Sustainability trends continue to create overconsumption

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Sustainable practices are being abused. Thrifting, reusable bottles, and more are being consumed to fit a trend instead of reducing our environmental footprint.

Being a more sustainable member of society is a goal that most people should be striving for. Trying to eliminate one-use plastic or disengaging from industries like “fast fashion” is where many eco-conscious members begin. Some practices of a sustainable lifestyle have even become trends that, while well-intentioned, might further the problems these movements aim to help with or create new problems of their own. 

Overconsumption is an economic term that refers to consumers buying and using things to excess, harming humans and/or the environment. The movement of sustainable practices into a trend has resulted in an overconsumption of these sustainable practices; they become ineffective at achieving their goal, losing their validity. 

One example that has become particularly noticeable is an overconsumption of reusable water bottles or thermoses/mugs. Reusable water bottle brands have become trendy, as we have seen over the years, from Hydro Flask, Stanley, and now Owala. 

While yes, if you are going to be using something every day, it is suitable for it to be something you like/find visually appealing, it is essential to examine motives for moving between different water bottles. Is it because the one you already have is broken, getting old to the point of being a little gross, or does it no longer serve its function? Or— is it because the one you currently have differs from what the people around you are using or is “out of style?”

Thrifting has also emerged as a trend— have you ever seen a “thrift haul” video? It is good that we aren't engaging in fast fashion, but it takes away resources from people who might need it the most. Thrift in moderation and be conscious of what you choose to grab (try to leave things like heavy-duty winter supplies or things made for plus-sized people, as they are usually lower in quantity but high in need for the economically disadvantaged). Instead of buying clothes at the same rate but thrifting instead, try making clothes last and just hold on to what you have for as long as possible.

Although thrifting is a good alternative to fast fashion, it can be just as damaging to over-consume thrifted clothing; propelled by a recent trend taking over the media is the use of e-commerce companies like Depop, Poshmark, Mercari, and eBay. Thrifting, as a trend, has led to an increase in resellers on these supermarkets upselling “vintage” t-shirts for $30, including shipping, when in reality, it costs them less than $10 at their local Goodwill. Depop resellers have abused thrifting as a new way to fool people into spending money for products they could buy for much cheaper. This is causing an increase in secondhand prices in other thrift stores nationwide.

Influence to engage in overconsumption is more rampant than ever, with all the ways brands are now able to advertise to consumers in big and small ways, through more “old-school” ways like billboards, commercials, or paper advertisements (contact lamronad@geneseo.edu to place an advertisement in the paper/website/Instagram), and more modern methods like through brand deals made with social media content creators on all social media platforms alike. 

I would encourage all to be more aware of their motives when engaging in movements that aim to create a better world. If it often feels like you do it because you don’t want to be “left out,” due to societal pressure, or because you want to seem “on trend,” your motives might not be in totally good faith. While we would encourage all to live a more sustainable life, there are ways to engage with sustainability culture and practices that can be less helpful in reducing impacts. 

In the modern age, living a completely sustainable life is impossible, so doing what you can, how you can do it, and doing so responsibly is truly what makes the biggest difference. Many people doing a handful of little things can make a bigger impact than you might imagine— take it one step at a time.