Getting Stuff without "Consuming" It

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

22 Oct 2009 08:40 AM

One of the dilemmas we face in our efforts to live responsibly is what to do about purchasing things that we seem to need. We own a home on two acres of what is mostly wooded property, and even that needs to be maintained. For example, we currently have two trees in our front yard that have fallen, and another that is leaning precariously. They need to be cut and removed, for safety reasons, if for nothing else. Power tools are required.

Here is a recent want. I have been establishing a healthier lifestyle for myself, and have been working out on a regular basis. During the spring and summer, walking and running outdoors was wonderful. Now that the weather has turned colder, and it is too dark in the mornings, I have been forced indoors (I can't work out during the day, because I still have young children at home). To continue with my work outs, I have been using an elliptical machine.

So how can we get things that we want and need without adding impact? There are two main ways that I have discovered. The first is by borrowing goods from others who have already purchased them (and sharing the ones you already own. This works well for things you occasionally need, such as power tools. Neighbors are a wonderful support system for this. Get to know your neighbors and share your stuff. There is actually a website that can help with this. It is called NeighborGoods (https://neighborgoods.net/).

The other way I have discovered for getting things that are needed or wanted without consuming them is to get things that are second hand. They have already been purchased and might normally wind up in the landfill. Why not rescue something like this instead of buying new. My wonderful treadmill came from a Freecyle.org group. It need a small repair, which my handy husband provided, and it was as good as new--complete with different program settings.

So the next time you need or want to consume, try one of these other options. You'll save the planet and some money, too.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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