Buying lots of new things seems to be going out of fashion.

It’s not hard to see why – you can’t spend what you don’t have. And while we’d always advocate shelling out for the best-quality, well-priced (i.e. not super-cheap) products, there’s another way to get exactly what you want on a tight budget. It takes a little more effort – but it’s fun, creative, and it’s been popular for thousands of years. It’s bartering.

Products or services, a straight swap or a fierce haggle…bartering is an online boom industry that’s never been more timely. Where to start? Here are 20 places that will help you click your way to a new wardrobe, bookshelf or even four walls and a ceiling!

http://bookmooch.com

What’s traded? Used books – hardback, paperback, anything with pages you can turn.

How does it work? You’re earning and spending “mooch points” – earning by searching for titles, giving them to other members and telling people you’ve received what they sent you…and spending by acquiring the books you want (with a further option of making a donation to the charities Bookmooch support). It’s a system that rewards good practice – and since books fit nicely into small parcels, it operates worldwide.

http://www.bookcrossing.com/

What’s traded? Books. But in the most fun way possible.

How does it work? Welcome to one of my favorite concepts on the web – a place where books are freed into the wild, to not only contain stories but become them, as well. You register your book onto the site on its own profile, and then you write the book’s individual Book Crossing identifier and associated web address on the book’s inside cover, along with a message asking anyone holding the book to go online and register where and how they got it. Then…you take it somewhere fun, and leave it there. You update the  profile to say where you left it. And you watch. With a bit of luck, it’s the start of an amazing journey! Meanwhile, you check what books have been “freed” in your local area, and you go in search of them. Awesome fun.

http://www.craigslist.org/

What’s traded? Absolutely everything.

How does it work? It’s the daddy of all bulletin board sites, it’s the subject of a documentary, it’s permanently busy (20 billion page views a month), it’s simply everywhere…and it’s a bit of an online Wild West. Search hard enough and you’ll find what you want – but there are no safety nets here.

http://www.freecycle.org/

What’s traded? There is nothing that isn’t offered on Freecycle. It’s Life in miniature.

How does it work? We love Freecycle! Love it! Sorry, I couldn’t contain myself there. This is a colossal (4,000+ groups, 6 million+ people) network of non-profit recycling hubs, operating as online bulletin boards. Everything is given away free. You log on at key points during the day, scan down the list of offers, spot something you need and leap to the phone, hoping nobody beats you to it. It’s also a great way to shift unwanted possessions quickly, for example when you’re moving house (I got rid of a single bed in this fashion when I was at University). It’s all about what someone wants to give away for free. I’ve even seen an iBook on there – apparently snapped up in about ten seconds.

http://www.frugalreader.com

What’s traded? Books…and book-related gossip.

How does it work? It’s not just a site to swap books back and forth (you list the books you have; other people request them when you’ve posted your list; you get credit to request books yourself). It’s a reading community, with reviews, discussion forums and all sorts of lines of communication at work. That final “Relate” in the tagline is what makes it distinct from its competitors.

http://www.house4trade.com

What’s traded? Only your home, dude. No biggie.

How does it work? Obviously this is a big deal, in every sense. This site is all about permanent house trading, and so it’s really a sophisticated way of getting in contact with people – no PayPal purchasing here – but the backbone of the site is a very real Real Estate Network.

http://www.makeupalley.com/swap/

What’s traded? Well, now, this should polarize you. Fancy putting on the slightly used makeup of a stranger?

How does it work? You browse the items on offer – you find something of your own that the swapper would be willing to accept in return – and off you go. The FAQ notes that all swapped items should be cleaned with alcohol before swapping, and only unused mascara should be swapped, but even so, there will be some people who will flinch. Since there’s a feedback system and therefore an element of accountability, there’s probably little to fear. Satisfied or disappointed swappers can also air their views on a product review page.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php

What’s traded? Right there in the title.

