Going Vintage is Going Green

Every time I visit any green living site I'm reminded of all the fancy advancements in technology that are constantly reflecting a more environmentally aware consumer. Heck, it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to see coffee mugs made out of recycled bottles, backpacks with built-in solar panels, and refrigerators with energy star seals of approval. We've got engineers and scientists figuring out how to make products smarter, more sustainable, and better for the planet. This is all great, and I applaud the minds behind it, but has anyone looked around and asked themselves...

"Man, this sure is a lot of crap... don't we already have a lot of crap lying around?"

There are a lot of green gadgets out there, but in a world inundated with rampant consumerism, big box stores, and cheap plastic toys -- here's one a truly green alternative people keep forgetting about. Buying old.

Going vintage is going green. Whenever you buy anything retro, used, second-hand, vintage, whatever you want to call it -- you're doing us all a favor. You're keeping junk out of landfills, reducing your personal carbon footprint, saving yourself some cash, and possibly making your apartment a little cooler (c'mon who doesn't like knowing they have the only set of purple 1970's West Virginia iced tea glasses on the block, eh?)

Also, all that old stuff is simply better quality. When you buy something from an era when everyone had a tool kit, you know it was built to last a few dents and scratches. Repairs came with the territory. Plus, owning something you can maintain is already a step in the right direction. It's always a green choice to fix what you have instead of chucking what you broke. After all, You can't replace the microchips in your air conditioner, but you can unscrew the bolts in a fan from the 1940s. And let me tell you something, those fans are still working great after dozens of presidents and a couple wars. Something you can't say about that 10-cup coffee maker on sale for $16.99 at Wal-Mart.

So if we know the stuff at yard sales and antique malls is better quality, better design, and easier to repair... what makes so many of us want to buy new? Our egos? Pride? I think more than any of that -- it's habit. If we need a sweater we go to the store and look for sales. If we need a colander we do the same. But there are literally thousands of sweaters and colanders waiting for you from random vintage ware-slingers all over your state. If they look good, work well, and save you money... why not opt for old first?

So next time you need something, from a set of end tables to a moped, look around for what's already here. Go find something a little funky, a little fun, and help out Ol' Ma Nature in the process.

Comments

[Trilby]

My mom always kept her stuff, she never replaced anything unless it was absolutely necessary. I used to find it odd. She wasn't cheap by any means, but she liked her old stuff and used it until it had no more utility. And some things never wore out. I took loads of her old kitchen gear, including pots and pans that were used to cook our family meals when I was a child. Now I know intuitively why she kept her old stuff because I love old stuff too. It has my history bound up with it. I love and revere and do my best to maintain the stuff that's been with me for decades. I love that old stuff!

[research]

not true for computer. Newer computers use a fraction of the energy of old computers.

appliances in general yes. But refrigerators are another that old inefficient design can eat you energy dollars.

[mlaiuppa]

Thanks. But I've been buying vintage for years.

My furniture is all wood and has beautiful inlays and craftsmanship. It's from the 20s, 30s and 40s.

I buy vintage appliances when safe. (you need to check the electrical) My Sunbeam toaster doesn't pop, just gently raises the bread back up when it's done. My Oster KitchenCenter has all of the attachments. I have a vintage percolator. My stove is a vintage O'Keefe and Merritt.

I did buy my washer new but it's a recycling washer made in 1988-1990. (It recycles water!) My dryer I bought used at an estate sale.

My light fixtures are vintage (eBay) rewired and with CFLs.

My china, glasses, flatware are all second hand. I have service for 12 at a cost less than 6 modern place settings. I have a vintage clock in my living room that keeps excellent time and plugs in. I have vintage wrist watches because I'd rather wind every night than have to keep buying little batteries.

There are a few things I wouldn't buy used/vintage. Energy star refrigerators or dishwashers.

Newer isn't always better. Sometimes it's necessary. But the vast majority of the time you can repair, reuse, recycle or find vintage that is better.

[SallyMutant]

OOOOOOOOOO, 50's Okeefe & Merritt. I'm sure she's as beautiful as mine. Aesthetics are usually better with vintage furnishings.

[Wilburrr]

..... um.... a fan from the '40's has only been through 1 world war.... And those orange Fiesta Ware plates from the 50's? That's uranium in the glaze that makes them so radioactiv­e.... I'd love to have one for educational purposes..­. not so much to eat off of....

:)

[EquinoxMoon]

OR, do a good deed and DONATE that stuff to a shelter thrift store that will sell it for pennies and make a little cash to help the needy, whether that means people or animals is up to you. I personally like "giving it to the kitties", as my family has come to say. Hey, you can save lots of money at the thrift stores and most folks have 2-3 in their own town. College students and new parents have been haunting them for years looking for stuff "that'll do"

Happy Thrifting!

[tigersk8r]

Amen. I can even do you one better. Why pay for the item when you can get it for FREE. There items available to FREECYCLE. Here's how it works:

You sign up at freecycle.org (it's all over the good ole USA)

List any items that you don't need anymore as an "offer". Keep all that unused stuff from ending up in a landfill somewhere and also provide something to someone else who needs it for free. Also a good way to get rid of that heavy stuff your ex-boyfriend left in your apartment.

You can also request items you are looking for. If the leg just got chewed off of your favorite kitchen table by a couple of hungry, bored, sled dogs, you just log onto freecycle, put a "wanted-kitchen table" request out there and good ole aunt Gertie, who can't move things because of her bad back, but needs to get rid of her old kitchen table, replies to your request, you set a time and a date and pick up your new recycled kitchen table. Waa Laa.....tw­o problems solved and more room in the local landfill.

I've furnished many an apartment doing this. Received televisions, couches, chairs, book shelves, old National Geographics, office furniture, dressers, you name it.

Good Luck!