Page 78 - iPhone Life Magazine - Spring 2020

are my favorite items to buy from secondhand shops since I good or at least neutral intentions no matter which country
typically only need one at a time and have a habit of losing or
breaking bulbs when I buy a new pack. I can fi nd thrift stores
by searching apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps, which
is what I typically do when I’ve got time to kill in a new area. I
also follow my favorite thrift stores on Facebook or Instagram
to keep abreast of new items, sales, and standards for dona-
tions. Other apps let me purchase second-hand items online,
such as thredUP (free) for quality pre-owned clothing;
Decluttr (free) for electronics and movies; or eBay (free),
probably the largest online thrift store out there.
TIP #4: SEEK OUT
INSPIRATION
I don’t post much on Instagram, but I do use it to browse
public posts that use environmental hashtags I’m interested
in. The hashtag #meatlessmondays on Instagram shows peo-
ple making vegetarian or vegan meals on Mondays, as cutting
down on meat consumption reduces factors that contribute to
deforestation and more. Other hashtags I like to browse are
#noshopping for cutting back on impulse purchases, and #diy
to see all the artwork, body care, and gifts people make them-
selves. Since I’m big on buying stuff second hand, I show off
my fi nds with the hashtag #thriftstorefi nds.
While trying to cut back on my consumption, I read blogs
by people living a similar lifestyle to me. Zero Waste Nerd, a
blog written by Megean Weldon, offers tips to lighten your
trash cans. Weldon has maintained her zero-waste attitude
and redesigned her daily life to prevent trash creation for four
years running. She provides easy-to-follow advice for creating
zero waste in your life, too. If it doesn’t sound as simple as
bringing tote bags into the grocery store or asking the barista
to fi ll a travel mug with coffee, well, it really is! I don’t have to
be stressed out by the idea of using less. I can pick one thing
to do, like refusing to use plastic straws, and go from there.
Using the free Overcast app, I’ve gotten sucked into what I
talk about the politics and jobs that revolve around managing WHAT YOU LEARN
call the Podcast Hole for weeks at a time; listening to people
consumption. Look up the topic of recycling in podcasts like
Freakonomics or Planet Money and learn about how recycling
centers are operated in the US. Other topics I search for in-
clude zero waste and vegetarianism.
For something more visual, the website Top Documentary
Films provides a wealth of movies covering consumerism and
the environment. Documentaries helped me realize just how
many people are involved in the issue of waste, such as the
politicians behind certain laws or workers whose jobs are to
manufacture my clothes and food. If a selection is not avail-
able to watch for free, the site provides a link to where I can
fi nd it. Amazon, Netfl ix, and Hulu all offer documentaries but
are only available with a monthly subscription. YouTube also
provides some free documentaries and Ted Talks. The YouTube
app is where I watched Henry Rollins’ talk for free. In the talk,
Rollins discusses how he views himself as a global citizen. He
also provides some insight on social issues from a personal
perspective, as he tends to barge into local communities with
76 iPhone Life Spring 2020
he’s in. For example, you’ll hear how Rollins almost started a
riot by trying to donate soap and soccer balls in Haiti.
TIP #5: FIGHT
PLANNED
OBSOLESCENCE
I’ve noticed some things I use are built to be replaced in a
short amount of time. It turns out, that’s designed intentional-
ly to make people buy more; it’s called planned obsolescence.
Electronics and accessories are majorly affected by this;
things such as chargers that stop connecting after a couple
of months, or printers with an artifi cial expiration date on ink.
France legally defi ned and outlawed planned obsolescence in
2015, and with that have come lawsuits against companies,
including Apple, for designing their products to manipulate
consumers into additional purchases.
In the US, a movement called Right to Repair provides
information on proposed legal standards for electronics and
allowing home-based and third-party repair shops to fi x per-
sonal property. They also provide links to contact each state’s
legislature to support an end to planned obsolescence. Re-
cently, Apple has launched a program in North America that
allows certifi ed third-party repair shops to receive offi cial
Apple parts and repair out-of-warranty iPhones. However, it’s
unclear whether Apple will expand this program to more of
its products. If Right to Repair gains traction, I could imagine
fewer artifi cial expiration dates and more durable electronics
in the future.
TIP #6: SHARE
Most of the habits I’ve implemented work best on a per-
sonal scale, but they are also the most relatable and easiest
to talk about. My friends sometimes ask for a link to a docu-
mentary or podcast I mention or notice my travel mug. Maybe
they’ll change some of their habits too, or I’ll get a more in-
depth conversation with someone about a podcast episode I
recommended. I’ll clean my spot, and help someone else to
clean theirs, too. Ѷ
Hallei Halter is currently a freelance writer & petsitter in Fairfi eld, IA.