“You’re telling me you don’t want the money?” Mara Lee’s voice cut through the humid evening air like a blade. She stood on Donnie Novak’s front lawn, glaring at him from beneath her wide-brimmed sunhat, one hand gripping a rake. “Just sitting on it like a dragon on a pile of leaves.”
Donnie shook his head, his eyes narrowing. “It’s not about the money.”
“Bullshit.” Mara tossed the rake aside and crossed her arms. Behind her, a small group of volunteers—mostly college students and young professionals who’d started their Saturday mornings doing ‘yard rescues’ for Green for Green—milled about, eyeing Donnie’s lawn. They weren’t here for charity; they were here for the gold mine of oak leaves and compostable debris he refused to harvest.
“This is about control,” Donnie continued, turning his back on her. “I’m not letting anyone tell me what to do with my property. My grandfather built this place—he worked this land with his hands. You think I’m going to throw that away because of some program that wants to scrape every last leaf off my yard?”
“It’s not about scraping your yard bare, Donnie. It’s about survival. Do you realize how much power your waste could generate?” Mara’s voice dropped, less confrontational now, almost pleading. “You don’t have to do this alone. We’re all in this together.”
Together. The word stung. He looked at her group—their eager faces and their eco-friendly gear, brand-new gloves and garden shears shining in the sun. These weren’t the kind of people who grew up here. Not in this neighborhood. They didn’t understand the pride of raking your own lawn, of deciding where things went and how they grew.
“I’m not giving up my backyard,” Donnie muttered, shaking his head. “This isn’t just some movement you can make everyone join because it feels right. Some of us have history here.”
Mara stared at him, exasperation flashing across her face. “You think history is going to matter when the lights go out? Or when you can’t run the AC in this heat?” She waved a hand toward the sky, where a blinding midday sun burned down on them. The kind of heat that clung to your skin and made you feel suffocated, even standing still.
Behind her, the volunteers had begun to take matters into their own hands. They weren't just here for the conversation—they had a job to do. One of them, a kid in his twenties with shaggy hair, bent down and began scooping handfuls of leaves into a large burlap sack. Donnie's fists clenched at his sides. It was happening again—his space, his rules, being overtaken.
“Hey! I didn’t say you could take that!” Donnie strode forward, voice rising, but Mara stepped between him and the volunteers. She raised a hand, a pacifying gesture, but her eyes were hard.
“Look, Donnie,” she said, her voice lowering as if trying to keep the peace. “People are doing this because they need to. It’s not just about you anymore.”
And there it was—the truth, laid out like a slap. It wasn’t about him. Not to them. The city had become so fixated on the future, on this grand experiment of green energy, that they’d forgotten about the people who weren’t willing to move forward. The ones who liked things as they were.
But Donnie wasn’t just anyone. He was stubborn, yes, but his roots went deep. This house, this lawn, these trees—they were all part of his family’s legacy. A legacy he couldn’t let go of, not for all the wealth the city promised.
“You’re trespassing,” Donnie growled, his voice quiet but firm. “And if you touch another leaf, I’ll call the cops.”
Mara flinched, surprised. “You’re really going to escalate this? Over some yard waste?”
“It’s not just yard waste,” Donnie replied, his voice almost a whisper now. “It’s mine.”
Mara opened her mouth to speak, but one of the volunteers called out. “Look at this!” The group gathered around the edge of Donnie’s property, near the alley that separated his land from the rest of the block. There, behind an overgrown patch of bushes, was something none of them expected.
The back of Donnie’s yard was piled high with debris—not just leaves and branches, but broken furniture, old electronics, and bags of refuse. A dump of sorts, hidden from view, where Donnie had been quietly stockpiling what others would have composted or converted.
Mara’s eyes widened as the smell hit her. “You’ve been hoarding this,” she said, her voice low with disbelief. “All of it?”
Donnie stepped forward, his face pale. “It’s my land. I can do what I want.”
“But you could power the whole neighborhood with this!” Mara snapped. “What are you even—”
Before she could finish, the rumble of engines cut through the air. A fleet of trucks, emblazoned with the city’s logo, pulled up to the curb. City officials stepped out, their faces grim.
“Mr. Novak,” one of them called, approaching the house. “We’re here under the new ordinance.”
