Shoppers on Oxford Street in London, on Black Friday (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)Today (26th November) is Black Friday and many retailers and services are offering big discounts.
But on a day that encourages consumerism, some people are taking part in ‘Buy Nothing Day’ – a day when people literally buy nothing as a way of being sustainable in the face of consumption.
Instead, in the fight against overconsumption, Buy Nothing Day encourages people to do the complete opposite of what companies want them to do on Black Friday.
The official website explains: “It’s a 24-hour detox from consumerism and an opportunity for you to tune into the impact we have on the environment through shopping.
“People around the world will make a pact with themselves to take a break from consumption as a personal experiment or public statement, and the best thing is - IT’S FREE!!!”
Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
Buy Nothing Day was founded in the early 90s by Adbusters and has since grown in popularity given what we now know about our impact on the environment through consumerism.
The international initiative is embraced by 50 countries around the world, with some independent retailers choosing to close altogether.
One independently-owned bookstore in Ottawa, Canada, has closed its doors for the day in honour of the cause.
We are closed Friday November 26, 2021. #buynothingday #contemplateconsumption #savetheplanet #stopbuyingstuff #ensuregoodworkingcondtions #tellpeopleyoulovethem #boycottblackfriday pic.twitter.com/GqIB4j5J6f
— Octopus Bookstore (@OctopusBooks) November 26, 2021
Other people online are also embracing it and asking others to do the same.
One person wrote: “November 26th — Buy nothing — Stay home — Stay strong
It’s time we bow out of it - create the world we want to live in.
“Buy Nothing. Stay at home if you can. Take a packed lunch if you can’t. Resist consumer pressure for 24 hours. #BuyNothingDay #BoycottBlackFriday.”
November 26th — Buy nothing — Stay home — Stay strong
— Rowan McLaughlin (@Rowaninthewoods) November 25, 2021
It's time we bow out of it - create the world we want to live in. Buy Nothing. Stay at home if you cay. Take a packed lunch if you can't. Resist consumer pressure for 24 hours. #BuyNothingDay #BoycottBlackFriday pic.twitter.com/JVEVR2U9zF
Former MP Catherine Rowett wrote: “There are many reasons to boycott Amazon on #BuyNothingDay, but here are a few reasons to stand with their workers and protest at the company’s appalling record as an employer.”
There are many reasons to boycott Amazon on #BuyNothingDay, but here are a few reasons to stand with their workers and protest at the company's appalling record as an employer. #MakeAmazonPay https://t.co/1uHU6jHOGp
— Catherine Rowett 💚 Ex-MEP (@catherinerowett) November 26, 2021
Someone else said: “Remember: it’s not a good deal if you don’t need it.”
Remember: it's not a good deal if you don't need it#BuyNothingDay
— Atmos (@AtmosMag) November 26, 2021
Another wrote: “Consumerism is fueling unsustainable societies, causing huge inequality and driving environmental degradation.”
Consumerism is fueling unsustainable societies, causing huge inequality and driving environmental degradation. #BoycottBlackFriday #BuyNothingDay pic.twitter.com/s3ZupfwaR0
— Amy Slack (@amyslack84) November 26, 2021
Just a kind reminder.#BuyNothingDay #DudeWithSign #Memes pic.twitter.com/ekPa9prvlT
— Katy Mrvova (@KatkaMrv) November 22, 2021
