Why I Love the Dump
I went to the dump today, and as I always do, I left happy. It’s a weird thing to say you love the dump, I know that. Believe it or not though, I’m not the only one! One of my friends in town and I literally became friends gushing over our love of this place. No joke! (Hi Sarah!!)
So why? Why would a person enjoy a place where things go to die? While I do not love the idea that we as a species are filling these sites with items that could otherwise be reused, recycled or repurposed, I do find beauty in the act of letting go. Being able to appreciate what we have and know when we are no longer in need of something is a great place to start when trying to take control of our home. Just because you have something doesn’t mean it’s valuable or useful to you anymore. Our things don’t define us.
Our dump is extremely clean and organized. This may not be the same everywhere, but whenever I go, each area is clearly labeled and tidy. There is no question where things belong and the floor is kept clean and clear. What more could you ask for of a place that people usually picture as stinky and full of flies? It’s neither of those things. And when I leave there I feel so. much. lighter. Freer. What’s not to love about that?
Whether or not you like your town’s dump, it doesn’t hurt to minimize what goes into it. As a family of 6 we consume a lot, however our actual trash is extremely minimal. A regular kitchen garbage bag can last us weeks if we wanted it to. Here is how we do it:
Compost. It’s amazing how much food ends up in the garbage in most homes. Even things like banana peels and coffee grounds add up. Composting food waste keeps it out of the landfill where believe it or not - it is not able to decompose properly due to lack of light, oxygen, and insects. Source.
Refrain from using disposable paper goods. Things like paper napkins and towels can be replaced easily with cloth versions. Simply throw them in the wash with your towel load. Try to use paper plates only for parties or special events to avoid filling up that bag too soon.
Recycle. So much of what is thrown away can be recycled. Check out your area’s regulations, but things like batteries, clothing/textiles, metal, wood, plastic, cardboard and paper can all be kept out of the landfill by simply recycling.
Buy for quality. A lot of times you get what you pay for. When it comes to things that will get a lot of use, consider spending a little extra to get the quality that results in a product that stands the test of time. This especially is true with winter gear and shoes. I have a real life example of this in practice. I purchased a fake pair of Birks a couple years ago. My intention was to test if I liked wearing that particular style before investing in the real thing. If I liked them, then when it came time to replace them, I’d know. Anyway - while my first pair of real Birkenstocks that I bought (with my very first paycheck from my very first job) at the Shoe Shop in Burlington (which is now Dear Lucy) lasted 15 years, this cheap pair lasted maybe two. I even repaired them once within the first summer and yet, the first time I wore them this season they fell apart in a way I couldn’t repair them. While I did learn a few lessons from that purchase, I wish I had just bought the real ones. They would have been perfectly broken in by now and still in great shape. Some things are worth investing in.
Package your own snacks. Instead of buying individual packs of goldfish and popcorn, save money and buy the family size version. Less packaging to dispose of, a better price, and you can control how much you pack for the day! I use a variety of reusable bags (prefer these) and snack tins the most but whatever you have on hand already is always the best choice! You don’t have to buy a magic container if you have a mason jar with a lid :) I know we are all busy but this is a task you could have the kids do on grocery day and have them ready for the week - super easy to delegate.
Smart consumption. Do you have to go school shopping every August or do you do it because “that’s what you do”? Do you need to buy a new backpack and lunch box every year like some families do or is what you have still in great shape? We can manage our own and our children’s expectations on things like this that may have been ingrained in our heads since our childhood. Just because our parents did it one way doesn’t mean we can’t change it up for our family!
So there you have it. Why I love the dump. You can enjoy the orderly environment, make friends, and say goodbye to things weighing you down. Tell me about your experiences with letting go. Does it feel good to see the garbage truck drive away from your house? Do you find joy in dropping off those donations at the donation center?
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