From Shopping Bags to Landfills: Environmental Cost of Consumerism

By Noor Syahirah binti Massuri

Have you ever thought about what happens to the shopping bags you use and toss away? or the packaging that comes with the products you buy? Our consumerist culture has a hidden cost that we often overlook, the environmental impact of our waste.

Every day, countless shopping bags, packaging materials, and other products end up in landfills, polluting the environment and contributing to climate change. In this article, we’ll explore the environmental cost of consumerism and the steps we can take to reduce our impact. 

Consumerism can lead to overconsumption, which can contribute to environmental problems such as pollution and resource depletion. Overconsumption can lead to a depletion of natural resources, which can have long-term adverse effects on the environment.

Overconsumption can also lead to a depletion of non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels and minerals. These resources take millions of years to form, and once they are used up, they cannot be replaced in our lifetime. This can lead to a shortage of these resources according to the website entitled “The World Counts” that can cause prices to rise and make it harder for people to get the things they need. It is important to be mindful of our consumption habits and try to use resources wisely to ensure they are available for future generations.  

It may also result in increased pollution and waste, harming ecosystems and animals. Pollution and waste may have a variety of negative effects on ecosystems and species. For example, when waste is not properly disposed of, it can end up in landfills, rivers, oceans, and other natural areas.  This can lead to pollution of the air, water, and soil, which can harm the health of plants, animals, and humans.

Pollution may also contribute to climate change, which has a variety of severe consequences for ecosystems and species. Furthermore, garbage can entangle and suffocate wildlife, or it can be consumed by animals, causing damage, disease, or death. 

Overconsumption can take up space. This is due to the everyday production of plastic waste. Even if plastic waste is lightweight, it can consume more space according to the blog “Twice the Ice” in 2021. People may seem that recycling is always the best option for the disposal of this waste, but they never think that to disposal of all the recycled things also needs some big space for the trash to be buried or burned.

Most people do not want to live close to the landfills. Finding space for plastic waste disposal might be a hustle because it involves transporting them far away and reducing the size of the nearby wildlife habitats. The most effective way is to avoid using plastic that will end up in the trash.

Reducing our environmental impact can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it is important to remember that every small step that people take can make a difference. For example, by using reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and containers, people can reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans according to Ibbotson’s 2019 essay entitled “The best way to help the environment is to become a more conscious consumer”. Using reusable shopping bags is a simple but effective way to reduce waste and support the environment. Reusable bags are also sturdier and more durable than single-use plastic bags, so they can be used repeatedly.

Many stores now offer reusable bags for purchase, and some even offer discounts for customers who bring their own bags. By making a small change like using reusable bags, we can help to make a big difference for the environment.

Purchasing items with minimum packaging is another way to reduce overconsumption. We have the ability to minimize the quantity of waste that ends up in landfills. Buying items with minimum packaging is a terrific approach to helping the environment and decreasing waste. Many products come with excessive packaging that is not necessary for the product to function correctly. People can assist to decrease waste and support a more sustainable future by purchasing items with less packaging. Some ways to reduce packaging waste include choosing products sold in bulk. 

Another way to reduce overconsumption is to practice minimalism, which involves living with less and being more intentional about what to buy and use. This involves carefully considering our needs and desires and making informed decisions about the items we consume. By living with less, people can reduce the impact on the environment and save money.

It can also help us to appreciate the things we have more, and focus on experiences rather than material possessions. Cleaning up our houses, purchasing secondhand stuff, and selecting products that are meant to endure are all methods to live with less. We can contribute to minimizing waste and supporting a more sustainable future by being more mindful about what we buy and consume.

Overconsumption may also be minimized by purchasing things that are created in a sustainable manner, which implies that they are made in ways that are gentle on the environment and benefit the local community. We can encourage more firms to embrace sustainable manufacturing practices by supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. This strategy may include the use of renewable energy sources, the reduction of waste and emissions, and the use of environmentally friendly products.

Sustainable clothes, for example, might be manufactured from organic cotton, which is farmed without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers. Regenerative agriculture, which helps to develop healthy soil and promote biodiversity, may be used to grow sustainable food. We can contribute to lessening our environmental effects and promote a more sustainable future by purchasing sustainable items.

Finally, we may strive towards a more sustainable culture by educating ourselves and others on the environmental impact of consumerism. Educating ourselves and others on the environmental effect of consumerism is a critical step toward a more sustainable future. We can make better decisions about the items we buy and use if we understand the consequences of our consumption habits. This information may also be shared with others to help raise awareness and promote action.

Reading books and articles, watching films, and attending seminars and events are all methods to educate ourselves and others on the environmental effect of consumerism. We may contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world by taking the time to study and share information.

By taking these small steps, we can help to work towards SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. This goal calls for a shift towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns, and by making small changes in our daily lives, we can help to contribute to this shift. What small steps are you taking to reduce your environmental impact?

(This article is written as part of an individual assignment for Responsible Consumerism, MKTG 4312 class)