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Consumerism in itself isn’t inherently bad. It promotes economic growth, creates jobs, and fosters innovation. But given how out of hand it has become in recent years, many would argue that it is a double-edged sword.
Among those who have grown fed up are members of the Anticonsumption subreddit. Day in and day out, they call out the worsening state of materialism in today’s society. And if you scroll through the page, you may see how depressing it has become.
Here are some of the posts from the community that perfectly capture how problematic consumerism has become.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The Pollinator Crisis
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
My mum had her garden completely redone and filled with native flowering plants and now it's teeming with life including a species of native bee I'd never even heard of.
RELATED:
#2
Unethical Companies Stopping 'Undesirables' From Using Their Clothes
Becky Samuel 17 hours ago
That's what governments are for. If your government is not doìng this, then ask why?
#3
Tired Of It
The Anticonsumption subreddit’s one-liner bio concisely and ambiguously expressed the drawbacks of consumerism. However, experts have explicitly discussed them over the years, including how it affects a child’s well-being.
A study from the University of Macau found that youth materialism has been linked with a dip in self-esteem, along with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and decreased motivation.
#4
11 Kilometers/6.8 Miles Down
Touhou Youyoumu 14 hours ago
Seriously 😑 put your trash in the bin or you should go in the bin.
#5
Radicalized At 30
I so wish this wasn’t the one brand that helps my perpetually dry, painful skin. Thanks to this sub, I’ve been cutting open the containers to get every last bit that the pump “conveniently” can’t reach. I wish this was illegal.
setsuriseikou 15 hours ago
Pumps are very inefficient with thick textures, so I choose jars/tubes whenever possible and always cut tubes open when squeezing gets difficult
#6
Same Cycle Over & Over Again
What’s worse is that it turns into a toxic, seemingly inescapable cycle. According to a study by the University of Chicago, the depleted self-esteem among children and adolescents increases their materialism tendencies.
Researchers have found that material possessions have become a primary coping mechanism for their feelings of self-worth.
#7
Offline Is The New Luxury In An Age Of Constant Digital Consumption
#8
Saw This On The Seattle Sub
#9
God Is Rewarding Me For Buying Secondhand
Bought a jansport from a secondhand store and found 100$ in one of the pockets.
According to Lan Nguyen Chaplin, a marketing professor at the University of Chicago, one of the many roots of the problem is when parents use material things as a form of punishment or reward.
“In the long run, there's this focus on material things, and kids grow up to place a greater emphasis on material things as a sign of success and achievement,” Chaplin told National Geographic.
#10
Reused Crayons
We collect old, used, and broken crayons from my kids’ schools and make these new ones! The silicone candy molds were given to me from a friend. They are easily cleaned and used again and again. Can curate a cute little gifts for folks between color selection and the mold choice. Kiddos love making them too.
#11
Finally, An Ad I Can Agree With
keyboardtek 6 hours ago
I am so glad that as a kid I discovered the joy of learning a musical instrument. Make a one time purchase of the instrument and spent hours and hours playing it and learning all about music all my life.
#12
Gold Chains
Then there is the advertising that kids are exposed to, whether on TV, on the social platforms they navigate, or on YouTube ads they see at the start of every video.
“Kids don't even realize what an advertisement is when they're young—they just see something, and they think it's great,” University of Missouri marketing professor Marsha Richins points out.
#13
Sick Of The Overwhelming Amount Of Mail I Receive Daily Decided To Make Art Out Of It
#14
They're Editing Digital Books To Contain Ads Now
Kelly Scott 1 hour ago (edited)
My friend pushed and pushed for me to buy a Kindle. I kept telling her no so what was her solution? She bought me a Kindle herself. Told me how all the books were free and would be mine forever. I looked up the books I wanted to download. Books at the library had a wait time and would not be left on my Kindle indefinitely. None of the other books I wanted to read that I found, except one, were free. Most of them cost as much as and sometimes more than a paperback would. The one free book? I downloaded it and it disappeared from my Kindle in 6 months. Then found out trying to read books on a Kindle was like trying to crack a code sometimes with all the misspellings and mistakes. I finally threw the Kindle out. Now I'm back to buying used books on eBay and they're always there, they're mine, and I can read them whenever I want.
#15
The Type Of Thing You Would See Evil Corporations Do In Cartoons
So, how do we stop this cycle? Chaplin urges practicing gratitude and giving, for one. But more importantly, she calls on parents to foster a loving and harmonious relationship with their children.
