TreeHugger "Old Faithful" Contest Finalist 3: Brown Canvas Wallet
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 10.27.05
While many people change their wallet every few years (either from necessity or choice), Bryan Carroll has had the same wallet since his 13th birthday. Well, Bryan is now 26 and he is not done with his "old faithful" just yet. Not only is his brown canvas wallet trustworthy, it also has sentimental value. He plans of keeping his wallet for 26 more years, along with the two things that his mother put inside of it on his birthday 13 years ago.
"My "old faithful" may not be as old as some other entries, but it is as equally as faithful. A brown canvas wallet with black trim was given to me by my mother on my 13th birthday. Inside the wallet was a one dollar bill with the words "Happy 13th Birthday Bryan 8-22-92". I turned 26 years old two months ago and I still have both the wallet and the $1 bill. Everything on the wallet appears aged but its function and reliability still remain exactly the same as it did 13 years ago. The canvas, velcro, and zippers have not failed me yet and I plan on using this wallet for at least another 26 years. Who knew that a non-leather wallet could last as long (tongue firmly in cheek)."
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BEING BRYAN'S MOM IS SUCH A JOY! I REMEMBER GIVING HIM THIS CANVAS WALLET ON HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY AND I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT IT HAS SERVED HIM WELL AND THAT IT IS IN SUCH GOOD CONDITION. "OLD FAITHFUL" AND HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY ONE DOLLAR BILL WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE HIM WELL FOR THE NEXT 26 YEARS! KUDOS TO BRYAN FOR TEACHING HIS PARENTS HOW TO BETTER APPRECIATE AND PRESERVE OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. HUGS FROM HIS NATURE LOVING MOM
Wallets tend to last longer (and are better for your lower back) if you put them in your front pocket. Which also means they need to get thinner and smaller.
The NPR story about a small company that made thin wallets from sail material inspired several DIY wallets made from reused house wrap (like Tyvek or overnight mail pouches) and duct tape. Canvas and thread seem to be the most envorinmentally-friendly options so far.
I've heard the story first hand (a privilege of course) and I didn't think that somebody could hold onto something so simple for such a long time. I don't think I carry anything that it's that old but I think everyone should try to hold on to stuff for a longer time, specially if it works fine for your demands. I have had a powerpuff girls's pencil box since I was in highschool when I first moved to this country and it still works. Of course, it's not as pretty anymore and the faces of my super heroes are blurry, but I still use it and I wouldn't change it for any other pencil box. Always remember the three R's!!!