In contemporary society, people are inline to discard their products after a single use rather than retaining them for an extended time or using repeatedly. I reckon that it is essential to explore underlying reasons and identify viable solutions to the problem, mitigating the detrimental effects of this trow-away culture on our environment.
A rapid advancement in technology is a main driver of this throw-away culture, as technological advance results in highly affordable goods. Modern manufacturing processes allow for the mass production of consumer goods which were previously costly such as electronic devices and domestic appliance. It is the great progress in production method that makes prices much more attractive, which undoubtedly fuels the demands for items especially in countries, where they have seen a technological advancement and economic development. Consumers, being even more likely to be enticed by economically accessible goods including smartphones, microwave ovens and automobiles, are prone to invest money in the latest models boasting more intrinsic features and enhanced functionalities. Consequently, they dispose of their old versions particularly when they consider the availability of more affordable alternatives.
Insufficient environmental governance is another contributor to the issue. Governments prioritize the economy over environmental conservation, which means there is limited number of regulations to get people informed of how they should deal with their possessions and what they should do to conserve the environment. Individuals, wealthy people in particular, increase the expenditure on goods such as luxuries and household appliances to satisfy their own requirements and would find it unnecessary to retain or recycle them. Waste is completely decomposed by means of landfill and burning, having destructive effects on the environment such as toxins secreted and massive carbon footprint produced. With more laws and rules regarding consumption of resources and environmental preservation enforced by authorities and green organizations, consumers will realize catastrophic consequence of personal behaviors to the planet and begin to safeguard environment by cutting down on the consumption of daily goods. This practice may help curb the environmental degradation, coupled with economic benefits derived from recycling and reusing.
From my point of view, environmental campaigns launched by governments represents a crucial step to tackle the problem relating to the environment. By encouraging people to engage in an extensive range of activities, parties concerned can provide them with information about the adverse impact of their lifestyle on the earth, which can elevate the consciousness of environmental stewardship and motivate them to preserve our planet. One prime example of the method is that inhabitants are provided with a large sum of cash by getting involved in activities to collect garbage in residential compounds, the activities that can not only alleviate their financial burden to some extent, but also inform them of sharing a responsibility to address environmental issues.
Overall, technological progress in the production of consumer goods and the lack of control over the problem are attributed to the advent of throw-away culture. I strongly advocate that both governments and the public should take the responsibility to address the problem.