Answer to Greenwashing - Compacting: buy nothing new.

[Ann]

From the SFCompacting blog, where (it seems) the notion of compacting first gained momentum...

Compacting
1) to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc;
2) to reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er);
3) 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.

There's a yahoo group with tons of activity - up to 5k posts a month.  It's full of support and idea-sharing.  It's just the first of March (rabbit rabbit).  Even 10 months of compacting would be an amazing challenge.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thecompact/

There's a list of exceptions on the blog, but it's basically along the lines of thing like toothbrushes and underwear and fresh flowers and donations to charity.
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If things go as planned we'll be moving to a new house in the next month.  And I'll admit right now how very super tempting it is for me to nest like a Bower Bird.
After renting for years in a somewhat haphazard way it'd be really easy to go kinda crazy. 

Compacting for one year in a new house would be a tremendous challenge for me.  But I think I want to try.  I just asked K and T and they say they are game.  (Whew - the xtracycle month of love has passed us by.)  I'm going to take that answer and run with it....

We're compacting!  (Yikes!)

Please cheer me on.  I'm going to need it.  I love shopping for finding the perfect rug.

Here's a list of inspiring blogs and articles:
The Non-Consumer Advocate
http://compactingmamas.blogspot.com/
http://www.myonethirdacre.com/?p=7
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/513662
http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Features/what_happens_when_people_stop_shopping_and_join_the_compact#

[Bob B]

The trick to buying nothing new is that after a while it is addictive. I obsess over small 'new item' purchases to the point that I just figure it easier, and way cheaper, to not buy at all or buy used.

The way to stop buying new is just to keep a list of stuff you want and be willing to wait a long time to get it. The longer you wait, the greater chance you will either decide you don't need it, find it for free, or find it in a thrift shop for pennies on the dollar.

Why by a new shirt for $30 when there are tons of great ones at thrift stores for $3 each that look like they've never been worn. I just bought a phone for $4, a cake sized tupperware for $3, and a whole bunch of other kitchen stuff for about $10 more.

You eventually come to the notion that buying new is just a ripoff when so much is available free or almost free. You also realize that waiting to buy makes those wants 'created' by advertising fade away.

[Ann]

Thanks for the encouragement, Bob.  I'm really convinced of the benefits of compacting.  The hard part will be focusing on the benefits rather than the sacrifices.  When you buy second-hand you have fewer options and it usually takes more time and effort (depending).  Perhaps the most difficult part is that time-tables don't work out.  Sometimes you only have a certain window to get something done and the appropriate used material isn't available when you need it or you don't have time to search all day to find it.  If you're not careful, this experience can easily test your resolve or turn you toward hoarding.