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Story by
mtraub
Published on August 5, 2009 in Craftivism |
Photo by Richard Norgate |
Going green can often feel overwhelming. For every eco-friendly decision I make, I can't help but think of the thousands of other ways in which our society is having a negative impact on the planet. We Are What We Do's book, Change the World for Ten Bucks, is a refreshing reminder that small efforts can incite significant change, when applied globally and consistently. Focusing on what I do each day to help the environment, rather than feeling guilty for my shortcomings, is just the sort of encouragement I need for an enduring green lifestyle. I've chosen ten tips from Change the World for Ten Bucks to share with you along with items right here on Etsy to make this mission that much more feasible.
We Are What We Do is a global social change movement. We believe it is not just politicians, institutions, and big business that change the world — it is also ordinary people like you and me. Our aim is to bring people together and demonstrate how, using simple, everyday actions, we can create a global movement of doing and changing; doing small actions and changing big problems.
We started back in 2003 with a simple question, "What would you ask one million people to do to change the world?" We received thousands of suggestions from all around the world and the result was this book, first published in the UK in 2004 and now published in countries all around the world.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find out more about us at our website and in this video.
Purchase Change the World for Ten Bucks
1. Decline Plastic Bags Whenever Possible
Every person in the country uses an average of 330 plastic bags each year. That's 100 billion plastic bags all together. A plastic bag can take up to 500 years to decay in the landfill. There is an alternative. It's called a shopping bag; it's reusable, and apparently in France, it's very chic.
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By decorativeinstincts, $80. |
Cloth Market Bag Reusable Shopping Bag By RosyUndPosy, $25. |
2. Plant Something
Flowers, vegetables, herbs, house plants, bamboo, ferns, trees — we don't mind what it is, just get planting. You'll turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, calm your mind, relax your body, and potentially have something delicious to eat. Even being short on space is an opportunity to get creative and connect with your inner child by planting bean sprouts in an egg shell.
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By vesselsandwares, $86. |
By amyhuntpottery, $46. |
3. Shop Locally
(Editor's note: Have you tried Etsy's Shop Local tool? You may be surprised just how many Etsy sellers are in your area! Meetalls is from Argentina and MayBeMe is from South Africa. Etsy can be an invaluable way to find local artisans.)
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By Meetalls, $26. |
Stingko Trubbleton the Couchie By MayBeMe, $25. |
4. Give Your Change to Charity
If we all put our spare change into charity donation tins, the world would be a lot better off. So, the next time you buy something and get change back, look around for the donation tin. After all, one cent per person per week adds up to $156 million per year.
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From RobertaGrove, $22. |
By fruitflypie, $32. |
5. Try Watching Less TV
Rearrange your pictures. Make a cocktail. File. Write a song. Apply makeup. Swim in a pond. Wear gold. Revert to childhood. Stay up all night. Change your hair color. Turn left instead of right. Streak. Massage someone. Dust. Shave something off.
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By grimm, $34. |
avenue - pack of 4 screenprinted fabrics By summersville, $25.50. |
6. Turn Off Unnecessary Lights
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By nettiescrub, $14. |
The Mystery teacup Soy Wax candle By TwilightSpells, $21. |
7. Have More Meals Together
Research has shown that children who have meals with their parents are much less likely to suffer from anxiety or stress disorders. So why not try chatting to each other?
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Mist Morning, large casserole baking dish By GREENware, $44. |
Striped Wool Felt Table Runner GB By InboundThread, $48. |
8. Use a Mug Not a Disposable Cup
Every year Americans throw away an estimated 25 billion Styrofoam cups, which is enough to circle Earth about 400 times. Additionally, 410,000 paper cups are used every 15 minutes in the United States for hot beverages. But why not just put your coffee into a mug, not a Styrofoam or paper cup? It'll taste better, and you'll be doing your part for the planet.
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By maryeverett, $40. |
By scottjennings, $30. |
9. Buy Fair-Trade Products
Fair-trade products guarantee to give the people who grow them a fair share of the profits. You'll see all sorts of fair-trade products in the stores these days — from bananas to coffee.
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Fair Trade Tree of Life Pendant By ethora, $150. |
By haveitconfections, $9. |
10. Write to Someone Who Inspired You
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Ink Acrylic Notecard Blank Inside By leahfelicity, $10. |
By GreenPost, $4. |
Inspired to learn more ways you can change the world? Chronicle Books is offering a special discount to Etsy readers! Just use the code "ETSY" at checkout on their site, and you save 20% off the price as well as free shipping.
More Craftivism Posts | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Earth Tones Series
120 comments Login to add your own!
