challenge #3 : consumption
Dear participants,
What if consuming became a source of fulfillment rather than an automatic behaviour?
This month, we’re exploring conscious consumption. With the help of our events, tips and resources, you’ll have the tools you need to begin a smooth transition to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Conscious consumption means making every purchase a considered choice, appreciating every object and acting in harmony with our real needs and the planet. You might find that by consuming better, we often consume less… and get more out of what we already have! 🤩
1,300 of you are participating in this campaign! Together, by taking these concrete actions, however big or small, we can really make a difference in Geneva 💪
So, are you ready to transform your relationship with clothes, furniture, appliances and even luxury goods? Get involved in one or more of these challenges to develop more sustainable and satisfying consumer habits and don’t miss our partner events! 🌍✨
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Challenge #1: Rethink your consumption → buy second-hand or rent! 🌿
Benefits: Fun & Creative 🎉 | Savings 💸 | Ecological 🌍
Did you know that consumption of goods has exploded in recent decades? In the case of textiles, for example, the Swiss buy an average of 60 new items of clothing every year, and 40% of these are worn less than 4 times! In terms of weight of waste per person, Switzerland ranks third among European countries.
Together, we have a great deal of influence and we can make a difference by consuming differently.
Value enhancement 📈
Have you ever tried buying second-hand or renting a product? It’s a great way to develop your sense of adventure and personalise your style with unique pieces, while sometimes saving a lot on expenses. 💸
This image shows the life cycle of an object, from production to disposal. However, as a consumer, we often have the choice to act on the recovery phase and give it a second life. When we use our objects several times or share them with others, we improve our ecological footprint. By extending an object’s life cycle, we reduce our waste and demand for more production.
Adding value to an object is therefore key to ecological and coherent consumption! ♻️
Fun Fact 😯
Did you know that the average time a drill is used is just 11 minutes! What a waste of materials and money for a tool used so infrequently.
You might as well hire a drill from La Manivelle rather than buy a new one. La Manivelle is a library of objects that can be borrowed on a one-off basis with a subscription. Renting rather than buying is a simple and clever way to combine savings, creativity, and a commitment to the planet. 🌱
By opting for alternative consumption, you can develop habits that are good for the planet and for your wallet, while discovering unique objects with a story behind them!
Leader Challenge 🧑🎤
Have you ever tried a more sustainable alternative when making a purchase? How did you feel about it? What effects did you observe? Share your commitment and your experiences in the publication that Agir À Genève, the Geneva transition platform, has designed for this challenge!
Resources to discover :
- Ge-Consomme – The portal for local and sustainable consumption in Geneva
- La Manivelle – Subscribe to borrow objects according to your needs and desires.
- UNIGE report on sustainable fashion in Geneva, with fun information and a list of local thrift shops.
- And ask your friends and family if they can lend you any objects, clothes, etc. that you need!
💡 How can I adopt more conscientious consumption? → The PAUSE Method
The next time you make a purchase, ask yourself these five simple questions:
- P – Purpose: What is the real purpose or need behind this purchase?
- A – Alternative: Do I already have something similar that could serve the same purpose?
- U – Urgency: Do I need this item immediately, or can I wait?
- S – Source: What is the origin of this product? How and where was it made?
- E – Essential: Is this item truly essential or useful for me?
This simple method allows you to rethink the way you consume and make choices that are more in line with your values. 🌱
🎯 Bonus tip: If you can afford it, invest in more efficient products. By opting for products that last, such as LED light bulbs, quality clothing, or repairable appliances, you can enjoy generally better quality products for longer all while improving your environmental impact.
Challenge #2: Make an inventory of your possessions! 🧹
Benefits: Zero waste ♻️ | Space freed up 🏡 | Gratitude 🙏
Over time, our cupboards and shelves fill up with items that we forget we have… The Carbon Challenge can serve as a great opportunity to clear out our storage and take stock of what we already own! With the grey winter skies setting in, there’s no better time to explore your compartments from the cupboards to the cellar to rediscover forgotten items that could be reused, sold online, or given away. If the thought of parting with something is holding you back, ask yourself if it could be worth more if it were given to someone who could put it to good use.
