Could you live a no impact life?

Would you be prepared to give up your car, takeaways, TV, air conditioning, heating, cosmetics, daily coffee, home appliances, toilet paper (yes, toilet paper) and more, for a whole year?

That’s exactly what No Impact Man (AKA Colin Beavan) decided to do for a year, taking his New York family along for the ride. The results of the family trying to live off grid, with no environmental impact have been recorded for a documentary, due for limited release on September 3rd.

Author Colin Beavan, in research for his next book, began the No Impact Project in November 2006. A newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no long avoid pointing the finger at himself, Colin leaves behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption…no problem. That is, until his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two year old daughter are dragged into the fray...

Here's a snapshot of what the family saved from landfill:

• Take out tubs (based on ordering in one meal a day, 6 times per week, which includes 4 takeout containers): 1,248 fewer tubs in the landfill.
• Paper and/or plastic cups (based on 3 beverages per day per person): 2190 fewer cups in the landfill.
• Plastic bags (based on 9 plastic bags per week including the food delivery bag): 572 fewer plastic bags in the landfill.
• Gallons of rubbish: 4,380 gallons less rubbish in the landfill.
• Disposable nappies (based on 6 nappies per day): 2184 fewer nappies in the landfill.

Are you inspired by Colin's all or nothing approach? Could you give up your lifestyle essentials for a whole year? Let us know in our AlertMe poll, plus check out the trailer for the documentary below.

No Impact Man is on limited release across the UK from September 3rd.