Over the past few decades, we’ve all gotten used to buying more. As some businesses keep driving prices even lower to entice us to keep purchasing, it’s often hard to say no.
Increasingly, we’re also relying on single-use products packaged in plastic, which are some of the worst items environmentally.
It seems that if we hope to fight the environmental threats we’re facing, such as climate change or plastic pollution, we’re going to need to make a change. One of the simplest ways to reduce the impact of our consumption is simply to buy less stuff.
THE PROBLEM WITH OVERCONSUMPTION
Buy less stuff – sounds simple, right? All the while many of us struggle to take that advice. The problem with overconsuming is that a lot of resources are needed to make each item. Additionally, the quick timeline of buying and discarding also results in a lot of unnecessary waste.
As humans, we’ve never been consuming so much as we are now. That’s because overconsumption is made possible due to cheap products, as prices lower because of the use of cheap labour.
However, while it may seem like we’re getting a good deal on an item, a low price makes us act on impulse and also results in much lower quality – both of which lead to the things we buy ending up in the landfill faster and faster. Additionally, as more and more items are made from or packaged in plastic (sometimes even products labelled as sustainable), the environmental impact of plastic pollution is increasing.
REUSABLE PRODUCTS FOR THE WIN
One of the best ways to stop buying so many things and live a more sustainable lifestyle is to invest in reusable alternatives. From your bathroom products to the capsules you use to make your coffee in the morning, we need to explore more reusable alternatives if we all want to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Reusable products tackle both of the big problems of overconsumption – they reduce the need for resources (such as water or electricity) used in manufacturing, as well as tackling the amount of waste leaving our homes.
SAVE MONEY
Reducing your consumption isn’t just good for the environment – it also saves you money, which you can then spend on what matters, rather than cheap items.
As a double win, the simple decision to buy less may just be one of the best things you’ll ever do for the environment and for yourself.
