25 Top Things Americans Waste in Our ‘Throwaway’ Culture

What’s our excuse for being so wasteful? Our pioneering and immigrant ancestors would be ashamed. Here are 25 things we waste in our throwaway culture. America, it’s time to wise up and change our ways.

1. Food

We throw away nearly 40% of the food we produce—about $165 billion worth annually. Perfectly good food ends up in the trash while millions go hungry. Why aren’t we planning better, storing food properly, and respecting the resources it takes to grow our food?

2. Plastic Packaging

Think about all the plastic you use once and discard—bottles, bags, and wrappers. Only 9% of all plastic is recycled, and the rest pollutes our oceans and kills marine life. Why aren’t we switching to reusable options and demanding better packaging solutions?

3. Clothing

The average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing each year, much of it barely worn. Fast fashion has us buying clothes we wear only a few times before discarding. Why don’t we embrace thrift stores and prioritize quality over quantity like our ancestors did?

4. Electronics

We upgrade to the latest gadgets, tossing perfectly functioning ones. E-waste is a massive problem, with toxic materials like lead and mercury leaching into the environment. Why aren’t we repairing and recycling our electronics?

5. Water

We waste an average of 1 trillion gallons of water annually, leaving taps running and overwatering our lawns. Our forebears conserved water meticulously, using rain barrels and limiting water use. Why don’t we value every drop?

6. Paper Products

We use about 31.5 million tons of paper towels each year. We toss away napkins, paper towels, and unnecessary printouts. Our ancestors used cloth napkins and handkerchiefs. Why don’t we go digital and use cloth alternatives?

7. Food Containers

Single-use containers for convenience clutter our landfills and oceans. Our grandparents reused glass jars and tins for storage. Why aren’t we switching to reusable containers?

8. Furniture

We discard furniture when it’s slightly worn or out of style, contributing to the 12 million tons of furniture waste annually in the U.S. Our ancestors repaired and repurposed items. Why don’t we do the same?

9. Batteries

We toss away billions of single-use batteries each year, leaking harmful chemicals. Previous generations used wind-up or plug-in devices to avoid battery waste. Why aren’t we using rechargeable batteries?

10. Disposable Razors

Americans throw away 2 billion disposable razors each year. Our grandparents used safety razors and straight razors that lasted a lifetime. Why don’t we switch to more sustainable options?

11. Leftovers

About 30% of what we throw away is food waste, much of it perfectly edible leftovers. Our ancestors repurposed leftovers into new meals and fed scraps to animals. Why aren’t we planning meals and using leftovers creatively?

12. Appliances

We replace appliances at the first sign of trouble, adding to the 2 million tons of appliance waste annually. Repair shops and appliance parts stores were common in our grandparents’ time. Why aren’t we fixing things like our forefathers did?

13. Coffee Cups

We use and discard 50 billion disposable coffee cups each year. Our ancestors drank from reusable mugs and thermoses. Why aren’t we bringing our own reusable cups?

14. Party Supplies

We throw away tons of single-use decorations, plates, and utensils after every party. Previous generations used real plates, cups, and reusable decorations. Why don’t we use reusable or compostable alternatives?

15. Toys

We discard millions of toys annually, often in good condition. Our grandparents fixed and passed down toys. Why don’t we donate or pass down toys?

16. Stationery

We wastefully discard pens, pencils, and other stationery items, barely used. Our ancestors refilled pens and sharpened pencils. Why don’t we use things until they’re truly done?

17. Vehicles

We upgrade cars frequently, leaving perfectly functional ones to waste away. Our grandparents maintained and drove their cars for decades. Why don’t we maintain and drive our cars longer?

18. Plastic Bags

Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year, many of which end up as litter. Our ancestors used reusable bags and baskets for shopping. Why aren’t we switching to reusable bags?

19. Packaging

Excessive packaging, especially from online shopping, adds to our waste problem. Our forebears bought in bulk and used minimal packaging. Why don’t we push for minimal, eco-friendly packaging?

20. Disposable Cutlery

We throw away billions of plastic utensils each year. Our grandparents used metal cutlery and washed dishes. Why aren’t we using metal or biodegradable cutlery?

21. Office Supplies

Offices discard tons of paper, ink cartridges, and office supplies each year. Our ancestors reused and repurposed office materials. Why aren’t we recycling and reusing office materials?

22. Bottled Water

Americans consume 50 billion plastic water bottles each year, and only 23% get recycled. Our grandparents used reusable bottles and drank tap water. Why aren’t we using reusable water bottles?

23. Diapers

Disposable diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste. Our ancestors used cloth diapers. Why aren’t we considering cloth diapers as a more sustainable option?

24. Magazines and Newspapers

Printed media often ends up in the trash shortly after being read. Our ancestors treasured and shared printed materials. Why don’t we switch to digital subscriptions?

25. Cosmetics and Toiletries

We discard countless half-used beauty and personal care products. Our forebears used simple, multipurpose items. Why aren’t we being mindful of our purchases and using products fully?

Wise Up, America

Our ancestors would be appalled by our wastefulness. It’s time we honor their resourcefulness and start using our resources wisely. Let’s stop the waste and respect what we have. What’s your excuse?

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / ltummy.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.