lorries v cars 1223

I don't know the figures, but I would happily take a bet that the majority of those thrown out could be easily repaired. Or are still working but owners simply want a change, latest model etc. Or are still working but are maybe slightly cosmetically unnatractive. Scuffs, scratches etc.

At work, in one factory canteen, we have a microwave, a small oven and grill, and a fridge. In another we have a microwave and a fridge. All rescued from being scrapped, and all working perfectly. Only showing slight signs of wear. The same principle applies to a heavy duty sack barrow. Dumped, presumably by a neighbour, in our factory skip because one of the wheels was broken. Now in daily use after buying a pair of wheels for a few quid.

I myself have a Jo-Jo 13 amp wind-up extension lead, again rescued from the skip. All that was wrong with it was that there was a break in the cable about 3ft from the plug. Cut it off at the break, refit the plug, one perfectly good extension lead. If you've never come across similar examples to those given, you've either led a very sheltered life, or you're unobservant. Such examples are commonplace.

A good few years ago Electrolux had a sales drive. They were offering I think, £20 in part exchange against any new fridge. They had an enormous stack of the ones they'd taken in part exchange at one time, that caught a senior managers eye. The guy responsible for the yard was told to get rid of them. He pbutted this on to the delivery drivers. For a good few weeks they had a field day. Most were still working, so they were selling the things for a few quid all over the country, to factories, w'shops etc, and pocketing the money. I'm sure the senior manager would not have approved had he known, as it rather defeated the object of the sales drive, which was presumably to remove them from the market.

would

IMO most can't be bothered to resell things like microwaves, fridges, ovens, televisions, etc. Far easier and simpler to dump it, skip it, it have it taken away when a new one is delivered. Come to think of it, the gas oven we use at home was on my next door neighbours drive, with all their old kitchen units, waiting for the scrap man to collect. Was only about 3 years old and in good condition. It was better for us than the electric one we had, because with gas central heating, gas was nuch cheaper, so I said I'd have it. Our electric one, which wasn't that old, and also in good condition, was given to my wifes parents. This was about 20 years ago. We're still using the 'scrap' gas oven.

Up until about 7 years ago we were still using a Hoover Keymatic washing machine, that was about 25 years old. The one with a sloping front and a drop down door. Reluctantly scrapped as spares became rarer and consequently very expensive. I still think it was a better made machine than the ones you can buy today.

I've also got a 'rescued' 2 stroke rotary lawnmower, but that's another story.

The amount of serviceable stuff that's dumped is horrendous IMO when looked at from an environmental POV. Mike.