropylene, the material used mostly for butter tubs, yogurt containers and other dairy products. A previous barrier to recycling materials was the ability to reuse them as food containers because of their odor and color, but today new manufacturing technology is removing those obstacles, and manufacturers are attempting to secure Food & Drug Administration approval to use recycled Polypropylene for food containers. When that approval comes, we can expect an even higher demand for these recycled materials.

There was a lot more, but I think it shows that the recycling situation isn't as bad as some have feared.

 

[Koolau]

Everyone is probably tired of hearing about my near life-long buddy (50 years, anyway) who is 77 and in debt to the tune of $500K. He and his wife wear designer clothes. They both go to a hair stylist (and she to the nail salon). They always have two new (leased) vehicles and he has his toy car (working toward an 800 HP rebuilt Corvette). They live in a new house. Their house is stuffed FULL of stuff. He did the legally-renege-on-credit-card-debt several years ago but now has more CCs than before. I could go on.

It's true we live in Paradise which is OUR extravagance. Other than that, if you looked at our credit card statements (paid in full at EOM) you would think we were lower middle class. I can't call what my buddy spends as "wasteful" because it brings him pleasure. But I simply could not live that lifestyle. He'll die with the most toys and I'll die with the most money. Who is to say which is better? Or more "correct?" Or "right or wrong?" YMMV

 

[Music Lover]

Everyone is probably tired of hearing about my near life-long buddy (50 years, anyway) who is 77 and in debt to the tune of $500K. He and his wife wear designer clothes. They both go to a hair stylist (and she to the nail salon). They always have two new (leased) vehicles and he has his toy car (working toward an 800 HP rebuilt Corvette). They live in a new house. Their house is stuffed FULL of stuff. He did the legally-renege-on-credit-card-debt several years ago but now has more CCs than before. I could go on.

It's true we live in Paradise which is OUR extravagance. Other than that, if you looked at our credit card statements (paid in full at EOM) you would think we were lower middle class. I can't call what my buddy spends as "wasteful" because it brings him pleasure. But I simply could not live that lifestyle. He'll die with the most toys and I'll die with the most money. Who is to say which is better? Or more "correct?" Or "right or wrong?" YMMV

Your friend is 77 and has all the toys. He couldn't care less if he pays his debt. I couldn't live like that either but many people can and have no problem with it. But your friend is probably happier in his current state than he would be living a frugal lifestyle.

 

[4legsgood]

From what I've heard, cruise ships have junked the buffets - possibly for good. Now you point to what you want, and the server puts some on your plate.

This might cut down a bit on waste, although I bet it holds up the line more, as people go back and forth - "uhhh, I want some of that - no wait, some of that..."

That would make cruises much more appealing to me - all you can eat buffet is -not- good for me. I have some self-control but being on a boat with all you can eat buffet would be hard for me.

 

[Time2]

Ha! As usual, I come to a thread late, and comment not on the main topic of the thread, but on some vaguely related subject that came up during the course of the discussion.

When purchasing box cutters, always get one with a retractable blade, keep it fitted with a sharp blade, and retract it after every use. I used to work with a maintenance guy who had several box cutters, none of which ever had a sharp blade. They were largely useless. They were not retractable, but it didn't matter, because there was never any danger of cutting yourself on them due to the dull blades. However, there was also no danger of cutting the things you wanted to cut either

I have had a utility knife that is 50 to 60 years old, It is a red Stanley that was my dad's. A few years ago the paint was looking bad, so I cleaned it all of and repainted it. I recently dropped it and the metal broke. I'm so disappointed.

 

[athena53]

He did the legally-renege-on-credit-card-debt several years ago but now has more CCs than before. <snip>.

He'll die with the most toys and I'll die with the most money. Who is to say which is better? Or more "correct?" Or "right or wrong?" YMMV

His "legal renege" (BK, I assume?) costs us all. The bank writes off the debt, which is partially mitigated by the tax benefits of the write-off, and then they charge crazy-high interest rates which affect people who really do want to pay what they owe. Of course, the banks are making risky decisions as well when they issue more credit cards to people with bad records but I saw that with my first husband. I paid mine in full every month. He was always close to maxed out and always late and guess who got credit card offers in the mail with higher credit lines than I had.

 

[Sunset]

....
When purchasing box cutters, always get one with a retractable blade, keep it fitted with a sharp blade, and retract it after every use. ......

I really love those, and you can find good quality ones with metal sleeves even in some dollar stores. My carpenter friend showed me during building his house how they were useful to cut a LOT more things than just boxes.

It's the device I used when cutting open a box to stab myself in the gut. For a second after doing it, I though what a silly way to die.
Now I cut away from me.

 

[Mark1]

I thought of this thread today when I got an email from my local recycling outfit. A few excerpts:

There was a lot more, but I think it shows that the recycling situation isn't as bad as some have feared.

Yes, I'm confident our cities does a decent job and actually recycles 1,2, and 5 plastic, clear glass, colored glass, cardboard, and chipboard (until I retired here I didn't even know what chipboard was or that blister plastic is not allowed even if it is 1,2,or 5).

I was paying our garbage company $5/month to have the recycle folks come to our house to pick up the segregated recycle. However, the garbage company was recently taken over by a competitor that takes all of the items mentioned above and even takes all plastics (No 1-7). They just dumps them unsegregated into a normal garbage truck. I canceled my recycle pickup and now I take it to recycle center myself just to make sure it actually gets there.