“The secret here lies in spending time with your kids, communicating with them, and fostering a positive sense of self,” she said.
#16
Kohls Makes You Walk Through Two Aisles Of Impulse Buying Junk Before You Get To The Cash Registers
#17
Ridiculous Packaging
#18
Jumbo Plastic Tic Tac Box Filled With Mini Plastic Tic Tac Boxes
#19
Not That Long Ago, Textiles Lasted Us (Almost) A Lifetime
Multa Nocte (she/her/86 47) 15 hours ago
I'm currently using two chenille blankets from the 1950s.
#20
I Sewed The Broke Handle Of My Backpack Instead Of Buying A New One
keyboardtek 6 hours ago
I grew up in the 1960's-70's and my dad taught us how to use tools and how to fix just about everything. What he could not fix, my older brother knew how to fix. I have worked on just about everything in the four houses I have owned. Not only do you save money, it is very satisfying to fix broken stuff.
#21
This "On Sale" Marketing Should Be Illegal
I researched this exact model of blender online and checked the price at many stores. Just as I expected, it has NEVER been priced at 85.99 at a single vendor. This type of behavior is predatory and manipulative.
#22
College Move Out Day!
Justin Case 15 hours ago
OMG. I used to live by one of the largest universities in the US. Every year I made thousands of dollars in extra income having yard sales to sell things I picked up at the university. I did it all year. But the end of the school year was when I filled my apartment literally from floor to ceiling.
#23
I Made This Timeline About A Year Ago And I Think It Will Forever Be Relevant
Becky Samuel 17 hours ago
Again, says the generations who had Cabbage Patch dolls, Tamagotchis, Furbys, and those awful blasted Funko Pops. Let's not pretend that this is a new ìssue, or that our older generations weren't involved with the same nonsense.
#25
$30 (400%) Price Difference For An Identical Product
#26
Netflix "Thanks" Me For 22 Years Of Membership
Kelly Scott 1 hour ago
Holy C**p!!!! I dumped Netflix when they went to $7 a month. Am I glad I did!
#27
I Hate It Here
WhyamIhere? 15 hours ago
I live near a local pie shop called Muzza's Pies. Their slogan is "buy one or we'll both starve!"
#28
Is This The Capitalism Breeding Innovation They’re Talking About?
Elladine DesIsles 16 hours ago
I love lychees (Oh! I have some waiting to be eaten right now!), but this is something else.
#29
Psa: Kindle Deletes Side Loaded Content When Connected To WiFi
Wife bought kindle for me as a present from the thrift for like $5. I Side loaded a bunch of books onto the device via my laptop. I Never connect to wifi on the device , I’m currently on a trip and mistakenly connected to wifi, 90% off my books were suddenly gone. I looked it up and apparently it’s built into the software that the kindle store/software recognizes non purchased content and removes/deletes it from the device(went wifi is enabled) It’s Bullshit because I’m on holiday and didn’t bring my laptop. I’ve got all the content backed so nbd. I should have been more careful. But it’s a prime example of how the internet trap can be used to manipulate our digital ownership. Lesson learned. Hope this helps someone else’s out.
Earonn - 7 hours ago
Guys, you can just get the Kindle app. On your phone, or a pad, or your computer (I have all 3). And I don't know about OP's country, but the app offers the ability to add PDF documents as well, and so far none of the research papers I use that function for has been deleted.
#30
I’m Taking All The Tiny Plastic Stuff Around The House And Turning It Into Snow Globes
#31
Our Management Decided That We're Not Allowed To Adjust Our Baking Volumes On Our Own
#32
We’re Expected To Ditch Plastic Straws But This Is Somehow Okay?
ID 7 hours ago
Tbf the little pods are cute and they have a sillicone lid so you can reuse them. You might never need them but I could fill them with that one hairtie that gets lost in my bag, pain or allergy meds on the go. Mini serving of nuts. It's also sold as a novelty item. Nobody forces you to buy this if you want coffee
#33
Thrifted Find From The Target Of Old
I thrifted this Target branded sweater today and the quality difference between this piece and(100% Shetland wool) and their clothing today is absolutely wild. I mean, I’m amazed. I had no idea their clothing was ever a solid quality.
It’s sad that one day the thrift stores will be entirely SHEIN items…
Jan Rosier 9 hours ago
thrift stores in our region (Flanders, Belgium) are refusing clothes from shein or temu
#34
I Hate How Normalised This Is :(
#35
If It Ain't Food Or A Candle Dont Slap Food Scents
WindySwede 12 hours ago
Next up, bacon scented, and, old motor oil scented... also don't flush them!
