Many people think that garbage is utterly useless, fit only to be thrown away. But as the world marks World Environment Day on June 5, Sister Anna Wiwik Soepraptiwi says that is not the proper way to manage waste.
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| Sisters and a layworker sorting waste materials |
According to the provincial superior of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, burning or burying discarded packaging such as plastic containers can damage the environment and adversely affect people’s health.
Tags: Daughters of Charity, Environment, Health, Indonesia
See July 2 article in Asia News
As a former dumpter diver since as far back as when I was 8 years old, I vote for what the Sisters are saying and doing! I used to go ‘alley-picking’ as a kid, just before garbage pick-up day, with my friend of 1948 or 49, Rita. We found such good things that others threw away!
There is very little ‘throw-away’ stuff that I found, just good ol’ reuseables. However, I am not suggesting that other 8 year old kids go rummaging through the garbage…
When I grew up, I learned that lots of people in high positions throw away really good stuff, that I learned I could use in the classroom. Dumpster diving is valuable to teachers. I am really serious on this.
In fact, even tho school systems are so slow to catch on to good stuff, some have had the wisdom to open up warehouses for teachers where large corporations can throw away their stuff, and teachers can go ‘alley picking’.
Most of my old classroom was stocked with ‘throw aways’ that I got for free at this very ‘Teacher’s Warehouse’, as we called it.
Corporations got the tax write-off for donations; and teachers got the goodies they could never get through normal channels.
It’s an idea that has real possibilies for everyone who needs and for those who have too much. Thank about it. gh