Waste Management

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT

It was a hot day, and work was as busy as ever. “Where did you put the cold water, Salih?” Ahmet asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead. His son ran over and brought one of the bottles, which had not yet warmed up. After taking a few sips, he took the money out of his pocket. After counting it, he frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with the result. “We have to work hard, son. Come on, let's go,” he said.

Salih was aware that his father's responsibilities were heavy. Eight siblings were both studying and helping their father. Their income was not bad for a village environment, but they were still having a hard time. Ahmet was involved in animal husbandry and occasionally took care of the vineyard and garden. His younger son Mehmet usually helped him with the animal husbandry work. Today, since he was feeling unwell, Salih had come to help his father. He did not know much about animal husbandry; he usually helped his mother with the garden work.

They would be spending a long time at the slaughterhouse today. They dressed appropriately and took the necessary items with them. Some of the animals were lined up for slaughter. The internal organs of the skinned animals were cleaned and then sent for cutting. Salih would be helping out most with the transport work. He set to work with the first wheelbarrow and large bag he found. He carried the skins to the corner of the slaughterhouse. After finishing that, he took the internal organs to another corner. He carefully placed them on the bags he had laid out. It was noon; father and son had been at the slaughterhouse since morning. His father had set up a small tent on the outside. It was to protect them from the sun and allow them to eat comfortably.

Salih asked, “Father, when will they come to collect the skins and internal organs I have set aside?”

“Who, my child?” Ahmet asked in surprise. 

“The owners...” Salih said hesitantly. 

“Which owners? We're going to bury them or throw them away...” he said. 

Salih couldn't hide his surprise: “But Dad, isn't the animal's skin very valuable? Isn't it useful to consume its internal organs? Why are we throwing them away?” he asked. 

Ahmet sighed deeply and said, “All of that was in the past, my dear. Now no one cares about them anymore. There are cheaper synthetic skins available, and everyone buys them. Even if there is a need for these, no one wants to bother cleaning and transporting them because they don't make as much money as they used to.”

Salih said, “But how can that be? Can they be as durable as leather? Besides, these internal organs used to be so important—they were actually the most valuable part of the animal…”

His father didn't want to explain any further; he knew that whatever he said would be pointless. He quietly returned to his work. Salih was determined not to waste such a blessing and would do whatever he could. He began cleaning the skins, carrying them one by one. One, two, three, and then he was done. He also removed the internal organs, cleaned them, cut them into smaller pieces, and placed them in packages. Without asking his father, he loaded them into the back of the truck. He had arranged them so neatly that no one even noticed the extra cargo. When they arrived in the city centre, he asked his father for permission. He knocked on the door of his old friend, the leather craftsman Uncle Rüstem:

“Peace be upon you, are you free, Uncle Rüstem? I've brought you some beautiful products.” Uncle Rüstem stood up: 

“Oh, Salih, my son, welcome. What are these?” said Uncle Rüstem. 

"They came out of our animals today. I cleaned and packaged them properly. If you want, take a look; maybe you'll think of something to make with them." he said. 

“I don't know, my son. I haven't done this in a long time. I don't have the strength to go out and get leather, and people don't bring it to me anymore. I closed the shop a long time ago.” he said. 

“We'll clean and salt the leather and bring it to you if you say you'll make something with it.” he said.

Despite his advanced age, Rüstem was excited. Was working with real leather the same as working with fake leather? Though he didn't show it, he was thrilled inside. 

Salih said, “Uncle Rüstem, take these, and then give us a share of the profit from the bags you make and sell.” They agreed! 

Salih left the animal offal he had prepared at the butcher's. His father watched his son in astonishment, but did not intervene. He had never thought of dealing with them in the midst of all his work, but he liked the idea of returning home with money in his hands. Although it did not seem like a big deal at the moment, Salih planned to make a substantial profit if he could establish the system. Because there was still the sheep's wool and manure. He hadn't had the chance to deal with them yet.

One of the secrets to success in business is how well you can utilise the waste you have left over. People sometimes forget to make use of the shells and seeds of plants, focusing only on the plant itself. While focusing on the meat of an animal, one might overlook the remaining parts. However, if one can utilise the materials at hand, they can achieve a real profit. Because everything created in the world is inherently designed for complete transformation. One can only see this if they do not become arrogant about its smallness.

Profit lies hidden in the small details we fail to notice, if we can catch them… One of those details is utilising what is considered waste.

 

 Experiential Design Teaching is a knowledge community that produces strategies for designing our future based on past experiences.

The "Who is Who", "Mastery in Relationships" and "Success Psychology" Seminar Programs offer the needed methods for those who want to be happy and successful in life by solving their problems and achieving their goals.

"There is only one thing in life that never can be discovered; The better one..."

Yahya Hamurcu