Comments on: Can a “Buy Nothing New” Pledge Help Reduce Plastic Consumption?

By: Stefan

Stefan — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:51:54 +0000

really good stuff–i love the buy-used/packaging-free lifestyle, which my girlfriend and i have been living since November of last year. All our foods are fresh, I’ve learned to cook and make all the basic ingredients we need (easy when vegan), and everything we buy is thought through and pursued with the thrill of the hunt. The qualities of our lives seem to have increased dramatically as a result. So good to hear about other people on the same journey or considering trying it.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:22:20 +0000

I’m not quite this dedicated–you are an inspiration! But I have made a solemn vow to purchase only consumable items and think long and hard about buying anything new over the last year. This has resulted in fewer purchases of things I’ve regretted buying. Besides saving a lot of money and leaving a smaller footprint, I find myself more content overall, too. I’ve been giving consumable gifts, too–like tea or good chocolates, nice lip balms or soy candles (all made locally!) which supports the local economy and doesn’t add clutter to anyone’s shelves at home.
Quality over quantity has been my motto for ages.
Great post.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..how robert jordan saved bedtime =-.

By: Mary Kay

Mary Kay — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:11:07 +0000

Fabulous post!! Thanks!

By: Katy Wolk-Stanley

Katy Wolk-Stanley — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:13:17 +0000

Thanks for all the nice words. I really do hate plastic and make a concerted effort to keep it from entering my house, but I'm always amazed by how fast our "plastics recycling" bin gets filled up. Food packaging is my downfall, even though I bring my own reusable bags for produce. I gave only second hand gifts and was able to avoid that mountain of Christmas morning packaging crap, which helped. Katy Wolk-Stanley "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." .-= Katy Wolk-Stanley´s last blog ..Fake Plastic Fish =-.

By: Lacey

Lacey — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:26:00 +0000

Thanks for the great guest post Katy!

I also read the article about the “original Compact” group a few years back, though I have to admit I did not try it. I try to live as simple as possible, with no more space or things than one person needs (though I’m sure I have more clothes and cooking implements than a single person needs…).

I have often found that my grandmother is an excellent model for how to live “sustainably” though she would never call it that. She grew up at time when things were made to last and taken care of and had maintained that mentality for her whole life despite the rise of consumer culture all around her.

Thanks for providing a strong example to those of us trying to improve!
.-= Lacey´s last blog ..Fish Fiesta! =-.

By: Lowbudget

Lowbudget — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:09:28 +0000

Hi,

I love this post. It really makes you think! I still have a long way to go with using less plastic however, I have been recycling for about 10 years now (plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum). Keep the awesome post coming.

By: Madz

Madz — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:18:52 +0000

Good idea. I've been trying not to buy new for awhile now which has been excellent since the past year I've been living on pretty much solely a student allowance (which in NZ is didly-squat, talk about bare-neccessities only!). I'm a regular browser at op shops like the Sallie army store etc. This year I've decided to try and keep my new's year's resolution and only have one for 2010. Inspired by you Beth actually. I'm going to try and ditch new plastic from my life. .-= Madz´s last blog ..New Year's Resolution: I'm ditching plastic =-.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:35:02 +0000

I think this is so dead on. I think Amazon's effort to reduce packaging is a great first step and so many things have a second life. I am a big garage sale fan, and have bought lots of new stuff from garage sales (does that violate the compact?) What also amazes me is how long things last, how much of what we replace is utility and how much is fashion. I am using the same tupperware that I had in college over 20 years ago. used still can mean functional. old games are still fun. scrabble, monopoly, backgammon, etc. .-= Charles´s last blog .."Rethinking the Dream" =-.

By: Clif

Clif — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:57:27 +0000

Hey Beth, though you live in Berkeley, you might qualify as a “San Francisco hipster”, no? : )

Thinking more about getting stuff that isn’t needed, have people read the classic book “The Theory of the Leisure Class” by Veblen – written around 1900, I believe. He claimed that indulgence in useless things was a sign of affluence and that it was a badge of pride among the idle rich to have all kinds of things they hardly, if ever, used. The message was “I am so wealthy that I need not work and still can have all these things”

Since that time, luxury has definitely moved downscale by way of easy credit (until recently) and the purchase of huge homes with far more space than can be used is a perfect example of putting on an appearance unrelated to need.

Just read that one in four mortgages are underwater (more is owed than the house is worth). Perhaps frugality will be on a roll, though forced rather than consciously chosen as Katy has done.

By: Fake Plastic Fish

Fake Plastic Fish — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:56:26 +0000

[...] here to read my guest post over at Fake Plastic Fish, Beth Terry’s terrific blog about the [...]