[SustainableTompkins] Seeking input for "Just & Sustainable Lifestyles" resource

[Marian Brown]

Elan Shapiro wrote:
> 1) Ways that "sustainable choices" are becoming more affordable 
> & or accessible (broadly defined) & more multicultural in our 
> community AND  ways that sustainable choices can actually save money 
> and/or time (see addendum about " sustainable choices" below) 
>   
The emergence of a significant number of local opportunities to purchase 
"gently used" items at very low cost means that more sustainable choices 
are being afforded to folks of all ranges of economic means. While I am 
what could be considered a middle-income earner, I enjoy frequenting 
second-hand stores, looking for bargains. Speaking specifically to the 
issue of affordability of replacements for free plastic shopping bags, I 
happened to note that at the Salvation Army store, reusable cloth tote 
bags that could be used for shopping are regularly offered at 
rock-bottom prices. And Wendy Skinner's "Sew Green" collective offers 
opportunities to learn how to refashion items from used fabrics, so the 
skills to "do it yourself" and make even higher quality bags exists. 
This is but one example; there are many used items that are readily 
adaptable for new purposes. For instance, during my last visit, for $1, 
at the Salvation Army, I purchased a used ceramic jar which I now use to 
collect food scraps for kitchen composting. And there are certainly a 
large number of options for purchasing good, usable clothing - from the 
Salvation Army all the way thru consignment clothing stores. There is no 
longer a stigma about frequenting such places - it's becoming the "cool" 
thing to do, at least here in Ithaca.

Also, I would submit that the problem of "overwork" is not a problem 
exclusive to underpaid workers. For most all of us, it's a matter of 
adequate prioritization of that most precious resource: time.