Shopping and disposing

It can be quite easy to just buy things without thinking about it. The trouble with this is that the things we buy tend to break. Or have loads of annoying packaging. Or not be very useful at all.

Then we buy more things to replace the things we have bought already. This can be very expensive.

And it is terrible for the planet. All the resources and time and money and energy that went into making that thing, are wasted when we throw the thing away.

Then we pay for more resources and time and money and energy to be used when we buy a new thing.

Imagine if we started using things as if they were services.

For example, a potato fulfils the service of providing some dinner for you. Or, a light bulb provides you with a source of light in order to see what you are doing. Or, a glass model of a dancing couple provides you with a nice memory of something.

You could spend your money on things that would be useful to you. Things that would last a long time. Things that you could share with other people. Things that could be turned into something else. Things that were made in a way that really helps the makers.

Now they would be worth your money.

Here are 7 principles for finding and making the best services. With this, not one thing will go to landfill.

Rethink - Ask yourself: do I really need this? Do I already have something that does this service? Why do I want this?

Everything that you do and buy will use energy and resources in some way. But sometimes this is important. For example, it is really important to eat well, to have prescribed medication that you need, to do things that make you happy.
There is a balance. When you do or buy things, ask yourself what the impact of that thing will be? Can you really justify the energy, waste and pain that went into making it? Could you get the same service in a more positive way?

Refuse - Be firm. Choose services that cause no harm.

For example, refuse to buy things that come in packaging that poisons the air when it is made, such as plastics. Choose to buy things loose instead. Refuse to eat food that has abused the animals in order to make it. Choose food that is made from organic and free range produce instead.

Reduce - Make the smallest negative impact that you can.

For example, use the car less often. Or, buy things that are strong and will not get worn out easily. Or, find ways to throw away less food. Or, buy services that were made near you. This means that the things have travelled less to serve you. These services will waste less greenhouse gases.

Reuse - Let services last as long as possible. Everything can be used again. We simply have to be inventive and let services last.

For example, buy a re-useable water bottle instead of a disposable one. Or, borrow or rent the thing that you need from someone else. Or, give the services that you no longer need to someone else. This could be a charity shop, a friend, a neighbour, or you could sell it. Buy services that used to belong to someone else.

Rescue- Notice things that other people are wasting. Rescue them.

For example, go litter picking or dumpster diving. Turn off the light for someone else. Buy food that is on clearance so that it does not go to waste. Lift share with someone. They will not need to drive a separate car when you are both going to the same place.

Repair and repurpose - Turn trash into treasure, scraps into smiles. You may have finished with a service. But there is certainly someone who can use that service in a new way. In fact, you might be that someone.

For example, repair things that are worn out or broken. Find organisations that you can give your old things to. Make sure that they will be able to refurbish them or repurpose them. Cover up scruffy old leather chairs with a lovely second-hand fabric. Then you have a new set of beautiful chairs. Cut up envelopes and letters to use as note paper. Store them in an old cardboard box. Buy things that have been repaired or repurposed.

Return to the earth - Give back natural waste. As it rots, the natural waste can nourish the land and wildlife.

For example, collect your kitchen scraps and throw them in a composter. If you have to use disposable services (such as some medical equipment), use biodegradable materials. Then compost the thing.
Also, return the dead to the earth Human Composting is a beautiful and natural way to bury the dead. The body composts to form a soil which is then used to heal forests like Bell Mountains. This website- 'https://recompose.life/our-model/#the-process' explains more.

Recycle - Turn old and useless services into new materials. Buy products that have been made from recycled materials.

For example, when something can no longer be reused or repurposed, throw it in the recycling bin. Recycling companies can melt and squish the thing and turn it into new materials. Other companies can use the recycled material to make new products.

Even really disgusting waste could be cleaned and burnt in order to produce electricity.