Category: recycling

Posted in music, recycling

Bent, broken, recycled?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Two music stands. Foldable, black metal. One was folded up wrong. Other than that, in good, usable condition.

I wonder how much use they got? They were purchased with an instrument and the best of intentions. Learn how to play, practice, get good, and then who knows?

Maybe they did. Maybe they got real good. Leveled up. Bought better, heavier metal music stands. Better instruments. Better gigs. A career.

A more likely scenario: a few lessons, no practice, instrument slid under the bed. Years later, someone asks, “Why do we have these music stands? can we put them out with the trash?”

Does anyone keep track of how many of these stands are sold and how many are actually used? AI claims there’s no data, but the design lends itself to ending up in the back of many closets. Until it’s carried to the curb.

I hope someone picked it up. I should have. I didn’t notice how usable they were. I could have sold it or given it to someone. I hope it didn’t end up as scrap metal in a junk yard.

Posted in recycling

A swimsuit from recycled plastic

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Most of the recycling bins out on the curb this morning were chock full of empty water bottles.

On the one hand, that’s a good thing. It beats having all of them sitting in landfills for who knows how long. And it means that people are drinking a lot of water, which is healthy.

On the other hand, we have good tap water in our community. Unless you’re stocking up for a hurricane or you need to pack some drinks for a trip, how much bottled water do you really need to buy to drink at home? Is it really better than what comes from your faucet at home?

And, the bathing suit I just bought from Fair Harbor clothing is made from recycled water bottles and a little bit of spandex. Now you might think such swimwear would be a little uncomfortable. I don’t know how they do it, but the fabric is soft, feels great, and dries quickly.

So far, I’ve only bought the one suit made from twelve plastic bottles. But they also make shorts, pants, t-shirts, polos, and hoodies. I had a coupon and am getting a rebate for my first purchase. Since it’s pricey, I wait and see if they send me discount codes to buy more stuff.