People are living in a ‘throwaway society,’ using things for a short time and then throwing them away. What are the causes of this? What problems does it lead to?

We are undoubtedly entrenched in what is commonly termed a "throwaway society", a trend where items are swiftly consumed and just as quickly discarded. The rise of

this

trend can be attributed to several societal factors and should be highlighted

due to

its negative impact on both the environment and people. The consumer culture is becoming prevalent nowadays in our society, where material possession is regarded as a status symbol, leading to a constant desire for the latest items. Take Apple Inc. as an example, every autumn, like clockwork, it unveils its latest generation of mobile phone products, boasting upgraded hardware and enhanced performance, much to the delight of fervent technology enthusiasts.

Secondly

, it is noteworthy that, amidst the vast array of media channels available today, we find ourselves ensnared in the relentless barrage of advertising and consumerism.

This

means that advertising and media are instilling in us the idea of continual consumption and the notion that newer is always better, greatly stimulating customers' buying inclination.

Thus

, the consumer culture represents a cultural identity and

also

deepens under advertising and media influence. Indeed, the phenomenon carries adverse implications for both the environment and individuals. As for the surroundings,

this

trend exacerbates environmental degradation through waste accumulation and carbon emissions and perpetuates unsustainable consumption practices globally.

For example

, fast fashion brands epitomize the throwaway culture, churning out vast quantities of new clothing every quarter. The surplus garments, left unsold, often meet a grim fate in landfills, awaiting disposal. They are either incinerated, releasing copious amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, or shipped off to distant African markets for resale. Turning to the individual side, people will get stuck into consumerism and the constant pursuit of novelty,

that is

, they will be frequently stimulated by the lure of replacement and only to buy a host of things they do not really need -- a waste of personal fortune and effort.

To conclude

, living in a throwaway society has resulted from some social reasons, which not only harm the earth and perpetuate unsustainable consumption patterns but

also

undermine the long-term well-being of individuals.