Consumption
It's hard not to feel trapped sometimes. It's hard not to be tempted and enthralled with it all. In our society, we are constantly marketed at (aggressively), bombarded with new fashions, and introduced to ever-new technologies.
But the consumerism we live in affects the environment, it affects people, and it affects our lives (financially and otherwise).
Watch this video:
It makes it all simple, and it's easy to follow and enjoyable.
Contentment
The video really touches on this concept. If we were just happy with what we had, and kept it simple in the first place, we would be out of the vicious cycle that is consumerism. If we bought for quality, and tried to make things last, then we could spend our money on more important things, like donating it, saving it, or having more time to relax. If we are content with what we have, then we won't go buying more.
Fixing it up or making it yourself
We should aim to fix what's broken, instead of trashing it. I realize that's a tricky concept these days, because often you'll find that it will cost more to fix something, then to buy a new one... but do what you can. There's tonnes of DIY fix-up projects you can find online. More and more people are realizing that a little paint, or a sanding job can make something like new. Check out when I fixed up a nightstand.
Making things yourself is another great way to be earth friendly. Right now I'm knitting a rug. And sometime this week I'll be posting on making homemade laundry soap. Browse websites and blogs for DIY projects. Once you discover the things you can make, you won't go back!
I bought a pair of boots in the fall for $15 from Value Village. I knew that their quality was good... you could just tell. And though they were a fashion boot, they were still waterproof (I often find boots for fashion leak...). I had been leaning on them funny (sometimes I like to bend me feet outwards ) and it broke the heel. Instead of trashing them (they only cost $15) I took them to a shoe cobbler. My shoe was like new, and it only cost my another $15. The lady at the shoe place said the shoes were probably bought for at least one hundred dollars brand new. This leads me to...
The video really touches on this concept. If we were just happy with what we had, and kept it simple in the first place, we would be out of the vicious cycle that is consumerism. If we bought for quality, and tried to make things last, then we could spend our money on more important things, like donating it, saving it, or having more time to relax. If we are content with what we have, then we won't go buying more.
Fixing it up or making it yourself
We should aim to fix what's broken, instead of trashing it. I realize that's a tricky concept these days, because often you'll find that it will cost more to fix something, then to buy a new one... but do what you can. There's tonnes of DIY fix-up projects you can find online. More and more people are realizing that a little paint, or a sanding job can make something like new. Check out when I fixed up a nightstand.
Making things yourself is another great way to be earth friendly. Right now I'm knitting a rug. And sometime this week I'll be posting on making homemade laundry soap. Browse websites and blogs for DIY projects. Once you discover the things you can make, you won't go back!
I bought a pair of boots in the fall for $15 from Value Village. I knew that their quality was good... you could just tell. And though they were a fashion boot, they were still waterproof (I often find boots for fashion leak...). I had been leaning on them funny (sometimes I like to bend me feet outwards ) and it broke the heel. Instead of trashing them (they only cost $15) I took them to a shoe cobbler. My shoe was like new, and it only cost my another $15. The lady at the shoe place said the shoes were probably bought for at least one hundred dollars brand new. This leads me to...
Second Hand - buy and give
When we do happen to be done with something, and we've entertained or exercised the option of fixing it, but it still must go... give to a Thrift store. A lot of smaller thrift stores give pretty much all they make off of selling your stuff to those who need it. Lots are run just by volunteers. And prices are affordable. I shop at Value Village, yes, mostly if I'm looking for something very specific, or because it's the only one open at the time I can go. But I really encourage using other ones, like Salvation Army Thrift Stores, St. Vincent De Paul (my personal favourite), and if you live in Victoria, Beacon Community Services and WIN.
And if you're looking for something, buy second hand! Check out all the great things I've scored: http://mindinthetrees.blogspot.ca/2012/04/house-tour-scoring-second-hand.html. You'd be amazed at the kind of things you can find in thrift stores. Most of the time I think you'd be able to find what you're looking for. It just takes practice!
When we do happen to be done with something, and we've entertained or exercised the option of fixing it, but it still must go... give to a Thrift store. A lot of smaller thrift stores give pretty much all they make off of selling your stuff to those who need it. Lots are run just by volunteers. And prices are affordable. I shop at Value Village, yes, mostly if I'm looking for something very specific, or because it's the only one open at the time I can go. But I really encourage using other ones, like Salvation Army Thrift Stores, St. Vincent De Paul (my personal favourite), and if you live in Victoria, Beacon Community Services and WIN.
