Building a better community through sustainable living.

For those Mainers dedicating themselves to living away from the consumer grid. Make a compact with yourself to no longer buy from large chain stores, to only buy used items or to barter and swap away.
The national Compact asks we do it for 12 months but this group is for those of us willing to start our commitment at 3 months and continue on.
If you enjoy groups like Freecycle, Cheapcycle or Craigslist or if you prefer to do all your shopping at resale shops and yard sales....this group is for you.
Joining this egroup does not commit you to implementing all the ideals we discuss. The purpose is soley as a forum to help you set your own goals.
Feel free to post anything from local resources to free events and websites on subjects relating to sustainability. We can discuss ethics of consumerism, swapping and anything related to off grid consumers.


From thecompact homepage:

Welcome to The Compact.

We are a group of individuals committed to a 12-month flight from the consumer grid (calendar year 2006).

The Compact has several aims (more or less prioritized below):

To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc. -- a step that, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact.
To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er).
To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)
We've agreed to follow two principles (see exceptions etc. on our blog).

#1 Don't buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)
#2 Borrow or buy used.