Not Eco-Friendly? Don’t Worry, Neither Am I

"The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed."

Mahatma Gandhi.

The Rise of Consumerism Over the Years

It is not a breaking news that our consumer habits are affecting our waste management - not just food but clothes, cosmetics, and more.

Here are some numbers just to give you an overall idea of what it represents:

Plastic pollution is a growing crisis, with global plastic production doubling from 2000 to 2019, reaching a staggering 460 million tonnes[i].

 While much attention is given to plastic packaging, other forms of plastic pollution often go unnoticed. For instance, between 60% and 70% of textiles are made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, which do not biodegrade and often end up in unmanaged landfills.

Similarly, wet wipes, are widely used but take years to disintegrate. For example, the UK disposes of 11 billion wet wipes annually, and despite legislation to limit their sale, production continues, with exports to countries with looser regulations[ii].

Alright, let’s put the stats on pause and talk about this in a way that sticks.

Imagine you have a bag with 100 plastic bottles in it, and only 9 of them get recycled and with the UK wet wipes collection annually, there’s enough wipes to go around the entire world twice if you laid them out end to end.

These overlooked plastic pollutants highlight how deeply plastic is embedded in consumer goods, from clothing to cosmetics, making waste management a mounting global challenge.

So, why is this a growing phenomenon?

In my opinion, the shift towards a culture of constant consumption and instant gratification plays a major role. I won’t dive into the economics and social sciences of the topic—there’s just too much to unpack there, but let’s take a closer look.

First, societal influences like advertising, social media and others have created an environment where consumer goods are seen as a way for self-expression. It feels like we are consistently told that owning more and upgrading is somehow necessary, as if our social status depended on it!

As absurd as it may sound, I’ve come to realise this myself. Being a young woman raised in a place like London, where the drive for consumption is far stronger than in areas with fewer shops, like suburban or small-town life. Born in the early 2000’s, I grew up with technology and witnessed the explosion of advertising methods that target consumers right from the comfort of their couches and phones. Living in such an environment has undoubtedly shaped the way I think, where everything is designed for convenience, and it becomes almost ‘too’ easy to fall into the habit of constant consumption. The ability to buy whatever you want, whenever you want, without much effort or thought, makes it harder to pause and ask yourself:

“Do I truly need this item? Or is this another impulse triggered by convenience?”

It makes you question what’s truly important. Why would I ever need clothes that I know have a negative impact, only to realise I won’t want them in a few months or years?  On top of that, they probably won’t be recycled due to their composition and will end up as waste.

There are more ethical and intentional ways to consume. If we disconnect, reflect on what truly defines us, and focus on what genuinely brings us joy, we can embrace "eco-friendly" practices that are easy to engage with and don’t have to break the bank either.

Before we move on, you might be wondering if I’m trying to greenwash you with the term "eco-friendly," which often gets used so loosely that it can mean almost anything—or nothing at all.

What is “Eco-friendly”?

The general understanding of “eco-friendly” products are goods that are created with the intention of minimising their impact on the environment. These products are typically made from sustainable resources, produced under ethical working conditions, and designed to reduce waste, energy consumption, and the use of harmful chemicals. In the context of products, this means that every aspect, from production to packaging, should be ‘safe’ for the environment.

Adopting a fully eco-friendly lifestyle can be challenging, and I’m the first to admit that I don’t live that way myself. While this article aims to highlight and promote eco-friendly practices, I also acknowledge the difficulties involved. Living sustainably can be tough due to factors like limited availability of eco-friendly options, higher costs, or the complexities of modern life. Although materials like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and Tencel offer more sustainable alternatives, shifting to these fabrics on a large scale presents its own set of challenges. That said, making eco-friendly choices as individual consumers is still a valuable and important step in the right direction.

At the end of the day, what I’m suggesting isn’t to discard all your clothes and only buy sustainable ones. It would defeat the very purpose of sustainability. Instead, as your clothes begin to wear out, take the opportunity to explore ethical clothing brands that truly resonate with you. There’s no rush; you have plenty of time to make these thoughtful choices. Plus, with so many second-hand platforms like Depop or Vinted, you can easily sell your unwanted clothes or find gently used items to refresh your wardrobe.

Sustainability isn’t just about opting for eco-friendly fabrics. It’s about adopting a more mindful approach to fashion.

[i] The Guardian, Emma Bryce, “We need to talk about plastic: five everyday items choking the planet”, Nov. 29th, 2024

[ii] OECD, “Plastic Pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling falls short”, Feb. 22th 2022