The Compact group vows not to buy anything new but food

[murray]

The Compact: group vows not to buy anything new but food, underwear, and medicine in 2006

The SF Chronicle has an article about a group of people who have made a promise not to buy any new stuff.

About 50 teachers, engineers, executives and other professionals in the Bay Area have made a vow to not buy anything new in 2006 -- except food, health and safety items and underwear.

"We're people for whom recycling is no longer enough," said one of the members of the fledgling movement, John Perry, who works in marketing at a high-tech company. "We're trying to get off the first-market consumerism grid, because consumer culture is destroying the world."

They call themselves the Compact. They have a blog, a Yahoo group and monthly meetings to reaffirm their commitment to the rule, which is to never buy anything new."

"We had a little crisis when Matt and Sarah had to replace their shower curtain liner and we said no," said Perry, who lives in Bernal Heights. "But we put the word out and someone found one for them. It's like the Amish -- we help each other out. We raise a barn every week."

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f ... H7DH71.DTL

[Mike_E_from_NZ]

Very cool. I want one just like it.

(A used one, of course)

Mike

[SueinWA]

Take a look at where their JOBS come from, and you'll see that they feed from the same trough as everyone else.

Cynical Sue

[mariet]

Very admirable target! It really would help to have the support of a group to do something like this. I must admit I do buy new shoes, (particularly important in avoiding foot problems), new guitar strings are a must and I do insist of new toilet paper!! I also use new soap and shampoo. Getting something second hand and making good use of it feels indefinitely better than getting something new.
My husband has just changed jobs and is doing rubbish removal. We can't believe what some people call rubbish. We are now getting all sorts of things that are very useful for others if not for us and most things can find their way into a new home instead of the tip. Actually I heard about some people who just bought a hotel. the money to buy it came about as the fellow worked at a tip and sold other people's rubbish, enough to buy a hotel!!

[spritegal]

What do you do for a crust, Sue?

[Tamandco]

Sue's a vet nurse Spritegal.

[ecodharmamark]

G'day all,

Thanks for bringing this group to our attention, murray.

I'm with mariet: it literally hurts me when I have to buy new, and the local tip shops, op shops, and garage sales are my favorite haunts.

All the little things add up. To reuse an item is to save even the energy that is required to recycle an item.

Keep up the good work everyone. Tip and op shoppers of the world unite!

Cheerio,

Mark.

(wow, it's past my bedtime. sweet dreams everyone!)

[mariet]

Speaking of saving resources and energy, I was at a local supermarket that appears to be doing its bit as far as buying Australian produce etc. However I noticed that all the milk bar one came from Brisbane! This is Ballarat! There was one brand of milk from Bendigo but we do have a local brand. Most shops have a feedback system or at least with very little pressure can be encouraged to have one. It goes hand in hand with an effective quality assurance system/ accreditation so at least looks good for the company. It's a great idea to ask for the REALLY local brands so at least we aren't wasting resources to move all this stuff around needlessly. Every bit counts.

[Franceyne]

This is a great piont you raise Mariet. We try to buy Austalian made and produced as often as we can (which is 99.9% of the time) but if there is a local alternative than we will seek it out. I too urge all of you to seek out your local producers and support them where you can.

Cheers,
Fran.

[mariet]

Hi Fran, it's hard when you have to choose between supporting organic, and supporting local. For example we have a local goat's cheese producer and an organic one say 1 1/2 hours away. Which do you buy?
I recently found that a local producer of olive oil do 4 litre tins for only about $1.50 more per litre than the imported cold pressed oils. It feels really good to make that choice even though it costs more, it's negligable really. I find it hard not to buy new when it comes to cd's by struggling musicians and instrument makers. It's good to support these people too!
Cheers, Marie