Landfills are the oldest and most common form of waste disposal. The first modern, sanitary landfill of the United States opened in Fresno, California, in 1937. When we first start collecting our waste and directing it to rubbish dumps, it was a great thing. With all the trash in one place, it was easier to sort and manage.

However, something went terribly wrong.

We became a disposable world. Manufacturers make products as cheaply as possible, designed to last for short periods so that they will break and we have to buy the new versions. It’s all about the single bottom line with zero f#cks given about the effects on the natural world or the health of humans.

I place 1/3 of the blame on the manufactures or business owners. I have said for some time that businesses should be responsible for handling the waste of their products. If your company makes a product and receives a profit, then your company is responsible for the waste of that product. From the packaging to the actual item. We are the customers; we are financially supporting your businesses. It is your responsibility to figure out how and where we can take the items to repair, re-purpose, or recycle.

Our governments should have systems that work to assist businesses with waste management, but they don’t because they too focused on receiving large donations and getting (re) elected in the next election cycle. They get 1/3 of the blame as well.

I will accept 1/3 of the blame as a consumer. We buy too much stuff. We are letting marketing control us into believing that we MUST have the newest, freshest, sexiest versions to fit in with society and find happiness. Don’t get me wrong, it is absolutely cool to have and desire beautiful things, I love nice things but it’s not cool to buy something because the Kardashians say we should. No sheep herding, please! Be unique.

Here are 5 ways that you can be a part of the solution:

1. stop buying shit that you don’t need (we are all guilty!)

2. pay attention to packaging, if an item is covered in 8 layers of plastic, choose another version

3. avoid single-use plastics such as water bottles, plastic bags from ALL retail and grocery stores, and food to go packaging- BYOB

4. have your broken items repaired or find a new purpose

5. hold manufacturers responsible, learn about their waste management practices, and if they are terrible or nonexistent, do not purchase their products and then let the company know why. Social media is an excellent tool for this!

If you want to do something that would flip the industry on its head…Become a responsible manufacturer, find a common waste item that is abundant in landfills and turn it into something new. Just make sure you can collect the waste from the new product as well!

If you are interested in learning more about waste management at home or the office or maybe you are a business owner that wants to stand apart from your competitors as well as help the people and the planet, Please send me an email to sara@greenmaya.mx. Together we will come up with a plan that works best for your situation.

If you have a waste management project that you would like to share, by all means, please do! I would love to learn more.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin (For all my relations) 🙏

Many Blessings,

Sara Renshaw @ The Green Maya Project

P.S. During this time of quarantine, it is more vital than ever that we get our daily dose of nature. Keep your distance from others but step outside, feel the breeze (or the freeze), listen for the birds, smell the air, go for a nature discovery walk if that is possible or sit under a tree with a good book and put your bare feet on the Earth.

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