July is No China Month
Mish, Rayleen and I are trying out No China for this month. We are pledging to not purchase any items made in China or from China. The idea is about unfair labour standards, etc.
Mish wanted to go for a whole year but I only committed to one month just to see how it goes. I know it will be hard because I need to purchase a lot of stuff now that I’ve moved. And I think I have to play it safe by not purchasing the item if there is no indication of where it came from.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I know you are just trying to do something nice but what about No Bangladesh, No India, No Thailand, No Venuzeula, no Mexico, or No Pakistan month to name a few? Working conditions there can’t be much better. Maybe a only developed countries month might work better.
And secondly I wonder how do the working conditions get better if the factory closes because enough people stopped buying the made in china products?
NO criticism intended, just wondering.
July 17th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
No criticism taken. I was actually wondering about that myself on the first day of this project of mine when I went to look for towels for myself. I saw India and Pakistan and wondered if No China is really going to work if I accept India, Bangledesh and Pakistan… Also, Taiwan is a special administrative region so does that mean I accept this country’s products or not… I did not discuss this with Mish… As I was having a hard time finding a cutting board not made in China, in the end I made the executive dicision to take Taiwan since there are trying to seperate themselves from China.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:08 am
You know, b, Tupperware is not made in China
July 20th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Yo b….
The No China thing for me is more of an awareness experiment. It also is to protest, in a small way, poor labour conditions. Also, for myself, it has brought about the idea of being a consumer and what that power can mean. I have bought very little this month as a result of not purchasing items that come from places that have poor labour and environmental standards. Instead, I bought a recycled glass juicer (German) that cost 10X the amount of the dollar store variety. It made me feel good. I also purchased a sweet pair of Fluvogs which were designed here but manufactured in Portugal. The soap that I buy is all fair trade and manufactured in Vancouver or Toronto. I realize that these items are expensive and not readily affordable all the time but I also feel better inside knowing that there is belief behind my purchases. I have started really evaluating something before I buy it. Is it worth it? Will I use it often? Is it practical? Do I really need it? Will I love it? I also feel curbed and therefore thoughtful about the power that each of us has as consumers. Again, I believe we all do what is right for us and what we are ok with. After cleaning out Rowan’s room last week and hucking out tons of made in China plastic toys (from Happy Meals and dollar stores) it really made me sit back and think. All that stuff is now sitting in a land fill somewhere taking up space and what did all the energy that went into creating amount to? There will be no more of that stuff entering our lives as it serves no real purpose and expends energy (manufacturing….shipping….etc) for no reason. Rowan is better off playing outside or coloring or reading. We should spend our money on things that have practicality, functionality and bring us joy with out feeling bad. Buying less things is never a bad thing.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
[…] has written an excellent comment on her reasons for No China this month here. I thought I’d write that it’s really an awareness that has awaken me to all the […]
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 am
Hi Ladies
I will say it really has not been that hard for me! I am broke lol, so going out and making purchases that are not made in China have been pretty easy. I will say at the grocery store I have had a few difficulties. I would like to say, so what is the next challange?
Cheers
Rayleen
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 am
I will be extending No China into August with the added challenge of moving and thus needing to buy some new household stuff. I am feeling like I will have to fork some major dill to buy a bookshelf that I can feel good about. I might just make one instead!
July 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I think I will also extend No China to August as well. I don’t think it would be quite fair if I waited just so that I could buy Chinese things a couple weeks later.