All over the world, including here in Great Britain, you might have noticed that younger people are rethinking the products they choose to support. There are various reasons behind this, including environmental impact, ethical concerns, or just changing tastes. Either way, some items don’t sit right with them anymore, and this includes the following products that young people claim we should all stop buying.
Bottled Water
It’s easy to see why bottled water is falling out of fashion with young people; it does feel very wasteful, especially when reusable bottles are so widely available, and British tap water is so clean. Many younger people see single-use bottles as a serious issue, but there’s no denying that it’s convenient to grab once in a while.
Fast Fashion
Only within the last two or three decades has fast fashion blown up, yet young Brits are beginning to reject it. Sure, cheap clothes from fast fashion brands may seem like a bargain, but the kids today argue that they come at a high cost to the environment and workers’ rights. Instead, they’re leaning toward thrifting, repairs, or supporting sustainable brands instead, which we must say is pretty positive.
Single-Use Coffee Pods
Remember back when single-use coffee pods first came about? They seemed pretty revolutionary, yet in hindsight, they’re not great. Young Brits have taught us this, pointing out that those shiny little coffee pods are awfully difficult to recycle. Ultimately, they’re switching back to grinding their own beans, and maybe we should think about doing the same.
Wet Wipes
Though handy for quick clean-ups, wet wipes are often made from plastic fibres and aren’t biodegradable, leading the younger crowd to protest against their use. To be fair, there are so many reusable and biodegradable alternatives, which does make us wonder why we use wet wipes so much.
Cheap, Disposable Tech
Buying low-cost gadgets that break after a year or two used to be very common in our country, but because it doesn’t sit well with younger generations, the industry is starting to decline. Nowadays, it’s much more common for people to choose quality over quantity, paying for hundreds, if not thousands, of the latest tech gadgets. We can see both sides because while we want to save money, we can also see the clear problems of e-waste.
Glitter
As sparkly as it is, glitter is essentially microplastic, and it’s making its way into waterways and marine life, causing the younger generation of Britain to claim that we need to stop buying it. Many people are calling for biodegradable versions, too, which we’re absolutely down for. If only companies would start choosing this instead of cheaping out on microplastics.
Balloons
A birthday party wouldn’t be complete without balloons, but young people claim that this doesn’t justify continuing to buy them. Apparently, they’re really harmful to wildlife and contribute to litter, so they’re shifting toward more sustainable decorations, like bunting or paper garlands. Hopefully, someday, someone will invent an eco-friendly balloon, and then we can all be happy.
Cheap Scented Candles
You might not have realised this, but affordable scented candles are actually pretty harmful to our planet, containing paraffin wax that, when burned, releases harmful toxins. Therefore, British kids are opting for natural alternatives like soy or beeswax candles instead, often even making their own, which we can definitely get down with.
Plastic Cutlery
Another product that the younger generation wants Britain to stop consuming is plastic cutlery. We might not always see eye to eye, but we’re with them on this one, as single-use plastic of any kind is just wasteful and bad for the environment–especially considering that wooden varieties have existed for ages.
Aerosol Deodorants
In 21st-century Britain, aerosol cans are being criticised by the younger generation for their environmental impact, so they’re choosing roll-ons or solid sticks instead. Some are even trying natural deodorant bars, marking a shift that’s not just about the environment but also personal health.
Pre-Packaged Fruit and Veg
While most of us prefer fresh fruit and veg for the majority of meals, there’s something undeniably convenient about getting pre-packaged and cut fruit and veg. Regardless, young people keep reminding us that wrapping bananas or cucumbers in plastic doesn’t make much sense, advising us to go back to loose produce instead. To be honest, they’re probably right.
Non-Stick Pans with Teflon
When coated non-stick pans first came along, it felt like a miracle for the home chef. Sadly, though, we’re now learning from our kids that this convenience has come at a cost; they’re non-stick because of their Teflon coatings, which release harmful chemicals at high temperatures. In contrast, ceramic or cast-iron pans are gaining popularity once again as safer and more durable alternatives, so maybe it’s time we took a step back in time to the basics.
Paper Towels
Many younger households are switching to reusable kitchen cloths over paper towels, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it a way of saving money, but paper towels are so wasteful, requiring the chopping down of trees for every batch of spills. Ultimately, spills are going nowhere, so we really should try to think more economically about this, just like our kids.
Cheap, Mass-Produced Furniture
As with fast fashion, when flat-pack furniture first came along, it seemed like a real blessing, especially when we were in a pinch. However, younger generations aren’t happy with us for this, as every few years, these mass-produced furniture pieces seem to start deteriorating. They’re not wrong–it’s much better to grab secondhand furniture from charity shops or online marketplaces, as it not only gives them a second life but also helps to slow down the production of wasteful, environmentally unfriendly furniture.
Disposable Razors
Thankfully, single-use razors are being swapped for safety razors or electric alternatives, partially due to the influence of younger consumers. To be fair, our generation always pushed the production of multi-use razors, but they were still disposable, so we’re all for this change.
Non-Recyclable Gift Wrap
You might not be aware that the glossy, colourful wrapping paper that you find in shops is actually non-recyclable, despite being paper. Because of this, it’s losing its charm, with reusable gift bags, fabric wraps, or plain brown paper suddenly seeming much more attractive. At the end of the day, gift-giving should feel thoughtful in every way, and that includes in regard to the environment.
Dairy Milk
We’ve got some seriously bad news for you: young Brits are trying to get us oldies to stop buying Dairy Milk. Why? Well, the shift toward plant-based diets has many younger consumers moving away from traditional milk-based products, and that includes chocolate. Sadly, this is just something we can’t get down with because Dairy Milk is the king of all chocolate in our eyes.
Plastic Bags
In contrast to Dairy Milk, we can see why young people are so passionate about banning plastic bags. They’re just plain wasteful, filling up our oceans with waste while clogging up our cupboards. Sure, if there was no alternative, then this would be pretty justifiable, but with bags for life existing for well over a decade, it really might be the time to take this more seriously.
Pre-Made Sandwiches
We’re not particularly happy about how young people are telling us to stop buying pre-made sandwiches because the British meal deal is a countrywide staple. We can see where they’re coming from, though; this isn’t just about the sandwich itself but the plastic packaging. All we can hope is that supermarkets will start producing these sandwiches in sustainable packaging, and maybe then we can enjoy them in peace.
Up Next: 16 Places in London Where It’s Best Not to Walk Alone at Night
London is a vibrant and bustling city filled with history, culture, and exciting nightlife. However, like any major city, there are areas where it’s best to exercise caution, especially after dark. Here’s a rundown of 20 places in London where you might want to avoid walking alone at night.
16 Places in London Where It’s Best Not to Walk Alone at Night
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