Life Lessons Learned at the Landfill

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I’ve never been afraid to get my hands dirty. In fact, I LOVE figuring out ways to do-it-yourself and save money or just conquer a task or project. Sometimes it works, and I win! And other times…I learn a good lesson.

You may or may not be aware that residency in Scottsdale (or more specifically, paying your water and trash bill to the city) allows you access to use the Salt River Landfill. We did some work in our yard and had a huge pile of junk to get rid of. I thought that a trip to the dump would not only save us the expense of having someone haul it away, but also would provide an educational experience for my children.

Well, truthfully, I think I got the education that day. Here’s what I learned:

1. Don’t pass right by the sign that says “one car on the scale at a time”- once you pass that sign and are stopped directly behind another car…you’re on the scale. It makes grouchy workers yell at you. PS: Doing this TWO times in ONE trip will make them EXTRA grouchy and they will think you are really stupid.

2. Bring Cash.

3. Don’t think your charm or beauty will allow them to overlook any jot or tittle of the “Rules”. Those landfill workers are sticklers. Even if you have all the proof you need to prove you are a resident of the city…they’ll still make you do the lie detector test.

4. Don’t wear flip flops to the dump. Ever.

5. Don’t inhale.

6. Don’t leave the car doors open…a large community of flies may try to stowaway in your vehicle to a new “less crappy” home. Your kids will freak out and you will be swatting as you drive as fast as you can with the windows down in 110 degrees to encourage the flies to leave your car. Nope. They’ll stay.

7. Bring lots of snacks. Children don’t like to wait while you are dumping your stuff.

8. Dumping is cheap. It only cost 2$ for a whole bunch of stuff…but like lesson number 2 states: bring cash. The nearest ATM is MILES away in a strange smelling convenience mart.

9. Don’t go to the landfill.
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Noelle Larson is a mom still searching to find the “balance” between her spiritual journey, family, ambition, inner peace, world peace…all while trying not to blink so she doesn’t miss one minute of her beautiful, messy life.  Noelle writes at metromom.org where she journals her crazy days chasing after her kids and husband, deep thoughts, and captures her latest adventures.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Noelle, did you not find this a good place to teach your children the importance of not wasting, reusing and respecting the earth? Our was it too much? We just saw The Lorax and my girls, at a very young age, are realizing the importance of being kind to Mother Earth.

  2. Oh I absolutely did! They were impressed and eager to learn for a second. I think the bigger discussion about that happened after we got home and out of the elements. 🙂

  3. I didn’t even know we had a landfill. I mean I assumed there was one somewhere but never really thought of it. Your recap made me laugh out loud! Thanks for sharing!

  4. um, in our house, I would save that special job for my DH. for sure. ick. and you are sooo right about the cash. Such a pain

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