Deep in his recent State of the Union speech, which was mostly devoted to world affairs, the President inserted a two-word sentence of great domestic import: "Eliminate waste." It is likely that a good many Americans reacted to this presidential plea for conservation, as they would to any other, with a silent question: Who—me? Such bewilderment is understandable. The truth is that during the nation's rush to mid-century prosperity the notion of individual frugality practically went out of business. "Prodigality is the spirit of the era," Social Critic Vance Packard declared in The Waste Makers 20 years ago. There has been no reason since to change that judgment. "Waste not, want not" has persisted only as a saying, and most people have fallen out of the habit of taking it personally.
The good news is that thanks to the bad news of the energy crisis and sky-high prices, the prevalent habit of mindless waste may be in the early stages of a reversal. At least some Americans are beginning to pay attention to small savings that were regarded as inconsequential only yesterday. A new scrimpy spirit is most noticeable in direct efforts to conserve gas and other fuels, but it is also emerging in the other routine logistics of daily living.
People are leaning more and more to high-mileage cars. Drivers of all types of autos have begun catching on to the knack of cutting off the engine during long waits. Quite a few Americans have taken to walking or biking on shorter trips, and not just for the exercise. Householders have conspicuously started applying common sense as well as insulation to cut down on heat waste. Why not, it might be asked, with heating oil prices almost coercive?
Still, a mix of motives—the atmosphere of crisis as well as financial reasons—underlies the new spirit. More people are scheduling meatless meals. Some are raising vegetables for reasons other than taste. Solid citizens have taken to buying used clothing, and garage and tag sales are chic in many neighborhoods. Families are also turning to secondhand markets for things like bikes and lawnmowers. The oldtime comforter is replacing the electric blanket in some bedrooms. In certain areas people are taking more shoes to shops for repair; in others, the business of mending goods like handbags, belts and golf bags is up.
The do-it-yourself trend in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and auto repair is winning ever more converts. People seem increasingly willing to channel the refuse of daily existence—cans, bottles, newspapers—into recycling systems. Some restaurants report more calls for doggie bags for taking home leftovers. A few garbage collectors complain about a decrease in good recyclable items in the trash. Observers report an increase in the number of otherwise genteel people scouting curbside junk heaps for usable stuff such as carpets and furniture. Many people, it is said, are even learning to turn out lights when they are not in use.