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Shopping Greener: Buy Less Stuff
I am sure most of you are familiar with the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. I think nowadays we are all getting to grips with recycling, but often we forget about the first two R’s. Recycling is important but it is not the answer to all our problems. Not everything can be recycled indefinitely, and recycling still uses up energy and resources. So today I am going to focus on the first, and in my view most important of the three R’s: Reduce, otherwise known as buying less stuff. I’m not talking about self-denial, wearing rags or living in a cave, just a more considered and mindful approach to our shopping habits, especially recreational shopping. Whenever we buy something, resources are extracted and processed to create a product. All of this has an impact on the environment, as well as depleting the level of resources that are available for the future. Our current shopping habits and rampant consumerism just aren’t sustainable - one day the resources will run out. On top of this, when we buy something new waste is also created and there is a limited amount of landfill space on the planet. Why would anyone want to buy less stuff? Retail therapy is fun, right? Well, maybe for a while, but once you get home, you have to find space to store your new purchases and spend time and money maintaining and cleaning them. More stuff = more clutter = more stress! You will also save money which is a big concern for most people in the current economic climate. So you can see that buying less will benefit not just the environment but you as an individual. But HOW do you buy less? Here are some simple steps that can help you to reduce the amount of purchases you make: Ask yourself: Do I need it? Will I use it? Is it worth it?
Can you use something else to do the same job? For example, I used a chess board that I already had as a makeshift top for a set of drawers pinched from another desk that I had, making a whole new chest of drawers!
Can you borrow it from a friend? This is great for books, clothes, and appliances that you don’t use often.
Can you borrow it from the library or rent it? If you are only going to read a book or watch a DVD once or twice, it’s really not work buying it and having to find a place to keep it.
Before you throw something away, think about how can you reuse it. I have a coffee table in my living room that started life as a TV stand and has also served as a bedside table!
Can you find it on freecycle? Freecycle is a network of local groups where people can give and get unwanted items for free, keeping them out of landfill. It is also a great way of getting rid of your clutter.
Buy it used from your local charity shop, eBay or other auction sites. Check out the ads in the local paper. (More about buying used next time)
For more information about buying less stuff, try these sites: The Freecycle Network - find your local freecycle group
The Story of Stuff - a 20 minute video about the social and environmental impact of our production and consumption habits. Well worth a look.
The Compact - A group that aims to go beyond recycling by resisting consumerism, reducing clutter and waste, and simplifying their lives.
The Compact Yahoo Group - A group of individuals who have pledged to buy nothing new for a year. Being a member of this group has really helped me to reduce my consumption levels.
No Impact Man - the blog of one admirable individual who spent a year trying to live in New York without having any net impact on the environment. |
Freecycle
| The Story of Stuff
| The Compact Blog
| The Compact Yahoo Group
| No Impact Man
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