How many slaves do you have working for you?

– 4 November , 2011Posted in: Environmental

The Slavery Footprint is an interesting, interactive survey that EVERYONE should take when they have time.

No matter how good you think you’re being, if you own any modern appliance or clothing, it has probably been touched by a slave somewhere in the world.

This is both depressing and enlightening at the same time.

My score came out to 37. I included a car because I know I will eventually buy one in the future… even so. :\

Tags: Awareness, Footprint, Lifestyle, Slavery, Survey, Third World Countries

About everydayminimalist

I'm a 20-something year old girl who lived out of a single suitcase in 2007, and now I'm living with less, but only with the best. You don't have to get rid of everything to become a minimalist! Minimalism can help simplify and organize your life, career, & physical surroundings. You can read more about me as a minimalist. Or come and visit my other blog Fabulously Broke in the City where I got out of $60,000 of debt in 18 months, earning $65,000 gross/year.

Brenden Rowe Uk

i have 22 working for me
http://twitter.com/minimalistlife Daniel dos Santos

You Have29 Slaves Working For You.

That’s my nice result. I think someone will be unemployed soon : P

http://minimalifestyle.wordpress.com/
Mewzen

16. For me that is still too high.
Cherie

I got a 47 – very high as far as I’m concerned. I know part of it is that we have a large house. Can’t do anything about that but I have cut way back on shopping in general and buys used items whenever possible. I shared the link to the quiz on my fb page.
Sarah Fertig

I got 29. I was pretty cocky taking the quiz because most of my personal care items are Lush, a company I feel had a good labor record and uses ethical ingredients. But there was no choice of brand selection so it probably doesn’t matter as much as I had hoped.
- Barb
  
  I know, I had 23. I was hoping there’d be a caveat for locally made or purchased but there wasn’t. Still interesting though.
http://hithatsmybike.wordpress.com/ Bridget

I have 28 slaves working for me — I’m surprised I got lower than you! haha I think it’s because my food consumption and how many electronics I own are fairly low, so is the amount of jewelry & accessories I have.
M Cameron

how do you take the survey ?
Anonymous

It says I have 32 slaves working for me, but I know that number is less because almost all of the food we buy is locally grown (no-slaves and I know the farmers) and I make almost all of my own cosmetics/shampoo/deodorant etc.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com everydayminimalist
  
  I am envious. I’d love to be near local farmers — we are not near farmland whatsoever. How did you find out about them? Just by driving around and visiting farms?
Anonymous

I got 57…is that too high? I wonder how it compares to other people’s results!
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com everydayminimalist
  
  I think you have to sign in to the page and give info to be calculated. A range of 30 – 75 seems to be the norm from what I’m hearing…? 57 is pretty low.
Hans

Thank you for this link. Two points I think the website is wrong:
- “Not so you`ll stop buying stuff” – Well, i think we should try to buy less.
- You can download an app for your Iphone, using 3G when shopping > Ouch. How about not owning an Iphone?
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com everydayminimalist
  
  Ooh nice catch. I don’t own an iPhone but is it worse than owning a simple, plain phone? I wonder what the differential is.
Curlysue724

I feel ashamed about my number: 56 I have way too many clothes. All my other numbers were fairly low, so I know that’s what put me over the edge. I thought I’d made progress with my closet…time to purge again.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com everydayminimalist
  
  That sounds like the average…..
http://twitter.com/Duurzaam_Sparen Duurzaam Sparen

I got 23. I’m going to post the slavery footprint on my blog. Thanks for sharing!
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com everydayminimalist
  
  Wow. That is impressive.
http://reallycrabbycrafter.blogspot.com The Crabby Crafter

I got 26 for my family, but I think it’s a bit unfair because I get all our clothing except underwear and a lot of our other items second-hand. So I can see why they would count if we bought them new, but I like to think that we cut back on our slavery score by buying second-hand.
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com everydayminimalist
  
  Good point! If only we could factor in what we buy secondhand. My car might make a difference.
ExtremeMinimalistNic

I got 21. Not sure how accurate it is, because the website wasn’t working properly, so I’m not sure if it counted to many clothes, but anyway, it was interesting thanks
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com everydayminimalist
  
  You’re welcome. I think it’s meant to be an eyeopener, not a definitive statement.
Anonymous

We got 37 for our family of 4. However, I hate that it doesn’t take into account if you buy an item used or about a lot of other items. For example, it asks about diapers, but doesn’t specify between cloth or disposables. I’m interested to see how it would really fair if we factored all those details in!
- http://www.everydayminimalist.com The Everyday Minimalist
  
  I think cloth is the way to go, but .. I have to have kids first to see how that is. I just can’t imagine doing plastic diapers however, I just see it as a huge waste and it makes me feel SO BAD.
  - DesdemonaDeb
    
    My sister has two kids and didn’t use diapers with either of them, she used EC (Elimination Communication). The idea is that your baby will let you know when they have to “go” and you can train each other. When you get a puppy you start to learn their movements and schedule, you know they need to go first thing in the morning, after eating, before bed so you know when to let them out. The same is true of your baby. Of course they have accidents, but, even with diapers their clothes get soiled and need to be changed a few times a day, so what’s the difference really? It is difficult for the parents and caretakers, but it’s amazing how well it actually works! It saves lots of money, garbage, and makes baby so much more comfortable!

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minimalist since: 2007 -- why minimalism?
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How many slaves do you have working for you?

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