#36
The 4.4 Trillion Dollar Company Needs Another Revenue Source
#37
You Know The Craze Is Over When
#39
Have You Stopped Flying Yet?
#40
Ah Yes Because I Want Children’s Blood On My Hand
The notion that a natural diamond is in any way superior to a lab grown one is absolute malarkey! Their chemical composition is exactly the same! Sure they might have microscopic differences but the overall composition is not! I’m not really a diamond person anyway but what are your thoughts?
Ali Sherlock 8 hours ago
I have a lab grown diamond engagement ring and that's exactly what I wanted.....my brother mocked me for it, mine cost less then $800 and his wife's cost over $4k and I'M the stupid one
#41
Two Sad Things
Number one: trends end up at the thrift.
Number two: the thrift charges extra $$ for beat up, trendy items.
Bored Silly 14 hours ago
And this is why I no longer donate to thrift stores. I took all my old good condition clothes and donated to a center that assists families coming from war zones. The clothes are given to them not sold.
#42
I Have Literally Been Using The Same Laundry Basket Since I Was In High School
Lady Gypsy Rain 15 hours ago
If that is the basket, that is hella impressive. That style always has a habit of breaking at one or more of the many corners, collapse under the weight of poorly aimed clothes or the family cat. Just honestly a basket designed to be replaced.
#43
Removing Branding With 70% Isopropyl Alcohol
#44
I Reused A Vanilla Bean Container For Ibuprofen For My Bag
#45
Trash Has Gotten So Bad In Congo, Artists Started Making Clothes & Sculptures From It
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, artists are redefining waste by transforming discarded plastic, scrap metal, and tangled wires into extraordinary wearable art. Materials once abandoned in rivers and streets are reimagined as bold, sculptural creations showcased in parades, performances, and public gatherings, where fashion becomes a powerful form of expression.
What started as a creative response to limited resources has grown into a symbol of resilience and imagination. Every piece reflects the ability to create beauty from what others throw away, while questioning overconsumption and celebrating local ingenuity. More than fashion, Congo’s trash couture is a powerful blend of art, innovation, and environmental awareness, proving that creativity can thrive in even the most challenging circumstances.
work of stephangladieu
#46
Home Cooking Because Fast Food Prices Are Straight Up Out Of Control
#47
A Reminder During Vacation Season To Please Eat Before You Go To The Airport…
#48
Heb Raised The Price By Covering The Old, Lower Price With A "Low Price" Tag
#49
The Prices Go Up, And The Cereal Boxes Get Thinner. Duds For Scale
Lady Gypsy Rain 15 hours ago
The day that the Cat in the Hat Volume 1 is thicker than the width of the cereal box, we will know we are now living that post apocalyptic dream
#50
Instead Of "Customers", The Chipotle CEO Calls Them "Users"
Kelly Scott 1 hour ago
What these ignorant idiots don't understand is the US doesn't have an unlimited amount of people making more than $100,000 in yearly income. When the supply runs out, that 60% is going to drop like a cement block dropped off a 21 story tower.
#51
When Did Billing For Holidays Become Normal
#52
Toilet Paper Rolls For $8 At Michael’s
#53
I Was So Disgusted By This Ad
howdylee 6 hours ago
My husband hasn't bought me flowers since like the first year we were dating (23 years ago). I don't mind because they're stupidly expensive for something that dies quickly. But for my birthday a couple years ago, he picked flowers from around our yard and made them into a bouquet for me. THAT meant more than anything to me!
#54
Single Use Children Novelty Waste Is The Worse
Lady Gypsy Rain 15 hours ago
Maybe it’s my pain meds, maybe I just don’t know something I should know. But I don’t recall these items being single use. Have they changed how they are made? We were taught to keep and thoroughly clean those special tops and use them on other bottles with the same size neck and less expensive as they just come with a normal lid. Please don’t beat me up on this everyone. My children were this age over 20 years ago.
#55
Mr Beast Chocolates Not Selling At 90% Off Will Expire Soon And End Up In A Landfill Hypes Over
#56
Single Use Phone Chargers
Lady Gypsy Rain 15 hours ago
Sounds like basically single use batteries. The eco friendly disposal sounds promising, but wouldn’t that require a facility that knows how to properly handle them in your area? The reason that the recycling centers everywhere have their own list of items they will accept and they are inconsistent from facility to facility is because they don’t all have the same equipment, staff, training and a ability to handle everything that is recyclable.
