Tel Aviv buys less, even during the month of major discounts
November and December are known for huge discounts and promotions: Black Friday, Shopping IL, China's Singles' Day, Cyber Monday and more. The aim is to buy, buy, buy and buy. Shopping records are broken during this period, and the sad fact is that many purchases end up unused and are quickly thrown away. That means more non-biodegradable rubbish, more polluting electronic waste, more wasted resources and more damage to the planet, our shared home.
These troubling facts prompted the Environmental Quality and Sustainability Authority and the Community, Culture and Sports Administration to launch a special campaign, #November Without Consumption. The campaign asks the public, precisely during this consumer-focused period, to pause before reaching for a credit card and choose carefully what to buy and what to forgo. It will introduce alternatives to consider before deciding to buy something new. These options not only save money and protect the planet, but also encourage creativity, community and an opportunity to appreciate what we have.
The secret to a healthier world: think before buying
The campaign's organizers do not aim to lecture people about stopping shopping, but to encourage thought, careful choices and greater environmental awareness when buying. Their starting premise is that reducing consumption is the most effective way to protect the planet. Consider this: if everyone thought about the world before entering their credit card PIN, we would be in a much better position, because fewer products bought = less waste and less pressure on the planet. What do we gain? A healthier, cleaner world with abundant resources, and a chance to enjoy what truly matters: human connection, time to ourselves and the things that are free.
One person's rubbish is another's treasure: alternatives before reaching for your card
Over the coming month, the public will be introduced to a range of alternatives for thoughtful, sustainable consumption: swapping belongings, repairs, borrowing and more, all with an emphasis on community, a healthy work-home balance, well-being and slowing down. The campaign will include collaborations with professionals in the field, environmental initiatives, educational institutions such as schools and kindergartens, youth movements, community centers, environmental artists and others.
Planned workshops and activities include design and styling, swap events, secondhand sales, repair workshops, introductions to secondhand shops, upcycling lessons, a handywoman workshop and more.
