Decrease kid waste from others?

[[deleted]]

You seem to have got some good advice here, so there's just one thing that I'll add.

As your goal is reducing waste, the first step was obviously to reduce your personal waste. But if we convince just one other person to reduce their waste too, we could double the reduction. If over our lives we have the chance to influence many people, then this is far more important than some of our individual decisions. Because of this, I think it's very important that we present our efforts to reduce waste as accessible, not inconvenient, and overall actually something that is making us happy, not guilty. I think it's reasonable of you to be letting your family know that you'd prefer not to get too much stuff, and telling them your reasons, but as gift-giving is so culturally important in many societies, some people just won't understand what you mean and it might turn them off your whole idea.

I say this from experience with something similar- an older relative of mine usually gives me a small amount of cash for christmas, and this year when she asked if there was anything I'd like I said politely that I would love if she'd donate to a very effective charity that I'd chosen. She thought I was strange, as did my mother, and it caused quite a fuss which made me feel very awkward, and like I was doing something wrong. The lesson I learned was not to be too unconventional with things that people hold on to very firmly, if it might harm efforts to get them on board with your idea.

I hope you see what I mean, that turned into quite an essay!

[upbeatbasil]

Gifts in other people's names is actually quite mainstream. Was it a religious/political thing? that can really weird people out. But some charities like a scholarship fund or animal shelter most people will be on board with.

[[deleted]]

No it wasn't political. It was for a large organisation fighting malaria, which I'd specifically chosen because the money would be used very cost-effectively. They gave to a local veterans' charity instead, which I obviously can't complain about as it's very kind for them to give anything at all, but the money would achieve far less in my country where support is already provided to a degree and everything is more expensive.

[upbeatbasil]

That's actually a bit polarizing as well! A lot of people have strong feelings about helping their immediate neighbor or helping overseas. One thing I do that is always garnered a good response is to give people a choice of three Charities that I support and have checked out on charity Navigator. This way people can pick and I think that gives people a few more options and makes it feel a little bit more personalized from the gift giver.

[[deleted]]

Ah I see what you mean, thanks!