…in this case it stands for Bring Your Own Bag, a campaign by the New American Dream, and part of their Buy Wisely page of online resources that promote conscious consuming. (And while you’re at it, go ahead and fill that bag with organic food — just do it thoughtfully.)
Here you’ll find choices that protect the environment and the well-being of people at the other end of the production line. We make it easier for everyone to be a positive force in the marketplace. What you buy (or don’t buy) matters — Buy Wisely
There’s plenty of room to discuss if adjustments to everyday habits are going to mean global change or if they just make us feel better. And there’s so many complex ways to answer on either side of the question that it makes my head spin.
But I no longer have any questions about whether adjusting my own spending habits will effect change. It’s pretty clear that when I stay out of the stores — that is, don’t engage in conspicuous consumption — big changes start to happen on a personal level.
And if one hundred other people stop shopping as recreation (sport-shopping?) and another hundred after that, someone is going to notice. And in the meantime we all might do radical things like establish savings accounts and add to them on a regular basis. Another worthwhile habit.
The Center for the New American Dream also runs the Responsible Purchasing Network that provides a series of guides. Sadly, membership is required, and starts at $50 for student/individual. Membership does have it’s privileges though, and they can be seen here.
For more on how others are handling their end to consumerism on a personal level, and not doing it alone, GOOD Magazine published this article about The Compact.
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