#57
Quite A Good Sentiment About Gratitude. Our Society Always Pushes Us To Want More
shg stewart 12 hours ago
I definitely do not want what I currently have. I am living in an apartment I don't like, I lost most of my possessions, some of which I had had since childhood, and I got laid off from a really good job. I want to be somewhere else with a different life that doesn't include unemployment and Long COVID.
#58
8645 Candles Lit Yesterday. I Can't Get Over The Candle Waste
This was from an anti-abortion protest, but let's not get into cause. What do you think about waste from protests, can you excuse it? Of course it's easy to condemn if the cause isn't something one agrees on, but I feel like the most impactful ones are those where it's the people that show up in mass to show their support. Not the ones where organizers pay big bucks for single-use junk with just a few supporters hanging around.
Earonn - 7 hours ago
If that had been a 'real' protest by real people, they would have brought different kind of candles. But the forced breeding industry gets a lot of money, so they just call a truckload full of stuff to make it look as if they had more support than they actually have. How many children forced-born to destitute parents could have been fed with the money for this 'protest'?
#59
No You Don’t Understand, Consumerism Used To Be Wholesome Chungus!
#60
3 Tons Of Flooring Offcuts Headed To Landfill
Surely in this modern world of Robots, 'aware' computers & self-driving cars, we can think of better use for 3 tons of wood offcuts, than burying it?
This is from a flooring company, who do this every couple of weeks (or more); which equates to a minimum of 78 tons a year, from a single small business, with only a handful of staff.
Imagine the scale of waste worldwide!
#61
Apparently Plastic Trinkets Are The New Way To Bond…
I just started a new job and I feel like I hit the work culture lottery.
Since the moment I stepped foot in the office on my first day, everyone has been super kind, supportive, approachable etc., and they all have great personalities that mesh together perfectly with mine. I get along with everyone so well, it’s insane. I can really see a future at that place.
Just one, tiny issue: this one coworker will not stop leaving these miniature, plastic ducks everywhere. They buy a huge pack with like 500 and litter the office with them. They’re all over the place, in every nook and cranny, and my coworker constantly gives me more to put on and around my desk. Not only are they completely and utterly useless, but they’re incredibly annoying as they constantly fall over all the time and do nothing but get in my way when I have to move my monitor, or my desk is packed with files. I’ve tried to arrange them on the deserted corner of my desk but no dice, they still infuriate me, and they’re just adding up little by little . My coworker is very kind and I like their personality a lot, so I don’t want to come off as a jerk, especially so early, because I recognize that this is their way of kind of “bonding” with me, and I appreciate that, I really do. But I don’t know, I guess I need to figure out a polite/subtle way to say “hey, quit giving me this wasteful, useless stuff”
Lady Gypsy Rain 14 hours ago
Turn them into snow globes? Re purpose them - one idea, make some clear glycerin soap (really not that difficult, supplies can be found at Michael’s or places like Hobby Lobby0, be sure to use coloring and scents you enjoy, add a duck to the bar of soap so it’s completely submerged. Hand out bars of soaps to everyone you meet. Doesn’t have to be normal bar shape or size. Just has to be large enough to hold the ducks.
#62
What Do You Americans Think About Big Pickups?
#63
What Shein Sent My Roommate
My roommate orders from SHEIN a couple times a year and I can’t stop her but recently she’s been getting weird stuff before her packages come like this.
Just more plastic before she receives her plastic clothes wrapped in plastic!
Update: She got her items a few days later
#64
No Amount Of Recycling On An Individuals Part Will Undo The Waste Made By A Single Walmart
Door dash and spark make it worse bc whatever doesn't get picked that day get tossed in the morning.
Nothing less then town wide, city wide, county wide efforts will make a difference. Its really sad. I want to be proven wrong.
Earonn - 7 hours ago
Your government could make laws to force companies to donate food at the end of the day. but if you don't vote for politicians who run on that because they "won't win anyway" or "are communists", yeah, nothing will change. Being green and recycling was a 'joke' in Europe, too, long ago. Now governments as well as companies have realised that it's a way to get customers / votes.
