I read about this group a few years ago and have remained intrigued by their premise. Founded in 2006 in San Francisco, a group of 50 people made a year long pledge to buy nothing new (with the exception of hygiene and safety goods).
They bartered, repaired, and truly considered every single financial choice they made. The spirit of the organization resonates with several of my recent posts including:
http://ourdailygreenlife.blogspot.com/2009/07/clothing-green.html and
http://ourdailygreenlife.blogspot.com/2009/07/school-supply-green.html
This movement has gained momentum, but also has its share of detractors.
I would like to hand my blog over to my readers for the next week, while I'm away.
Please share your thoughts on this topic or suggest topics to address when I return.
I am curious, my friends, how long do you think you could go without buying anything new? Would you be able commit to making such a Compact? What level of green choices are you comfortable making?
7 comments :
Just finished moving and, yes, I could probably easily meet a pledge to buy nothing new for a while.
One thing I intend on doing is putting aside any usable things that are no longer needed and whatever doesn't move at garage sale, on Craigslist or on Freecycle will be donated to a worthy charity or to local schools in need of supplies.
We consume way too much in this society and I, for one, have a goal to reduce my footprint.
Thank you Hoppy for your thoughts. Freecycle, another topic idea for a future post. :)
I've tried the pledge, but with 'tween and teen daughters, it is occasionally met with some resistance. But I think we do better than many. My husband has repaired the toaster I bought him when we were dating (over 20 years ago)3 times so far, and it's still toasting.
The great disposable society we've lived in for years has come to a head I think. Jo Public are now much more aware of the need to buy once and keep that thing going, rather than just slinging it out and buying a new one. I'm counting the pennies so fix or improvise wherever possible. Ok, so I'm not self sufficient in respect of food but there are strawberries, onions, brussel sprouts and cucumbers growing in the garden... One fine day I'll invest in livestock and see what the neighbours think. Meantime the fish in the pond are growing to such an extent that I have on occasion visualised one of them on a grill.... Rich
I hereby pledge to buy no new underwear for a year. But then, as Jerry Seinfeld memorably put it, guys tend to wear their underwear until there's almost nothing left of it, until the remains are like dandelions that scatter to the winds when you blow on them.
LOL oh John, that's quite an image! Underpants are a completely acceptable purchase, as is food. Um, how 'bout I persuade you to take a different vow of anti consumerism? Please?
In all seriousness, I live with an archaic by today's standards phone, which I manage to still make calls on, and I still have never bought an iPod (or Mp3 player of any sort). I guess in terms of buying habits, I'm a laggard. I just see no reason to upgrade if what I'm using works perfectly fine.
Rich, the day you have livestock is the day I'm visiting that lovely English Manor of yours. I can only imagine what on earth they would do to your gardens. And don't you dare get rid of any more guitars. Are Koi fish edible?
Sorry to ruin your vacation week with such a disagreeable mental image. I should have at least waited till you got back.
Not a problem, John. Actually, one of our favorite forms of entertainment on a road trip is a Jerry Seinfeld comedy CD. He remains one of my favorites.
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