How we can reframe how we value our resources and leave less of an impact on the planet.
We are in a climate crisis. Overconsumption is at an all-time high. According to the Circularity Gap Report each person in the UK consumes on average 15.3 tonnes of material each year, compared to the global average of 12.2 tonnes per capita. Of the materials used in the UK, only 7.5 per cent are recycled or given a second life.
Being able to afford to waste anything is a display of power. It shows a lack of value for the things we buy and that we view them as replaceable. The average UK household produces more than a tonne of waste a year according to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), luxury homes sit vacant, food is bought in excess and discarded, clothing is briefly worn and thrown away. For the ultra-wealthy, this is a lifestyle they have always known. For everyone else, this desire to consume is not new either. If you’ve never had much, not having to be frugal feels good. It is easy to forget about something once put in the bin and sometimes you have no choice but to dispose of items that are not built to last.
However, textile waste pollutes waterways, excessive use of water is actively drying up freshwater reservoirs and recycling and waste centres are overwhelmed with commercial and household waste. Over half a million tonnes of recycling is rejected at the point of sorting due to contamination with non-recyclables according to Pebble magazine. This waste ends up being incinerated, contributing to already warming temperatures. There is an urgent need for an action and mindset shift concerning waste across the board and there are signs that this is already happening.
The recent “underconsumption” trend among young people on platforms like TikTok and the general shift away from modern technology by those opting for “dumb” phones instead of smartphones is a positive sign that change can happen. It shows that people do care about what effects their actions have. Businesses are in on it too – Forster client Patagonia is championing the need for products that are more durable, repairable, multifunctional, and responsibly made.
The solution is to lead by example. It will not be easy and will mean more than reducing waste by asking consumers to buy less. It will take time, effort, and money to change the way goods are sourced, made, transported, marketed and sold. Governments must increase efforts to educate the public around waste and put in place robust systems that do not allow waste to thrive but ensures it is minimised. Instead of focusing on short-term profitability, businesses must look at building resilient products that consumers can trust, and a waste-conscious brand image that inspires consumers to waste less and keep items for longer. Patagonia is an excellent example of what businesses can be if the behaviour surrounding waste changes.
Influential people also have a role to play in determining what luxury means and minimising the culture around buying the next new thing. Instead, it should be high quality items that are loved forever, can easily be repaired. It will take joint efforts from consumers, businesses, and governments to curb waste production, overconsumption, and wasteful business practices.
Waste is a problem, but one we can solve. There are countless initiatives to reduce waste at every level. With collective action we can preserve our precious resources.