Everywhere we look, we’re told that we can shop our way to sustainability – buy a reusable straw, switch to an electric car, choose “green” cleaning products, and we’ll be doing our part to save the planet. This mindset, often called “green consumerism,” makes people feel individually responsible for environmental destruction while allowing corporations and governments to continue business as usual.
The idea that personal consumption choices alone can fix climate change ignores the real drivers of waste and pollution: corporate overproduction, planned obsolescence, and a system that prioritizes profit over sustainability. In the readings, Maniates points out that environmental responsibility has been individualized, making people believe that their personal decisions – not systemic issues – are the key to reversing ecological collapse. But no matter how many biodegradable forks or “sustainable” sneakers we buy, the larger systems of waste and exploitations remain unchanged.
Strasser’s Waste and Want reveals that waste wasn’t always inevitable. Historically, people repaired, reused, and repurposed rather than always buying new goods. But as consumer culture shifted, so did the way we handle waste. Now, nearly all products are designed to be disposable rather than durable. Out of Order reminds us that repair and maintenance are undervalued, while corporations push new products instead of enabling us to fix old ones.
If we truly want sustainability, we need collective action, policy changes, and corporate accountability – not just better shopping habits. Green consumerism offers false solutions that distract from real change, making sustainability a privilege rather than a right. Instead of buying our way out of the problem, we should be demanding systemic shifts – from holding corporations accountable for waste to fighting for policies that make repair, reuse, and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all.
I think our fast-paced society also enables companies to produce new and “improved” products and market such things to consumers. This is especially true for so-called “green” products, which, despite their eco-friendly branding, still carry a carbon footprint and contribute to a larger capitalistic cycle. Rather than truly benefiting the environment, these products may ultimately do more harm than good, reinforcing consumerism while giving the illusion of positive change.