Sudstress
I absolutely love this article. Informative, creative and inspirational all in the perfect combination. Thanks!
VintageEyeFashion
fabulous ideas all! may i add...use repurposed and
recycled packing materials in your etsy shipping! it
all adds up!
clothpaperstitches
These are all great ideas. Easy steps toward being green. I make upcycled market bags! www.ClothPaperStitches.etsy.com
VintageEyeFashion
i.e. shredded mail and newspapers(packing mulch)
inside out cereal and cracker boxes
plastic bags that you do end up with
in spite of your best efforts. the list
goes on!
hellome
MademoiselleG
The arcadia votive duo is very nice! Thank's for the eco tips :-)
BabbidgePatch
SeaFindDesigns
Love this article and it's message!! Everything in my shop is a "re-do"!!
lovintage
I am in love with the burlap tote! LOVE IT! Thanks for opening my eyes a bit more to possibilities.
NiftyKidstuff
worksofwhimsy
It's a way of life for my family to follow these suggestions. I also use reused and recycled shipping materials in my shop.
Great items. I have a few more treasures in my favorites now!
VintageJamie
It's sizzle here, South Korea. Everytime I'm outside or driving, I'm thirsty for cool coffee and everywhere I go, there are take-out coffee shops. But I always carry my tumbler filled with coffee brewed at home.
BululuStudio
pamwares
Iammie
foamywader
aBreathofFrenchair
lovelygifts
beautifulbridget
ConservationClothing
Buying Vintage is Environmental -Reusing Textiles instead of the large-scale creation of heavily manufactured garments that often come from overseas -- all the oil and energy involved in just barge shipping them, not to mention all the synthetic dyes, and electricity to make them in the first place.
Trees & Foliage Print Top at:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
PlaskDesign
4TheSparrowsNest
I live in Asheville, NC, which is a "hippie" community in the mountains. Everyone here is VERY earth-conscious and trying to live green. It's one of the best influences...if you live somewhere where being "green" is a way of life (and you get scoffed at if you use plastic bags at a grocery store, true story)you can't help but try it yourself.
PoppysVintageGarden
CDChilds
"Fix it don't replace it" I love this motto and try very hard to live by it. Great article!
sherrytruitt
The more you live this way, the easier it is. I ride my bike to the post office with mey etsy packages very day.
littlemoandfriends
junkyjunk
Buying vintage and used, another great way to reduce! Not only is it great, but many times it's very original, now who wouldn't want that?
sakizome
Yup, a shopping tote is green, chic and beautiful!
PS love the candles!
LilyBaySoap
shopgoodgrace
galit
ModishVintage
pocketstudio
michon
UnraveledRevelry
I am so glad this movement is finally making headway. I started making bags about a year ago. The move that China and India made to get rid of their plastic bag problem inspired me. I have been using reusable bags for many years now, in part because when you bicycle it's easier to put your purchase in your backpack or a messenger bag. For big trips it was easier to get a cab or bus ride and use cloth because I still had some walking to do. Even just going up the stairs the cloth bags made it so much easier. I live my life as green as possible. Thank you for this article. If you would like to see what I make follow this linkhttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28725552
UglyBaby
I love finding new ways to use things that other people have discarded. My Shower Arts are filled with things that people have given us or that we've found at yard sales. I like knowing those tiny bits are now being used to make art instead of being thrown away.
thebestvintage
erikabumberika
beachhouseblues
paramountvintage
ESPP
Thanks. I'm glad to see this article. I have used Etsy's alchemy to get jewelry repaired.
girltuesdayjewelry
Beautiful items and a great article with an important message!
Thanks!
TwistedCrystals
BlackStar
These tips are so easy to do. It's hard to believe that most people don't already live like this.
recycledwares
great article. i'll have to visit the website for more information on the "we are what we do" movement, since this inspired me to read more.
hotmamascoolbabes
I feel inspired all over again, even though I already do virtually all of these tips already!
kenjiku
babook
Totally agree with the all of the things Green !!
We Are What We Do (small actions x lots of people = big change)
Joying my Green shop : http://www.babook.etsy.com/
ButtensBoutique
ChloesRuffleButt
stitchface
I was given this book as a gift a couple years back and it is sooo great! Awesome picks to go with an awesome book :D
VixVintage
Recycling to help save the planet is our families mission, passion and business. Try using cloth napkins instead of paper. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?...
