Reuse and Repurpose
Shopping second-hand to limit how much waste goes into the landfill.
Companies are really good at marketing–I mean really good! Their ads show up throughout your Instagram feed and in your inbox. They know how to pull you in with ‘limited-time’ deals, make you think you’re missing out if you don’t buy what they’re selling, and convince you that their product will make you a better version of yourself. The convenience of clicking the ‘buy’ button is just too easy–not giving you enough time to think through if you really need what you’re purchasing.
To cut back on waste and unnecessary purchases, we’ve recently become more intentional with our spending to limit the amount of brand spanking new purchases we make. The feeling of opening up a new item and knowing you’re the first person to use it is really cool, but we think it’s even cooler to buy second-hand and promote reuse and repurposing instead of constant manufacturing of new products. This shift in our spending habits has made us realize there’s actually very little we need to have at this very moment–the way new product marketing gets you to buy. When we think we need something such as furniture, clothing, home-decor, kitchen dishes, a new vehicle, a bicycle, etc. we first turn to our favorite second-hand stores or apps: Stuff, Goodwill, Facebook Marketplace, Restore, or Letgo. Not giving ourselves the convenience to buy new allows us to be more intentional and not get click happy with the buy button on Amazon.
No, buying second-hand isn’t as convenient, but it can be fun! We look at it as a new way to be creative. AND you’re also saving on the single-use materials used for new packaging. Of course, we still buy new things every now and then, but we’re much more intentional with the items we get. We buy for quality in hopes we will keep that item for a very long time.
So how do you get rid of the temptation to buy new?
Don’t go to the mall or places where you’ll be tempted.
Unsubscribe from all clothing, furniture, or product emails and promotions.
Unfollow companies that could be easy to buy from on social media.
And remember, nothing you buy new or used is going to make you a more complete or better human. You are the same awesome person no matter what you buy.
If you’re not quite ready to purchase second-hand, try buying quality items that you will have for a long time or clothing made from more natural materials. It can be easy to buy super cheap, but in the end, how soon are you throwing that item away?
