Value for Money

According to the Oxford dictionary, the term “value for money” refers to:
Used in reference to something that is well worth the money spent on it
eg. ‘this camera is really good value for money’

Should value be measured in TIME or MONEY?

When you made your last purchase, what was the first number you thought about?

Was it the number on the price tag? Or, the number of years you thought your purchase might last?

More often today, we think of “value for money” referring to something cheap. The cheaper the price tag, the better the value for money we think we are getting.

This is the way the industrial revolution has designed consumerism. Buy more. Buy more often. Quicker turnovers equal bigger profits.

Unfortunately, this has created a throwaway culture.

Buy something cheap, keep it for as long as it lasts, throw it away then get a new one.

But where is ``away``?

What we don’t see is the accumulation of waste this is causing in out-of-site landfill areas.

Landfill leaches toxic chemicals out into waterways, blows out into oceans, takes massive amounts of ground away from natural habitats, and could certainly be the place that your children or their children will be building their houses upon in future generations.

Perhaps we need to start thinking of “value for money” in terms of time. “How long will it last? How long before I have to throw it away?”

Perhaps we need to stop treating our clothing and general household items as if they were disposable. Do some math. Start seeing their worth in terms of their longevity rather than the bargain we are getting at the register.

What figure do you see on the price tag?
Katie Gannon
info@ecofriendly-fashion.com

After running an ethical fashion label for 5 years, I started this blog in 2007 after learning first hand about the importance of sustainability in fashion design. I am a passionate environmentalist and wish to promote individuals and organisations around the world working on innovative design. I have a BA in Communications / Media as well as a Cert IV in Clothing Production, and run my own graphic design company at www.katiegannon.com

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