Originally published Nov 4/20 The Reminder. Flin Flon, Mb. Sponsored by North of 53 Consumers Coop.
The recent fire at Walmart has resulted in the store’s contents going to the landfill.
The exception is hazardous materials which will be shipped out for environmentally safe disposal.
My personal response to this situation is very mixed.
On the one hand it seems like an environmental tragedy for all of those things made from the Earth’s resources to be buried unused. It is unlikely that absolutely everything is damaged beyond using.
On the other hand, there are decisions made by people responsible for all aspects of Walmart’s operations that need to be respected.
Most of us do not understand all the complexities of the situation. Here are a few things that come to mind.
Smoke damages things in ways most of us do not understand. A lot of time would be required for knowledgeable people to make the right decision about what is and is not safe to be used, and then make the reusable items ready for a fire sale or to give away.
There are things like insurance requirements and possible liabilities to the company to consider.
The store needs to be cleaned up, restocked and reopen as soon as possible from the perspective of both the company and shoppers.
So, it is what it is.
Unfortunately, people were helping themselves to items at the landfill. Scavenging is against the law and is dangerous.
This all brings to mind something I have thought about after being in this business for a while.
Everything available for sale in stores with the exception of things we eat or drink will one day be in a landfill.
Reduce what we use, repair, reuse and recycle as much as possible.
The recent fire at Walmart has resulted in the store’s contents going to the landfill.
The exception is hazardous materials which will be shipped out for environmentally safe disposal.
My personal response to this situation is very mixed.
On the one hand it seems like an environmental tragedy for all of those things made from the Earth’s resources to be buried unused. It is unlikely that absolutely everything is damaged beyond using.
On the other hand, there are decisions made by people responsible for all aspects of Walmart’s operations that need to be respected.
Most of us do not understand all the complexities of the situation. Here are a few things that come to mind.
Smoke damages things in ways most of us do not understand. A lot of time would be required for knowledgeable people to make the right decision about what is and is not safe to be used, and then make the reusable items ready for a fire sale or to give away.
There are things like insurance requirements and possible liabilities to the company to consider.
The store needs to be cleaned up, restocked and reopen as soon as possible from the perspective of both the company and shoppers.
So, it is what it is.
Unfortunately, people were helping themselves to items at the landfill. Scavenging is against the law and is dangerous.
This all brings to mind something I have thought about after being in this business for a while.
Everything available for sale in stores with the exception of things we eat or drink will one day be in a landfill.
Reduce what we use, repair, reuse and recycle as much as possible.
RSS Feed