Recycling Prevalent During WWII

Although the idea of recycling seems new to those who have grown up in the age of mass production and disposable goods it is not a modern concept.  The practice of reusing and recycling has ebbed and flowed throughout history.

Difficult economic times of the 1930s, followed by the high demand for goods during WWII led to increased conservation and recycling efforts.  Citizens were asked to help through scrap drives. 

Before the United States even entered WWII an aluminum drive was organized in Transylvania County.  The Boy Scouts of Brevard initiated an informal contest between town and county residents.  The Girl Scouts and Junior Missionary Club joined in collecting items from town residents.  In the county, 4-H and Grange Clubs gathered the items.  Together they collected approximately 300 pounds of aluminum during the first week of August 1941.

A load of scrap metal for the war effort, October 19, 1942.

A statewide scrap metal drive sponsored by North Carolina newspapers in October 1942 offered prizes for largest poundage collected.  Transylvania County placed 2^nd with a total of 2,491,031 pounds.  The county was awarded a $500 war bond or a cash equivalent to be used for public good.  

The Salvage Committee opted for the cash prize of $375.  The money was donated to the Monroe Wilson Post of the American Legion, local schools, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

On the county level $25 war bonds were given to the business or individual reporting the largest poundage, the school with the highest per student amount and the junior organization and women’s organization with the largest contributions.

Ecusta was the largest industrial contributor in the county with 879,883 pounds. The school prize went to Pisgah Forest School.  They collected 467 pounds per student.  No women’s organizations participated so the 2^nd place school, Brevard High, was awarded a prize as well.   Harry Straus donated Ecusta’s $25 war bond prize to the 3^rd place school, Little River.  The Junior Commandos won the prize for junior organizations.         

In addition to providing valuable resources to the government scrap drives offered citizens a means of contributing to and aiding in the war effort.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-3151 X242.