How do I go about this?
- Choose one or more categories of objects (clothes, electronics, decorations, etc.) and display them in front of you.
- Identify what can be repaired, transformed, given away or sold.
- Give a second life to objects that have been gathering dust and take the opportunity to sort through your belongings.
Bonus tip 🌟
Organise a time with your close friends or (grand)parents to sort through your belongings together. The inventory sweep then becomes both a useful and convivial moment. 🤗
💡 Do you have electronic devices like an old phone or used tablet? Take part in the collection organised as part of Climate Week this Friday.
💡 Would you like to repair some objects? This Sunday, join a repair café in the heart of a Geneva museum!
Challenge #3: Organise a second-hand event! 🎉
Benefits: Sharing 🤝 | Ecological 🌱 | Creative 🎨
Looking for a good excuse to get your friends together and share some quality time? Why not organise a garage sale? 🎉
Turn a friendly get-together into a circular event 🌱 ! Suggest that your friends sort through their belongings, then organise an afternoon of sharing items (including children’s toys and clothes if you’re a parent). It’s a great way to reduce your waste while giving items a second life – and all in good fun! 🤝✨
What are the advantages?
- You free up space in your home.
- You discover all sorts of useful items for you and your loved ones.
- You share your sustainability commitment with people around you.
💡 No time to organise an event? How about treating your friends to a trip to the flea market to pick up some second-hand treasures? 🛍️ And don’t forget the PAUSE method! 😉
Don’t hesitate to share your experience on social networks (Instagram or Facebook) with #MyCarbonChallenge.
Bonus Challenge: Join the City of Geneva’s Climate Week events
Take part in inspiring events around sustainable consumption, repair and the circular economy! We’ve got a selection for you:
- A Repair Café in the heart of the Museum: Come and repair your objects and learn how to give a second life to your possessions! | Sunday 1 December, 11.00am – 5.00pm | More info here
- FR – Film: Launchers of Sustainable Circular Solidarity Challenges: Discover how local initiatives are turning waste into resources | Friday 29 November, 6.30pm – 8pm | More info here
- FR – La Fresque du Textile : A workshop to raise awareness of the issues surrounding sustainable and circular fashion | Saturday 30 November, 2.30pm – 5.30pm | More info here
For more activities…
- A life-size team game in town: Let’s discover sustainable Geneva with the great game proposed by Mission Genève Durable: explore the key places of sustainability in the city!
- Corporate awareness-raising workshop: To reinforce the collective impact, 10% discount is offered for corporate awareness-raising workshops on the environment during the Carbon Challenge campaign. An ideal opportunity to get your teams involved in the ecological transition! To find out more about the 8 themes on offer, visit Ecolive!
Resources for greener consumption ♻️
Need inspiration or tools to adopt more responsible practices? Here are some useful resources:
Documents :
- FR – Consomm’action: Practical advice from the Canton to help you consume more wisely.
- Feature on the lifespan of objects: a better understanding of the impact of our consumer choices.
- Guide to recycling in Geneva: Learn where and how to sort your waste efficiently.
- Federal Council account on raw materials, waste and the circular economy
- To find out more about the textile industry, see the UNIGE report on sustainable fashion in Geneva and Fashion Revolution Switzerland.
- To rethink a world with less consumption, you can read the book Less is More by Jason Hickel
Useful addresses:
- Repair Cafés: repair your objects to give them a second life.
- La Maco: A space dedicated to sustainable repair and creativity.
- Pro Velo Genève: A map of places to repair your bike in the canton.
- Histoire sans Chute: Take advantage of a space to repair your stuff and discover upcycling!
- Zerowaste Switzerland: Discover sustainable gift-wrapping activities!
