Corporate waste

[SKB]

How do you feel about corporate waste? Lowe's will drastically mark down plants, and each store has a different policy. The one in my town sets a price and that's it. At a Lowe's in a nearby town you can haggle. I have many nice plants that I rescued from what I call the plant morgue. I paid $2.00 for a bamboo plant and 10 cents for a fern.

There is another well known big box retailer across the road that throws away prefectly good plants and tools. People will buy a tool that requires batteries, remove the good battery, replace it with their old one and return the tool to the store for a full refund. And what about nails?? I saw an entire cart with cartons of nails being taken to the compactor to be thrown out. I asked about buying them but was told no. Nails don't spoil. I can't imagine why they have to be tossed instead of donated or sold for 25 cents a box.

Avoiding the stores that blatantly waste isn't always possible, but I'm thinking that amazon.com is the best solution overall for me.

[fancy1]

In my experience, it's not just the corporate retailers that waste, it's also the other big corporations... and government offices too. All the waste makes me angry, but that's another thread altogether.
There is a big box in our area that my son refers to as "corporate satan" and he refuses to shop there. I rarely do, only going there if it's the only place that stocks what I need. And I have to need it really bad to go there. It does mark down plants though, but not until very late in the season.

[cinok]

Often the waste at the retail store level has nothing to do with the retailer but rather the manufacturer. If something gets dameged in shipment the retailer files a claim and certain manufactures ask for it back but most have a must destroy clause for a credit to be issued. With that in mind how would you feel if the big box was doulble dipping. Lowes and Home depot in my are do donate certain items to the Habit restore but most of it is floor samples due to the above rules. Can you dumpster dive maybe but remeber with the current laws if you get hurt dumpster diving the company can be held laible. Same goes for selling a damaged item even though it is sold as is many a company wastes tons of money fighting frivoulas lawsuits resulting from those sales.

[Mom5farmboys]

We have benefitted from corporate waste personally.

I have a cousin that works at a factory that produces plastic foam products (or she used to anyway) I could call her up and get a stack of foam plates as tall as I was, all I had to do was go to her house and pick up what I wanted...for free. They weren't perfect and were supposed to be destroyed but all the employees would just take them home instead. Also when the time came to side our house I called her up and asked if she could help with some insulation , they also made that blue foam board, well they just happened to have a run that was foil backed that the foil was peeling off, and was supposed to go into a dumpster as they couldn't reprocess it because the foil would gum up the machines, she told us we could have all we wanted, so we got enough to do the house and a bunch more (which is sitting out in our pole barn) for if/when we get around to siding barns and sheds.

Another friend used to work at a fine furniture factory and he would come out with truckloads of chair arms and legs, spindles, etc. All hardwood. Great fuel for the woodstove, they used a front end loader to dump it in the back of his truck instead of the dumpster.

Our neighbor used to work for an office furniture factory and he brought out used 2x 4's, some kind of big plastic pallet (which was going to be discarded) which measured 4' x 8', and some 2 foot hinges, he then helped my son use these things to build a small hunting shack. The pallet made a great floor, and the 2 x 4's framed the walls and roof. We just pieced together some old steel siding scraps we had for the outside and they made plexiglass windows and then used the hinges for the windows.

The same neighbor also got some rolls of thick black rubber that was going to be pitched and used it to make permanent mulching for his garden. He cut it in strips and lays them in the rows between his plants, every fall he rolls it up and stores it in his barn. Pretty slick.

Most of these jobs are gone now. I know its the economy, but I wonder sometimes about all the waste, all these things were destined for the dump, I know a lot of that stuff I would have paid for, if I could have had access to it, without having to know someone who worked there in order to get it. We are so wasteful as a society.

[Junie]

Cinok is right about problems with goods that are damaged.

As far as plants and other perishables, the manager at my Walmart told me that, if they throw them away, they can write more off from their taxes than they make if they mark them down. She just gives them to me and claims full price as a write off, as if she threw them away.

[SKB]

I wonder how much of what's in the landfill is from individuals vs. retailers. No dumpster diving is possible with the big stores. They use a baler and a compactor.

[jonvee]

I always wonder if it's waste or just pure laziness and being incredibly uncreative.

Plants and building materials can (and should) be at lest donated to someplace like Habitat for Humanity or a local church that does mission work or schools or senior centers or the boy scouts or...the list could go on.

But, in my experience in corp America it's pure laziness rationalized by corporate cost. When I worked in Aerospace they would break down test labs and throw everything into the trash - supplies, furniture, phones, adding machines, test equip, you name it it was dumped. I asked one time why they did that and not at least donate it and was told it was more expensive to pay an employee to track down a donation site than it was to toss it.

I outfitted my homeoffice with their castoffs and gathered enough supplies to get DD through grade school, maybe farther.

How many kids go to school without supplies? How many schools can't afford supplies. I always thought their reasons were the lamest thing I'd ever heard.

