Black Friday: the day we stuff our digital carts like it’s Thanksgiving dinner, except the leftovers here are buyer’s remorse and a heaping pile of waste. Sure, snagging a deal feels great in the moment—but have you ever wondered about the bigger picture? What happens to all those “too good to pass up” products we barely needed in the first place? Spoiler alert: the planet isn’t thrilled.
At Circulr, we’ve been reflecting on this issue, especially after watching the Netflix documentary Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy. If you think Black Friday madness only impacts your bank account, this film might have you clutching your reusable coffee mug in existential dread. Let’s break it down and see how we can shop smarter without trashing Mother Earth.
Overconsumption: When Shopping Becomes a Sport
Black Friday is like the Olympics of shopping: who can click “Add to Cart” the fastest? But unlike sports, there’s no medal for accumulating a pile of stuff you’ll probably forget about in a month. According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. shoppers alone dropped over $9 billion online during Black Friday in 2022. That’s a lot of impulse buys!
Here’s the kicker: much of what we buy doesn’t stick around. Holiday waste jumps by 25% every year, per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Cheap gadgets, fast fashion, and single-use trinkets dominate Black Friday sales, only to be tossed out before the end of January.
Fast fashion especially takes the (carbon-intensive) cake. Producing textiles accounts for a whopping 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, says the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). That’s like leaving your car running all year just to keep up with fleeting trends.
Overproduction: When More Isn’t Merrier
Here’s something they don’t put in the Black Friday ads: companies start overproducing months ahead of the big day. The World Bank reports that the fashion industry slurps up 93 billion cubic meters of water annually—enough to make even your reusable water bottle feel a little inadequate.
And electronics? A whole different beast. Mining rare earth metals for your shiny new gadgets devastates ecosystems and racks up serious emissions. Plus, let’s not forget all the unsold inventory that ends up in landfills or incinerators. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that $500 billion worth of unused fashion products are wasted every year. Imagine literally throwing that much money into the trash.
The Ripple Effect of Black Friday
Beyond the physical waste, Black Friday feeds a throwaway culture where durability is about as trendy as 2010 skinny jeans. We buy cheap, we toss fast, and the cycle continues. This mindset is the antithesis of a circular economy, where products are reused, repaired, or recycled. At Circulr, we’re all about breaking that cycle. Watching Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy drove home just how urgent it is to rethink consumption.
How to Shop Smarter (And Still Win Black Friday)
This Black Friday, let’s trade in the FOMO for some eco-friendly YOLO. Here’s how:
- Buy Less, Choose Well: Ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” (And no, “But it’s 50% off!” isn’t a valid answer.) Invest in quality items that last, and keep an eye out for certifications like Fair Trade or B Corp.
- Support Circular Brands: Look for companies offering reuse programs or secondhand options. Circulr, for instance, partners with venues to replace single-use cups with reusable alternatives. (Shameless plug, but it’s for a good cause!)
- Educate Your Squad: Share resources like the Netflix documentary Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy. Who knows—you might inspire your friends to rethink their shopping habits, too.
- Gift Experiences, Not Things: Instead of buying more stuff, consider gifting services or experiences, like concert tickets, a cooking class, or spa treatments. Bonus points if you support local and sustainable businesses while you’re at it.
How Circulr Is Making an Impact
At Circulr, we’re not just talking the talk—we’re walking the walk when it comes to tackling overconsumption and waste. While we’re thrilled to support Circular Monday, which promotes mindful purchasing and sustainable living, our commitment goes way beyond just one day.
One of our most exciting initiatives is reusable packaging in grocery stores. We’re working with forward-thinking grocers to replace single-use packaging with reusable alternatives. Imagine picking up your favorite products— pasta sauce, spices, or snacks—and returning the packaging for it to be cleaned and reused. It’s not just convenient; it’s a game-changer for reducing waste in one of the most consumption-heavy industries.
But we don’t stop at groceries. Circulr is also helping transform spaces like festivals, event venues, and theatres by offering reusable cup programs that eliminate single-use plastics. Whether it’s a massive music festival or your favorite neighborhood theatre, we’re making reuse systems easy for businesses to adopt.
At Circulr, we believe that small actions can lead to big changes. By embedding reuse into everyday spaces and events, we’re contributing to a future where sustainability isn’t just an option—it’s the default. While Black Friday may scream “consume, consume, consume,” we’re quietly building a movement that says “reuse, rethink, reduce.” Together, we can make that shift.
The Bottom Line
Black Friday doesn’t have to be a battle between your wallet and your values. By making mindful choices and supporting circular initiatives, we can all play a part in reducing waste and conserving resources.
Let’s ditch the overstuffed carts and embrace a more sustainable way to shop. Trust us—your future self (and the planet) will thank you. Stay connected with us on Instagram for more stories and tips.