 

[Graybeard]

I have had a utility knife that is 50 to 60 years old, It is a red Stanley that was my dad's. A few years ago the paint was looking bad, so I cleaned it all of and repainted it. I recently dropped it and the metal broke. I'm so disappointed.

I bet JB Weld could fix it, that stuff is amazing!

 

[RobbieB]

I got a "folder" at Harbor Freight no less that I love. Very heavy duty, easy to load blades, blades have full extension and locks in 2 positions.

One of my faves!

 

[CardsFan]

When purchasing box cutters, always get one with a retractable blade, keep it fitted with a sharp blade, and retract it after every use.

I just bought new blades for my Stanley 99E. They were out of the small packs, so I bought a 50 pack for about 10 bucks. At 66yo this is probably a lifetime supply.

But seriously, they get dull quick, and are cheap.

 

[Time2]

I bet JB Weld could fix it, that stuff is amazing!

I kind of doubt it. The broken piece is about an inch long and when the screw is tighten that holds the blade in. I have thought about a weld.
Just hanging on to the parts.

 

[aja8888]

I kind of doubt it. The broken piece is about an inch long and when the screw is tighten that holds the blade in. I have thought about a weld.
Just hanging on to the parts.

Maybe you can find an old one just like it on eBay?

 

[Kwirk]

...But seriously, they get dull quick, and are cheap...

My small saw with its serrated blade has never needed sharpening or replacement.

 

[Amethyst]

I have a Leatherman Surge with various knives, saw, and even a fish scaler, which looks like a saw to me. All of them will cut boxes, and I would have to try awfully hard to stab myself with it, but the hands get tired regardless.

To think, I can remember when good cardboard was a thing to conserve. Nobody threw away a good box.

 

[NW-Bound]

I really love those, and you can find good quality ones with metal sleeves even in some dollar stores. My carpenter friend showed me during building his house how they were useful to cut a LOT more things than just boxes.

It's the device I used when cutting open a box to stab myself in the gut. For a second after doing it, I though what a silly way to die.
Now I cut away from me.

Hmmm... You could go on Guinness Book as the 1st person who performs hara kiri or seppuku with a box cutter. That would be quite a feat, considering the depth of the blade.

 

[F.I.R.E User]

Sounds like the most fake rich people who grew up into a wealthy family.

 

[Pointby2]

Sounds like our neighbors. They are all off on vacation somewhere, but their A/C runs continuously despite our perfect 72 degree days. Oh well.

 

[aja8888]

To think, I can remember when good cardboard was a thing to conserve. Nobody threw away a good box.

I believe my attic has about 50 of them saved for our next move,,,but we are not planning to move.

 

[imnontrad]

Yes, I realize it's hard to hold your tongue. maybe some day they will ask you why you can go on more vacations, retire early, etc. and then you can make suggestions.
I live in a townhouse and usually have one small kitchen garbage bag in my trash every week or two. Yes some neighbors have two trash cans every week plus "stuff" outside the can for pickup. I guess that's why I am planning for several weeks long trips next year. :-D

 

[Retired Expat]

Waste in general irks me. If everyone would conserve energy or use solar the utilities wouldn’t need to build more transmission lines. Something we all pay for so while their wasteful ways don’t impact you, really they do. Of it will when your toen dump is closed and you have to pay more to get your trash hauled away

If your utility is burning fossil fuels to over light your neighbors home all night you are breathing that pollution and they are contributing to climate change, same with leaving their cars idling. That they buy many small containers or not in bulk or don’t recycle or don’t separate their trash just makes them bad neighbors and selfish people. Maybe they weren’t raised right or taught any better. But that doesn’t mean they can’t learn!

 

[EdL3]

I can’t expend energy on things beyond my control, unless they infringe on my rights or property values.

 

[papaof2]

The better half and I are both very sensitive to ragweed pollen so the windows are closed and the A/C is on during some of those "beautiful days" because otherwise the house fills with pollen and we'd be dealing with the symptoms for weeks. For us, that's just staying healthy. If it doesn't affect you, count your blessings!

For the rest - the outside lighting is almost all LED and motion sensing. The vehicles live in the garage and we never run them for warming or cooling. I've added insulation to the attic and gone thorugh many tubes of caulk and rolls of plastic foam backer in sealing up air leaks. The original windows were all upgraded to double-paned a few years ago (house is almost 50 years old - but paid for ;-) Interior lighting is 90% LED and lights are only on as needed. I can even tell you that the 50" plasma YV averages about 100 watts, with a peak of 150 watts for an all-white screen.

Perhaps it helps to have grown up on the wrong side of the tracks and learned to "make do" with what was available? (That area went through "urban renewal" some years back.) That probably makes it easier to follow "waste not; want not."

Some people have the outlook of "There's always been plenty; there will always be plenty." Our area was affected by the hacking of Colonial Pipeline - not us directly, as we "fill at half" and always have extra gas for the lawn equipment - but that outage SHOULD have been a wakeup call about everything you can't produce yourself - it you didn't grow it, it came by truck and if the pipelines stop flowing, the trucks eventually stop running, Far too many people are affected by "normalcy bias": <Something> always been there; it will always be there.

If the power is off for days, that neighbor may want to "borrow" flashlights and candles from you - things you'll probably never see again.

 

[Graybeard]

I kind of doubt it. The broken piece is about an inch long and when the screw is tighten that holds the blade in. I have thought about a weld.
Just hanging on to the parts.

Well without seeing it I'm just shooting in the dark. So here's my take, why not JB Weld it and use a flat washer to spread the force of the screw across a wider area when you put it together? If you never used JB Weld you might be surprised at how effective it is for almost anything.