Alina Selyuk

Co-founder Lizelle Clark says the Buy Nothing Project started with a question. How do you curb plastic waste? Of the three R's, there's reduce, reuse, recycle. Okay, how about refuse? The group's millions of members share everything from bread tags to sofas. This circular economy stops people from buying new goods and keeps old stuff out of landfills.

Co-founder Lizelle Clark says the Buy Nothing Project started with a question. How do you curb plastic waste? Of the three R's, there's reduce, reuse, recycle. Okay, how about refuse? The group's millions of members share everything from bread tags to sofas. This circular economy stops people from buying new goods and keeps old stuff out of landfills.

Arizona-based GardenExchangeStands.org is a network of neighborhood plant stands. People can pick up and drop off plants, seeds, and other garden-related items. Founder Defane Weaver says that promotes both sustainability and community. It's nice to just be able to bike down to your neighborhood neighborhood stand, get your books, get your plants and seeds, and then share what you have.

Arizona-based GardenExchangeStands.org is a network of neighborhood plant stands. People can pick up and drop off plants, seeds, and other garden-related items. Founder Defane Weaver says that promotes both sustainability and community. It's nice to just be able to bike down to your neighborhood neighborhood stand, get your books, get your plants and seeds, and then share what you have.

As the group's website says, it's a lifestyle. Alina Hartunian, NPR News.

As the group's website says, it's a lifestyle. Alina Hartunian, NPR News.

You know, they feel like collateral damage. The evening when the tariffs were announced, I was actually at a big reception organized by the National Retail Federation. They had scheduled a fly-in for small business owners. And when the magnitude of tariffs became clear, it was like shell shock because it's these companies that are on the hook to pay many of these fees.

You know, they feel like collateral damage. The evening when the tariffs were announced, I was actually at a big reception organized by the National Retail Federation. They had scheduled a fly-in for small business owners. And when the magnitude of tariffs became clear, it was like shell shock because it's these companies that are on the hook to pay many of these fees.

You know, they feel like collateral damage. The evening when the tariffs were announced, I was actually at a big reception organized by the National Retail Federation. They had scheduled a fly-in for small business owners. And when the magnitude of tariffs became clear, it was like shell shock because it's these companies that are on the hook to pay many of these fees.

For example, Sarah Wells from Virginia shared her story. She sells purses and clothes for new moms. They're like for breast pumps and breastfeeding. They're made in China. And late last year, she made a huge shipment order. It was loading at the port when the White House raised tariffs on China by 10 percent in February.

For example, Sarah Wells from Virginia shared her story. She sells purses and clothes for new moms. They're like for breast pumps and breastfeeding. They're made in China. And late last year, she made a huge shipment order. It was loading at the port when the White House raised tariffs on China by 10 percent in February.

For example, Sarah Wells from Virginia shared her story. She sells purses and clothes for new moms. They're like for breast pumps and breastfeeding. They're made in China. And late last year, she made a huge shipment order. It was loading at the port when the White House raised tariffs on China by 10 percent in February.

By the time it docked stateside, that tariff was raised again another 10 percent.

By the time it docked stateside, that tariff was raised again another 10 percent.

By the time it docked stateside, that tariff was raised again another 10 percent.

And now that the total tariff on Chinese imports is up to 54%, you know, Wells is reeling.

And now that the total tariff on Chinese imports is up to 54%, you know, Wells is reeling.

And now that the total tariff on Chinese imports is up to 54%, you know, Wells is reeling.

You know, one common answer is retrenching and scaling back. Maybe your store shrinks the selection so there's less stuff to ship. Maybe you stop hiring, stop advertising or developing new products, essentially stop growing and go into survival mode. One retailer talked about saving a lot of money in his bank account.

You know, one common answer is retrenching and scaling back. Maybe your store shrinks the selection so there's less stuff to ship. Maybe you stop hiring, stop advertising or developing new products, essentially stop growing and go into survival mode. One retailer talked about saving a lot of money in his bank account.