Shop well

We all buy things we want and need and like. We probably buy a lot of things that we don't want or need. My dad asked me the other day whether I thought there was enough steel in the world to make it so every person in the world had a car, an interesting question! What is clear to a lot of people is that if everyone lived as we do in the 'Western' world that it would put severe pressure on the earth's resources. 3D printing may revolutionise manufacturing but new technology like phones and tablets is increasing pressure too.

So, reduce, reuse and recycle. Simples. Buy less, use it again or for other things, put it in the recycling.

A lot of people like giving presents and most like getting them but as I get older I find that often these presents are more of a token rather than something really useful. Here are a few ideas to still buy presents but to help others when doing so or other similar things.

Most charities now have online shops so why not support them when buying stuff?
Amnesty UK         Oxfam UK        Christian Aid          Greenpeace UK 
Friends of the Earth UK  are just a few so check out your favourite cause or charity and support it.

Even better why not buy gifts for people that actually help others? I donated a goat to someone for my Mum's birthday present once. My wife loved getting an acre of rainforest for our first (paper) wedding anniversary.
Wateraid           Oxfam Unwrapped          WLT Buy an acre         WWF Sponsor an animal     

Why not sponsor a child? Do some good for the less fortunate:
Plan UK      World Vision UK       Action Aid UK

Why not use sites like the following to give money to charities as you shop. You buy, they donate...
Give as you live

Rather than throwing stuff away, Freecycle , Freecycle UK  or Freegle  are great ways of getting rid of something you no longer want or finding something you need. I love it. Things I have used it to find homes for include such varies items as pots and pans, Xmas decorations, a palm tree from my garden, old fence panels for firewood, a laptop and loads of other stuff. I have got a nice foot massager from it too. A lot of stuff gets posted on here and it normally goes pretty quick. A great way for people to get things they want, for free and to keep it out of landfill!

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