Garbology Chapter 12

The final chapter of Garbology starts with Bea Johnson and her lack of care for things in her storage, she realized that those things were not neccessities. Humes explains how there is power in saying NO. Her family downsized and they were very happy because they did not need to clean as much and they stayed organized. They were living in a "near-zero-waste lifestyle" as Humes said. They also said money, Humes said that they saved 40 percent of what they were spending (Humes 270). Bea's idea of the American Dream made me ponder...big house and fancy cars and tons of stuff that are not really needed. This is the American Dream? To be filled with objects of any sort, anything and everything. What a waste. I like Bea's added R in the eco friendly 3 R's . So it was reduce, reuse, recycle, and now refuse. Since saying NO to things can benefit you in the long run. It is less things to throw away. Humes explains how the Johnson family is living in a zero-wate household. It was interesting to c how it works, they don't even use toothpaste tubes made of plastic. They started using toothpowder in glass jars. They don't even use cleaning supplies they use vinegar water a little soap on everything. Bea seems to very dedicated to making sure she does not waste, Humes said she even bring tubs of glass milk cartons at her market so she wont waste the plastic(Humes 276). I love the idea that Bea has about taking their children out for their birthdays to trips, instead of buying extra things/gifts. Humes said many people would point out all the things Bea was doing wrong, thats sad that after her hard work of helping our environment, people are getting mad at her for minor things. She is someone who many of us should look up to and we should follow her eco friendly ways. Humes ends the book by saying it is up to each one of us to make the difference. Changing our old wasteful habits is the only way to a clean and healthy environment. I have learned so much about this book, things that will always cross my mind. I now feel the guilt of throwing things away and that shows a change in habit.