Can you imagine not buying anything new for a year? That's part of the "Compact" this group is committing to. Here is an excerpt from the Compact's Yahoo Group, describing their goals and credo. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thecompact/
We are a group of individuals committed to a 12-month flight from the consumer grid (calendar year 2006).
The Compact has several aims (more or less prioritized below):
- To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of disposable consumer culture and to support local businesses, farms, etc. -- a step that, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact.
- To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er).
- To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)
We've agreed to follow two principles (see exceptions etc. on our blog).
#1 Don't buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)
#2 Borrow, barter, or buy used.
I admire this group tremendously. It's not easy to change your habits and give up your stuff. It makes you really have to think about everything you buy, and why and how you are buying it. You can learn a lot about yourself, and what you truly value in an exercise like this.
For example, I have tried to shun all disposable products, but when I have to clean my cat box, I use paper towels or Clorox Wipes. I'm addicted. I just can't bring myself to use cloth that I would then have to launder with my other stuff. And washing the rags alone would waste water and electricity. In the end, convenience and hygiene wins.
I also can't let go of my Swiffer wet-jet or dust wipes. And I still use plastic zip-loc bags - but not often. And I do wash them out and re-use them around the house until they are truly worn out.
But all in all I truly admire and respect what these people are trying to achieve. Read more at their blog. http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/
