Stuff, Stuff, and More Stuff

This week I wanna get on my soapbox again and talk about the wastefulness of this society. In the USA especially, people waste more stuff and materials than anywhere else in the world.
Being a native of Europe, I can really see the difference. For example, an average couple in Europe, living, let's say, in an apartment, doesn't waste near as much as another couple in the same living arrangement in America. This is largely due to the fact that most Europeans are more conscious about reusing and recycling than people in the USA.

American wastefulness really irritates me. Just the other day I watched a TV report about how certain stores in the US throw away stuff on a regular basis. And those aren't just chain stores, but even smaller stores throw stuff away in order to make space for new merchandise. Therefore, dumpsters behind some of these stores are filled with new or gently-used clothing, books, shoes, house wares, even jewelry. This makes for a great dumpster-diving heaven, with savvy dumpster divers finding great items for free that can be used or resold later.

One can ask, why do the stores and other establishments have to throw stuff away like this? Can't they donate it? Yes, they can, and a lot of stores do. I know a used bookstore that donates old books to libraries, children's organizations, and, if all else fails, recycles them. But most stores don't even have this option. Sure, they could donate to Goodwill, Red Cross, and other societies for the needy, but these places usually have more than their share of things to give/resell to the public. I see that every time I donate something to Goodwill, their warehouse in the back is always full, as busy volunteers sort out bags of clothes, toys, pieces of furniture, etc. The rest of what they don't want ends up guess where- in the dumpster behind the store, which especially after Christmas is sickeningly full.

At least, with so much excess, USA could donate to less fortunate countries like Africa or Malaysia, and give it to the needy people there. Or, if not that, then at least produce less. But are they doing that? Oh no, it's just much easier to produce more and throw the rest away, right?
Okay, that said, I'm off my soapbox, since there's not much more that can be said. Folks, reuse and recycle as much as you can, at least this Christmas season.