How does it work? Credits, that’s how. When you successfully send away a requested book for trade, your account swells by one credit (or two, if it’s an audio book). And if you spot a book on offer, it costs you one credit to complete the process. You can also put in a standing order for a book that’s not yet available – which is unlikely, as there are over 3 million titles in there. How much media coverage has this service enjoyed? Maybe all of it.

http://www.readitswapit.co.uk/

What’s traded? Books books books.

How does it work? Running since 2003, this is a veteran of the swapping scene (but note the dot-co-dot-uk…yes, it’s Brits-only, I’m afraid). Want a particular book? You click through The Library, their swap-enabled directory of books, and you choose. The person whose book it is gets confirmation that you want to swap – and checks out what books you have on offer. If there’s a meeting of needs – swap ahoy. It’s all free – the only payment ReadItSwapIt asks for is a voluntary donation to a registered charity.

http://rehashclothes.com/

What’s traded? Clothes and books.

How does it work? Rehash is in it for the good of the environment (their recycling-style logo is a big clue). When you “rehash” (i.e. put up for swap) an item, it’s listed as a page in the site’s Trading Post hub, and people make offers that you can flick through and weigh up. Once you’ve confirmed a mutually acceptable deal, the mechanics of getting item to new owner are left completely up to you. The site also has a nice line in community-based activities and reference resources.

http://seedypeople.co.uk

What’s traded? Unwanted bags of seeds – anything from vegetables to trees.

How does it work? Unfortunately, by the looks of it, it isn’t working – there’s not much going on in that site right now. But it’s such a fun idea that I felt it worth including for the concept alone. Trading plant seeds has terrific potential (although food-related legislation might be a hurdle to clear) – and postage? Cost of a stamp.

http://www.swapace.com

What’s traded? Everything under the sun.

How does it work? Want the push & pull of a negotiated deal? This is the place for you, because you don’t swap based on existing predetermined values – you decide how much your swap is worth, by haggling (using their fancy electronic negotiation system). When you both see eye to eye, the swap can take place – accompanied with the quiet satisfaction of knowing you gave it your best shot.

http://swapcove.com/

What’s traded? In theory, anything you like, large or small. (Since it’s new, it’s still sparsely-populated).

How does it work? There are no points, no credits…it’s all about how much you think your swappable item is worth. You use this SF-based site to come to an arrangement on your terms only. It looks nice, there are plenty of great features (such as finding deals within so many miles of your home) – but right now it’s waiting for enough people to bring it alive. One to watch.

http://www.swapcycle.co.uk/

What’s traded? Anything goes, it looks like.

How does it work? If you’re in the UK, you can use it to offer goods or services by making a formal trade offer to someone, in exchange for their goods/services. If they decline, you can open an e-mail and start negotiating, or move along to a more successful attempt. Some of the offers on here are fascinating broad (”Wanted: anything with an engine in it”) and the front page is rather tatty, but it looks like a good place to check out for cars, clothes and mobile phones.

http://www.swapstyle.com

What’s traded? In a word, glam. Clothes, accessories, cosmetics, shoes.

How does it work? You build up your swapping potential by gaining a positive feedback score, so that other people can see you’re a trustworthy recipient of their fashion triumphs. You can also go for Address Verification status, which is a physical letter containing a code that once entered, confirms you’re where you say you are. Once you’re trusted and verified, you never have to wear the same thing twice and you can keep your principles intact.

http://www.swapthing.com

What’s traded? Mainly music, but generally a bit of everything in the realm of the small to medium-sized.

How does it work? This site is much more eBay-esque in that you can offer an item for swapping, but also choose to sell it, transacting via PayPal. There’s no fancy automated bartering engine behind the scenes: you create adverts, you sift through e-mails, and you move items and/or money around. It’s strictly hands-on, so if you’re a control freak, this is the one for you.

http://www.swaptree.com

What’s traded? Books, music, film & television DVDs, and video games.

