Bal Tashchis vs. excessive clutter and leftovers

In general I am the type who dislikes having to deal with clutter and would rather get rid of things that I know I'm not going to use. My DH, on the other hand, doesn't like the idea of throwing away something that is "perfectly good" even if it isn't (such as stained childrens clothing, etc) because he thinks of it as bal taschis.

To what extent must one go to avoid bal tashchis when getting rid of things? Do I have to list everything on freecycle or craigslist, or can I just save mt time and throw it out?

We also have the same issue with food. I will want to throw out food that is too old, but DH will insist that it is perfectly good and we shouldn't waste it. And he will also put back an empty bottle of ketchup, saying that there is still a tiny bit stuck to the bottom, etc. Is it really a problem to throw such things away?

What do you think?

Platinum Member Joined: Jun 09 2005 Posts: 11840

In terms of non-food items, find an organization to give the stuff away to. Put stuff in boxes, just have the organization pick it up or drop it off by them.

I don't know the halachos, but I think there's also an inyan of wasting time. If it takes you five minutes to get three drops of ketchup out of the bottle, you've wasted very precious time, which may be more important than the ketchup.
_________________
Dip the apple in the honey...

Silver Member Joined: Mar 20 2007 Posts: 944

We have the Vets that come by every few weeks to pick up stuff. They send a bag in the mail. As I clear clutter, I put the stuff in a bag (and store it somewhere out of site). The night before they come, just put it on your porch.

You may have something like that near you, or a Good Will drop off box? I used to keep the stuff in my trunk and drop it off on the way to pick up my kids from school (until they moved the drop location).

Freecycle and Craigslist are good, but there is some work involved. Try and find a way that has the least amount of work involved and you will be more willing to do it.

I hate clutter too and throw almost everything out. I don't know the laws of baal tashchis w/ the stuff, but if you're not using it anyway, isn't it still baal tashchis? Nobody is getting use from it anyway.
As for the ketchup bottle, use it for cooking. Add a little water and mix and squeeze. Laughing

No more leftover.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 27 2005 Posts: 6746

I guess your dh is right in that recycling is more in tune with not wasting. Stained clothing that noone will ever want recycles into rags well, saves on paper towels for the saving $ on food thread Thumbs Up

. Every time we have guests from other countries they always comment on how wasteful Americans are, they just couldn't dispose of everythng like that. But I dont think you can rationalize a clutter and junk filled house as a mitzvah, its not, its prob the opposite.

my dh is similar although he doesn't always say it's l'shem baal taschis. What we've agreed upon is:

- If it would be improper/disrespectful to give it away to a charity - then the garbage gets it. If somehow we can salvage it for a household use, we do - but we don't look for uses for things. Example, an old stained shirt became an art smock or playing in the dirt shirt. A ratty skirt was sown with a ratty top and became a house robe (for cleaning, etc...)

- When it comes to food - if the food is still safe to eat, then we try to find a way to use/eat it (ex. above idea of adding some boiling water, shaking and using). I keep leftover veggies and throw them all into a big soup when my container gets full. If food is not safe (and I determine what may or maynot be safe) - then it goes in the garbage (sorry, we don't compost)

We reuse as much as we can but don'[t make oursleves crazy. We live in a modeerate sized apt. with too much stuff as it is, we don't need to add to that!

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 27 2005 Posts: 6746