Training: Sustainable consumption
Are you a comfort-loving person? If so, this workout is perfect for you! We will now train in climate-friendly consumption, which means identifying and reducing unnecessary purchases.
You’ll have it easy when you only buy what you need. If you can choose high-quality, sustainable and recycled alternatives, you will save a lot of effort.
So, when is it necessary to buy? At least think about how often you’ll have use for the item. If you don’t need it every day, maybe you should borrow or rent it instead.
- Borrowing books is a no-brainer for us. Many libraries also lend games, outdoor equipment, tools and even sewing machines!
- In recent years, clothing rentals have been opening their doors, and their selection often includes clothes and accessories by domestic designers at reasonable prices for both everyday use and festive occasions.
- When you throw the party of your life, you might be able to rent a set of dishes. You can inquire about dishes from the Martha organisation in your area, for example.
- The easiest way to acquire a lawn trimmer, a car for the summer holiday or a log splitter for chopping firewood is to rent them. Rental is a carefree solution for the consumer, as the service includes maintenance, and therefore you will always have well-functioning equipment at your disposal.
Does shopping make you happy?
Research on consumption shows that buying goods brings pleasure, which, however, evaporates quickly. The sensation of pleasure is caused by a hormone called dopamine. Due to the effect of dopamine, shopping can even be addictive. That doesn’t sound very happy.
Consumption is therefore a problem rather than a path to lasting happiness. Indeed, giving up useless goods has recently become a trend.
Sustainable happiness is often enhanced by intangible things, such as friendship, kindness and not being in a hurry, rather than consumption.
Source: Keskisuomalainen
Why choose used?
Clothes and furniture made before the 1990s are often of better quality than those produced during the current period of mass production. You can also make distinctive and trendy discoveries!
You can save up to thousands of euros a year by buying used instead of new. When you buy everything you need second-hand, your carbon footprint will be reduced by 16 per cent per year. Emissions and materials will be saved as fewer new goods are produced and the need for transporting them is reduced.
Source: The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
Here are your exercises!
Take a peek in the closet!
- Take any clothing you haven’t used in years that may not even fit you as well as unnecessary items to the flea market or recycle them in other ways.
- Learn how to take advantage of the services of clothing rentals. In addition to Helsinki, clothing rentals can be found at least in Järvenpää, Turku and Tampere. In this way, you’ll get new clothes for your needs with a good conscience!
- Switch to eco-friendly detergents. How often and what detergents you do the washing with is important. The freezer helps with deodorisation: put the garment in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer compartment of the fridge or a freezer for a few days. Freezing is particularly suitable for knitwear and lined and vintage garments.
- Air out your clothes instead of washing them! Keep your clothes on hangers to allow them to air out when not in use. The most eco-friendly way is to wash everyday clothing as little as possible in the washing machine.
- If you are planning a larger purchase, think about whether you could borrow it or buy it second-hand or for shared use, for example. Try out new ways!
Gift shopping
- Give edible or compostable gifts: cut flowers, herbs, flower seedlings, good oil, honey, delicious chocolate, a flower wreath, a door wreath…
- Intangible gifts may be, for example, movie tickets, a café gift card or a weekend at a cottage. HSY’s website Anna jotain muuta (“Give something else”) has tips for many tastes!
- Give your time as a gift. Would the recipient be delighted by a gift card with a promise to take care of their child or dog, or could you take them to try out a new hobby with you, for example? Time is the most precious thing you can give someone.
- Start a new tradition. You can tell your loved ones that you don’t want any items as gifts and that you won’t give them yourself.