How does it work? It’s all about the barcode. Input the UPC or the ISBN from the back of the item you have, and the fancymajiggery behind the scenes at Swaptree will find what items are offered for trade in return, and display them Amazon-style down the screen. What’s more, it’ll keep searching while you’re logged off, meaning you’re faced with a new list of potential swaps every time you log on. Specific to entertainment media – but brilliant at what it does.

http://www.tradeaway.com/

What’s traded? Things from the very, very small to the astounding large.

How does it work? “World’s Largest Online Barter Exchange Auction Site”, TradeAway boldly claims. It’s big, we’ll give them that, but that big? Anyway, there’s plenty to see here. Listings range from the so-brief-they-must-be-spam all the way to exhaustively detailed multimillion-dollar property offers, but the theme is bartering. It’s true: this is where hugely expensive real estate gets swapped!

http://www.u-exchange.com

What’s traded? Items big and small, including vehicles – and homes, just for the holidays.

How does it work? It’s up to you – what this site does is put you in touch with a wide range of bartering services, and provide you with a profile on which you can flag up your status (Trading or Away) – but that’s it. Less a specific service, more a gateway to lots of them.

http://www.whatsmineisyours.com/

What’s traded? Fashion!

How does it work? This site is based in Britain but most items seem to have overseas delivery as an option. As a trader, you put a detailed advert up, attach a price to it for comparative reasons, and mention what items you’re interested in acquiring in return. Then you wait for an offer, tailored to the price or your item (or perhaps attempting to haggle you down a little). Or, if you want to get even more organized, you can set up a Boutique, rather like a shop in eBay. Bags are the most popular trading item.

Useful links:

The Budget Fashionista

“Money Is Dead: Long Live Barter?” – Times Online

Image: stuartpilbrow

We all know that buying fair trade items aids underprivileged communities across the world, but what exactly does this entail on the other side of the transaction? According to the basic standards enforced by the International Fair Trade Association, these organizations must:

Generate opportunities that will help producers who suffer from an economic disadvantage.

Exercise transparency and responsibility in areas of management and commercial affairs.

Work towards the independence of its producers.

Offer its producers reasonable pay.

Ensure that both genders are empowered.

Provide a healthy and safe setting for work.

Enforce the laws of child labor.

Utilize environmentally responsible materials and means of production.

Maintain reputable trade relations.

Promote the practice of fair trade.

For a more comprehensive understanding, visit IFAT.

Like the label “organic”, “fair trade” can be complicated, however. We’ll be exploring this issue further, so sign up for our RSS feed to stay in the know.

Image: James Jordan

It takes the inhabitants of rural villages in Bolivian regions like Alto Plano or the Central Highlands two hours to walk to the nearest town. Because of this isolation, these people must rely on a craft that doesn’t require goods from distant urban areas. Fortunately, they have everything they need right at their fingertips.

These skilled artisans, members of the environmentally responsible organization Circle of the Sun, share the remote expanses with herds of Alpaca. The soft fur from these gentle mammals is the perfect material for weaving, as it is warmer than wool and hypoallergenic. Plus, with 22 natural shades to choose from, there’s no need for toxic dyes. (Although occasionally plant dyes are used, but those are eco and safe.) Stay warm this winter while supporting fair trade with the handmade Absolutely Alpaca scarf from Original Good.

I have thick, long, beautiful hair, and I favor natural, low-maintenance hair care. Generally, a little bit of coconut or olive oil rubbed into my damp hair is enough to keep it shiny, but not so after moving to the ultra-dry climate of Arizona. My hair was quickly becoming dry and brittle as the hot season progressed.

Then my friend Solana saved the day (don’t we always get the best things from our friends?). She was working at a natural cosmetic store and came to visit me with a delicious smelling container of something called Ojon oil. “It comes from a tropical nut in Central America. The Miskito tribes use it and swear by it for shiny hair.” And I can tell you, it works. Once I started using the Ojon, my hair went back to its happy, shiny self ““ Arizona’s scorching summer notwithstanding.

