Green Challenge #7 – Buy Less STUFF
This month’s Green Challenge is a bit late. Sorry, guys! But here it is, none the less!
Green Challenge #7 – May 1, 2011 – May 1, 2012
Buy Less Stuff!!! For this challenge I’m going to try my hardest to not buy new things. Of course, this excludes essentials such as toiletries and food, but when it comes to clothes, accessories, shoes, and what not, I’m going to try to cut back. I’ve actually been cutting back for the past few months, as I haven’t bought any new (non-workout) clothes since February. Now, if I do have to buy something, I’m going to evaluate:
- Think about the purchase. Do I really need this item? Don’t buy something just because I want it
- Sleep on any purchase instead of buying impulsively
- Wear what I already have
- Think of creative ways to wear my current clothes and accessories
- Donate an old piece of clothing for every new piece of clothing or jewelry I do buy (because not buying anything new for 1 year might be impossible)
- Buy something used instead of buying it new! If I need to buy something, check thrift shops such as the Goodwill first, because buying used is better for the enviornment
One thing I really enjoy buying is workout clothes, because they are clothes I wear and get use out of all the time. And most of the cheaper stuff doesn’t last too long since I’m washing them constantly. If I invest if a few high quality workout clothing items, they should last me longer.
Now, you might be wondering what buying less stuff has to do with the environment. Well, when we get rid of clothes nobody wants, it probably ends up in the the landfill.
(source)
According to Planet Green,
Clothing made from materials like organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo will, eventually, decompose–even stuck in a nasty landfill. Clothes made from synthetic fibers won’t. They’ll stick around forever as evidence to future generations that you didn’t think twice about throwing away your garments.
I hope I can successfully stick to this challenge because I think its a good one. Anyone with me?
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3 Comments
Mardi
If I lose weight, I can “shop” for clothes that are in my closet! Except for underwear. I deserve new underwear.
I bought a new carpet last month, to replace a 30-year-old carpet my parents had gotten way back when. I shopped around for “green” carpeting. Turns out that old synthetic carpeting can be recycled. However, the salesman told me there is no carpeting recycling place in the Albany area, so what to do with the carpeting I’m getting rid of. I’m re-using pieces of it in my storage areas. You’d think, though, that a city as big as Albany WOULD have a place that would take old carpeting!
Jen
My boss at work is actually on some carpet recycling committee. I could ask him for you!
Mardi
That would be great, Jen. Thanks!