---
title: 'Paraffin Economy: Use Less and Waste None'
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-paraffin-economy-1939/
description: Royal arms above 'Issued by the Petroleum Department' and a text-only appeal on a green ground. Tagged by technique, with source and rights.
section: Collection
---

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3. Paraffin Economy: Use Less and Waste None

[![Paraffin Economy: Use Less and Waste None, 1939 UK poster: Royal arms above 'Issued by the Petroleum Department'](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-paraffin-economy-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-paraffin-economy-1939.jpg)

# Paraffin Economy: Use Less and Waste None

Royal arms above 'Issued by the Petroleum Department' and a text-only appeal on a green ground. It gives a reason (paraffin comes by sea) and asks for economy 'in your own and your country's interest', which joins personal and national interest (identity-fusion, weak).

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Identity fusion](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/identity-fusion/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
ISSUED BY THE PETROLEUM DEPARTMENT

PARAFFIN
ECONOMY

Consumption of paraffin has to be
reduced, because it is brought by
sea. In your own and your country's
interest the Government ask you
for economy in using paraffin, for
heating, lighting, cleaning or any
other purpose.

USE LESS AND WASTE NONE

PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY FOSH & CROSS LTD., LONDON (51/943)
```

[← The Other Side of the Counter (Post Office counter staff)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-other-side-of-the-counter-gpo-nachshen-1939/) [Personal Cleanliness →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-personal-cleanliness-games-1939/)

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- [Our job is to beat the Hun. Vote Union Government (Canada, 1917 election)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/our-job-is-to-beat-the-hun-union-government-1917/) (Canada · 1917 · Name-calling, Identity fusion). Content note: Ethnic slur ('Hun') for Germans in the slogan.
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- [L'Unione Sarda, 24 March 1929: 'Il voto di oggi, è atto di fede' (plebiscite day front page)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/unione-sarda-plebiscito-front-page-1929/) (Fascist Italy · Mar 24, 1929 · Identity fusion, Glittering generalities)
- [Zwei SA-Männer bringen ein Hitler-Plakat an (Mecklenburg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sa-maenner-kleben-hitler-plakat-mecklenburg-1932/) (Weimar Republic · Jun 21, 1932 · Identity fusion). Content note: Photograph of SA men in uniform with swastika armband putting up a Hitler election poster, 1932.
- [Hitlerjugend, Deutsches Jungvolk: Altmetallsammlung](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hj-altmetallsammlung-jungvolk-1933/) (Nazi Germany · 1933 · Identity fusion). Content note: Deutsches Jungvolk boys in uniform collecting scrap metal, 1933.
- [Marine-HJ werben für den Bau von HJ-Heimen (Handwagen mit Plakat)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/marine-hj-werbung-hj-heime-1933/) (Nazi Germany · 1933 · Identity fusion). Content note: Hitler Youth members in uniform with swastika armbands and flags promoting the building of Hitler Youth homes.
