Yesterday was Black Friday 29 Nov 2024 and I woke up in the morning expecting to be bombarded with offers and discounts and how I can save money by spending more money.
It was anti-climactic really. I noted 5 offers “pushed” to me – 2 on email, 1 via SMS, 1 through a conversation and 1 from Zoom. I reflected in confusion and realized how effective my ad blockers are (thank you uBlock), how I’ve not been active on social media for the past 3 years, my friend groups on WhatsApp aren’t sending shopping tips, I’m subscribed to very few businesses, how working from home means I’m not venturing out to see advertising and not listening to the radio, we don’t have local programmes and I don’t read local news. In short, I’m in a bubble. I “pull” information as needed and work at reducing “noise” from marketers.
I needed to buy school bags and Christmas gifts for our girls, so I went to Takealot.com and did my shopping. There weren’t any amazing offers since Takealot’s strategy seems to constantly just have offers weekly and daily plus Black Friday doesn’t seem to be a day, it’s more like a range of days of discounts. I’m of the opinion that prior to items being discounted, the prices are usually increased first anyway. I was also conscious not to buy just because something is cheaper and manage the time I spend on the site. As I realize myself taking more than 20min, the alarm bells go off in my head and I wrap up quickly.
Just finished watching "Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy" and it wasn’t pleasant to my psyche. I confess to liking my groceries and purchases neatly packaged. Nevertheless, it was an eye-opening Netflix documentary that sheds light on the hidden tactics used by major brands to keep us in a constant cycle of buying. The hidden cost is not just to us and our environment today and the future. Waste is the gift that keeps giving, sadly and to everyone, whether we want it or not.
Fashion and textiles are highlighted with the clear message of how we must stop producing/purchasing more. There is just too much in existence already. Case in point - in 2022, the global footwear industry produced a 23.9 billion pairs of shoes which would mean 3 pairs of new shoes to each person if distributed evenly; which never is the case.
On one hand, saying that I have enough clothes pains me and on the other hand, it liberates me. The year 2022, I achieved a challenge I gave myself of not buying any new clothes. I wanted to prepare for 2023 when we would travel around the world, each having 20kg of luggage including our electronics and school textbooks. Packing less clothing was the solution with the challenge of the change of seasons from Japan’s late winter to the heat of summer in Granada. What we learned is that we could get by with 70kg of total luggage between the 4 of us and we really didn’t need much clothing at all. Half of the clothes we packed were seldom used, that would also mean culling my wardrobe before 2023 and not replenishing it in 2024 are all good decisions.
Some other thoughts that I am left with from watching the documentary -
To be conscious of greenwashing - deceptive marketing practice where companies falsely promote their products, services, or practices as environmentally friendly. I am naturally wary of packaging and brand colours that are now shades of green.
Reflect on my own green-wishing - personal tendency to overestimate the positive environmental impact of my actions including the impact of writing this blog post.
Quality Over Quantity – to be more conscious to opt for durable, high-quality items that will last longer and reduce overall waste. I’ll need to educate myself to know how to understand materials and durability. A similar item with a higher price tag from a more known brand doesn’t equate better quality. I must take the time to read user comments and reviews that mention quality.
End-of-life considerations and responsibilities (Extended Producer Responsibility) need to be taken by companies to include: designing products for longevity and easy repair, implementing take-back programs for used products, investing in recycling and upcycling technologies and clearly communicating proper disposal methods to consumers. We can choose to challenge how items are made to expire and not able to be repaired like wireless earbuds, watches, mobile devices and even household items including the electric kettle, toaster, air-fryer, washing machine and more.
The measure of growth and business success cannot just be “sell more year on year” – it’s untenable and that results in products that are created to fit the replacement cycle and not last as long as possible. We’re just borrowing shamelessly from Mother Earth. Our future generations will pay not in money but their health and lives.
One next step – share my views respectfully, invite discussion with family and close friends and see how small steps are still success! And yes, you have enough clothes Woon.