I bet they're hanging on to everything in this economy though.

[cinok]

One thing about donating also is the PC crap that goes along with it. Donate to a organation that is mostly white the blacks go nuts saying its racial donate to super needy and the middleclass who shops at these store are like what about your customer base. Often times it is easier and cheaper to destroy it.

[backlash]

A big shoe store in Seattle caught people dumpster diving and put a stop to it.
They locked the dumpster and before any new shoes were thrown away the would use a razor and cut the sides so nobody could wear them.
Lots of homeless and poor people could have used them but for insurance purposes they were destroyed.
My BIL works at COSTCO and you would not believe the stuff they throw away.
If an employ is caught taking the trash they will be fired.
It's really a shame it can't be donated but that's the world we live in.

[SKB]

There are 3,000 Home Depot stores. It is mind boggling to think that every major retailer and other large businesses find it acceptable to throw away perfectly usable goods.

Years ago I worked for a large greeting card company and after a holiday all the cute stuffed animals and other items were tossed in the dumpster (this was before compactors) and the boss would come and pour motor oil on them so no one could get them. I remember throwing away multiple unopened cases of paper plates, etc.

Waste not want not.

[jonvee]

And ya know SKB, I doubt that a soup kitchen or meal program for kids or elderly would care one bit that their meal came on an out of season paperplate.

I think it's also a twisted mindset. My ex is a corp farmer and in years that it cost more to pick fruit then we could make in the market I always suggested that he have Second Harvest or some local food bank bring their gleeners in and pick rather than let the fruit drop on the ground and rot. He would tell me that if those people wanted his fruit they could buy it like everyone else.

I guess it escaped his notice that if people can barely make ends meet they're not going to spend 2 bucks on anone avocado. Drove me crazy.

I also think the liability excuse is just lame.

[SKB]

When possible we reps would take what we could and give it away. Personally I had gift bows and wrapping paper that lasted for years. I gave several huge boxes full of credited Halloween items to a lady with 6 kids. I know a rep who says she has a garage full of plates, etc. that she has rescued. Before her mother died she gave a lot to the nursing home. Still, it's a drop in the bucket compared to what is trashed. It's one reason why some stores now under order rather than have a lot of backstock. The holiday decorations are now being put up in the stores, so you need to buy what you want when you see it because there is a limited supply. The stores don't want a lot left over that they have to put on clearance.

[momma_to_seven_chi]

Leaving the corners of the fields for poor to glean is a biblical principal. I really believe that people who are so greedy that they would rather throw things away or ruin them rather than sharing them with others will pay a very high price when they meet the Almighty face to face. Right is right and wrong is wrong and God is not mocked.

[Aamylf]

Believe me, I'm not saying there isn't waste at every level of society (drive down the city street and see the great stuff people toss every day), however, don't blame the big boxes too much -- the manufacturers usually tell them they may not sell below a certain price or give it away. You should have seen the contract we had to sign with Target to get their stuff -- things people brought back, damaged boxes, etc. We practically had to swear in blood we would obliterate every hint that it came from Target. Not because Taraget cared, but because their manufacturers cared. It's craziness. People are always amazed when I tell them if we don't sell clothing at Goodwill, it goes to a 'by the pound' store to sell and if it still doesn't sell, we bale it and sell it to third world countries. They sell what they can in their countries and then sell the rest to rag dealers! Makes me proud to know virtually no clothing goes to the waste dump.

[SKB]

I volunteered at a charity thrift shop for a time. Some clothing was so out of style and unattractive that I suggested that we cut off and save the buttons to sell in jars. They said no because if the items didn't sell, they were bundled and sent to Mexico, so they had to remain intact.

Are other countries as wasteful as we are?

[Aamylf]

I don't want to say "our country" is wasteful. Some PEOPLE are wasteful. My washer and dryer have got to be 20 years old (I bought them used). My kitchen is original to the house (very unusual in my area). I melt down candles that haven't burnt all the way down, re-wick them and burn them. Etc. And I live in the suburbs, have a regular job, etc. I've just always been reasonably frugal and smart enough to repurpose things. We live in a disposable society -- razors to toss not just the blades, paper plates, one use dust mops (!), unwanted children, disposable diapers -- some people have bought into it. Sometimes a recession is good for teaching lessons.

[Pokeberry Mary]

Like the earlier poster I've gleaned many many plants from Lowes clearance sales. They have to do that-- they only have so much space. If a plant is not blooming--it is unlikely to sell so they get rid of it to make room for the next batch. They get new plants continuously and any that are damaged or not looking good end up clearance priced. I've gone in and gotten perennials and shrubs and if they didn't make it through winter I've taken them back for a refund. I got most of our shrubs for about $3 each.

My son-in-law works at a Sears store-- he literally has to destroy any item they put in the dumpster-- they do this to discourage dumpster driving. They bang the stuff with hammers or whatever they need to do to make it useless. However--they do try to sell things at a low price before they resort to that.

