30 Times The ‘Anticonsumption’ Group Showed What’s Wrong With The World (New Pics)

Many of us genuinely care about the impact we have on the people closest to us, as well as society and theenvironmentas a whole. Your decisions, actions, and spending habits—though just drops in the ocean—can have an impact on your surroundings. One thing to look at is your relationship with buying andconsumingproducts.The ‘Anticonsumption’ community is a popular online community thatcriticizesconsumer culture while also encouraging everyone to be more environmentally conscious. Today, we’re featuring some of their members’ most popular posts to potentially inspire you to rethink how and why you spend money.Bored Pandareached out to Matt Johnson, PhD, a marketing psychology expert specializing in topics such asconsumer psychologyandserendipity, for his thoughts on how consumers can convince companies to be more eco-friendly, as well as why sustainability may be good for brands. “Sustainability isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business,” he told us. Read on for our full interview with Johnson.This post may includeaffiliate links.

The ‘Anticonsumption’ community is a popular online community thatcriticizesconsumer culture while also encouraging everyone to be more environmentally conscious. Today, we’re featuring some of their members’ most popular posts to potentially inspire you to rethink how and why you spend money.

Bored Pandareached out to Matt Johnson, PhD, a marketing psychology expert specializing in topics such asconsumer psychologyandserendipity, for his thoughts on how consumers can convince companies to be more eco-friendly, as well as why sustainability may be good for brands. “Sustainability isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business,” he told us. Read on for our full interview with Johnson.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Text post critiquing consumerism, comparing billionaires to a moral hypothetical scenario.

With so many peoplegoing hungryin the world, food waste is a particularly painful topic. In 2022, the world produced around 1.05 billion tons offood waste. This comes out to around 132 kilograms of food waste per capita; 79 kilograms of this was household waste.

Around a trillion dollars worth of food is thrown away each year. Food waste takes up around 30% of agricultural landaround the worldand generates between 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Sign displaying anti-consumerism sentiment about billionaires.

A person expressing a critical message about consumerism and capitalism, highlighting its ironic and sad effects.

The World Food Programme states that afifthof all food produced for human consumptionaround the worldis wasted. That’s around a billion meals thrown out the window every single day. Food waste is more common in hot climates because food spoils faster as it’s stored, processed, and transported.The majority of food waste happens at the household level: we’re responsible for around 60% of this waste. So, all of us can realistically reduce this waste on a very individual level.

The majority of food waste happens at the household level: we’re responsible for around 60% of this waste. So, all of us can realistically reduce this waste on a very individual level.

Dog in glasses and bowtie next to a whiteboard with anti-consumerism message.

Scientist holding thermochromatic solar panel glass, highlighting innovation against consumerism.

Tweet about wealth of four U.S. billionaires hitting $1 trillion, highlighting consumerism irony.

“Companies take notice when, and only when, they have to. The key to applying this pressure is consistency: businesses don’t just respond to trends; they respond to sustained shifts in consumer behavior. If waste reduction and sustainability become market expectations rather than niche preferences, corporations will follow,” he said.

“After all, companies don’t change out of goodwill—they change because consumer demand makes it profitable. The more visible and vocal consumers are, the faster that shift happens.”

Tweet expressing disillusionment with consumerism, highlighting an unused online purchase meant to improve life but now just clutter.

Gold balloons spelling “2023” with decorations, illustrating a critique of consumerism.

Tweet supporting Amazon workers' rights against consumerism, advocating for better wages and conditions, urging strike action.

We were curious what the upsides of more sustainable business practices might be for companies.Johnsonnoted that sustainability is good business, not just good ethics.“Consumers are increasingly aligning their spending with their values, and brands that embrace sustainability can build stronger customer loyalty, enhance brand reputation, and differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Eco-conscious companies also future-proof themselves against regulatory shifts and resource scarcity, making them more resilient in the long run,” he told Bored Panda.“Moreover, sustainability can drive innovation, leading to cost savings and new revenue streams. In today’s market, being green isn’t just a selling point—it’s becoming an expectation. Brands that ignore this shift risk becoming obsolete as consumer and investor priorities evolve.”

We were curious what the upsides of more sustainable business practices might be for companies.Johnsonnoted that sustainability is good business, not just good ethics.

“Consumers are increasingly aligning their spending with their values, and brands that embrace sustainability can build stronger customer loyalty, enhance brand reputation, and differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Eco-conscious companies also future-proof themselves against regulatory shifts and resource scarcity, making them more resilient in the long run,” he told Bored Panda.

“Moreover, sustainability can drive innovation, leading to cost savings and new revenue streams. In today’s market, being green isn’t just a selling point—it’s becoming an expectation. Brands that ignore this shift risk becoming obsolete as consumer and investor priorities evolve.”

“Apartment building has a vending machine that lets you rent vacuums, air mattress, printer, and even an Xbox!”

Vacuum cleaners in a Tulu rental station advocating for alternatives to consumerism with a borrowing option.

January calendar page with dates 1-3 highlighted in green, reflecting consumerism irony.

Quilt with green and black pattern hung on a wooden fence, symbolizing a stand against consumerism.

This isn’t to say that money, the economy, or buying and selling things are inherently ‘evil’ or anything like that. Balancing the short-term needs of humankind and the long-term needs of theenvironmentand future generations is hard, yes, but it’s theoretically possible. There’s no such thing as a constantly growing global economy. Buteco-conscious, sustainable growth isn’t a bad thing. After all, people need food, a place to live, medicine, entertainment,art, and various goods and services. Civilization is far too advanced for everyone to suddenly embrace a tribal lifestyle with limited to no trade.

