Proposal: We measure how good we are at being citizens of Earth by how we deal with our "rubbish". Do we consider it a valuable resource to be reused (mature approach, based on understanding planetary cycles), or do we just push it off to Away (childish denial). Current score: Could Do Better...
On a happier note, I have a stupid joke for you that I came up with when I was a kid.
A man asked me if I could fix a circuit breaker he found in the trash. I suppose I could, but I refuse to re-fuse the refuse.