And if you're looking for something, buy second hand! Check out all the great things I've scored: http://mindinthetrees.blogspot.ca/2012/04/house-tour-scoring-second-hand.html. You'd be amazed at the kind of things you can find in thrift stores. Most of the time I think you'd be able to find what you're looking for. It just takes practice!
Fair Trade
Most of the products we buy these days are made in China. But there's tonnes made elsewhere too. We don't always know the conditions of the people working there, but more often then not, it's not pretty. Often the wage is incredibly low, and they have no other options. It's only getting worse, the more we demand.
http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/child_labor/about/what_is_child_labor.html
http://concordia.academia.edu/GiacomoJackMaggiore/Papers/363243/The_Dark_Exploration_into_the_Reality_behind_the_Third_World_Labor_Market_A_document_on_Child_Labor
Buying fair trade products ensures that someone was paid fairly for the product you are buying. Not everything is fair trade, and you have to be careful about pretend fair trade marketing tactics, but you can find lots of fair trade tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, and some clothing and jewelry.
Here's an informative video on fair trade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZpUwCfINh8
http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/child_labor/about/what_is_child_labor.html
http://concordia.academia.edu/GiacomoJackMaggiore/Papers/363243/The_Dark_Exploration_into_the_Reality_behind_the_Third_World_Labor_Market_A_document_on_Child_Labor
Buying fair trade products ensures that someone was paid fairly for the product you are buying. Not everything is fair trade, and you have to be careful about pretend fair trade marketing tactics, but you can find lots of fair trade tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, and some clothing and jewelry.
Here's an informative video on fair trade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZpUwCfINh8
Green Products
Buying environmentally friendly products is another way. We know that these are made without dangerous materials or chemicals. Therefore whoever made it wasn't ingesting those either. They are safer for the earth, and if you take care of them, they're are built to last.
Some favourite stores for eco-products in Victoria are Good Planet and Hemp and Company and Salt Spring Island Soap Works .
Some favourite stores for eco-products in Victoria are Good Planet and Hemp and Company and Salt Spring Island Soap Works .
Be Smart and Be Critical
Now that your a little more versed in how to shop a little more earth-friendly, use your noggin when it comes to shopping. While you may pay more for things that are eco-friendly or fair trade, you'll save when you make things yourself, get things fixed, or buy second hand. So it is still economical for you. That's one of the best things about being environmentally friendly... it's usually wallet-friendly too. Like the lady said in the story of stuff video, we can simply stop riding in the ridiculous cycle of working to make more money, to spend more money, to work to make more money, etc.
I love living differently and am never afraid to show off what I've bought second-hand. I promote it to anyone who compliments it... because I everyone to think of the alternatives first. There's so many ways.
Next time you're in need of some clothes, or furniture, anything really, think about these suggestions. I'm sure you'll find another way. But first you need to question if it's really necessary, or can you be content with what you have?
CHALLENGE:
This week take pictures and write a submission about what you:
avoided buying
what you bought smart
fixed up
bought green
you get the picture!
Submit it to cassm163@gmail.com by Sunday at 3pm.
Have a friendly week and thanks for reading!
Now that your a little more versed in how to shop a little more earth-friendly, use your noggin when it comes to shopping. While you may pay more for things that are eco-friendly or fair trade, you'll save when you make things yourself, get things fixed, or buy second hand. So it is still economical for you. That's one of the best things about being environmentally friendly... it's usually wallet-friendly too. Like the lady said in the story of stuff video, we can simply stop riding in the ridiculous cycle of working to make more money, to spend more money, to work to make more money, etc.
I love living differently and am never afraid to show off what I've bought second-hand. I promote it to anyone who compliments it... because I everyone to think of the alternatives first. There's so many ways.
Next time you're in need of some clothes, or furniture, anything really, think about these suggestions. I'm sure you'll find another way. But first you need to question if it's really necessary, or can you be content with what you have?
CHALLENGE:
This week take pictures and write a submission about what you:
avoided buying
what you bought smart
fixed up
bought green
you get the picture!
Submit it to cassm163@gmail.com by Sunday at 3pm.
Have a friendly week and thanks for reading!
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