MAKING MONEY OUT OF WASTE 1 



BY DAY ALLEN WILLEY 



ONE of the most interesting phases of the world 's develop- 

 ment is the manner in which the people of civilized nations 

 are utilizing so many things which were only recently con- 

 sidered as valueless to be thrown away as worthless; 

 while what we have thought was useless stuff, merely fit to 

 be trod under the feet as so much dirt, has been converted 

 into a product of great value. The increase in the popula- 

 tion of various countries, and especially the increase in the 

 number of inhabitants of great cities, has been one of the 

 reasons why the genius of the inventor has contrived to 

 make what we have called waste of worth to us by using it 

 in various compounds and articles which have already be- 

 come indispensable. The things that are thrown into the 

 street, house-yard, and other receptacles for debris can be 

 used in so many ways, that scarcely anything can now be 

 considered refuse. For instance, old tin cans are melted 

 to be molded into buttons, covers for luggage, and toys for 

 children, which sell throughout the world at Christmas 

 time. Discarded shoes and rubbers, also scraps of leather, 

 have become of value in manufacturing various substances. 

 Not a single bottle or other piece of glass need be thrown 

 away, for mixed with certain kinds of earth and sand, it 

 makes an excellent artificial stone for buildings. Not so 

 long ago dead animals were buried, as it was not known 

 that their bones, hide, and even parts of the intestines were 

 of use. Much of the inflammable composition in the lucifer 

 match is now obtained from such bones. Even the sweep- 

 ings of the street pavement, containing as they do particles 

 of horseshoes and other metal, are worth gathering; while 

 1 Scientific American Supplement, April 10, 1910. 

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