Rest assured, the Ojon company uses pure ingredients, and has a responsible business relationship with the people who work for them. The nuts are sustainably harvested by hand and over 200 people have gained full time employment in their home town, ensuring that their native forest will be saved and not destroyed for other financial incentives. Ojon oil is produced only in small batches, but you’ll be happy to know that a little goes a long way.

Food, water, shelter – the most basic requirements to sustain human life. Thanks to catastrophic global agflation, one of these is in widespread turmoil. Lack of food is causing terrible suffering. Meanwhile in the developed world, good food is ending up in landfills. The world is out of balance.

WHAT CAN I DO? Buy only the food you use. Keep a shopping list, and aim to process all your fresh food within a week of buying it.

HOW WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? At least a quarter of American groceries go to waste. In Britain it’s an estimated one in three bags of edible food – some $20 billion of groceries each year. If you buy only the food you use, you save money and someone else gets that food. If you’re sceptical about the food reaching the people who really need it, then look at what you’ve saved in grocery bills at the end of the month, and donate a portion of that money directly to a charity or micro-loan provider.

 

It clogs our rivers and seas. It suffocates wildlife and lingers in landfills. It’s a modern scourge- and it’s become known as urban tumbleweed.

WHAT CAN I DO? There’s two things to do with plastic supermarket bags – work around them and work against them. The former is as simple as remembering to carry a tote bag when you go shopping. In the latte case, don’t ever use the plastic bags provided by your local supermarket. Drop them a note (perhaps in their suggestion box) asking why they’re still using them when they’ve been banned for over a sixth of the world’s population. There’s no need to be strident: politeness sinks the message deeper.

HOW WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Katharine Mieszkowski’s article at Salon covers it nicely.

Getting into the car seems a matter of instinct for much of the modern world, and particularly in the U.S. – in 2001, 90% of Americans were using their car to get to work. The US auto industry relies heavily on subsidies and bailouts when things aren’t going well…and with the state of global oil reserves, things are unlikely to improve. Domestic American ethanol production couldn’t even meet a tenth of the ravenous fuel demands of cars currently on the road. The only way forward is to kick the auto habit ““ and every little helps.

WHAT CAN I DO? Here’s a good way to start. Whenever it’s practical to do so – walk. (Or cycle). Particularly for short journeys. Factor in an extra ten minutes travel time, and use your legs.

HOW WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Last year, How to Live a Low-Carbon Life author Chris Goodall calculated that driving to the shops uses less carbon that walking. This statement is well-argued, logical, and completely useless to anyone but advocates of the automobile industry (it’s a damning statement on food prices, not the eco-friendliness of driving, as Goodall himself notes). Driving very short distances is fuel-inefficient: starting your car is around as much energy as idling it for one minute. Anything that reduces American consumption from a whopping 21 million barrels of oil a day is good for the economy and for the environment. And what about your own health?

When the sun falls below the horizon, modern society fights the dark. In keeping our cities and roads illuminated, we squander our precious energy reserves skywards in a blaze of candlepower we simply can’t afford. Light pollution is bad for the environment in ways we’re only just beginning to understand.

WHAT CAN I DO? At night, dim the lights and rediscover the dark.

HOW WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? By dimming their lights for Earth Hour 2008, Toronto residents saved an estimated 434 Megawatts (MW) of electricity – for comparison, standard nuclear power stations generate from 500 to 1000 MW.

Going green is about communing with Nature, leaving the modern world behind and harking back to a happier, more eco-friendly era when humans lived in perfect harmony with the landscape – right? Except it’s not that simple. Take the “wild” moors of Britain – many of them result from deliberate deforestation during prehistoric times. We’ve always made our mark on the planet with technology – yet recently it’s reached a scale where our ecosystem can’t adapt itself fast enough. So now it’s up to us to make amends. Should we throw away the best tools we have to do this?

