I had been debating having a "green" new year's resolution, but couldn't think of one that I thought was meaningful, or significantly challenging or worthwhile for this year at least.
I decided on something quite separate for an entirely different reason. I made two:
1) look after the house and garden more
2) live more frugally.
It is the second which is or interest to this particular post. So, I have already decided I am to live more frugally. As I say this is not for green purposes, but does come after the consideration and rejection of some similar green style resolutions:
-buy no more new clothes, only second hand
-buy less
-only buy basic clothing etc
I dismissed these for various reasons.
Then today I was reading about the compact whose aim is to buy nothing new. I don't want to permanently go down this route since lots of the new things i buy are fair trade which will directly impact on the lives of others if I stop buying them (don't worry I am not deluding myself by how much it will or won't help - but it certainly won't help people in poor communities if people in rich communities all stop buying their products and instead start living off the waste products of other rich people). Mr Green-Eyed also tells me that we have to consume more in order for the world to carry on turning pretty much. Which I accept, but I actually think that world economics is wrong and we should switch to a non-growth economy. Either way, I don't believe in excess consumption, but I don't think just switching to buying other people's waste is the answer either. The reason there are such good "waste" products in charity shops and on ebay is because people are consuming more new things, so a reduction in consumption in general would be more my speed.
However, I like a challenge, even one riddled with ethical nightmares such as this!
So, my January challenge is to buy nothing new. Nothing new for one month.
Things I am allowed to buy:
-used second hand items
-food and drinks
-food and drinks which come with free gifts so long as the food or drink item would have been bought regardless of the gift.
I will keep you updated :)
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THisis indeed a challenge- what if you need something new for work? like stationary or what not? Will new stuff for work be acceptable?
ReplyDeleteI need to cut back drastically on outgoings!
If I need something for use within work that I have to have to do my job I think that would be OK. I can't think I will need anything, I have a notebook and a diary and a stash of pens and things. The children might need some things, but i don't think I can include them in my challenge really.
ReplyDeleteIf i *really* need something, like if all my shoes fall apart and are beyond repair then I guess I would allow myself that! Any slip ups i will document :)