The brainchild of Annie Leonard, an “activist who has spent the past 10 years traveling the globe fighting environmental threats,” the story tackles “all our stuff—where it comes from and where it goes when we throw it away.”

Listen closely, because Annie barely catches her breath as she reviews the life cycle costs of the products we use. From the extraction of natural resources to their production into iPods, shoes, dishwashers and cars, to their distribution, consumption and disposal, Annie examines how economic policies of the post-World War II era ushered in notions of “planned obsolescence” and “perceived obsolescence” —and how these notions are still driving much of the U.S. and global economies today.

Her three-fold message resonates completely with what you find time after time on Big Green Purse: you don’t need as much stuff as you may think you do; don’t buy stuff you don’t need; and make the stuff you buy matter.

The post The Story of Stuff appeared first on Big Green Purse.

That’s why on the Friday after Thanksgiving – November 23 – I’ll be joining  thousands of environmentalists, social activists and concerned citizens in as many as 65 countries who will hit the streets for a 24-hour consumer fast in celebration of the 15th annual Buy Nothing Day, a global cultural phenomenon that has been gaining momentum as the climate crisis drives average people to seek out greener alternatives to unrestrained consumption.

Says the nonprofit Adbusters, which launched the event, “Timed to coincide with one of the busiest shopping days on the US retail calendar, as well as the unofficial start of the international holiday shopping season, Buy Nothing Day has taken many shapes, from relaxed family outings, to free, non-commercial street parties, to politically charged public protests. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending.”

In past years, notes Adbusters, street activists have proven particularly imaginative in their celebrations, bringing zombie marches, credit-card cut-ups, and shopaholic clinics to malls and public squares in an effort to expose the environmental and social consequences of First World over-consumption.

Kalle Lasn, the co-founder of the Adbusters Media Foundation, explains that “while most participants used to see the day simply as an escape from the marketing mind games and frantic consumerism that have come to characterize modern life, the focus has since shifted in light of the new political mood surrounding climate change.

“So much emphasis,” he notes, “has been placed on buying carbon offsets and compact fluorescent lightbulbs and hybrid cars that we are losing sight of the core cause of our environmental problems: we consume far too much.”

“Buy Nothing Day isn’t just about changing your routine for one day. It’s about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment. With over six billion people on the planet, it is the responsibility of the most affluent – the upper 20% that consumes 80% of the world’s resources – to set out on a new path.”

So how about it? DON’T use your purse on November 23. And if you’re so inclined, write in and let us know what you didn’t buy.

The post DON’T Use Your Purse November 23 appeared first on Big Green Purse.

They call it No Impact living, and it’s pretty much the complete opposite of what Big Green Purse advocates.

Now, I confess. I do a lot of what “No Impact Man” (you’ll have to read the article) does, though not to such an extreme. No, I haven’t given up toilet paper. But I walk as much as possible. About 80% of the food I buy is locally grown. I use my own reusable mug when I’m out and about to avoid throwaways. I take my own shopping bags to the grocery store.

But this is where the Man and I part company. I want to simplify my life and reduce my environmental impact, and I sure wish the rest of the world would, too. But the chances of 300 million Americans giving up toilet paper are slim to none. The chances of some greater percentage of the population switching to toilet paper made from recycled paper are much greater. And it’s by using that consumer clout to buy the right products that we force manufacturers — the entities that do the most damage to the environment — to reduce pollution, stop global warming, and right a whole host of other environmental wrongs.

“No Impact Man” is to the eco-lifestyle movement what Greenpeace is to the environmental movement: far enough out on the fringe to make what is truly impactful — in this case, shifting significant dollars in the marketplace to force manufacturers to clean up their act — seem simple and safe by comparison.

Thanks, Man. And let me know when you need a roll of (recycled) toilet paper.

The post A Year Without Toilet Paper? appeared first on Big Green Purse.