#65
We Throw Away 200+ Lbs Of Clean Rubber Every Week
#66
“I’ll Just Donate It”
Today as I was dumpster diving at a thrift store to recycle metal, I witnessed staff dump hundreds of champagne flutes and drinking glasses into the trash and turn them to dust. I watched bin after bin of them get tipped in, smashing almost all of them. This picture was only after a few bins of glasses, there were far more. The reality is that clear glassware and basic porcelain is not desirable, and the vast majority, regardless of condition, ends up in landfill. I wish people would be more mindful of this when deciding to purchase glasses. Also, anything personalized immediately ends up in the trash so all wedding favors and the like are goners if donated.
Blondie23 5 hours ago
I remember when getting married meant you got a whole set of China plates. My mother has a set.. she has used them 2x in my 50 years on this Earth. My daughter and I laugh all the time at the large amount of real China at thrift stores.... the amount of stuff that all were taught we needed and it's just junk now.
#67
If It Helps I Guess
Lukas (alt) 15 hours ago
But you don't... get the thing? That's the actual dopamine giving part, right?
#69
Repurposed Microwave
#71
Your Goodwill Donation Before It Comes To A Store
Lukas (alt) 15 hours ago
...So? Better than a landfill. At least these might go to people in need.
#72
Botox Is Nbd And Fun
Beak Hookage 17 hours ago
Maybe I don't give a d/amn about looking perpetually youthful. In fact I like that I started going grey at an early age.
#73
Be So Real With Me Rn
#74
Ever Wonder What Happened To Folks Who Panic Hoarded Tp During Covid? They're Still Stuck With It
Bored Silly 14 hours ago
Panic hoarded for themselves is fine. But those greedy losers who hoarded essentials so they could resell at a massive markup. I hope they are stuck with all that stuff forever.
#75
Netflix Gives This "Error" Message Everytime I Try To Cancel My Membership
Corwin 02 9 hours ago
Netflix error code NSES-500 is usually a server-side issue indicating a temporary glitch or overload. Fix it by refreshing your page, signing out and logging back in, restarting your browser/device, if it persists, turn off your VPN, clear your cache/cookies. Netflix's website is notoriously overloaded.
#76
My Parents Always Send A Toy Version When They Can’t Get The Actual Item In Time For My Birthday…
I have no kids nor children in my life. I have no use for the plastic versions. It’s “cute” symbolism, I guess, but it’s damn wasteful and gives me something else to have to deal with…
#77
Bought From Etsy To Avoid Amazon, And It’s Still Coming Through Amazon
Anony Mouse 33 minutes ago
This one is legitimate. I had to do this for a client - they sold their art prints through Amazon. It was real art, but the orders were stored, packed, and fulfilled by Amazon.
#78
There’s Nothing He Could Do To Make Me Buy A $9 Coffee
#80
When Did April Fools Turn Into Actual Product Launches?
Aileen Grist 4 hours ago
And they're not flushable - only the 3 'p's are - p o o p, p e e, and paper
#81
“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” Bag Charm
Lady Gypsy Rain 14 hours ago (edited)
Jeeeeeez. I was like, ok. Not not my style as I would most definitely snag it multiple times a day and look down one day to see it gone. I was super fine with that and the fact that someone else would like it. I was ok…..that is, until I saw the price.
#82
Whole Foods Selling Jam Jars With No Jam For The Same Price As Jam Jars That…include Jam
#83
Local Youtuber Thinks That Criticizing Overconsumption Is Sexist
Lukas (alt) 15 hours ago
I mean, he's got a point. Look at most of the posts in this article. A lot of it is products aimed at women. So far, there hasn't been any posts about gaming/sports stuff, trading cards, guns, etc in this article.
#84
28k Original, 8K On Sale
#86
We Don’t Have To Destroy The Earth While Destroying Each Other
#87
Walked Into Kroger Was Hit With Just Such Despair
#88
What Do Stores Like Walmart Do With Seasonal Clothes After The Season Ends?
#89
Really Good Article About Why Ppl Feel Poor
#90
Roommate Still Has His First (And Only) USB-C Cord
#91
After 1 Single Day Of Wear
Lukas (alt) 15 hours ago
These were brand new, but they second hand and apparently dry rotted from several years sitting in a closet, not the brand's fault, just OP and the seller not realizing this would happen.
#92
When I Saw This I Was Repulsed
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Beak Hookage 9 hours ago
Steinbeck is currently rolling in his grave fast enough to power a turbine.
Beak Hookage 9 hours ago
Steinbeck is currently rolling in his grave fast enough to power a turbine.
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