Green Purchasing-What is Best?
This is a guest post (the first ever on The Frugal Girl!) by my friend Katy, who writes The Non-Consumer Advocate.
She and many others are part of a group called The Compact, whose members pledge to buy nothing new (with some exceptions like food, undies, light bulbs, and the like).
My recent forays into Goodwill shopping were inspired mostly by Katy's example, and though I'm not an official Compacter, she and I are frugal kindred spirits.
In fact, several times we've written about the same topic on the same day without any coordination on our parts.
I might even think we were twins separated at birth were it not for Katy's devotion to all things sci-fi, a genre which holds not even the slightest bit of attraction for me (sorry to all you Star Wars/Star Trek/Zombie fans out there!).
I hope you enjoy her post. I promise there is nothing sci-fi about it. 😉
Want to start living the green life?
Retailers would have you believe green living is all about organically grown hemp sheets and sustainably harvested bamboo living room sets.
Wrong!
The best green purchase you can make is the one not taken.
Every time you purchase a brand new product you make a dent in the environment. Even when you're making a green choice. That product had to be produced by materials that had to be shipped to the point of manufacturing. They were then shipped to the place of purchase, to be taken home by you, the consumer.
If there's something you feel you just can't live without, consider buying it used. Whether it be a book, clothing, appliance, toy or gift. Most anything can be found used.
A second-hand regular item is better for the environment than a brand-new green product.
It's already manufactured, the damage has already been done.
I'm part of a worldwide non-consumer group called The Compact. (Buy nothing new.) Since joining in January 2007, I've only bought a few new items here and there. I went into it thinking I would try it for a month, but I doubt I'll ever stop.
The things I thought would be difficult, (gifts, family acceptance) have been a cinch. Really, a non-issue.
Not only do I feel good that my possessions did not have to be manufactured specifically for me, I've also saved a ton of money!
So next time you're about to buy a brand-new product, pause a moment to think whether it could be found used.
Or maybe even not bought at all.
Agree? Disagree? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
I'm no environmentalist by any means. I think global warming is a scam and that Green is a marketing term invented by well meaning but crazy hippies.
That said, I love the idea of not wasting. To me, as a Christian, using our money in a frugal and careful way is essential. Part of that is in saving money with purchasing used durable goods. Most of my books are used copies and in my house planning I hope to go to some auctions for some antique furniture (which has the added benefit of not decreasing in value like cheap Ikea stuff does.)
There are certain things we must buy new. I for one would never want a used mattress or toilet paper. Still, I've been going to garage sales since I was born and have bought a good deal of my everyday items used. I think it's a good practice because not only does it save me some money but it prevents a lot of crap from being made.
I once said to my dad that there should be a law passed banning new Christmas decorations from being made since the used market was so saturated with the stuff. When I look at things like that which are so plentiful in the used markets puts me off from buying them in the first place.
Speaking as a sci-fi lover, kudos to Katy! 🙂
By the way, Kristen, give the Firefly series a try. Just trust me.
I agree that when considering the purchase of certain durable goods (furniture and clothes come to mind), going the used route is almost certainly the more frugal option, especially in the long run ($100 for a solid-wood dresser vs. $75 for a particle-board one you'll have to replace in a couple of years). Major household appliances (fridge, washer, etc.) could also fall into this category.
However, I get a little twitchy when people start talking about buying carseats or other safety equipment second-hand. If the carseat has been in accident, it may not protect your own child should the worst occurr. Mattresses, unless you know the seller, can actually be hazardous to your health. Maybe the person is selling the mattress because it's infested with spiders or bedbugs, or is so old it no longer supports the sleeper properly.
My vote is to look at used items, but use your common sense, too, like Compact people usually do!
Love the Compact! I think it is a great idea. I too follow it. Thanks for featuring this, Kristen!
I totally agree with the ideas presented here. I prefer to not buy (first option), buy second hand (second option) and only then buy new. I buy secondhand clothes and accessories. If I do buy new I work hard to find a sale so things don't cost so much. One big thing for me is that I don't buy into needing the latest and greatest and am not a slave to fashion. If I do need something like new running shoes I am more than happy to buy last season's styles - I have friends who wouldn't ever consider this!