Persiflage
Inspiring. And not hard - I do 9 out of 10 most of the time and my life is better because of it. Hmm, think I'll get to #10 today.
steinschmuckdesign
TheCottageCheese
Great article, and I love the alternatives to watching TV!
retrolabs
workingforpeanuts
HibouCards
great, always cool picks and ideas. I really like the tree of life pendant :)
rafya
ParadiseBodyShop
I'm so happy to see that there is an impactful movement towards saving resources! Thanks for the article!
breadandroses
Simple, easy, do-able on a daily basis. More suggestions:
Consider donating unwanted clothing, shoes, coats to your local homeless and women's shelters. Colder weather will be here before you know it and the need of these folks becomes especially urgent. Our household has made of habit of doing seasonal thinning out of little worn items for the city shelters.
Buy an extra pack of socks or underwear while doing back to school shopping. These humble items are badly needed.
If we find a fantastic deal on jeans, coats, boots, et al, at a yard sale, we'll buy them to donate. It's a tiny bit more work than throwing change in a jar but we know our meager efforts are directly benefiting those in the most dire straits instead of going to pay charity campaign advertising and administrative costs.
We all can be philanthropists on this micro scale.
voleurdebijoux
Excellent article! Thank you for sharing these fabulous green tips!
krize
Thanks for this article! It is really wonderful! We can change the world with simple things and it´s lovely. I just want to add Nr. 11 - "Make smile someone!" :)
SeaGrapes
Great article. I love that I can bring my own bags, mugs, etc and be complimented (rather than scoffed at like a few years ago). Long live the green revolution!!
And it feels great to have an eco-etsy shop. I love to hear back from people who have told me they re-use all their paper with my paper-recycling kit. Makes me smile. :)
StarsandRobots
Yay! It ain't easy being green, but it is getting easier! It is no longer "wierd" to carry a tote bag for shopping. I am moving toward greener shipping, I've sent things in shoeboxes and such, and all my inside the box packaging is from leftover things I never throw away. My robots are made from all upcycled clothing, and I am using them even more for a new line of albino skunks, for the stripes and ears. I haven't dropped off old clothing for over a year with my new endeavor,, and that is bagfuls and bagfuls!
vivikas
Great article, if everyone do their part the world still can be a better place... so let's start now! :D
SecondHandNews
LoveAppleBoutique
Love the Cloth Market Bag Reusable Shopping Bag. Great article.
mrsjonessoapbox
Love it! I really appreciate Etsians who use recycled materials when they ship items. I ordered some of those cute wool dryer balls a couple of weeks back and they came shipped in an envelope that had been constructed out of magazine covers. I thought it was so clever & wonderdful! Definitely made an impression on me.
So when is Etsy getting a "Green" category? It seems like it would be a hit!
TheReFORMatory
Wonderful tips, the smallest gestures do help. I featured a story in my blog about repairing old tile instead of installing new. And those plastic bags, OMG, even when I bring my totes, the bag boys still try & give them to me. But at least our grocery store collects them for recycling. And plant more trees, join Arbor Day Foundation and get free ones.
thesocialcellar
TheQuietOwl
danikai
VeganDish
vantiani
evihan
AnniesWearableArt
thank you Etsy for caring and doing so much to inform and educate others about these issues. Just one more reason to adore etsy!
SimpleJoysPaperie
I come from a family of "fix it - don't replace it", more of necessity most times, but it still serves the same purpose!
Great tips!
GreenPost
Thank you, Etsy! I am going to have to read that book-looks wonderful!
I appreciate being included in the last tip re: writing to someone who inspires you. It amazes me constantly how re-usable paper is and how silly it is to buy new, virgin paper. What I'm doing with paper is simple and anyone could do it. Like all the above tips, they are all simple and anyone can and should do it! So, thanks again for this reminder of the many ways we can improve our daily choices.
TreeHuggerStudio
I love this article. As you can tell from my shop name. I am aware that I have a carbon footprint, and I think that is important. Some people have the mindset that they are just one person with one trash can that "oh well it wouldn't really make a difference" . WRONG. Thank you for article.Don't forget to hug a tree.
curiousmess
At my grocery store, they DOUBLE bag plastic bags! It's awful! I do feel like they should give me some sort of a percent off when I use totes considering I'm saving them money. :)
ManateeDreamsInc
My Dad always encouraged us to pick up trash whenever we were out camping, visiting a park or walking on the beach. It became a habit and I always try to remember to take a bag wherever we go and sometimes I have to empty the bag several times along the walk.
I remember snorkeling a dark water river a few years ago when it was unusually clear a few years ago and was disgusted at the number of beer bottles littering the bottom. My daughter and I swam a portion of that river for a couple of hours trying to get all of the beer bottles next to the very popular campground. It took both of us to swim with the bag to shore to empty it.
EJPcreations
haveitconfections
There are so many amazing re-do sellers on Etsy. From Vintage to Edibles the vast amount of talent in this area alone makes the shopping possibilities endless.
