No Buy January – Encouraging Individuals to Pause on Purchases for One Month

Every year, the holiday season leaves behind an overwhelming legacy: waste. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, Americans generate an additional 25% more trash than at any other time of the year, amounting to over 1 million extra tons of waste each week. Globally, our waste problem is growing at an alarming rate, projected to reach 3.4 billion tons annually by 2050—a nearly 70% increase from today.

The root cause? Overconsumption. Packaging waste, non-recyclable wrapping paper, barely-used gadgets, and discarded decorations all contribute to this crisis.

That’s where No Buy January comes in—a growing global campaign that encourages individuals to pause on purchases for one month, rethink their consumption habits, and embrace mindful living. What began as a grassroots movement in 2018 has evolved into a rallying cry for sustainability advocates and everyday people seeking to combat waste and protect the planet.