Labubus Might Be a Lot More Evil Than You Think- And it’s not Just Their Creepy Faces.

If you’ve been on social media at all this summer, there’s a guarantee you’ve seen these sinister-looking dolls known as Labubus alongside a myriad of other trends coming and going faster than ever. These microtrends you barely see for a week (before a new one replaces it) are happening even more now. A microtrend is a short-lived trend that spreads quickly, then fades just as quickly as it appeared. Most people just let the trend die once the spark wears off; they don’t think about how their fast fashion is contributing massively to chemical pollution, or how the Crocs everyone wears are actually a big contributing factor in carbon emissions. Every time a new piece of clothing goes viral, it boosts short-term activity for the economy, but soon drives overconsumption, waste, and negative labor and resource practices. Deforestation is happening more and more, and will stay that way in order for new businesses to earn money in trade for entire forests being gone. Even though most people forget about trending items, the environment and markets will still suffer long after. 

What is Overconsumption? How Does it Affect the Environment?

Overconsumption is when a consumer overuses a good or service to the point where it may not be replenishable, and this now occurs even more often when unnecessary items are popularized by social media microtrends. The perfect recent example is again the Labubu. People buy the toys in bulk, just to throw away the ones that weren’t the ones that they wanted.  It’s unnecessary and releases lots of waste with their packaging being tossed.

Another example is a lip gloss phone case. It was conveniently made by the same company that makes the only lip gloss that fits in the phone case. It’s made to promote aesthetics rather than sustainability, and creates a build-up of unused plastic sitting around.

Overconsumption is harmful to the environment as it can cause pollution, habitat loss, climate change, and more. The rampant demand caused by social media for these products means more resources have to be used, and this can lead to deforestation. Overconsumption of goods and energy contributes to the production of greenhouse gases, which helps cause global rising temperatures and sea-level rise. These processes also create large amounts of waste; the pollutants that come from this waste can contaminate water, the air, and soil. Overconsumption doesn’t only hurt the environment, it hurts us as well.

The Destructive “Fast Fashion” Industry

Have you ever seen ads for Shein or other cheap ‘fast fashion’ apps? The chances are high, considering their targeted advertisements and ability to stay on top of the latest trends. For Shein, you can also find plenty of videos with the tag “#shein haul” or popular creators endorsing the brand. The app makes it so convenient to quickly order and receive clothing items at low prices and with lots of deals as an incentive. But its environmentally destructive effects and low wages for its employees are only going to get worse. Yale Climate Connection states that “Shein is officially the biggest polluter in fast fashion” after explaining that their emissions had nearly doubled in 2023 alone, later going on to add that the company has also been criticized for its mass textile waste and high levels of microplastic pollution. “According to the report, polyester — a synthetic textile known for shedding microplastics into the environment — makes up 76 percent of its total fabrics, and only 6 percent of that polyester is recycled.”

While this company provides many jobs, its unsafe labor practices and long work weeks (even as much as 75 hours per week) are also often flagged as dangerous. Shein is significantly impacting the market and environment, yet it remains overused due to its convenience. 

“While it can be exciting to get the new and trendy things, a lot of people don’t realize the destructive impact on the environment that these items really have.”

How Brands Move Towards Cleaner Processes

Although lots of companies take advantage of the craze for their products and will stop at nothing to keep selling, even going as far as to take advantage of materials and workers, some popular brands are actively taking steps to better their company and products to help the Earth.

• Sol De Janeiro:  A company extremely popular for its perfumes, lotions, and other scented products. The environmental impact is from their manufacturing process, but they are actively taking steps to reduce their negative effects. Their full-size cartons contain up to 80% post-consumer-recycled products, and offer refills that use less plastic. They can also manufacture with renewable processes, like wind power. In fact, by the end of this year,  they promised to make at least 95% of their packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable. 

• Stanley: While they became extremely successful due to their tumblers and water bottles, they are moving towards greener practices by increasing their use of recycled materials and stainless steel. They have also been transitioning to paper-based packaging, which is a huge way to start being environmentally active, as well as investing in sustainable supply chain practices. Stanley is also offering lifetime warranties to its customers.

• Uggs:  The popular shoe and slipper brand is now incorporating eco-friendly materials like UGGplush, which is a blend of recycled fibers and upcycled wool. They also require their leather suppliers to meet Leather Working Group standards, which can help the environment by making sure the leather is ethically sourced. Uggs have also been supporting regenerative farming practices to restore land, especially by the end of this year. 

While it can be exciting to get the new and trendy things, a lot of people don’t realize the destructive impact on the environment that these items really have. Before buying the newest trending thing, think about whether you really need it. If you do, you probably don’t need every color or version of the product, or a new one every time you see another. The feeling of “newness” wears off quickly when trends pass, but the effect left on our world stays.