The average American household has 300,000 things in it, according to sustainability expert Ashley Piper.
Wed, Mar 1, 2023 8:27 p.m
Americans seem to be obsessed with the stuff.
According to sustainability expert Ashley Piper, “The average American household owns 300,000 things.” “We have more volumes than the Subway, McDonald’s and Starbucks combined.”
To save time, money, and help the planet, Piper took the “No New Things” challenge.
“When I needed clothes, stuff for the house, makeup—things like that—I used what I had first,” said Piper.
If Piper needed something, she said she could shop it—as long as it was second-hand. She said she turned to platforms that sell or trade used goods such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Freecycle.
Challenge participants start by writing down all the things each individual or family will need. If it’s a traditionally bought new item, write that down and make a note next to it detailing how it can be obtained in a different way.
Piper said she saved more than $16,000 doing the challenge for an entire year.
“Every way we buy things, especially nowadays, leans toward that immediacy,” said Piper.
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