How Green is our “Stuff” Culture?

Have you ever wondered if our culture of “buying stuff” is truly sustainable?  And how did we become a consume-and-dispose society?  I encourage everyone to watch the video at the top of this article, a simple education tool for our youth, yet still eye-opening presentation called “The Story of Stuff”.  Annie Leonard, an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues, narrates this 20-minute, quick-hitting look our consumption-first economy. She highlights important social, political, and environmental considerations, and asks thought-provoking questions along the way.

On the consumer front, hopefully more people will start asking deeper questions of themselves and corporations when considering purchases:

• Do I absolutely need this product?
• Where did the raw materials come from, and are they potentially toxic?
• Who assembled the product, and were they paid a fair wage to work in a healthy environment?
• Is this product built to last?
• How and when will I dispose of the product?

For more specific information on products, check out GoodGuide (which is also available as a free iPhone app) and SkinDeep.