It’s move-out/move-in day (the weeks leading up to August 1st) at U.S. colleges everywhere, and already the eco citizens of my hometown are taking to the alleys, finding free great stuff everyday. I just found a $60 little outdoor coffee table you can buy new at Urban Outfitters. So here’s the status quo, oh young devastators of the Earth: you’re buying Made in China at Urban or Tarzhay or Costco or Wal-Mart, and then you’re throwing it out when you move out of your apartment. 

Here’s the new plan: buy local/independent–and don’t tell me it’s too pricey, stuff on craigslist.org is cheaper and often nicer than we could otherwise afford. And then, when you’re moving, put anything usable that you don’t want on the curb, or on good ol’craigslist, or have a yard sale and make some dough…just don’t in the dumpster.

Your new actions (a literal translation of ‘karma’) will result in less mining, deforestation and pollution, less unfair-third world-labor, stronger local economies and independent small businesses (which are more often owned by women, if you care to know) and leaner local landfills.