Now I know Target used donate damaged/unsold items to Goodwill or Salvation army - I don't know if they still do--but I got my patio set from Salvation Army and it had a few problems but that was 10 years ago and I'm still using most of it.

I think its not so much that companies are 'wasting' stuff--as it is a bottom line issue. Sometimes it is more cost effective for them to toss things than to hang on to them. Just a fact of the modern age.

[epeterd1]

I have never understood why companies trash perfectly good items instead of selling or donating them. If they donated, they'd get a tax break and someone else would reap the benefits too. Just makes no sense.

peter

[indyguy]

Depending on why the item is being discarded product liability comes to mind.

[cinok]

All I can say is that is the USA noboby can tell these companies they need to give or donate thier goods. Charity is a choice. I personally do not donate much to charity, since most times these groups have so much waste themselves. If I feel that someone needs something that have no use for then they can have it for free or a reduced price. I will not donate food to food banks but I will give to neighbors or those that I know need it.

[SKB]

[QUOTE I will not donate food to food banks but I will give to neighbors or those that I know need it.[/QUOTE]

Have you ever been on the receiving end at the food bank? Large cities may be different but in this small town they mark the top of the cans with the date they received it. That is often times after the exp. date, so you get something you have to toss because it is old.

The produce is inedible and many times the boxes are loaded with sugary sweets from the local bakery.

It's meant to keep you alive, barely, and not to keep you healthy.

I have often thought that every can of tuna should be taped to a box of Tuna Helper. At least then the recipient could make one decent meal.

[randallhilton]

The "waste" is calculated into the overhead which means that every purchase includes a little bit to pay for the waste.

Retailers have to toss stuff out because if they had a regular outlet for damaged goods, employees would create "damaged" goods then let their friends redeem the stuff. That can turn into a pretty costly game.

[leera]

I worked for one of those big box stores for a while,and the amount of waste generated everyday was crazy........They had a big garbage shute that once you marked stuff out as damaged,you dumped it down,and it went into a trash compactor......plants that just needed to be watered,beautiful ceramic tiles that had a small corner chip,things like that....what a waste.

Where I currently work,there is a lot of waste,but also room to donate items and sell items at drastic discounts to save it from the dumpster....

Food for example,we have to pull from the shelves 30 days before the actual expiration date,but the boss will allow us to donate those items locally rather than throw them out.

Medicines and baby formula get pulled 60-90 days before the expiration date,but again,the boss will allow those items to be donated where appropriate....it depends on the store sometimes,since technically we are supposed to "destroy and dispose of" all those items according to corporate policy.

The food bank locally does take those expired items as well,and marks them with a big X BUT they do not count against the total of goods recieved for the person brave enough to take them....just because the can says it's expired doesn't mean it's not good to eat still....

[offgridbob]

At one time we used to be the land of the frugal now we are the land of the waste. It's the beginning of the end. It will change though when the SHTF. I kind of hope that it happens soon so we can get back to the basics

[offgridbob]

Just remember in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king

[jonvee]

I was at Home Depot this past weekend and saw a vendor pulling out 4" potted veggies and throwing them on a cart. I asked what they do with them and he responded "oh, we take them back and replant them in bigger pots." OK, I thought to myself - so why was he just chucking them into the cart smashing them as he went.

Boy did I want to take them home and plant them

[ScrubbieLady]

I was at Wal-Mart one time and saw some definitely less than stellar plants. I asked the manager if I could get a reduced price (the original price was out of line as far as I was concerned for a good plant). I was told that they wouldn't reduce the price. They just ait until the plant dies and then require the supplier to replace or credit for it so it isn't financially smart for them to reduce the prices.

[SKB]

I was at Home Depot this past weekend and saw a vendor pulling out 4" potted veggies and throwing them on a cart. I asked what they do with them and he responded "oh, we take them back and replant them in bigger pots."

He was lying, and we have to do that because after the 1 millionth time of being the recipient of customer's outrage, you have to find a way to avoid the wrath.

I don't like to outright lie so I tell people that the store has a policy that I must adhere to. That shifts the responsibility to the store and off of me.

Major breakthrough this week, one store manager has allowed the employees to take the magazines they want after I write the credit and before he throws them out. You should have seen the happy dancing they were doing and how they all made a bee line for the trash area when they saw I was headed that way. LOL, I'm sure there were very few mags left to toss when they were done!

[MIKENSUE]

Hmmm... corporate waste. Mike works for a bird seed factory, and in the last 2 years they have thrown out millions of pounds of perfectly good bird seed because of a packaging error, the pecentages in the mix were wrong, or there were dust mites in the bags and they did not want to take the time to open all the bags, bin the seed and fumigate it. That is just one little bitty plant, and there are many others in the corporation bigger than ours. I wonder how much they put in the landfill.
I would think that there would be some way to donate this seed to wildlife feeding areas or something. This seems like such a waste.

Sue