Underconsumption core - is it a trend or a hopeful future for our planet? Social media often showcases our best lives - luxurious vacations, fancy jewelry, stylish dinner parties, and more. However, the less glamorous side of social media is the pressure to present ourselves as successful and thriving - at all times. For many people, including myself as a millennial, this pressure can be overwhelming. I would be lying if I said I didn't struggle with keeping up with societal standards in my twenties, and I know I’m not alone. Thankfully, I’ve learned to care less about these standards in my thirties.
With all of this said, the rise of the underconsumption trend is a refreshing change. It’s a relief to see this movement gaining traction, and I hope it’s here to stay - bringing lasting positive impact for our planet.
Staying accountable! Local Ottawa content creator Darcie keeps a temptation list to avoid buying things she comes across on social media ads. - September 5, 2024
Redefining My Priorities
If you’ve been following Earthub for over 4 years, you might know quite a bit about me. One thing that has consistently stayed the same from childhood to now is my family’s value of travel through a low-consumption lifestyle. I was raised to prioritize travel over material possessions - things like the latest and greatest toys or new clothes. While you can budget for travel, it remains a significant expense in today’s world.
Transparency has always been a core value for me through Earthub (sharing as much as I can despite behind the scene projects!). Staying true to that, I am going to be real transparent about my past. In my late teens and early twenties, my life was filled with travel, bar hopping, tattoos, fake tans, and designer accessories. While this may seem contradictory, it’s true that I still managed to maintain a low-consumption lifestyle to some extent. Finances were always important to me (still is) because I wanted money for travel - and the idea of debt truly makes me sick to my stomach.
Despite the priceless adventures and keeping up with societal 'expectations' of that time, many people would describe me as cheap (if they could only see me now). I associated my low-consumption lifestyle with saving money. While I could definitely splurge occasionally, I avoided what I call ‘daily spending’ - things like Starbucks, magazines, face masks, blowouts, cigarettes, and energy drinks. This approach allowed me to save for travel and, to be honest, purchase $400 Michael Kors watches and purses. Oh, how my priorities have shifted over the past six years.
The Most Sustainable Action...Ever
While zero-waste products and energy-efficient equipment are great investments, there's a crucial step before diving into those options. The most sustainable action you can take is to use what you already have. The next best step is to buy only what you truly need. Reflecting on the financial aspect, every time we spend, we are essentially casting a vote for whatever we are purchasing. Yet, the frustration with high costs and the difficulty of repairing items persists (it often feels like repairing is more expensive than buying new - why is our world so backwards?).
Regardless, I use up everything I can whether an ancient appliance that still works or the last drops of toothpaste. Let's take a look - think twice before you throw something out that you might think is empty!
Reusing pasta sauce jars
Computer speakers from the 90's that didn't die on me until 2022
Cutting lotion containers open to use up remainder
Second hand jar and scoop for zero-waste laundry detergent
Takeout container piggybank
Reuse plastic pump from body wash for soap dispenser pump that broke
Hand mixer from 2009 that didn't die on me until 2024
Emptying out conditioner and soap containers for more product before buying more
Reusing spray bottles
Various methods of reuse or using up what I already have!
Prevention: Acting Ahead
Underconsumption isn’t just about saving money or finding old items around the house. It’s a proactive way to reduce your carbon footprint and avoid depleting new resources. In the photos above, instead of buying new computer speakers or a hand mixer, I extended the life of items by 15-30 years. I could have purchased a more aesthetically pleasing piggy bank, a soap dispenser with a nicer pump, or matching spray bottles. I might have thrown out the lotion container without realizing there was enough for at least 15 more applications, or disposed of the soap and conditioner instead of getting three additional washes out of them.
Every time we buy new items, we contribute to the emissions associated with their production. While it might seem straightforward to pick something off the shelf, the journey of that item likely involved electricity from the grid, freshwater, and freight transportation. By underconsuming, we help prevent the depletion of valuable resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The common rebuttal of “I’m just one person; it won’t make a difference” needs to be challenged because it's just not true. Your actions do make a difference, both in prevention and in inspiring others. Earthub began with one person and 104 items kept out of the landfill for reuse in 2019. Fast forward to today, and with a like-minded community, we are just shy of 700,000 items diverted from the landfill.
Choose minimization. Choose underconsumption!
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