greenliving
local farmers markets rather than sup-
porting faceless corporations that could
care less about you. In doing this you
are recycling your money back into the
A good economy
community and supporting each other.
This economy does not depend
exclusively on monetary gain. Some-
starts At Home
times just giving someone something
because they need it and you have it
is a reward unto itself. In my work as
a holistic organizer I run across many
people who realize they no longer
need, or even want a possession but
can’t bring themselves to part with it.
The idea of simply dropping the stuff
off in a Goodwill bin is not a fitting
end for these things to which we have
become attached. But, when we see
the smile on the face of the person
as they receive our goods, when
we know that our favorite outgrown
clothes or things will find needed
homes through our local church or
shelter, it’s easier to let them go.
While manufacturing continues
to provide jobs for many, true sustain-
ability will only come from using the
things we already have wisely. Why
throw it away when a friend could use
by mark mansfield
it? Why leave it gathering dust when
R
educe, Reuse, Recycle. It’s a
a neighbor who has far less needs it?
concept that’s been around for
When you have to shop,
Why buy new from Sprawl-Mart when
years but Americans have just
begun to scratch the surface of what
support small businesses
that money spent on someone’s used
goods keeps the money in the com-
it means. It’s not just for waste man- and local farmers markets
munity and helps them pay their bills.
agement anymore. As we continue to
rather than supporting
All this talk about the bad economy
grow into conscious consumers the
is ridiculous. We may be moving into
emphasis shifts from consumption to
faceless corporations that
an economy that looks different than
sustainability, a green economy. Many
could care less about you.
the “buy more & often” model that
people are also waking up to the fact
we’ve been sold but different is not
that supporting your local community
synonymous with bad. Ironically, this
is increasing in importance. We can do But, as useful as the internet is,
type of green economy bypasses typi-
so without extending much further than it doesn’t replace the joy of human
cal economic measurements but will
our own homes and, as always, we are interaction. Mary, two doors down, is
ultimately lead to the strongest system
abundant. in need of a space heater but can’t af-
yet, one based on humanity and not
The web is an incredible resource ford to buy one new. In the course of
just some piece of paper.
(some would say engine) for this new cleaning out your garage you discover
economy. Websites like Craigslist that you still have the three space
Mark Mansfield, MC, has helped many
and Ebay are well known ways to sell heaters that served you well when
of his Clear Space clients eliminate the
things you have laying around the you were living in that much bigger
clutter in their homes while directly
house in a manner that usually pleases house. She mentions her need one
participating in this new, local econ-
both parties. There are also groups like night and you strike a deal that leaves
omy. For more information he can be
Freecycle where people post things both of you satisfied. This is the green
reached at 480-241-8119 or on the
they no longer need for the cost of the economy at work. When you have to
web
www.clearspace.vpweb.com. See
gas to pick them up. shop, support small businesses and
ad page 8.
Pr i n t e d o n re c y c l e d Pa P e r t o Pr o t e c t t h e en v i r o n m e n t
April 2009 21
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