Jump off the consumer bandwagon totally in 2009
Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:07 pm
OK so some of us are having problems with buy nothing new in 2009 because the goods that we need at the moment aren't there (lack of stock in charity shops) or because it's cheaper to buy new if we HAVE to buy (cost of goods in charity shops).
So let us look at getting off the consumer bandwagon in another way and still be environmentally friendly.
1. Repair. Do we need to get a new one at all because we can repair it? Like turning sheets ends to middle as granny used to do.
2. Replace only. If we have something which wears out we can replace it if necessary. We look first in the charity shop or other second hand source.
3. We only buy new if we can't repair and/or we have to replace something which can't be acquired second hand/used and we need the item.
4. We reduce the list of things that we need around the home to basics - don't replace if we don't need to when something wears out.
5. Don't put things aside for projects that we are not going to start or complete - use it or don't buy/gain/receive it - recycle it
6. Don't buy things second hand that we don't need just because it's not buying new.
7. Recycle things that we don't use or need. Take it to the charity shop, eBay it, freecycle it, car boot it, yard sale it. Someone else may well need it.
8. Don't worry if you buy something new that you must have - worry if you buy it new and don't need it.
9. Stay away from shops unless you intend to buy something you need.
10. Distinguish between need and want.
What is need? Food, clothes, bedding, minimal furniture, shelter, heating. You can only sleep in one bed, cook in one cooker, sit in one chair, wear one set of clothes at a time (so one in the wash, one in the cupboard and one on?). One radio, one computer, one telly - luxuries.
Really the don't buy anything new this year is only an offshoot of the need to cut down on our consumer habits and to buy environmentally. I think that we could well be missing the whole point of the idea of consuming less whilst worrying about what we buy and where we buy it.
So let us look at getting off the consumer bandwagon in another way and still be environmentally friendly.
1. Repair. Do we need to get a new one at all because we can repair it? Like turning sheets ends to middle as granny used to do.
2. Replace only. If we have something which wears out we can replace it if necessary. We look first in the charity shop or other second hand source.
3. We only buy new if we can't repair and/or we have to replace something which can't be acquired second hand/used and we need the item.
4. We reduce the list of things that we need around the home to basics - don't replace if we don't need to when something wears out.
5. Don't put things aside for projects that we are not going to start or complete - use it or don't buy/gain/receive it - recycle it
6. Don't buy things second hand that we don't need just because it's not buying new.
7. Recycle things that we don't use or need. Take it to the charity shop, eBay it, freecycle it, car boot it, yard sale it. Someone else may well need it.
8. Don't worry if you buy something new that you must have - worry if you buy it new and don't need it.
9. Stay away from shops unless you intend to buy something you need.
10. Distinguish between need and want.
What is need? Food, clothes, bedding, minimal furniture, shelter, heating. You can only sleep in one bed, cook in one cooker, sit in one chair, wear one set of clothes at a time (so one in the wash, one in the cupboard and one on?). One radio, one computer, one telly - luxuries.
Really the don't buy anything new this year is only an offshoot of the need to cut down on our consumer habits and to buy environmentally. I think that we could well be missing the whole point of the idea of consuming less whilst worrying about what we buy and where we buy it.
