Mario du Preez
Environmental writer will be opting out of the consumerist fervour of Black Friday online sales
BLACK Friday is upon us. It is the day on which every online retailer’s fever dream becomes reality; the day on which millions of consumers are duped and seduced into cybershops by corporate pied pipers pushing red sale promises.
Apparently, this day’s impact is so ubiquitous that, according to the National Geographic magazine, consumer spending in the UK, during the fourth quarter of the year, is shifting from December to November. In 2019, Black Friday sales broke buying records in the UK, and this year the consumerist push may be even more amplified as shoppers sit at home, anxiety-ridden, and bored with a restrictive national lockdown. (Research conducted by the price comparison site, money.co.uk, found that about 85% of all Britons plan to partake in the online shopping bonanza on 27 November.)
And I am sure online retailers are champing to exploit our vulnerability, our unease, and the psychological and social voids left by the pandemic.
How do they exploit us? Well, by agitating a deep-seated fear of missing out, by driving our worries of losing touch with social happenings, experiences, and relations into overdrive, and by recognising that consumption is now thoroughly embedded in our social values. They may even try to appeal to our vanity by inducing us into spending money to impress others.
I, for one, will not succumb to the commercial juggernaut. Unfortunately, it appears that I am in the minority – only 10% of all Britons consider the negative environmental impacts of their shopping.
What impacts? Well, for a start, Black Friday is an overconsumption event – when the integrity of the norm is seriously violated. The production of the goods bought on this day disfigures our forests, soils, water, air, and ultimately the climate. Handling and transportation of these goods demands the use of protective packaging, like plastic bubble wrap. Ah, more plastic. Moreover, it is estimated that 35% of all Britons will choose the next day delivery option, which can be the least carbon-efficient option – Climate. Getting Black Friday purchases to Britons’ doorsteps is anticipated to release more than 429,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. What about waste? A 2019 report produced by Green Alliance, suggested that more than 50 percent of shoppers will buy electronic equipment, and about a third will buy clothing (apparently, British shoppers purchase more items of clothing than their European counterparts). But, after an abbreviated life cycle, almost 80 percent of all acquisitions, including their protective packaging, will either be interred in landfill sites, incinerated, or be subjected to low quality recycling.
It may be prudent to remind ourselves that happiness associated with buying stuff is ephemeral. But, if you can’t overcome the urge, at least aim for minimal environmental harm. How? By waiting until 2 December, when the national lockdown comes to an end, and then going out and supporting our high streets, small independent retailers, home industries, and Christmas markets – i.e. rather opt for a local supplier instead of an overseas one, even if you have to pay a slight premium.
In addition, rather choose a three or five day delivery option instead of the next day one – this allows for packages to be shipped in bulk; in the case where you order many items, try and have them delivered together.
In the end, I am willing to forego smart watches, QLED Ultra HD Smart TVs and indispensable kitchen gadgets, in exchange for clean, potable water, edible bread, and breathable air. The question is: are Black Friday lovers willing to do the same?