What’s with the ‘buy nothing’ group? Experts say trend will help Canadians deal with inflation – National

For Edith Wu, Facebook is not only a social platform to connect with friends and family, but also a great place to find free baby items.

“I usually join Facebook groups that offer free stuff in my area. There are also mothers groups that sell second-hand goods,” said Wu, a stay-at-home mom. “Many used items are in good condition, and getting them helps keep these items from ending up in landfills.”

According to the Find Your Community List maintained by the Buy Nothing Project, there are over 700 Buy Nothing gift communities or private Facebook groups in Canada.

The idea of ​​Buy Nothing was founded in the United States in 2013 by Rebecca Rockefeller and Liesl Clark to encourage a gift economy where community members give away items for free and make them available to someone in their neighborhood.

Because the founders believed that “the true wealth of the gift economy is the network of people involved and the connections formed to support them”, it is usually bought, traded, bartered, or money exchange is irrelevant.

Some treat not buying anything as a lifestyle, while others participate in social movements out of causality. A ‘buy nothing’ lifestyle can reduce waste, with the added benefit of saving money amid a high cost of living, say Canadians and experts who are part of the Buy Nothing Group. told Global News.

In Wu’s case, she’s simply trying to be green.

“My son stopped wearing all his clothes within three months…a lot of things[are]unusable…same with his toys.So I[being in the Buy Nothing group]”I think it’s a great way to reduce the number of items and packages that go to landfills,” Wu said. “You will be amazed at what you find.”

Kate White, professor at the Souder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, says attitudes toward buying and acquiring second-hand goods have changed in recent years.

Historically, buying second-hand goods may have had “a bit of stigma associated with it”, with people saying they were “cheap or overly thrifty” or not financially well off. White said it could be considered.

trendy now

trendy now

“I think there’s been a bit of a change…for a lot of people, this is now seen as a positive thing,” White said. “It’s kind of fun right now. It’s kind of trendy. It’s a way to get some kind of unique find or trade.”

According to White, there are “obvious advantages” to getting or buying second-hand. Not only does it save you extra money, it also helps the environment. Items find new purpose too.

“Rather than making new products and putting all the energy, materials and resources into making new products all the time, if we can sustain those things economically longer, reuse and reuse them, it’s better for the environment. Because it’s better for the planet,” White said.

Additionally, “Someone who wants it is going to get it and use it instead of it going to the landfill,” White explained.

Benjamin Lau, manager of Toronto’s Buy Nothing Group, says it feels good to share “your stuff with your neighbors, especially something that’s been sitting underground for a long time.”

“Like baby items and used baby clothes, Christmas and Halloween decorations are things you don’t need, and when you post them online, your neighbors will come pick them up,” says Lau.

Lau also believes that a group that buys nothing can help Canadians as Canada grapples with skyrocketing inflation and a high cost of living.

“[People]can use that (extra) money to buy food and essentials,” says Lau.

Rishad Habib, an assistant professor of consumer behavior at Toronto Metropolitan University, said getting second-hand goods for free or at a low price is a “positive incentive” for people to make sustainable choices. I’m here.

“It’s hard to do something just for sustainability, but when there’s something that helps an individual’s finances, it’s really good,” Habib said. of Canadians are looking for cheaper or more budget-friendly options.”

Habib added that such a community would be helpful for families with young children.

“If you buy winter boots this year, you won’t be able to wear them next year, so having the opportunity to resell or re-gift them is important,” says Habib.

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