Crown of a large eucalyptus tree against a vibrant blue sky with wispy clouds.

There Is No “Away”

Dear friend,

We’re not having an Earth Day sale.

Instead, we will donate 10% of all purchases this week to climate action causes.

Why? Because we don’t need to consume any more stuff.

Sure, we all have basic needs, and it’s critical to get those needs met — especially sleep. Sleep is perhaps the most important one-third of your life because it’s essential to keep the other two-thirds running smoothly!

Yes, we do need some physical things (stuff) to fulfill those needs.

But the term ”consume” is misleading.

You’ve probably heard:

There is no such thing as “away.” So, when we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.

—Annie Leonard of Greenpeace USA

It’s a powerful reminder that physical stuff may be out of sight and out of mind, but it’s not actually gone — it’s just transitioning into another phase of its lifecycle.

When economists and media refer to citizens as consumers, it reinforces this myth of “away,” as if materials can be pulled in (from where?), digested, then spit out (to where?), with nary a trace.

But that’s not reality. There is no “away,” and there is always a trace. There is always an impact.

Let’s make that impact a positive one. When we use resources to create, build, or buy stuff, let’s:

  • source ethically,
  • purchase intentionally,
  • use gently, and
  • repurpose mindfully.

I founded Oolie because I wanted to sleep better at night. I wanted to be comfortable physically and ethically.

To sleep well, I needed:

All of this because I care deeply about our impact on the planet and each other.

Thanks for being here. You make a difference.

Sleep well,
Nora

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