I'm Angela from My year without Spending, and I've been doing The Compact almost six months. Katy has been doing it about two and a half years, so she's more of an expert. But I agree completely that the best option is not to buy at all, and the second best is to buy used. There are so many things we buy without thinking, and don't really need. Maybe it's a one-time use and we can borrow it. Maybe we already have something we could use for the same purpose. Maybe we won't really want it that much in a week or a month. Doing the Compact trains you without effort to consider each purpose and whether it's worth the cost (not just the money, but the cost in terms of packaging on the environment, junk in our landfills, etc.)
Also- The Compact is whatever you want it to be, you can make your own exceptions, and almost all the members make exceptions for things like underwear, running shoes, and especially safety and health items. No one wants anyone's health or safety put in danger. And no one expects anyone to buy used toilet paper- that's gross. And it doesn't really even make any sense- theres's no such thing.
Some items can easily be bought secondhand though- especially clothes and large appliances and things like that.
What's great is that the lifestyle has made me so much happier, able to appreciate the things I do have, and gives me more time for the things that matter, instead of dealing with my STUFF- buying, storing, moving, mending, storing, sorting through, getting rid of, etc. It goes on and on.
Whoops- I meant to say "consider each purchase" not "consider each purpose"... sorry.
Actually back in the day people used the Sears Robuck catalog ...
I also have been attracted to The Compact, but not officially joined. I recently started making small steps to lose weight (I figured the small steps I took towards being frugal helped us be healthier financially, so why not do the same for my body?) and am now in need of a "new" wardrobe. I enjoy sewing, but with two girls under age 3, I just do not have the time I need, so have found it cheaper and faster to scour Goodwill every couple of weeks for used, brand name clothing that fits (or that I can easily alter) for $2-5 each. I even found a great fitting sports bra that I had almost bought new a few weeks earlier, and a black slip that I actually put off buying new hoping I might find it used at Goodwill! These items cost $2 and $3 used instead of $10 and $12 new. I am totally hooked now. It totally pays to shop thrift stores and garage sales, just in savings alone. As far as the environment goes, it definitely pays to re-use items that would take more energy resources to recycled and landfill space to toss. Buying used is like recycling and using cloth shopping bags- once you try it, you will wonder why it took you so long to start in the first place!
I was so pleased to read this today. Sometimes I worry that a lot of the 'greening' of america consists too much of buying trendy new 'green' products. This image of being green = buying trendy new specialty (and expensive!) products also convinces a lot of people that they can't be more earth friendly because they don't have enough money to do so. I also appreciate the tolerant and logical approach the compact takes.
What a great article to remind us all to re-think our purchases! I completely agree with this way of thinking. I'm going to go on our local freecycle website and look of a desk.
It's funny to me to read that people are talking about thrift store shopping as a new experience! I mean it's wonderful, (except now you'll all be scouring the same deals I am...hmmm...not sure I like that) but for me, I grew up doing it. Not just out of necessity, because now as an adult I can buy what I like, but because I have become good at it. For almost every purchase, I always consider if I can get it used first. It saves so much money and I have been fortunate enough that the right things seems to be available when I need it, used. Who would buy everything new? Do some people really buy EVERYTHING new?? I guess so...
Just for the record...there is "used toilet paper" folks, just not in the way people think.... it is cheaper... it is made from recycled paper. It isn't toilet paper that has been used already.
Car seats can (and should be) covered...www.daddysdesign.com...some seats now have an impact thing (it looks like a level) that turns red if the seat has been in an impact, and ALL car seats have expiration dates now. In many cases you can buy a much safer, nicer used seat than you could afford new.
Something not often mentioned is buying more locally, that includes everything, if it doesnt have to be shipped, the impact on the environment is less. We decided to not buy foreign grown produce and to try to do business with local companies when we do buy. Small changes work...just keep after it. Any changes you make are to the good, and don't be too tough on yourself about "slip ups"...no one is perfect.
The best purchase is no purchase.
I agree completely. I'll have to look more into the Compact. After reading Katy's blog for a while, I might need to take it for a spin.
Wow Katy- the best purchase is no purchase- I love that. Lately my thrift mart has been having these super tempting half off sales very frequently.
I'm going to remember this next time I am tempted to run down just to take a quick look!
Yes and no. There are times when I feel my life is made better by a purchase. It's rare but I'm not a freegan or anything so I recognize that most of us do need some things in our lives.
Battra, I think they just mean that in a green sense, not in an overall sense. It's just a way of saying that buying tons of "green" stuff is not the best way to be green.
I think that my camera and lens were a really good purchase, and they have enriched my life greatly. Ditto for my piano purchase. I think the point is that you shouldn't run around buying new green stuff and then congratulate yourself for being so green.