There was a time back when we lived in BC where I actually created a binder of yoga articles to help myself "feel better" about my wasteful magazine addiction.
No doubt about it, magazines are practically the epitome of waste. Most of them can't be recycled... and it's almost ridiculous that they're still being purchased; we have such fantastic online versions that waste less.
According to US Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 1.5 million tons of magazines entered the municipal waste system in 2009 and 54% were recycled. (via National Geographic). 1.5 million tons of magazine equals a whole crap load of paper, chemical inks and pollution. Blegh.
You know what the best solution for magazines is?
But if you have a magazine addiction and give one lick about the planet... cancel your subscriptions, avoid the magazine section and sign up for Pinterest.
It's seriously like an online version of a magazine with the social aspect of a social media network.
How Pinterest works:
Pinterest allows you to organize and "pin" images and websites into boards or categories or boards- kinda like a scrapbook but way cooler. You can save recipes, inspiration boards/images, sequences... whatever your heart desires. (How Pinterest Works and The Ultimate Pinterest Guide)
You just drag the "pin-it" button to your tool bar and when you see something online that you like, click pin-it and you're good to go. You can also get pretty darn creative with boards and such.
The social part of Pinterest is also pretty darn interesting. Like twitter, it's much less personal than facebook. You can follow boatloads of people or organizations that have similar interests and you'll get a real-time update as to the boards and stuff that they're pinning on your Pinterest homepage. Like this cool DIY magnetic makeup board, or this beautiful pebble boot board.
You can search Pinterest using "key words" to find boards or pins that interest you. For example, when I searched "yoga sequence" I found a) morning b) keep calm over the holidays and c) fall equinox sequence.
I'm looking forward to indulging my magazine addiction sans destruction to the planet curtesy of Pinterest.
You can get most magazines in electronic version these days. I don't really like Pinterest though I do have an account (I just pinned all my nail polish, yes I know, polish is not environmentally friendly). I'm not really into magazines but I have used Zinio a bunch because I got credits at various times so I bought some knitting magazines.
ReplyDeleteyes that's true! i am a big fan of online versions of magazines as well :)
DeleteOooh, thanks for the link! I like Pinterest but I find it so overwhelming - I need a filter!
ReplyDeleteyou're welcome!! Yes- I've discovered that it needs a bit of time to get used to and set up for sure!
DeleteIf you are so addicted to something try to do dome else that interests you. I’ve gone pass all my addictions by trying something new and I hope it’ll work for you too.
ReplyDeleteI think the word 'addicted' was a bit of an exaggeration... for the post :) I agree though, that trying something new is a good way to explore and move on from an activity that might be unhealthy.
DeleteI've never thought about it like that, but it's totally true!
ReplyDeletethanks :)
DeleteHmmm... I love pinterest and use it all the time to keep track of ideas I want to try or inspire me but I don't know if I'd ever use it to replace a magazine. Well, ok, I'd do it for a crafting magazine or even a yoga mag, but not for This magazine or the New Internationalist, where I'm looking more for the articles/debate than just the idea. I think Pinterest is limited in its ability to replace those mags (but I'm getting used to the digital formats). But I agree that using Pinterest to store ideas instead of using magazines is really useful.
ReplyDeleteThose are good points (and a few other commenters agree with you below)- and I also agree. Pinterest does not replace magazines with indepth articles (like Bitch magazing- pretty sure wouldn't find an equivalent replacement on Pinterest).
DeleteI never thought of this, but you are right on the money! And the title of this is PERFECT! (P.S. I love Pinterest!)
ReplyDeletehaha thank you :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm new to yoga and discovered your great blog. I've read about your problems with finding a good shampoo and was wondering if you've tried Green People? I bought their conditioner once and it was sooooo nice. It's a UK company; not sure if it's available in Canada.
-Michelle
I'd make an exception for magazines with longer, in-depth articles (a description that doesn't describe any current yoga magazines I know of). And then, there is one big difference between print-magazines and the on-line kind: you have to pay for print magazines...and some of what you pay actually goes to the writers...
ReplyDeleteah yes- like Faye said- I agree with you there. And there is the issue of writers getting paid for online versions. I don't know, however, about an environmental solution there. Recycling just isn't the best option (and not the most reliable to enforce)
DeleteI am so addicted to Pinterest. I love it (currently have 68 boards and almost 5000 pins). I can see that it has greatly cut down on my magazine buying - only currently have a subscription to an organic gardening magazine. My e-subscription to an eco parenting magazine just lapsed. I miss the deeper analysis of a good magazine article, and I miss taking my magazines into the bathtub with me. I was heartbroken when Mothering magazine stopped publishing and I can't find that kind of amazing writing anywhere now.
ReplyDelete