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Confessions of a Serial Shopper
Posted at 05:38 PM on November 08, 2007 comments (4)
By Nicole Walters, GreenIsUniversal.com
I've always been impulsive when it comes to spending my green on the finer things in life but I've also always been conscious of the effects that my consumer appetite can have on the planet.
Recycling doesn't only apply to paper, glass and cans. I recycle clothes, shoes, cell phones, computer hardware, pretty much anything that anyone else can use, I give it away instead of throwing it away.
Shoes are always at the top of my shopping lists. If I don't give old or lightly used shoes to family or friends, I'll find an organization to donate them to, like One World Running. Here's the touching story about the inspiration for this organization.
DASI is a local organization that helps victims of domestic violence and Project Self-Sufficiency is another great organization that helps single-mothers re-entering the work force. To both of these groups I donate my business and casual clothing, shoes, computer hardware and cell phones.
My friend recently started an organization called Operation Tech Start that will accept computers of certain requirements and use them in a lab she is setting up to teach Tanzanian orphans about technology.
The best part about this type of recycling is that I get to "zero out" my guilt at going on another shopping spree by giving to people who wouldn't be able to afford these items otherwise. If you don't feel like getting all warm and fuzzy and just want to dispose of the stuff, check out this video for more info about what to do with tapes, CDs, computer hardware and cell phones.
Nicole Walters
http://www.GreenIsUniversal.com
blog archive
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comments
Posted by: Gary Yantis on November 8, 2007 10:09 PM
Congratulations on the best week of TV programming EVER!
This entire week is sooo funny! Thank you NBC! I'm the non-emotional techie-nerd type who carefully read all data with no hidden agenda or predetermined outcomes and concluded the world's climate is actually more stable today than at almost any time in natural history.
I couldn't believe it when I heard an entire week of network programming was going to be devoted to blatant one-sided propaganda on this or any political issue.
Boy, was I wrong! This week has been sooo funny! All my "green friends", who have talked about this week of programming since it was first announced, are now walking around almost in tears believing they've been made fools of. I guess they have! Al Gore hearing the sound of a whale in distress has been the peak (thus far). What can top that!? But I bet there's even funnier skits to come!
At the end of the week I assume Al Gore and many others will join hands on camera singing "We Are The World" then, in unison, yell "April Fool's" to the world as this week of brilliant programming ends.
In the very unlikely event this was meant to be serious (you aim for the lowest common demoninator but even the dumbest among us are not THIS stupid!) then I'd say your writers are not coming back, no matter how much you pay them!
Anyway, thanks for the funniest week of programming EVER! I'm watching NBC again from now on!
Posted by: Jesse Hackle on November 9, 2007 09:51 AM
Thats awesome that you have such a warm heart. But don't forget that when you give your items to places such as the goodwill, you get a tax write-off. all you have to do is ask for the form. That way you have more to spend, and more to give away.
Posted by: Fuzzy Squirrel on November 9, 2007 10:29 AM
Why does going green cost way more then not going green. My electric provider charges way more for green energy. Some of us do not get Bushes so called tax breaks like those with children get.
Also changing to those energy saving light bulbe 5 years ago was a waste of time because our electric provider upped their rate because of loss of income because people are saving electric. Now our gas provider wants to do the same thing. They Lie & blame it on the cost of natural gas. I live 12 miles from a hydroelectric plant (Which is green energy) but pat the highest rates of all.
Posted by: michael m. on November 15, 2007 04:28 PM
This is all great, but think how much oil would be saved if we all bought local. Just look at the tag next time you buy something, if it is not made on this continent, then it is being shipped from half way around the world. Not only would this be good for the planet, but also for the economy.