In Finland we have every spring a happening called “Nuukuusviikko”, something about Thrifty Week in english. NGO organisations encourage people to live their daily lives using less energy and natural resources.

The Green Changemakers have found a Japanese term for Thrifty Week. It is Mottainai! It is an old Japanese word with love and compassion to think of the gift from the nature or someone who made the product. The word closest to Mottainai in English is “Do not waste!”.