The Upside of Recycling

"RECYCLE PAPER TOWELS AND NAPKINS," this headline caught my eye one day when I decided to browse the internet.

You readers with any age on you, no doubt would have the same reaction as I. Remember when everything was reusable to some extent, and of course caused many of us to save everything for that future need? But recycling paper was basically done with catalogs and that wasn’t the true meaning of recycling.

Now, back to paper towels napkins, and Kleenex. A garment or any absorbent fabric was always recycled, removing buttons, zippers, etc., and putting said items in the rag drawer to be used in the same way paper towels are used today. And no, they did not go into the trash after use, but into the wash (which was not the handy-dandy electric washing machine) to be recycled for use again. Remember when everyone carried a handkerchief or hanky? Hankies were probably not the most sanitary, but then they did get washed and ironed, if not starched, so I’m sure that took care of a lot of germs.

On the upside of recycling, think how many jobs that does and can generate, just starting with someone that makes the rounds to gather up all the napkins, paper towels, etc. to be sent to a recycle company. That becomes the life of older generations, let go of the past, embrace today, struggle to master new technology and try to envision what marvels your grandchildren and great-grands will live to see, and yes, no doubt struggle to master. But let’s not let paper recycling go to far — catalogs are few and far between anymore.