Buy Nothing Day
Buy Nothing Day is an annual event observed the day after American Thanksgiving. It simply encourages people to refrain from shopping for 24 hours. It is organized by the non-profit organization Adbusters, and is celebrated on the Friday after American Thanksgiving.
The first Buy Nothing Day was held in Canada in 1992. The founder, Ted Dave, was inspired by the anti-consumerist movement of the time. He wanted to create a day where people could come together and celebrate the things they already have instead of buying new things.
Buy Nothing Day has since grown into an international event, with participants in over 50 countries. The day is a chance for people to think about the impact of their consumption on the environment, their communities, and their own well-being.
There are many ways to participate in Buy Nothing Day. Some people choose to spend the day volunteering, spending time with friends and family, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of a shopping-free day. Others choose to host or attend a Buy Nothing Day potluck, where people bring food and drinks that they have made or grown themselves.
See also: How To Develop a Circular Economy.
No matter how you choose to participate, Buy Nothing Day is a chance to take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and appreciate the things that are truly important.
How to celebrate:
- Buy nothing!
- Clean out your closet.
- Donate or volunteer at a local food pantry.
- Turn off your electronic devices for a day to avoid online shopping.
- Instead of going to the shopping mall, spend the day out in nature.
- Spend the day creating homemade gifts.
- Find a Buy Nothing Project in your town or on social media.
Facts:
- Carbon emissions increase drastically during the holiday season due to shoppers’ increased travel and demand.
- Participants of Buy Nothing Day have been spotted walking around as zombies through shopping malls. They give shoppers a blank stare as they push their empty zombie shopping carts through the store or mall.
- During the 1990s and early 2000s, the day was mainly celebrated in the US and Canada but has since expanded to countries worldwide.
- In European countries, lawmakers are considering banning Black Friday due to the negative environmental impact.
- Many companies produce low-cost, cheaply mand products specifically for Black Friday “sales.”
#BuyNothingDay
