Being an overly avid consumer is not so green because:

• It creates a need to use more material to make products.
• It creates a need to more energy resources to make products – and not many of those energy resources are green.
• When non-renewable energy sources are used, it creates pollution to make these products.
• It takes gas to ship said products from plant to company and then more gas to get them to your home.
• Packaging for products creates all the same issues noted above.
• When you have a lot of stuff you need a place to store it and living large is terrible green behavior. BIG old houses create a huge and negative eco-impact.
• Many products are recyclable but on the flip side, many aren’t. Furthermore, lots of products are a mix of recyclable and non-recyclables, which creates an issue for recycling centers and consumers. Even further on the flip side, research shows that even when a product is recyclable, people just plain aren’t recycling.

Simplicity is green. Living within your means is greener than living outside of them. Living with less junk around is considerably greener than always making purchase. If you’ve never considered the impact stuff has on your world, here are some resources:

Your Money or Your Life: book about transforming your relationship with money, stuff, and time. While this book is not green exactly, it naturally heads that way. It pushes for a more authentic, more people based, less materialistic life and offers the tools you need to make this change.

The Circle of Simplicity: book about the overwhelming need for stuff. Plus tips about how to get rid of the stuff you have (and don’t need), how to buy less, living your passion, and clearing space, both in your mind and home.

Stuff owns you – a classic little essay that’s a must read for anyone considering clearing out their stuff.

Coming up sometime soon, we’ll take a look at some other ways to beat consumer issues and keep it green.

[image via

Post from: Blisstree

Commercialism & Stuff – Not So Green

Kidsonroof Mobile Home

Kids can take this home everywhere — not true of the typical doll house. Also, not to get sexist but my son who is all boy in the most boy way one can be even likes this house. He told me it looks cool and most doll homes he passes off as, “Girly.” Yes we are working on him never calling things “Girly.” It’s the only thing he does that really frustrates me.
Kids can play with this 360 degrees, pick it up, carry it around, take it in the car, and even sit it on their lap. The home has 8 rooms along with various stair openings and spyholes plus an attic space.

Other perks:

• Made of strong, stable 100% recycled cardboard.
• 100% biodegradable.
• Thoroughly tested: CE approved.
• Easy to assemble and folds down flat for storage.
• No sharp corners and opens on all sides.
• Kids on the Roof donates 5% of purchase to UNICEF.

My perk for you is that it encourages imagination better than a typical doll house. Don’t get me wrong I love some doll houses. However, with the Mobile Home, kids can perceive their own rooms and how they’d like the spaces to be arranged. They can decorate how they choose and simply swim in the simplicity of design that is the blue cardboard house.

Available at Spunky Sprout.

Post from: Blisstree

Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: Home for the Kiddos