Recycling – One Of The Good Things To Come From The Second World War
During the World War II, resources were scarce and Governments ran big recycling campaigns to ensure as little as possible was wasted. Waste was segregated for the following uses:
- Metal and tine were recycled for use in aircraft, tanks and weapons.
- Kitchen waste provided feed for pigs, chickens and goats.
- Rubber was collected to make new tires.
Households were also encouraged to repair belongings, such as clothes, as opposed to just buying new ones. Campaigns such as ‘Make Do & Mend’ gave advice on how to recycle textiles and patch up their worn out clothes. As a result, knitting became very popular during the Second World War.
Families had to plan meals carefully to ensure that food did not go to waste. Perishable food had to be purchased in small quantities and substitutes had to be found for foods that were no longer available. Meat fat was commonly saved to make pastry, and even the cream from milk was collected in a jar and shaken to make butter and buttermilk.
It is sad that it took people so long to acknowledge the importance of recycling, and also that it took such miserable circumstances to draw it to our attention. These days, we know the importance of recycling to preserve the Earth’s resources and to reduce pollution.
However, we are still falling well below targets for diverting waste from landfill sites. Though we know what we need to be doing, and though it is not difficult for us to do it, most people still have a very much laid back attitude to recycling. Too many people simply cannot be bothered to recycle, and that is undoing the good work being done by those who do take the little time and effort required to recycle.
If they could do it, then why can’t we recycle too? We should all be doing what we can now, and not be waiting for a major crisis to kick-start us into mass recycling again.
Ware 4 Recycling Bins Ltd have been promoting cost effective recycling bins, trolleys and waste containers for over 5 years.
