SCRAP: Recycling had a different image 75 years ago.

Today, the culture surrounding reuse of materials is a friendly one. Save the planet, you hear. Make the world a better place for the future.

When the world was in the midst of World War II, recycling was an act of patriotism. It was an act of defiance against nations that attacked other nations — or their own people — unprovoked. Recycling was an act of war.

One old set of golf clubs can become one .30 caliber machine gun, Conservation Division of the War Production Board declared back then. An old refrigerator? Twelve .45 caliber machine guns, the board said.

Data collected by the board appeared in the pages of The Era on Sept. 19, 1942.

“America’s war industries must have your scrap materials if they are to maintain their record-breaking production of arms and fighting equipment, the board stated.

“The situation is serious. Needed immediately are at least 6 million tons of scrap iron and steel, and great additional quantities of rubber and other materials listed above. Your help is needed now: Put your scrap into the fight.”

Scrap iron and steel becomes steel helmets and anti-aircraft shells. One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five pounds of rubber can become a heavy bomber.

Even the kitchen sink was useful. One sink could be 25 three-inch shells. Now, 175 old sinks — that’s a medium tank.

Rubber. Copper. Brass. Aluminum. Zinc. Lead. All these and more could be used in the war effort. And old items ended up in the most unlikely of places.

“Rubber used for one month’s manufacture of baby pants can make 2,800 rubber lifeboats for ocean-going planes,” the board reported.

Also, “Two pounds of waste cooking fat will make enough glycerine for five anti-tank shells.”

“Sixty old toothpaste tubes provide all the tin necessary for solder in the electrical connections of a Flying Fortress.”

According to the board, one ton of waste paper can be used for 1,500 shell containers, 47,000 boxes can be used for .30 cal. ammunition, or 71,000 dust covers can be used for for airplane engines or 36,000 practice targets

One automobile can make three 2,000-pound aerial bombs

A washing and ironing machine can make eight four-pound incendiary bombs.

Watch your old copper kettles travel as fast as a speeding bullet: one copper kettle can be used to make 84 rounds of ammunition for an automatic rifle.