Thursday 12 June 2014
Going Against The Grain: Buying Heirloom Quality to Last a Lifetime
We live in a largely disposable society. On average, each human produces over 100 tons of trash over the course of a lifetime. Adopting an heirloom-mindset goes against the mentality of a disposable society but think of this: When we buy quality products that are made to last we are increasing the demand for quality, well-made items. If we as individuals make the switch, we can slowly effect cultural change.
Is this going to end up in the trash in a year or two or will it be useful and treasured for years to come?
Look for items that have durable finishes, are made from real wood (not veneers), can be easily repaired when the need arises. Avoid items that look good on the surface but will wear out quickly and are difficult and even impossible to repair.
Heirloom quality items do cost more upfront but they are built to last - for your lifetime and even longer. Your descendants may well be able to use the same items years from now. Choosing quality items helps to reduce your trash output, is less expensive over the span of a lifetime and can be passed on as meaningful heirlooms to your children and grandchildren.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)