Have you ever walked into a store looking for one thing but walked out with more than you needed? Or bought something because of a social media trend?  Here is a simple explanation of why you feel the need to buy things you don’t need. This economic phenomenon is called consumerism.

Lately on social media, trends of buying the newest trinket, regardless of price, have been normalized. Things like Labubus have people spending anywhere from $30-$900 for something that costs about $10 to make. As people start to collect Labubus,  factories have to keep up with manufacturing, and Labubus are made out of polyvinyl chloride,a thermoplastic material. When manufacturing this material, it emits greenhouse gases and toxic substances.

However, Labubus aren’t the only things that are selling out. Water bottles have been one of the longest running trends when it comes to consumerism.. 

Stanleys are stainless steel water bottles that became extremely popular around 2023, with almost every influencer owning one. The water bottles are made to be eco-friendly, but when they are overconsumed, it can make them an environmental issue, especially when people leave behind their Stanleys and hop on the next trendy bottle. But this isn’t the first time that water bottles have people spending more than they need to.

 In 2019, Hydroflasks started to become trendy, especially in 2020 when VSCO girls popularized them. Now, one of the most desired water bottles is an Owala. Owalas became popular because of their uniquely designed cap that makes you look like a koala while drinking. This led many to leave behind their old Hydroflasks and Stanleys for something newer and different, even though they have the same purpose. 

In the end, all of these water bottles have an identical intention, no differently from one another.

Another example of overconsumption is Disney merchandise. Almost every year, Disney comes out with a new line of backpacks, Mickey ears and clothing. Disney constantly updating and changing their merchandise makes customers feel like they have to keep buying to keep up with what everyone else is spending on. These products not only have consumers spending way more than needed, but they also encourage unnecessary spending and pressure consumers to buy the newest product that fits their own “aesthetic.”

 When you buy the newest  “aesthetic” thing, you’re not hopping on a trend; you’re buying into an endless cycle of items that have no use to you. These “must-haves” make you feel like they’re essentials, when in reality, they serve a similar purpose as something cheaper and better for the environment.

Companies and influencers talk about the newest products to make you feel like you’re missing out if you don’t get rid of something “outdated” for a “new” and “better” version, when in reality their new product is practically the identical to the old one. This sequence of buying new merchandise and getting rid of the old not only wastes money and materials but also creates additional waste that fills landfills and creates pollution. 

Consumerism not only has an effect on your wallet but also on the environment and our daily life.