One of the reasons trends and fads are trends and trends is that they come and go, but the aftereffects may be more problematic than you think.
One Reddit user took to r/Anticonsumption after coming across a truly mind-blowing list of resale items.
The photos show five Stanley tumblers, all in perfect condition, with a suggested retail price of $80.
“Is the Stanley craze over yet?” the original poster wrote in the caption.
At the height of their popularity, Stanley Cups were priced at over $100 a piece, compared with retail prices of $35 to $55 a piece.
Demand drives overproduction, putting strain on materials, packaging and transportation, and causing excess pollution that harms the environment.
When demand disappears, businesses and stores are left with a surplus of products that may never be purchased, or if purchased, may not be used enough to justify production resources.
The idea behind the Tumbler and Hydro Flask is to provide a reusable water bottle and reduce single-use plastics, which can save you hundreds of dollars — $5 a week, $260 a year — and keep plastic from ending up in landfills.
If that wasn’t enough motivation, scientists have analyzed plastic bottled water and found a surprising number of contaminants in the containers it comes in. This means that reusable glass or stainless steel water bottles not only reduce waste and save you money, they could also be better for your health.
But the saying goes, too much of a good thing is bad – one or two reusable bottles is enough to reap the benefits – anything more is overconsumption, wastes money, and creates unnecessary demand.
The post was met with universal disgust and some debate as to whether it was a collectible or a passing fad.
“There’ll be a new trend soon,” one Reddit user said. “People will never learn.”
Another wrote: “Hype trends get shorter and shorter with each cycle. Blame fast fashion.”
“Collecting is simply hoarding things with a theme,” says a third.
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