As people try to be cleaner by throwing away trash and cleaning our homes, bodies, and cars we are actually creating messes that we may not see. When we throw away trash it does not disappear. The trash we throw away is taken to land fills. This trash sits there for many years smelling horrible, polluting the soil and air, and taking up space. Every day we throw out more and more trash that we no longer want around our houses. We bought the items but maybe one got scratched or we drank out of the plastic cup once or our kids no longer wanted a toy or shoes. There are other things we can do with many of these items we are throwing out. We must practice solid waste management to care for Earth and the whole universe.

Toys, clothing, shoes, and accessories no longer useful to us can be sold at garage sales, sold online, or donated to a variety of different organizations. This is one way to reduce the trash you are throwing away while also giving to others less fortunate. Items that are plastic, glass, styrofoam, metal, and paper can usually be recycled once we are finished using them. Some of the items we could even find other uses for if we stop and think. Plastic cups can be washed and reused. Also old cell phones and televisions can be taken to special recycling places. They contain certain materials that must not be thrown in landfills. As inhabitants of Earth it is our duty to practice wise solid waste management.