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The true cost of shopping holiday deals extends well beyond our wallets. The overproduction and overconsumption that comes with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales often leads to more waste. In fact, more than 25 million tons of extra trash are generated between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. But embracing a Zero Waste approach by prioritizing quality over quantity, buying second-hand items, and gifting experiences instead of things, can have a positive impact on the waste crisis. This holiday season, avoid impulsive purchases fueled by FOMO. Together, we can disrupt the wasteful cycle brought on by Black Friday and Cyber Monday and instead, create a greener tomorrow for future generations.
A Brief History of Black Friday and Cyber Monday
As Thanksgiving weekend winds down each year, holiday shopping skyrockets. Customers flock to stores and online carts overflow – all thanks to irresistible Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts.
The term “Black Friday” first surfaced in Philadelphia in the 1950s when police used it to describe the chaotic day after Thanksgiving. Streets bustling with suburban shoppers headed into the city for early holiday sales created heavy traffic and additional work for law enforcement. Retailers initially tried to rebrand it as “Big Friday” to avoid the negative connotations, but the name stuck. As retailers across the United States embraced the concept, Black Friday evolved into a celebration of bargains nationwide.
By 2005, the rise of the internet led to the launch of Cyber Monday – extending the shopping frenzy online so that people could score deals from the comfort of their homes. These two days have since become a global phenomenon.
Yet, amid this whirlwind of corporate advertising and consumerism lies a pressing question: At what cost? The environmental impact of the holiday shopping season is staggering – all contributing to the cycle of overproduction, overconsumption, and lots and lots of trash.
The Environmental Consequences of Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The turbulence of discounts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday drives massive revenue for companies and corporations, but it comes at an astounding cost to our planet. Each year, these retail events cause a spike in carbon emissions – a large contributor to climate-damage – as factories worldwide ramp up production to meet demand. Plus, expedited shipping options pump additional carbon into the atmosphere with each online purchase. In the United Kingdom alone, delivery emissions from Black Friday shopping in 2023 equaled that of 435 flights between London and New York.
Beyond carbon emissions, the waste generated from Black Friday and Cyber Monday is equally alarming. In 2021, the U.S. generated over 25 million tons of extra trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Much of this waste is excessive packaging, with millions of tons of plastic, cardboard, and polystyrene foam piling up – especially from online orders. Although discounts can take some of the burden off our wallets during the holidays, they are also intentionally orchestrated by big retailers to spur impulse buys. Sadly, many impulse purchases tend to be cheap, mass-produced goods that are not built to last. All that junk typically ends up in landfills months later.
Then there’s the hidden environmental costs of holiday sales, including companies draining precious resources, like water and metals, to manufacture short-lived products. For instance, it takes 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton T-shirt – millions of which are purchased each year.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday deliberately create patterns of overproduction and overconsumption that leave a lasting impact on the planet. This cycle strains ecosystems and exhausts finite resources. But as customers, we have the power to disrupt this cycle. Every purchase made thoughtfully is a step toward sustainability, changing the narrative around these shopping events.
Zero Waste as a Solution
Black Friday and Cyber Monday amplify production and consumption – a pattern that only benefits corporations. Embracing a Zero Waste approach offers a powerful counterbalance. Reducing, reusing, and opting for sustainable, non-toxic options can allow us to push back against corporate overproduction campaigns that exploit the immediate thrill of a discount. This mindset encourages us to seek products that serve lasting purposes and minimize our environmental footprint.
When we plan purchases ahead of time, we are more likely to buy what we need, cutting down on unnecessary waste. For example, investing in quality over quantity can mean the difference between a product that lasts a decade and one that lasts a season – saving resources and money in the long run. Opting for durable, high-quality goods has a profound impact on the waste crisis.
This holiday season, also consider:
- Second-hand and refurbished options. This will reduce the demand for new materials while extending the life of existing items. In fact, buying a pair of jeans and a t-shirt second-hand can save up to 20,000 standard bottles of water associated with new garments. Similarly, by supporting ethical brands committed to low-impact packaging and fair labor practices, we can help build a market for sustainable goods.
- Avoiding FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). The pressure to participate in “one-day-only” sales can be overwhelming and tempting. But remember this: Many deals will reappear throughout the year. Avoiding FOMO allows you to make informed decisions, rather than rushed ones.
- Setting a budget. Establishing a clear budget can empower us to make thoughtful decisions instead of succumbing to impulsive buying habits. By sticking to our budget, we not only save money, but also reduce waste.
- Buying experiences over stuff. Finally, consider shifting your focus from physical goods to memorable experiences. Gifting experiences – concert tickets, cooking classes, and local adventures, to name a few – not only create lasting memories, but also leaves a smaller environmental footprint.
The Solution Doesn’t End with Us
We can make a difference each holiday season by taking a stand against the cycle of overproduction and overconsumption. But the solution doesn’t end there. Fleeting discounts are driven by companies and corporations looking to make a profit. By shifting our habits, we can encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices. But to truly disrupt the cycle, we must hold corporate polluters accountable for the waste they create.
Just Zero is on a mission to build the Zero Waste future we all deserve. That includes developing and advocating for policies that require corporations to be part of the solution. So, if you’re ready to take the next step in your Zero Waste journey, check out or model legislative toolkits. Building a bill to address waste in your community and to hold polluters accountable is one of the best gifts (in our opinion anyway) you could give!