Donnie’s heart sank. The ordinance had passed, despite his best efforts. It allowed the city to confiscate waste that hadn’t been turned over voluntarily. They were coming for it all.
The trucks rolled forward, stopping just short of the yard. Mara stepped back, eyes wide as the volunteers froze in place, unsure of what would happen next.
Donnie turned, fists clenched, watching as the city moved in on his land. For a moment, everything was silent, suspended in the stifling heat.
Then the lead truck’s doors opened, and the men climbed down, tools in hand.
“Donnie, please,” Mara whispered, her voice tight with worry. “Don’t do something you can’t take back.”
But it was too late. He stepped forward, standing between the workers and his pile of debris.
This wasn’t just about a yard anymore.
It was about what he was willing to lose.
🚮 W.A.S.T.E.: Words Assisting Sustainable Transformation & Ecology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Circular Economy | As we navigate further into the 21st century, we find ourselves standing at a crossroads. The linear "take-make-waste" model that has underpinned our economic system is becoming increasingly unsustainable. It's time to turn towards a more regenerative and restorative alternative: the Circular Economy. In this section, we dive deep into how ReLeaf, a forward-thinking enterprise in Austin, Texas, is embodying this circular philosophy. Through articles and SolarPunk fiction, we uncover how ReLeaf's initiatives are forging a new path towards sustainable, democratic, and equitable economic practices. From their efforts to unlock dormant spaces for residual income, to their role in Austin's Zero Waste Initiative, ReLeaf is at the forefront of a green transformation. They're not just envisioning a more sustainable future—they're actively creating it. Imagine a world where waste is a concept of the past, where resources are continuously reused, and where economic success is measured not just by profit, but also by positive impact on society and the environment. Through stories such as "Seeds of Stories: A Day at Central" and explorations of Matthew McConaughey's influence on Austin's social impact scene, we see this vision coming to life. Join us as we investigate this journey towards a circular economy, discovering how ReLeaf is turning this vision into reality in Austin. As we delve into these transformative stories, we encourage you to consider the potential of the circular economy to redefine our economic systems globally, creating a future of shared prosperity and sustainability. |
| Future Austin | Future Austin invites you to explore a luminous vision of the city’s tomorrow—where imagination and reality intertwine to create a thriving, sustainable urban landscape. Here, grassroots ingenuity and cutting-edge technology power communities, transforming Austin into a place of boundless possibility. Through insightful articles and evocative Organic Fiction, you’ll glimpse futures shaped by innovators like ReLeaf, whose bold strategies—such as Vertical Garden Fairs in schools—seed green revolutions in unexpected places. From unconventional movements like Trash Magic reimagining music distribution, to fictional worlds alive with unseen energy and harmony, this collection offers both practical inspiration and immersive storytelling. Whether you’re drawn to actionable sustainability or simply wish to lose yourself in tales of a resilient, radiant future, Future Austin points toward the city we could create—and the one we must. |
| Green Technology | Innovations and systems designed to minimize environmental harm while promoting regeneration, weaving sustainability into energy, materials, and everyday life. |
| Historic Hunger | In this section, we explore a future where hunger is not just addressed but completely eradicated. By considering innovative solutions like those pioneered by ReLeaf, we can see how these initiatives are transforming not only our cities but the very structure of our societies. Hunger, a challenge that has existed since the beginning of human history, is being tackled directly by ReLeaf in Austin, Texas. Their revolutionary vertical gardens are more than symbols of urban revitalization—they offer a glimpse of a future where nutritious, locally-grown food is available to everyone. Through a series of thoughtful articles, we examine how ReLeaf's work is laying the foundation for a world free of hunger. The potential impact goes beyond food; it suggests a profound social transformation where the basic human need for nourishment is universally met. Imagine what a society without hunger could look like. How would our interactions change if the fear and uncertainty of securing the next meal disappeared? Could this foster greater empathy, kindness, and community spirit? ReLeaf’s initiatives give us a glimpse of this possible future. Their work shows that the answers to long-standing issues like hunger are within our reach, inspiring us to envision a world where human dignity and mutual respect become the standard. Join us as we explore this hopeful vision of a future free from hunger. |
| Liberty |