(I stole this picture from ShirtWoot.com.)
I have a secret. Don't tell anyone! It is the ultimate secret to being green and, wow, it saves a bundle of cash! Here it is: don't buy what you don't need. Simple isn't it? Logically green. If you don't buy crap, and I mean useless crap, you won't need to throw it out and it won't end up in a land fill. And if we stop buying what we don't need the raw resources and energy it takes to make crap is lessened. Thus, Green. Don't buy a new purse just because it is fall, buy a good quality one that is eco-friendly because you need it. Do you really need a new car? Sofa? Shoes? Twinkies? Come on ladies, our rear ends don't need Twinkies (sorry Hostess). That also applies to the air conditioning (read Robin's take on this), turn up that thermostat and sweat just a little more. Before I buy something I always think, "do we need this to live and be healthy?" You will be surprised how many times the answer is no.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I enjoy Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream every once in a while. And, yes, I do buy things on occasion if I don't need them but I take care of it after and I don't abuse what I consider a privilege of today's standards. If it were 100 years ago many of the modern conveniences we have were not around and people survived. Change the way you think and life will uncomplicate itself and you'll find you are a greener, happier person. And have more in the bank (or under the mattress these days, hee hee.)
Ok, you bought crap. And you need to remedy yourself of it. Don't throw it out if it is still viable. Give it away, yardsale it, trade it or freecycle it. Here are resources you can use to get rid of your crap:
- Freecycle- find someone local to give it to
- Salvation Army or Goodwill- they may pick it up
- Trade your books, CD's and Dvd's at Swaptree or PaperbackSwap
- Buy used books at Half Price Books
And you can also buy from any of these locations. I found a great Limited Too jacket at Goodwill for my daughter and you can't tell anyone wore it. That helps to keep items out of landfills and no new resources are needed in the creating of these items.
Don't forget your new reusable bag when you shop!
How do you refrain from buying useless stuff? Do you have a favorite place to buy "recycled" clothing? Have you joined a challenge to buy nothing on another blog?
2 comments:
You know what I desperately want people to stop buying? Goodiebag crap for kids' birthday parties. My children, your children, nobody's children in America need another bouncy rubber ball, tiny useless tub of playdough or twenty packets of sweet tarts.
I've threatened to start a website - stopthegoodiebags - but my boys tell me I'd be very unpopular.
Good post Allison!
I COMPLETELY agree with you. My son just celebrated his 10th b-day and I bought no goodie bags. They are crap. (That's my word for the day. You have nice words like stewardship and eco therapy. I cut straight to the point and say crap. ha ha) And they are a waste of money. Let them eat cake.
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