Guidelines for July Low Impact Month

http://theidproject.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=415&sid=47415a3668b1de0a9445bbed5519c1c5 http://theidproject.com/ 

I pledge to lower my impact on the environment for one month.

Below I have listed the general guidelines that I came up with and also the Compacter rules. Any portion and combination of the “rules” can be followed. This can be as hardcore or low core as you want it to be. We also suggest that daily meditation practice, journaling the experience and frequent posts on the discussion board be a part of the month. Please start posting suggestions and resources so we can all help each other. There is a lot of information out there.

I pledge to lower my impact on the environment for one month.

This can be as hardcore or low core as you want it to be. We also suggest that daily meditation practice, journaling the experience and frequent posts on the discussion board be a part of the month.

Suggested Guidelines for July Month of Low Impact

1. Limiting Waste

-plastic bags

-coffee cups

-napkins

-energy, lights, air conditioning, cell phone charging, computers

2. Travel

-public transportation, ride share

-walking, biking

-planning ahead to make less trips in the car (if you have one)

3. Food

-buy local

-no bottles water

-try to eat less meat

4. Other

-limiting general purchasing and consumption of new products

-trying to use second hand stores, library, Craig’s list, freecycle.com, downloading music and movies…

5. Personal

-find something personal that you would like to add to your month.

Compacter Guidelines

The aim of the Compacters is:

1. To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc. – a step, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact

2. To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er)

3. To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

*First principle- don’t buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)

*Second principle- borrow or buy used

*a few exceptions- using the “fair and reasonable person” standard –i.e., you’ll know in your heart when you’re rationalizing a violation:

-food, drink, and necessary medicine (no elective treatments like Viagra or Botox)

-necessary cleaning products, but not equipment (don’t go out and buy the Dyson Animal, for example)

-socks and underwear (utilitarian- non-couture or ornamental)

-pajamas for the children

*Utilitarian services allowed (plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, veterinarians, dog/house-sitters, fire/paramedics, dry cleaners, house cleaners, etc.) Support local and encourage used parts (rebuilt transmission, salvaged headlight unit, etc.)

*Recreational services (massage, etc.) and local artisanal items – Good sources for gifts, but should not be over-indulged in for personal gratification

*Charitable contributions (Seva, Heifer, and the like) – an even better source for gifts

*Plants and cut flowers- whenever possible cultivate from free cuttings or seeds. Ok in extreme moderation (yo, incoming oxy) when purchased from local businesses (i.e. not the Target Garden Shop)- and again, within reason

*Art supplies – First line of attack: SCRAP. When absolutely necessary (for the professionals and talented amateurs in the group), from local businesses

*Magazines, newspapers, Netflix- renewals only, no new subscriptions. Even better to consume online

*Video rentals and downloadable music files (non-material) – freely shared and legal, please