Amiyah Golden
Words by Amiyah Golden
“Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” — the catchphrase that is ingrained into the minds of Americans today, as the result of the beginning of the 1970s movement, marked a national pledge toward global environmental conservation. This slogan instilled an urgency to incorporate these actions as daily practices. Recycling was never a foreign concept, though, as it is noted by many historians that Americans back then did better at the task — prior to any intentional environmental education or movements — than we do today. The reusing of textiles, food and various materials to combat waste and to repurpose goods further supported the value of materials.
While historical moments such as war, the Great Depression and the Industrial Revolution factored into the notion of many citizens having to “just make it work,” and, in turn, subconsciously not catering to mass consumerism, it was just a brief stall in the forthcoming boom of overconsumption.
The late 1940s served as a turning point in spending culture as the average American was able to engage in consumerism again due to the end of the Great Depression and increase in job opportunities. Then there’s the thrill that accompanied purchasing 1950s “necessities”: a home, a car, kitchen appliances, televisions — and Tupperware? The possession of such “things” really solidified your devout patriotism (and for many, that belief still rings true today).
Historian Elaine Tyler May provides great commentary regarding 1950s consumerism in the PBS article, “The Rise of American Consumerism.”
“The values associated with domestic spending upheld traditional American concerns with pragmatism and morality, rather than opulence and luxury. Purchasing for the home helped alleviate traditional American uneasiness with consumption; the fear that spending would lead to decadence,” she wrote.
Wow, our ancestors were right on the money with the foreshadowing.
This fear obviously wasn’t frightening enough for us, as we swim in decadence today with multiple Stanley cups, various subscription boxes, oodles of clothes we don’t even touch and the cycle of rotting groceries because we decide to frequent our routine eating establishments daily instead.
I am all for one buying what they desire, especially in today’s rigorous work culture.
It’s important to “treat yo self,” as quoted from the iconic duo, Tom Haverford, and Donna Meagle (for all my Park and Recs stans) but it’s also vital that we recognize the effects that collective procurement can have on ourselves and most importantly the environment!
The ice caps are melting if you didn’t know (and no not the fancy restaurant ones) the ones that are home to species such as polar bears and penguins. The glaciers of Antarctica and the sea ice in Finland are thawing at an incredible rate due to components such as greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide, and the continued rise of industrial industries.
You’re probably reading this from the comfort of your Florida home and wondering how this affects me?
“I don’t live in Antarctica.”
“I love the warmth.”
“Ah, I’ll be dead before global warming affects me.”
Perhaps these are thoughts that run across your mind – or criticism you’ve heard in passing discourse – nonetheless, the climate affects YOU and you’re probably the one in a billion that’s contributing to the current climate crisis.
It affects your family, your friends, your pets, and most importantly the upcoming generation. The practice of overindulgence in the marketplace is a big contributor to the failing state of the environment. With an increase in air pollution, waste, greenhouse gasses, and the use of natural resources to accommodate buyers – it further decimates plant life, weather patterns, air quality, food supply, and habitats – and will overall lead to a grim reality for us who call, Earth, home.
With the rise of influencer culture, as well as accessibility, the landscape of how we dissipate continues to change – and not for the better.
Websites such as Amazon, Shein, Temu, Fashion Nova, and Nike proceed to imprint their huge carbon footprint on a global environmental scale. With huge consumer bases and myriad industrial systems, they pave the way in the place of earnings, but at what cost?
Not only do environmental issues echo activists’ concerns but also ethical legitimacy regarding workers. Factory conditions often being subpar, as well as the question of use of child labor, unfair wages and overworked employees, has led to many investigations that often seem to be buried or swayed. This is why many companies find themselves resorting to countries such as India and Vietnam which are known for their lax regulations.
The same abuse can be found in various countries, such as China, which have “strict” labor laws, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that many companies favor meeting consumer demands before the well-being of their workers.
Shein, a fashion and lifestyle online retailer, for example, has been called out numerous times for their inadequate working conditions. An undercover investigation by a U.K. broadcasting channel confirmed suspicions. They revealed workers being paid as little as $556 (U.S. Dollars) a month while working 18-hour days, and only being allotted one day off each month. This went against the labor laws that China has in place and left many — including me — with a bad taste in their mouth concerning Shein. Although the company went on a PR campaign to clean up allegations with a sponsored trip for influencers to come to visit their warehouses (and influencers sharing videos to their social media praising the corporate giant), it didn’t completely persuade all. But it didn’t ultimately matter as the company is valued at over $60 billion and counting, with an active 88 million users. It emphasizes the concerns of purchase power.
I don’t fault those who shop at places like Shein, Temu or Zara. They are affordable options in place of more high-end brands , but the problem arises when buyers continue to feed into the harmful cycles of overconsumption by continuously buying products beyond their needs. It further feeds into this idea of keeping up with your “favs” by imitating a lifestyle or aesthetic we see or want to obtain, even if it’s above our means.
What really was the tip of the iceberg was seeing the commotion that circulated the Stanley Cup. I was so excited to see people finally lessening their plastic usage by purchasing a reusable cup with a straw, but the product meant to promote sustainability quickly turned into a symbol of status and exclusivity. With many users of various social media apps revealing a collection of cups — with one user proudly owning 40 cups for herself (at $45+ each) — accompanied with unnecessary accessories such as charms, cup sleeves, monogrammed lid caps, and even cup jackets… yes… a jacket for your Stanley if you wish. It was becoming eerily dystopian.
But wait there’s more…
With the prevalence that surrounds these cups there has been content curated for these fanatics such as videos like “Make my water with me” and “water recipes” — an entire side of TikTok that directs viewers to an array of products that you can add to your water, and this, folks, is what sunk the iceberg for me.
Specialty ice, ice trays, glitter packets, syrups, flavored packets, and whatever your heart desires can be used to enhance your water experience?
This is an example of excessiveness, and slowly but surely contributes to mass waste.
We truly have to take a step back and realize that influencer culture only benefits the influencer. Every time you use your ability to purchase something you’re generating pollution and emitting greenhouse gasses. That’s how powerful the “buy” button is, and is the sacrifice for glittery water truly worth it?
If you’re on any social media apps, I recommend finding some “de-influencers” who really prick you into a state of realization when it comes to engaging in buying goods.
There has to be a fine line between pampering ourselves — which is well-deserved for everyone once in a while — and being on the verge of being classified as wasteful or as a hoarder.
Even environmental efforts such as thrifting, are also being impacted by zealous consumerism with resellers hiking the prices of clothing — and putting money back into the hands of these large corporations who are able to mass-produce and sell items at a cheaper cost. It also relates to ethics, as this social “need” to constantly be stylish or stay ahead of the trends, creates a market for resellers to thrive in. Unfortunately, it leaves limited options for the less-fortunate to acquire clothing.
This avaricious ideology has been supported throughout time, as a surplus of “things” are often associated with your character and successes. But it’s leading to greed, and that greed is leading to destruction, and eventually will lead to an uninhabitable world!
Doing your due diligence on researching who shop with, how you consume, and why you purchase will allow you to gain some introspective on how you’re contributing to the environmental plight we’re all facing. If we do our parts respectively and collectively, we can truly create change. Start small and end big!
For resources regarding the climate crisis, you can check out the websites below.
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