Use Less Stuff Day falls on the third Thursday of November every year — on November 21 this year. The day was created to spread awareness about the clutter of unnecessary things in our homes, especially during one of the busiest shopping months of the year. It encourages people to adopt a minimalist lifestyle where only the essentials are bought or kept.
History of Use Less Stuff Day
In the ’50s, minimalist art rose to prominence, and minimalistic design and architecture grew popular. Japan shifted towards making homes that did not require expensive materials and was reduced to the basic elements. Life was chaotic and crowded in the cities, and people wanted to simplify by buying fewer things and using as little space as possible.
During the holiday season, especially after Thanksgiving, people produced huge amounts of trash and realized that they needed to do something to manage this problem. People were encouraged by the government and the local authorities to use fewer things and reduce waste as much as possible. Use Less Stuff Day was a campaign initiated towards making people realize how we often buy things that we don’t use and how it leads to more waste generation, resulting in environmental pollution. Tons of plastic waste are found in ocean beds, and it is a serious threat to marine life.
This day was created to remind us that we get caught up with the latest trends and lifestyles very often. We want the latest phones, gadgets, and computers, even though what we have at home works completely fine. This leads to our houses getting clogged with unnecessary things left untouched or thrown in the trash.
Use Less Stuff Day timeline
Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe popularizes the concept of “less is more.”
Minimalistic architecture and design rise to prominence.
People begin to realize the importance of reducing wastage and saving the environment.
Use Less Stuff Day, a campaign to encourage people to use essential things only and reduce wastage, is initiated.
Use Less Stuff Day FAQs
What are some of the eco-friendly products I can buy?
Cloth napkins, cloth shopping bags, and reusable glass bottles are some of the eco-friendly products available.
Will using less stuff affect my productivity?
No. Using less stuff doesn’t mean you compromise on things you need in your life. The whole point of Use Less Stuff Day is to reduce wastage. If there’s something you think is essential, by all means, go get it!
Do companies observe Use Less Stuff Day?
Yes. Many companies like Google, Dell, and Tesla Motors encourage eco-friendly practices and are strong advocates of Use Less Stuff Day practices.
Use Less Stuff Day Activities
Reduce consumption
The holiday season is a time for get-togethers and bonding, and unfortunately, it is also a time when we clutter our houses with lots of excess food, gifts, and other things. Take a pledge on this day to consciously reduce consumption and wastage.
Go electronic
This season, give e-cards to your friends and relatives instead of physical cards. Go cashless and use virtual e-wallets wherever possible.
Use glass bottles
Plastic bottles are a threat to the environment in many ways because the non-biodegradable bottles get to the ocean beds and stay there for hundreds of years. Take a pledge to take glass bottles and reduce plastic as much as possible.
5 Facts About Plastic That Will Blow Your Mind
It takes 450 years to decompose
Plastics take at least 450 years to decompose.
It kills 1.1 million animals every year
Plastic bags and bottles kill 1.1 million birds and animals every year.
It is made from petroleum
Plastic is made from petroleum oil which is a non-renewable fossil fuel.
It uses water in its production
It takes 22 gallons of water to make a pound of plastic.
It is rarely used more than once
40% of plastic is used only for a few minutes before it is thrown away.
Why We Love Use Less Stuff Day
It is a reminder to reduce our consumption
We often buy things just for the sake of it and then don’t use them ever again. This day serves as a reminder to use only the essential things and reduce consumption as much as possible.
It is a reminder to be responsible citizens
A lot of the trash we produce finds its way to the ocean beds, where sea animals eat it and choke on it. This day calls for taking the responsibility towards creating a greener and cleaner Earth.
This day encourages us to adopt a minimalist lifestyle
With the booming of crowded cities and streets, the idea of “less is more” is becoming more popular than ever. This day encourages people to use only essential things and motivates people to reduce unnecessary spending.
Use Less Stuff Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | November 17 | Thursday |
| 2023 | November 16 | Thursday |
| 2024 | November 21 | Thursday |
| 2025 | November 20 | Thursday |
| 2026 | November 19 | Thursday |
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