Shopping Addiction

HOW SHOPPING ADDICTION IS AFFECTING OUR PLANET

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01

Introduction

03

Causes

07

Affects

11

Environmental Affects

14

Why It’s Important

Pervious life experiences/mental health can lead to shopping addiction

Shopping addiction leads to excessive purchasing Personal relationships affected by individuals with shopping addiction

SHOPPING ADDICTION Individuals with shopping addiction collect debts Overconsumption leads to excessive purchasing results in overconsumption of goods.

Large increase the demand for production of goods.

More waste is created as a large quantity of purchased goods eventually become unwanted or obsolete.

Increased production leads to higher levels of industrial pollution, resource depletion, and carbon emissions.

SHOPPING ADDICTION

Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive shopping disorder, is defined by an eagerness to purchase needless or excessive items, as well as a lack of impulse control while shopping.

Individuals with shopping addiction often experience financial problems such as significant debt, inability to meet basic financial obligations, and bankruptcy.

Resold

Thrown Away

Every year, 5 billion pounds of waste is produced from returned goods, despite the fact that the items are still perfectly useable.

Shopping addiction significantly accelerates the annual rate of product consumption.

01

S

W

Economic Boost: Shopping addiction drives consumer spending, which can stimulate economic growth Consumer Engagement: High consumer engagement in fashion trends encourages continuous product development and variety.

Resource Depletion: Excessive production due to high demand strains natural resources Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Increased production and transportation of clothing lead to higher carbon emissions.

Fast Fashion’s Quality Issue: Lowquality, disposable fashion items contribute to a cycle of constant consumption and disposal,

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T

Consumer Awareness: Increasing awareness about the environmental impact of shopping addiction can lead to more responsible consumer behavior.

Sustainable Fashion: Growing demand for sustainability can encourage the development of eco-friendly and ethical fashion practices.

Global Supply Chain Impact: The global nature of clothing production and supply chains makes it difficult to regulate and implement sustainable practices universally.

Consumer Behavior Resistance: Changing entrenched consumer habits and addiction to shopping can be challenging, especially in a consumerist culture.

02

Reasons Emotional Distress Low Self-Esteem Seeing a “High” Social Influences Accessibility Underlying Mental

5-8% Of global population has a shopping addiction

Health Issues

84% Report a family history of mental health disorders such as mood or anxiety disorders.

03

Percent of Americans have admitted to compulsive shopping at one point in their life

04

COMMON BEHAVIORS 1. Compulsive purchases 2. Preoccupation with shopping 3. Financial problems 4. Emotional shopping 5. Hiding purchases 6. Guilt and remorse 7. Neglect of other activities 8. Conflict in Relationships 9. Rationalizing Unnecessary purchases

12% Of college students in the US have symptoms of compulsive shopping The average age at which individuals begin to show symptoms of shopping addiction is typically in their late teens or early 20s.

10. Shopping despite consequences

05

80% Of the people affected by shopping addiction are women

06

65% of people have a close friend or family member struggling with shopping addiction

07

WHO IT AFFECTS

Young adults: susceptible due to factors of peer pressure Women: more likely than men, possible due to cultural and societal factors People with mental health issues: People with depression, anxiety, or OCD are more prone to developing shopping addictions Individuals with high-stress levels: these people might turn to shopping as a coping mechanism People with low self-esteem: temporarily help boost self-esteem and confidence Income level: those with more disposable income or access to credit might engage more frequently in excessive shopping.

Family and friends: shopping addiction can often impact relationships, finances, and household dynamics

Thinking about all the people affected by shopping addiction is crucial because it not only impacts the individual financially and psychologically, but it also strains personal relationships, creating emotional and financial burdens for family and friends.

08

33% Of compulsive buyers have debts exceeding

$10,000

09

CATEGORIES OF SHOPPING ADDICTS

Compulsive Shopaholics

Bargin Shoppers

Collectors

Buying Expensive Items

Buying and Retuning

10

AFFECTS ON ENVIORNMENT

Packaging Waste: Increased purchasing, especially online, results in an excess of packaging materials like cardboard, plastic, and other packing substances that often end up in landfills.

Short-Lived Products: The attraction to fast fashion and trendy items, which are frequently bought and discarded, exacerbates the problem of waste, as these items are not made for long-term use.

Electronic Waste: With technology products being a common purchase, shopping addiction can contribute to the growing problem of electronic waste, which is particularly harmful due to toxic components.

In 2020, shipping and returning products accounted for about 37% of total greenhouse gas emissions related to e-commerce.

Recognizing the impact of shopping on pollution is critical since excessive consumption and the disposal of undesirable goods contribute considerably to environmental degradation, such as trash generation and higher carbon emissions.

11

The world consumes about 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year, which is 400% more than just two decades ago.

12

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? By addressing these environmental issues, the fashion industry can move towards a more sustainable and responsible way of operating.

Shopping addiction adds an extra stain on the shopping industry, with the increased need for clothes to be produced. This results in fast fashion cycle, waste generated, carbon footprint, and many more harmful cycles.

By understanding the connection between shopping addiction and waste pollution, you can see the influx it has had on pollution. Once we are able to acknowledge the connection then we can move towards fixing it.

13

RECOURCES

https://www.tikvahlake.com/blog/shopping-addiction-statistics/ https://sbtreatment.com/behavioral-addictions/shopping/ https://www.actenviro.com/retail-industry-waste-management/ https://u4d2z7k9.rocketcdn.me/wpcontent/uploads/2022/12/Leather-Waste-1-Chin-Leong-Teo1024x683-1.jpg