Just a fun side note. My daughter, husband and I take trips to the Angeles National Forest about twice a month now for garbage pickup. My daughter has so much fun, we all have gloves and biodegradable bags. We usually get two to ten bags at a time and leave them for the rangers. It's so sad that our gorgeous national parks aren't always taken care of. I had always dreamt of being a park ranger when I was a kid this is my way of fulfilling my dream.
MinceCo
A healthy % of my work incorporates recycled parts, as they say..ONE MANS TRASH IS ANOTHER MANS TREASURE ;)
EcoInspired
Wonderful advice. Recycling fabric is my thing. Inspirational to see scraps become functional and funky.
Fairyfolk
EXCELLENT!!! I love being 'earth conscious' and seeing so many joining in this inspiring movement by thinking of 'the little things' they can do. Every little step will get us to where we need to be.
Thank you for this article.
Blessings and magic!
raegirl
There's a woman in our area who crochets tote bags using plastic grocery bags. They are actually very lovely!
sweetdreamsandco
eclecticbysari
Thanks so much for the tips! What can we do about water consumption?
sleepyking
Great Tips! :)
Its the little things that make a BIG difference.
skrat
limitz
ebiko
Like the one about less tv! Sometimes it seems my tv is a huge octopussy eating my time! ;)
uncljohn
Rather than feeling like I was being haranged at from a worn out soap box, it was actually thought provoking.
mdshine
What a beautifully done article. The visuals drive home your points in a fun way.
CelinaMancurti
Thanks for such good article! I encourage myself and products to be more and more sustainable each day!
buddhanature
Awesome!
Some really beautiful work featured here . . . I love it!
laurenmdavisart
fawa
louloudo
Awesome. About the carrier bags - its at last become a bit of a taboo here (UK, at least in the south) to wantonly use new plastic bags, practically everyone's got a canvas shopping bag or reuses them. hurray!
icanspellit
KimAlexJackson
I love this article; watch less TV - shave something off! Great inspiring ideas!
SnowdropsAndDaisies
Lovely article...
I know it is a bit of self-promotion but I have one to add...
We have to remember to buy things made out of recycled products... sending your stuff for recycling is just half the battle.
I think I do everything on the list... except no.10. Must try harder :)
ellabellamay
Excellent article and ideas, thank you!
I have been using cloth bags for a little over a year now and I am so used to them that I find it inconvenient and a pain in the butt to find a place to put the plastic bags until they can be recycled and brought back to the store. I LOVE my cloth bags because they can hold a lot more without ripping, they catch any spills, and they can be washed anytime.
Also, sitting down together at the dinner, in my house, is a sacred hour! We have one daughter in high school and another in college and they still make it a point to be home for supper almost every night. We love it! It keeps our family connected in this busy world, and it really saves a lot of money (no going out to eat) and we can eat healthy, local, organic foods.
:)
MalindasBeadDesigns
This is really inspiring, especially the idea, that if we break down the problems and solutions into little steps that I can recycle, I can turn off the water while brushing my teeth, I can bead instead of watching tv, I can shop locally without too much effort,
thanks,
malinda rose.
SimplySassySupplies
Nothing like recycling/reusing. We always need other reminders to show is there is ALWAYS more we can do.
theninestories
lulastic
I love your posts on craftivism, so awesome. I am looking for craftivists/ ethical etsy members to come along to an ethical Christmas Fayre on 5th Dec on Oxford Street, London.
To qualify as ethical (how hard are these boundaries!!!) your makes will be from fair trade fabrics or will be repurposed/ recycled objects.
Tihs is a not for profit event, in that the deposit you pay for your stall goes to fund the Salvation Army's international development work.
Would love to hear from you!
Lucy
RenJewels
Pearlk2
Bricabraca
Great tips! Some I already do, some I will start!
#5 is my favorite though, I wish I had you around all those summers before I could drive to help fight the boredom!
willowblacklab
eyeseevintage
Fabulous! Thanks for sharing. If it were up to me, my house would be completely TV free!
BabongoHome
Wonderful article. Thanks Etsy and participants :)
I collect and upcycle plastic bags into lovely mobiles for you home:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=...
I only use packing materials that have been used before, keep the temperature low in our house when no one is there, switch of lights in rooms we are not in, only use washing machine or dishwasher when full, go to work by bike, do not use stand-by modus, etc etc.
There's so many little things you can do. Hurray!
annslights
Recycle, Re-Purpose, Re-Use. If everyone did one thing each day, it would be so beneficial. !
cassidycay
ninaglaser
debcarvalho
taliesb
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