WHAT CAN I DO? Buy a programmable thermostat and save 10% on your heating bills. Buy CFLs for now and LEDs later, and save energy when lighting your house. Upgrade your home, 21st Century style. Spend quality time with a crank or two! Buy and use your gadgets wisely, and keep a constant eye on the technological cutting edge of green.

HOW WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Take renewable energy – it’s all about using the best technology science can provide. And look at the results of doing so.

Contrary to what some would have you believe, a sustainable lifestyle is not about vowing to never buy anything “non-essential” ever again. Shopping is green ““ but only if it’s done right.

WHAT CAN I DO? Eco-artisans and fair-traded products deserve your custom, from the beads of Project Have Hope to the fresh produce of the Milkweed Mercantile. By buying products that have an unambiguously eco-friendly component to them, and by closing your ears to the greenwashers (and their twins, the greenscourers), you can prevent profits triumphing over ethics.

HOW WILL THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? The Fair Trade movement, for all that it should be called “Fairer Trade”, gives producers a better deal without compromising on social and environmental standards. It’s a success because shoppers often choose to buy Fair Trade over cheaper, more readily available items. It’s a great start.

Next month, the United States has a new president. He’s already been unprecedentedly vocal about his commitment to the environment – and, like all politicians, it’s his job to listen to what people want. He needs feedback to do his job well.

WHAT CAN I DO? A green lifestyle is a politicized one. You don’t have to march in endless rallies or pore over The Economist every week – but you should have a read around the most pressing issues facing your governments, federal and local. Your voice deserves to be heard – if you’re doing everything possible to live in the real world. Sustainability is pragmatic: there’s no room for unthinking dogma in today’s eco-political climate, and the best way to approach green issues is with open ears, open eyes and an open mind.

HOW WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Because, more than ever, Washington listens.

Remember when you were a child? Your optimism and determination knew no bounds (I’ve fallen over? Well, I’ll get up again). Everything was endlessly fascinating, and nothing wasn’t worth learning about. You had more energy than you knew what to do with. Wouldn’t it be great to experience the world like that again?

WHAT CAN I DO? A thriving green lifestyle is: optimism about the effects of your personal choices, determination in the face of contrary commercial pressures, fascination in scientific innovations that will clean up our environmental impact, a willingness to learn new skills and relearn old ones, and applied energy and enthusiasm in adapting to an ever-changing modern world. Sound familiar?

HOW WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? By giving our children the future they deserve. 

Main image: Wrap

And yes, we’ve done a zillion posts on a good number of eco-bags but I promise you, we do discriminate. The Bag the Habit bag caught my eye because it’s inexpensive and would make a great stocking stuffer or simple go-green hostess gift during the holiday party season. I also happen to think it’s good looking – which is a big plus – but it isn’t so trendy that next year it’ll look like last year’s bag.

Bag the Habit’s new collection of reusable shopping totes are made with 55% recycled polyester and are completely recyclable. They’re large enough (27.5″ H x 22″ W x 6″ D) and plenty sturdy enough for your weekly trip to the farmers market. The cushioned shoulder straps comfortably help you carry up to 30 lbs. of stuff. And when you aren’t using it, it folds into a sewn-in pocket and snaps shut into a compact 4.5″ x 4.5″ pouch. Water-resistant and available in plum, chocolate and a swirly navy and aqua floral pattern, find it at Bag the Habit’s website for $18, or $45 for three.

They also created a mesh produce bag made of 100% un-dyed and recycled polyester. The standard size works perfectly for bulk items like beans, coffee and oatmeal, and the large for fresh fruit and vegetables. Just think how many baggies and twist ties you’ll avoid! Buy the produce bag individually for $6 and $8, or get a set of 3 for $18 and 6 for $38. Available at Bag the Habit.

