Featured Music Video: Use It Up

The slogan “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” spread across America as a rallying cry for victory during World War II, when the well-being of the troops overseas depended on conserving resources and reducing consumption. Today we face numerous water and environmental challenges, making the old slogan more relevant than ever. It’s still a rallying cry for victory... but now, for the sake of our entire planet, what we need most of all is a victory over waste and overconsumption.

Never fear: the Water Rocks! music video team has given the slogan new life as a catchy, stylish music video - Use It Up. It’s a modern spin on a perennially useful, old-time mentality, made accessible to the students of today.


“The main lyrics to this song originate from WWII-era PSA-type campaigns, something most young people aren't likely to be aware of,” says Alyssa Dreeszen, director of the music video. “I was looking to reconcile this gap by using imagery more relatable to what objects kids use and waste they create today. I think there's a lot of hope for kids to think more about the choices they make and how they impact the world around them—all the more important for us to be role models and practice these things ourselves.”


In addition to the Use It Up music video, we also offer multiple enhanced learning activities ("Classroom Landfill" and "Trash and Treasure") to accompany the video. Check them out today!