I’ve made a lot of progress on this goal – I try to buy processed food products as rarely as possible, avoid all unnecessary packaging and wasteful receipts, bike as often as possible to avoid purchasing gas – but I’m not satisfied yet. I’m still pretty addicted to used book & record stores, and while buying second-hand might be “off the grid,” and not really consumption in the same sense, I still feel like I’m too focused on buying and owning things. Having to move from my house is making me see just how focused I am on such things, since I’m having to pack away every last book and record I’ve obsessively purchased! So, what do I need to do to be satisfied with my goal? Spend more time enjoying and appreciating the things I already have (which are numerous), and less time collecting more things (I have no illusions about the fact that my record collecting habit will continue, but I would like to slow down the accumulation, and perhaps trim a bit of fat from the collection).
How to consume less
How I did it: 1. Reuse the bags you have or buy reuseable bags, so you don't have to get new ones from the store every time you grocery shop. I bought the Publix reuseable bags, which are the perfect shape, and which made bringing the large amount of groceries in from the car so much easier. Kept one brightly colored bag on the front passenger seat to remind me before I went into the store.
2. Switch to paper towels and toilet paper made from recycled paper. The cost is about the same.
3. Switch to a plant-based laundry detergent. The cost is about the same. It may even be cheaper because it seems you use less.
4. Change out bulbs to compact florescents where you can. Home Depot has a free drop off to recycle these when they finally die.
5. Turn off lights when you leave a room and pull drapes at night when it's cold.
6. Use a reuseable thermos for coffee and drinks on the go and pack a lunch so you don't go through so much disposable stuff.
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
The next 4 household items I want to buy used and try to clean them up instead of consuming wasteful new products.
ajje has moved the early to bed goal up her priorities list; sleep matters!
...included:
-Using a shopping bag rather than plastic bags when I buy groceries
-Recycle plastic bags as bin liners
-Make wish lists instead of impulse buying: this works particularly well with CD’s, DVD’s, books. Also, when people ask me if I have any birthday or St Nicolas wishes, I have a list handy.
-Quality over quantity = sustainability. Case in point: I always buy leather shoes of good quality. They are more expensive, but they’re prettier, better for my feet and they last longer. So rather than buying 4 pairs of cheap shoes I buy 2 pairs of expensive shoes: I consume less, but I enjoy more.
-Repairing instead of replacing. Again, the case of shoes: I cannot count the times that I had heels or soles replaced in order to make my shoes last longer. I repair my own clothes/socks as well.
-Consume what’s in my fridge before its sell-by date. I’m actually doing quite well; have thrown away much less food than before.
Areas that could improve:
-Cook instead of eating out/ordering in. I’m a decent cook, but I am lazy… I need to focus on doing this more.
-Take pre-packaged lunches instead of eating in the cantine. Still. Can’t. Bring. Myself. To. Keep. This. Up.
-Make pots of tea rather than cup after cup. (need to stop waisting expensive teas…)
-Buy fresh veggies and fruit from the market rather than pre-packaged stuff from the supermarket. Fresh produce = tastier, and involves less packaging material. I really want to do this more (see also cooking point).
This is what I can think of for now… Surely there are many more ways to reduce consuming. Tips, anyone?
sue820 The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
I didn’t participate in International Buy Nothing Day because I had to go online and order my father’s birthday present, but, otherwise, I’ve made significant progress through the steps outlined below. Since I didn’t get any additional suggestions, I’ll just stick with these for now and try to get them to become second nature.
sue820 The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
This is on the day after Thanksgiving, 11/28 this year.
See http://ecoplan.org/ibnd/ for more info.
sue820 The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
I already buy most of my clothes at the thrift store or on Ebay and use a thermos cup for my on-the-go coffee. Biking more to work or the grocery really isn’t feasible in Atlanta, and I do use recycleable batteries and compact florescents where I can. I, also, pack my lunch.
sue820 The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
Also, expanded the recycling program I use so I can recycle more items. I’m considering purchasing a rain barrel. Also, I’m adding the goal of turning off all the lights in the house before leaving. This would seem like a no-brainer, but it means that I have to view the kids’ rooms, which I avoid like the plague.
Well, I’ve just blown a ridiculous amount of money on a light for my bike. The rationalisations are a) it’s the only way I can continue cycling now the nights are beginning to close in and b) (because it has a rechargeable pack) I’ll be consuming no batteries.
I have everything I need in life and from now on I’ll just replace things as they wear out.
So I just joined the “compact” – it is a movement in which you don’t consume unnecessary new things for 12 months, and instead try to reinvent and recycle in creative ways pre-loved belongings. After New York City, I’ve spent too much, and for both this reason and for the sake of conservation, I want to try and makeover my way of looking at shopping and material life in general…
