Has anyone ever considered a 'no impact' lifestyle?

Question

I once read about this family that was practicing a 'low impact' lifestyle. Which i thought was really neat. Because they only bought things that didn't come in packages (for the most part they only ate vegetables and fruits), but of course they had to buy vitamins but would recycle the bottles. They didn't use toilet paper or paper towels (water bottles and air drying), and they packed their lunch to go to work in glass jars instead of paper bags and such. I just thought this would be a really cool thing to be apart of-- knowing how wasteful my own family is. If everyone took part in this, the world would be much cleaner!
What are your views?

Well I'm pretty sure they used plastic for their song lol. And if you think of it- it's a lot cheaper than buying paper towels, toilet paper, plastic bags, paper bags, etc etc. So I wouldn't think that you would have to be rich to live this kind of lifestyle?

esmerelda-- they only did ride their bikes-- they lived in NYC. If they were so heavily into conservation what makes you think that they let the water run when they brushed their teeth? They did a lot more that I didn't mention because I didn't have the energy or space.

Answer 1

Ohhhhhh, I see. I thought "no impact" meant you had to just not touch other people.

Answer 2

Interesting question! I watch that show on TLC - Getting Fresh with Sara Snow and she was talking about how to live like that. It's really not that difficult once you are in the mindset of reducing what you use and increasing what you put back...
I don't think I could stop using toilet tissue, but I don't use plastic baggies when I pack my lunch - I use reusable containers, I recycle and if I cannot recycle something, I find a use for it instead of throwing it away. I'm single, but I only have about two bags of trash per week. Most of it is remnents from my juicer and from making my salads (I live in an apt. and I don't have anywhere to compost...if I did, I'd probably only have one bag per week).
I'm trying to do my part. I don't think I could ever do a no-impact, but I'm certianly on my way to a low-impact lifestyle! :-D

Answer 3

We are awfully spoiled. It would be tough. I try in small ways here and there. I buy big jugs of water and refill them and then fill aluminum sportsbottles instead of buying individual water bottle all the time. I try to buy stuff in glass containers when I can because glass is the best for recycling (cheaper to recycle glass than it is to make new, which is not true with plastics). I get creative with reusing containers around the house. I keep a lot of the natural vegetation on my property instead of clearing it all away. I want to start composting. I'm getting ready to move and when I do I'll be planting a huge garden so we should be able to grow most of our own vegetable and fruits. If everyone does just even a little it helps, I'm sure!

EDIT:
P.S. You can always make your own washable maxi pads like someone around here suggested the other day ( http://hillbillyhousewife.com )! OR A ROLLED UP BABY SOCK FOR A REUSABLE TAMPON. I'm not kidding. Someone really suggested that.

Answer 4

I think there are far bigger ways we could tackle our environmental problems! I think that first we would have to all be riding bikes, walking, or at the least driving hybrid cars. Switching out your light bulbs is huge, as well as other simple things, like not letting the water run when you brush your teeth, supporting organic farmers, etc. I like your suggestions, but I think we need to look at the bigger picture first! Thanks for the ideas though...interesting and not too very far fetched!

NO no...sorry...I figured that this family you are speaking of was doing all that! I just meant for the rest of the country as a whole to take on that sort of lifestyle, I would like to see the bigger or easier changes first! I guess the way I worded that sounded off from what I really meant! I love that one family can do all that, I was just trying to picture the rest of the country!

Answer 5

I'm all for minimal/low impact. We practice it in some degree aboard ship because of environmental, space limitations, and security considerations.

But I can get along w/o paper towels. But I draw the line on toilet paper vs. water & "air drying".

My hat is off to them though for living a reality they decided upon.

Answer 6

Maybe not a "no-impact" lifestyle, but everyone should try to lower their impact. Most times lunch is packed in reusable containers and if our family goes out to eat, I try to remember to bring reusable containers for any left-overs, can't stand getting styrofoam containers or any containers. I figure eating out is probably bad enough, so why make it worse with disposable take-home containers.

Answer 7

It sounds good in theory, but I couldn't commit to it for very long. When you think about it, it's just a little impractical for me. I mean think of how much time it waists, and would you really let your kid carry a glass jar to school? I mean no offense, these are just my thoughts on it. God Bless:)

Answer 8

No offense, but it sounds like OCD to me. Kind of like people with orthorexia, they're really not doing it for their health, it's a mental disorder and the can't help themselves. It must be incredibly stressful to worry about every little step you take like that.

Answer 9

I'll take the convenience of the modern world. I rather live comfortably than try to live a "low impact" life.

Answer 10

It's a bit extreme, if you ask me, but I admire people that want to help the planet.

FP