Getting the most (sustainable) bang for your buck

While skimming my RSS reader today, I saw an item about bamboo iPod speakers flash by.

Say what?  I know bamboo is great and all, but iPod speakers?

It’s true, though.  They’re made from “renewable and sustainable solid bamboo.”  According to EcoSpace Conscious Community, whose post I was reading, “Nearly one-third of a crop of bamboo will grow back fully within one year of being harvested, making it an excellent alternative to slow-growing hardwoods.”  The bamboo speakers also have a naturally carbonized finish, rather than a veneer.  Basically, the bamboo has been heated until caramelized.

Despite the sustainable credentials, I doubt I would ever buy something like this.  For starters, I don’t need speakers.  If I did, I would probably go to Goodwill, or some other used-goods business.  I don’t need to spend £230.00 (about $420 US) on speakers.

Now, if I couldn’t get what I needed used, and if I had the cash, then maybe I’d consider it.  But for me, sustainable doesn’t necessarily mean shelling out the big bucks for organic and sustainable STUFF.  It might mean buying used, so that I’m not increasing the amount of STUFF in the world.  And by spending less money on the used items, maybe I’ll have more to spend on, say, local food.

UPDATE:  now looking at this post and the ads for STUFF that I’m running next to it…hmmmm….