1- The Buy Nothing Project

The Buy Nothing Project, which started in 2013, is a Benefit Corporation tasked by legally- -
binding charter with performing a public good. The stated aim of this project is to "set the
scarcity model of our cash economy aside in favour of sharing the abundance around us".
It began as a Facebook campaign, and has built up local groups in the US and other
countries. BuyNothing offers people a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express
gratitude through a worldwide gift economy network in which the true wealth is the web of
connections formed between people.
They have many principles:

- They build strong communities and sustainable livelihoods for the makers, fixers, and
others who transform old into new, over and over again.
- They believe that those are more resilient, sustainable, equitable, and joyful when
they have functional gift economies.
- These communities are already a global reuse economy with immense social and
environmental impact.
- Their future development will also empower each of us to keep even more items in
use.
- They believe their local groups strengthen the social fabric of their communities, and
ensure the health and vitality of each member, as well as every community having
the same wealth of generosity and abundance.
- They value honesty, integrity, people and their stories and narratives above the ‘stuff’
in all their interactions.
- They see no difference between want and need, waste and treasure.
- They measure wealth by the personal connections made and trust between people,
so they view all gifts as equal; the human connection is the real value.

By the numbers, there are…

7.5 Million BuyNothing community members
2.6 Million Gifts/Month
13 Thousands Buy Nothing community builders and volunteers
230 Thousands Buy Nothing communities around the world
850 Thousands BuyNothing app downloads, worldwide
2- Throwing away clothes

Each year 350,000 tonnes of clothing is thrown away by British shoppers. A survey carried
out on behalf of Vanish revealed some 64 percent of people own an item of clothing they've
only worn once and have no intention of wearing again.
Half of respondents said they own clothing they've never worn. When it comes to disposing
of clothes, some 16 per cent said they simply throw them in the bin.
Almost a quarter (23 per cent) said they tend to get rid of clothes when they're bored of them
and 22 per cent have discarded some clothes because the colour has faded.
But stylist Miranda Almond explained there are plenty of other options available to shoppers
who have grown tired of their clothes.
She said: 'Before you go out and buy something new, before you throw away that item that's
been unloved and unworn lying in the bottom of your wardrobe, think again. With a little
imagination, love and restoration that item can be re-worn and reimagined to have a super
stylish second life.Think about rewearing as the most timeless style statement yet!'

Caroline Rush, from the British Fashion Council, said: 'As the world turns its attention to the
incredible collections at this year's London Fashion Week, our partnership with Vanish is
here to remind people of the joy of restyling and reimagining their wardrobes and to give
their clothes the lifespan they deserve. We are dedicated to working with Vanish to explore
positive consumption for a more sustainable world.'

1. Bernat, How is credit card debt related to disposable clothing, according to the
text? It is related because, according to the text, the majority of British consumers
buy clothes via credit cards. The problem is that they spend money they don’t have
to buy clothes they don’t really need. At most, they wear those for just one day, and
then all of this disposable clothing stays in the wardrobe until they clean up.