I was walking the dogs this morning and came across a beautiful wooden toddler bed lying across the footpath. It was in immaculate condition, as though it had hardly been used. A few houses down half a dozen padded dining chairs sat side by side facing the road. Behind them a sofa bed, again in excellent condition, complete with a spotlessly clean futon. And further down the road at intervals in front of houses: two bookcases, outdoor furniture, children’s toys, and a variety of other household furniture. Apparently it is the bi-annual council household pick-up in my local area this week.
Of those houses that did put furniture out, there was the occasional pile of items clearly past its use-by date. But generally, the discarded items ranged in condition from fair to excellent, and most had many good years of use left in them.
Now maybe it’s a city thing, or maybe it’s just me, but back where I come from (geographically as well as metaphorically) apart from the fact that no-one ever came to pick up our rubbish ― not even the weekly garbage truck that city people take for granted ― if we didn’t want something anymore, or were replacing or upgrading it, we would pass it on. And by pass it on, I mean ask around to see if anyone we knew would like it, could use it, or knew someone else who did. If we were not able to find a new home for it with someone in our networks, we would take it to one of the many charity centres that exist in every location.
I thought everyone did this. I have, with gratitude, received items of furniture at times in my life; and I have, with pleasure, passed items on to others. To me it’s the natural cycle of giving and receiving. There will always be someone less fortunate at any point in time who would appreciate and benefit from such a cycle.
I am astounded that city society has evolved into such unconscionable materialism. A functional society is one that is inclusive and supportive of all its members. That anyone can throw out a perfectly good bed, when so many sleep without one at all is a travesty. That they can do it without thought or cause is a social tragedy for which we all should take responsibility.
City Observationist 