Bag the Habit products are sustainably manufactured in fair wage factories in the U.S. and Mexico. And right now you’ll get $2 off your next online purchase if you send Bag the Habit any of your old, worn-out and overused green shopping totes. They accept all brands, types and sizes.

Bag the Habit is indeed a good habit.

“Cut metal work represents the wealth of Croix des Bouquets. This is what has made the city famous,” he says. “This is what God gave me to live; I support my family, I am building a house and I am providing work for others.” You can find handmade candleholders and wall hangings from Augustin and other members of the Comite Artisanal Haitien at Ten Thousand Villages.

With over 1,000 artisans under its wing in 150 workshops around the globe today, it’s hard to believe that Mahaguthi’s Craft With a Conscience began with one man’s determination to help those in need.

Born to a middle class family in Nepal in 1896, Tulsi Mehar was never afraid to speak his mind, openly protesting the oppression of the caste system. The Rana Prime Minister considered these sentiments anti-national and banished Mehar from Nepal for life.

Discouraged but never defeated, he traveled to India, where he joined Mahatma Gandhi in the quest for social reform. Touched by Mehar’s devotion to his beliefs, Gandhi personally wrote to the Rana Prime Minister on his behalf. Granted permission to return, Mehar immediately began the spinning and weaving project known today as Mahaguthi. Current artisans craft anything from lamps to singing bowls to shawls to earrings.

People use eBay to sell more than just Juicy Couture and used plasmas – you can also find elephant ivory products and endangered animals. This fact was highlighted recently following a six-week investigation by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). The investigation, tracking more than 7,000 wildlife products listings on 183 websites in 11 countries, discovered that
eBay was responsible for two-thirds of the online trade in wildlife
animal products worldwide.

And of the over 4000 elephant ivory listings uncovered by the investigation, most of the sales took place on eBay’s U.S. site. In fact, the investigation found that more than 70% of all endangered species’ products listed online for sale happened in the United States.

eBay’s response to this disturbing news was to say “no more”. They announced that they are instituting a global ban on the sale of elephant ivory products by January 1, 2009 – and they want other web sites to do the same.

But this isn’t the first time that eBay has announced a ban on selling
elephant ivory. Just last year, following an another IWAF report, Bidding for Extinction (2007), which found 2,275 ivory items for sale on eight national eBay sites in a single week, eBay announced a ban on cross-border trade in elephant ivory. IWAF’s recent investigation and report (Killing with Keystrokes: An Investigation of the Illegal Wildlife Trade on the World Wide Web) illustrates the ineffectiveness of that ban and highlights the importance of not only global bans but also better enforcement of these bans.

This latest IWAF report believes that “a lack of stringent and enforceable legislation that clearly declares trade in endangered wildlife online as a serious criminal offence” and “weak monitoring and enforcement” are two primary reasons why this trade continues and calls on CITIES (UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) governments, internet marketplaces, internet service providers, and individuals to work harder to stop illegal wildlife trade over the internet.

Their recommendations:

Enact robust domestic legislation on internet wildlife trade.

Implement and empower effective enforcement.

Increase public awareness.

Devise new ways to monitor and curtail the online trade in endangered wildlife.

eBay’s determination to enforce a global ban on elephant ivory is a great step in making this all happen. But it’s only one small step and more action must follow.

Image: inottowa

When disabled daughters of India are deemed unfit for marriage, many are condemned to a life of suffering. Unable to support themselves, they struggle to survive in a culture that does not accept their differences. In 1994, a group of Franciscan nuns founded Assisi Garments to help these women find their place. In this supportive atmosphere, they are trained to produce clothing from organic cotton, compensated for their efforts with fair wages, and given food, accommodation and, most importantly, encouragement. After five years of hard work, these gifted artisans are granted a lump sum to start a home of their own. Interested in supporting their cause while enhancing your style? Check out their Capsule collection at People Tree.