Job security, purposeful work, good wages, career opportunities, health insurance, and social programs can provide you with safety and stability. And you can use the money you earn for good food, quality leisure activities with the people you care about, education for your kids, etc. But the way you spend your hard-earned cash should be reflective of something deeper than just trying to ride that dopamine high that comes fromshoppingaddiction.

Social media post criticizing capitalism and supporting socialism, highlighting themes of consumerism dissatisfaction.

Overdecorated tumbler with floral and pearl embellishments, representing a critique of consumerism.

Consumerism critique illustration: companies blame individual consumer, ironic and sad visual in a pool setting.

According to the Addiction Center, people suffering fromshopping addictionoften compulsively spend lots of money and time buying things they either might not need or simply cannot afford. An example of this is buying luxury goods with money that you’d otherwise use for rent.Shopping addicts tend to experience things very emotionally, feeling euphoria or excitement when they shop, as well as regret or guilt. These addicts may lie about their habits, feel like they’ve lost control, and have let their financial habits negatively impact their lives.

Shopping addicts tend to experience things very emotionally, feeling euphoria or excitement when they shop, as well as regret or guilt. These addicts may lie about their habits, feel like they’ve lost control, and have let their financial habits negatively impact their lives.

Clothing label with eco-friendly care instructions, promoting reduced consumerism.

Why Are Companies Trying To Put AI Into Everything Nowadays?

Illustration comparing minimal 1953 gear to extensive 2019 skiing equipment, highlighting consumerism.

Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz, the authors of‘The Good Life,’explain that prestige at work and having lots of money doesn’t make someone happier. That being said, money can stillgive yousecurity, safety, and a sense of control over your life. Your relationships matter the most.

Neanderthal image highlighting irony and sadness of modern consumerism wealth disparity.

Plastic utensils arranged to spell “STOP,” referencing anti-consumerism message with a ban on single-use plastics.

Comic-style illustration of a girl petting a cat, with text expressing irony about consumerism.

At the time of writing, the Anticonsumption online group has 954k members, just shy of 1 million. Thecommunitywas started in September 2009.If you’re interested in consumer culture and behavior, economics, the environment, etc., the team of moderators running the group has lots of resources for you to look through inthe sidebar.

At the time of writing, the Anticonsumption online group has 954k members, just shy of 1 million. Thecommunitywas started in September 2009.

If you’re interested in consumer culture and behavior, economics, the environment, etc., the team of moderators running the group has lots of resources for you to look through inthe sidebar.

Hand holding a lavender tumbler with “The Heights” logo, reflecting irony and discontent with consumerism.

Crowded beach protest against consumerism with flags and kayaks, cargo ship in background.

A multicolored candle in a clear jar, symbolizing consumerism, held in a hand against a tiled floor background.

The mods ask all members not to criticize eachother’s lifestyles and choices. Posts about the news,shoppingtrends, and celebrity consumer habits are fine, but you shouldn’t be making fun of regular people.And, naturally, the subreddit is no place to promote or recommend any brands and products. That goes against the idea of the group, which is to criticize corporate influence, as well as material and media consumption.

And, naturally, the subreddit is no place to promote or recommend any brands and products. That goes against the idea of the group, which is to criticize corporate influence, as well as material and media consumption.

Map humorously labeled with brands, highlighting consumerism irony.

Consumerism irony: a coat priced higher on Black Friday “sale” than in August.

What’s your relationship with buying new things like dear Pandas? What areas have you cut back spending on?

Boxes with text highlighting consumerism, noting a large influx of packages from Shein and Temu in 2022.

Man in sunglasses carrying a coffin labeled “American Class Consciousness,” reflecting irony towards consumerism.

Aerial view of a vast pile of discarded tires, symbolizing consumerism waste.

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Text on rural scene: “Goals for 2025: Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Reflects anti-consumerism mindset.

A person expressing a cynical view on marketing, highlighting ironic consumerism sentiments.

Wooden table in a cozy living room setting, highlighting themes of consumerism.

Store aisle filled with holiday decorations, highlighting excessive consumerism.

Graph comparing resources, population, and pollution over time, highlighting collapse as people critique consumerism.

Worn-out hammer in a dilapidated space, symbolizing disillusionment with consumerism.

Meme comparing two ironic images, highlighting consumerism themes; character concludes they are the same picture.

Comic character accumulating items ironically, showing frustration with consumerism.

A library savings receipt against a backdrop of eerie figurines, highlighting consumerism critique.

Bus stop ad altered with “MORE TREES LESS ADS” and “Helping feed our profits,” reflecting anti-consumerism sentiment.

Gifts wrapped in brown paper and recycled bags, symbolizing a shift away from consumerism.

Piles of toys and gift-wrapped presents symbolizing consumerism.

Comparison of minimalist and original packaging, highlighting frustrations with consumerism and excessive plastic use.

Recycling chart shows limits for plastic and paper versus unlimited aluminum, glass, and metal; highlights consumerism issues.

Chart humorously questioning when to replace consumer items like pans, sponges, and dish brushes.

Close-up of a patchwork leather piece stitched with white thread, representing ironic consumerism.

Old Vermont saying on a window hints at rejecting consumerism: “Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without."

Stacks of pads labeled “10 months” next to a menstrual cup labeled “10 years,” illustrating a consumerism critique.