Seems as though every time you go through a checkout lane at the supermarket or a department store, you’re hit with the “Would you like to donate a dollar to….” pitch.
I was at the Calvin Klein store (don’t laugh) on Sunday and was asked if I’d like to donate a dollar to “save a child.” I laughed at the notion that a dollar could save a child while the woman standing next to me said, “I’d give you a dollar if you’ll take my kids!”
While buying a large Chili at Wendy’s, I was asked if I’d like to donate a buck to some charity and in return get a free Frosty every visit through the end of the year. I declined, as I’m working hard to become sexy again and all those Frosty’s would just make my ass bigger.
I hit Kmart on Memorial Day to buy some underwear, as I don’t think I’m ready for the Calvin’s yet, and was surprised that they are also pitching a “give a dollar, save a kid” campaign. As the receipt printer churned out inch after ungodly inch of waste, I looked at the cashier and said “Maybe I should donate a dollar to save the tree you just killed.”
Seriously! Take a look at the receipt for two toothbrushes, two packs of underwear and two packs of paper plates:
It’s a little insane!
Now I’m not some tree-hugging environmentalist who drove my soybean powered hybrid car to the store to buy Joe Boxers made from sustainable, non-GMO, cotton, but this struck a nerve with me. And coming from someone who doesn’t recycle or spend time sorting garbage, I was angry at the amount of waste that came from my purchase.
A dollar may or may not save a child. But cutting down on the amount of paper used during a simple transaction can certainly save a forest.