Microtrends: Destroying the planet with every purchase

Turn a blind eye to overconsumption. Artwork by Chelsea Copeland.

CHELSEA COPELAND | OPINION COLUMENIST | [email protected]

Out of Beanie Babies in the 90s to Low-rise jeans in the 2000s and even mucus In 2020, trends have evolved over the decades due to people's desire to adapt. Trends are seen as a way to be cool and belong.

Social media has dramatically accelerated the process of trend popularization, thereby abruptly shortening the duration of a trend's relevance. From fashion to knick-knacks to the latest diet – trends know no boundaries. Input Microtrends.

A microtrend can be anything that is trending right now and will only be trending for a short period of time. The word “micro” is used here to define the short duration of the trend’s popularity. Trends are not society's problem; how quickly we change them.

I, like most people, have fallen victim to trends before. I loved Fortnite, scrunchies, and the infinity scarf. When I think about it, I realize that I never really liked these things – I just liked the fact that they were considered cool.

Microtrends not only put a strain on your wallet, they also cause great damage to our climate. Frequently changing trends and excessive consumption can lead to this harmful effects on the ecosystemsuch as overcrowding Landfills And pollutionIt also plays host to other environmental crises.

First-year Entrepreneurship and Innovation student Al Aylesworth shed light on how over-consumption of trends leads to negative impacts on the environment.

“[Microtrends] “Allow people to find their own style and the way they feel most comfortable in their bodies,” Aylesworth said. “But there are problems with clothing waste disposal. It also puts an emphasis on fast fashion, which is really worrying because it creates it [difficult] Keeping clothes longer…because they are constantly changing.”

The problem of overconsumption begins when you continually buy more, even if you don't need the item. It's okay to buy something you like, but buying consciously can benefit the environment. One of the best ways to prevent this overconsumption is to remember that just because it's considered trendy doesn't mean you have to have it.

Hannah Howard, senior environmental scientist and president of Eco representativeadmitted that being environmentally conscious doesn't mean you can't buy anything.

“I have this Lip balm for summer Fridays; It was worth it because I use it all the time,” Howard said. “Certain things are worth the hype, but you don't have to buy everything if you already have it [something similar].”

Although Beauty products such as skin care and makeup certainly contribute to environmental decay, fast fashion is the bigger problem. Fast fashion is a prime example of overconsumption because of the neglect behind the scenes. Child labor, poor safety protocols and unfair wagesare all factors that play a role in the production of an individual garment.

There is no way for a single person to eliminate all fast fashion consumption, but there are ways to avoid further contributions. Aylesworth strives to reduce purchasing – both first hand and second hand.

“I love shopping, I love the thrift store and I love looking at new clothes, but I have such a full closet right now that I don't need anything new,” Aylsworth said. “I'm really focused on keeping what I have and then using it until I can't use it anymore.”

While saving is better for the environment, it does not eliminate the problem of overconsumption that society has developed. Whether it's clothing, accessories or beauty products, buying something just because it's used isn't actually enough benefit the environment at all.

A shopping addiction is not a valid reason to neglect the environment. Often people buy a product that is rarely used due to ever-changing trends. These purchases create a lot of waste, especially if they are made to satisfy shopping needs or if they are thrown away when a new trend is announced. Microtrends are still maintained and achieved through non-fast fashion outlets such as second-hand purchasing.

Mae-Mae Han, a sixth-year P4 pharmacy student and fashion enthusiast, explained that even frugality cannot eliminate the problem of overconsumption. Although it is a better alternative, it still contributes massively to the amount of waste.

“There is a tendency to let second-hand shopping replace first-hand shopping addiction,” Han said. “Just because [something] is second hand and inherently less wasteful…if you still consume too much, you're still wasting money and ultimately still producing that waste.”

People often acknowledge that saving is a more sustainable option, but forget that it is still consumption. Buying something without necessarily wanting or needing it will inevitably result in the item being thrown away, creating even more waste.

Microtrends increase the replacement of new products before the old one is ready, simply because a new trend is knocking on the door. Lip balm from Summer Fridays is an example of a current trend, but before that it was like that Burt's Bees and before that it was eos. Given the frequency with which new products are created to create and accommodate new trends, the lip balms that came out before Summer Fridays are probably in a drawer you've already forgotten about.

When people have too many items that serve the same purpose, they prefer the new product and the old is neglected. Buying a new, used product that is not fully used still creates waste because the new future of that item is thrown away – even if it was purchased used. This ideology is the biggest contributor to environmental degradation.

Next time you're scrolling through social media and spot a new trending article, take a moment to think about whether trending for two weeks is worth the lasting impact microtrends can have on the environment.

Ask yourself if it is something you would enjoy even after the expiration date stated in the trendy title. If the answer is yes, wait a week before clicking buy to decide if you're still drawn to it. This not only saves you money, but also protects the planet when you shop consciously.

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