Don't Buy (Recycled or any other)

Editorial

What? What is this woman ranting about now? What does she mean don’t buy recycled? Isn’t that what it’s all about? That is the theme of this issue (Sept. 2004 WasteWatch), isn’t it?

Waste reduction is at the top of the 3Rs hierarchy for a very good reason. If you don’t produce the waste in the first place, you won’t have to deal with it later by reusing, recycling or disposal. Makes sense.

Of course, if you have to buy something, look for the product with recycled content and/or sound environmental design. We need an endless array of products to keep our lives going — food, shelter, transportation, clothing, entertainment. Any or all of these that we can purchase or consume using the options with the least environmental impact, so much the better. (See Effective Consumer Choices for a description of the consumer decisions we make that have the biggest effect on the planet.)

We’ve been taught by advertisers and others that our most important role is that of a consumer. Isn’t that what President Bush told the American people after the World Trade Centre tragedy? People were exhibiting their patriotism by buying new furniture. I wonder how much waste was created by those patriots.

In the last few years, a symbolic protest has arisen against the constant push to consume and buy things we don’t need. It’s called Buy Nothing Day. It’s a challenge to see if we can go a whole day without buying anything. In true tilting-at-windmills spirit, the organizers chose the day of the year that Americans traditionally buy the most stuff: the Friday after US Thanksgiving. This year (2004), that’s Friday November 26. Try it. You might find it enlightening. (See www.adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/ for more information).

After all, contrary to the “the one with the most toys wins” bumper stickers, you can’t take it with you.

(Source: Sept. 2004 WasteWatch)

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