During Black Friday 2020, consumers spent 9 billion USD on online shopping, up 21.6% year over year, making last year’s event the most polluting ever.

Having been adopted internationally, Black Friday’s carbon footprint has grown accordingly.

In the UK alone, Black Friday 2020 emitted 429,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—that’s the equivalent of 435 return flights from London to New York.

The heavy environmental toll of Black Friday also stems from the products themselves. 

Many products sought after during Black Friday and Cyber Monday are used for just a season or two and then discarded. 

In fact, up to 80% of our Black Friday purchases are simply thrown away after just one or even zero uses.

We should not overlook the human aspect of overconsumption.

We know that fast fashion is filled with toxic chemicals and has a massive carbon footprint, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of all man-made carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of water.

Moreover, fast fashion has an immense impact on workers in the manufacturing process.

They are exposed to harmful chemicals, abused, and underpaid.

Before making a new purchase, we need to stop and ask ourselves if we actually need all these things and the consequences of buying them. 

The amount consumers will spend during Black Friday 2020 is expected to increase by 20% compared to last year.

Let’s not be just another one of the billions of people contributing to this bitter forecast and say no to worthless purchases!

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