If many things were manufactured in the US, they would cost way more than you would be willing to pay.

If given the choice between a $3 dish towel and a $12 towel....would you be willing to buy the $12 one, just because it was made in this country?

I think I would pay for American stuff now, but could not have afforded when we were younger. If I bought things made in the USA at higher prices, I would do with less and use them until they were rags. I remember Sears getting in mens shirts made in China back in the 60's and they were very cheap and small. I only bought them once. I find the things made in China are better quality then it was at first.

Are you saying your town doesn't support recycling? On trash day, we put out our trash, and we have special containers (supplied by the town) for: A) plastics/glass/aluminum, and a bin for paper (Newspapers, etc). The towns around my area all have similar programs and it's well worth it, because while they have to pay to have the regular trash disposed of, they GET PAID for the recyclables, so it keeps our taxes down. Most of our towns also collect lawn garbage separately and compost it.

One town was even passing recycling savings along to the residents--their recyclables were weighed and recorded electronically when picked up at the curb, and when they reached a certain quantity, they were sent gift cards to local stores. Unfortunately, people abused the system--they were tossing heavy, non-recyclables in, or wetting their newspapers so they'd weigh more, so the town had to stop that program. Shame, it was a nice idea.

Our counties also sponsor hazardous waste collection sites/days, so you can appropriately get rid of those things you shouldn't throw into the regular trash or recyling bins.

Why don't you start contacting your local, county, and state government representatives, and get some programs like that going in your area. Get some of your neighbors involved. High school kids are another great source to tap--many of them are very environmentally conscious and would be glad to help with such a project (start with the environmental science classes). There are so many benefits, on so many levels, when we properly dispose of our trash. Good luck.

Due to outsourcing fewer things are made here in the USA. Don't put the blame on the consumer and PLEASE quit sending me e-mails about not buying things made in China. I have limited resources and would buy made in America if possible. I am only one person making a modest salary.

Often when purchasing an item I will check to see where it was made. To my surprise, I found throw rugs and paint rollers that were made in the USA. I wish merchants would proudly label things boldly that are made here in the US. I think consumers would often be more apt to buy them, even if they were not the cheapest, or even best liked product.

It would be nice if the consumer did not have to physically check every tag on every item to maybe find the one US made one. The rugs and paint rollers were very in line in price with those that were foreign made.

Sue

I was quite surprised and happy to find a glass coffee cup at Walmart for $2.50 that was made in the US. It is to replace one made in China- little concerned about the lead in their paints-glazes.

"I wish merchants would proudly label things boldly that are made here in the US." I recently went to a newly opened flea market. The first place inside the door was a place where a woman, using some kind of fancy sewing machine, put designs on towels/washcloths/etc. Her central sign advertised very proudly that MOST of the items she put her designs on were Made in the USA.

Shirley

Reply to mariend:

"... why can't our government, both federal and state encourage these items to be made here."

Its not the federal and state government you have to convince; its 3 sets of other people:

1. CEOs, Board of Directors, and Managers. These people have to be convinced that its 'good business' to make their product in the USA and maybe take a little less in pay and perks. They have to treat their employees fairly.

2. The Workers: These are the ones who actually make the stuff, and keeps the wheels of commerce rolling. They have to accept a pay level that will make the product competitive, and produce good quality. They have to care about their work.

3. The Consumer: The consumer has to be willing to ante up the price to support the USA made product over other offerings.

When all three of these thinga are in place, a product can survice in the US market.

More and more I am seeing the line "distributed by" and the name of an American manufacturer and the city they are located in. It does NOT say that the item was MADE in that city. I understand that is a sneaky way of NOT saying where the item is actually MADE. A LOT of food products are like that now.