What is consumerism? It is the promotion of a customer’s interests and, a theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable.

Experts have said that Singaporeans have some of the highest disposable incomes in South-east Asia. This leads to greater spending power, which in turns fuels people’s preoccupation with shopping and the relentless consumption of goods. In fact, consumers are sometimes found guilty to buy more than they need, ultimately creating more waste, when they throw things that they do not need.

Victor Chang, deputy director of the Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre at the Nanyang Technological University, further emphasise that the cause of the increased consumption in Singaporeans is:

Due to the increasing cost of labour and higher income levels. Also, the richer countries or cities will generate more municipal waste per capita.

National Environmental Agency also made a statement that:

The increase in total waste generated is in tandem with Singapore’s growing population and affluence.

The higher the consumption rate, the more waste will be produced. For instance, when they throw plastic packaging, unfinished food, or unwanted clothes. All of these contributes to the waste generated in Singapore, and cause detrimental effects to the environment that we live in.

Consumer spending helps in boosting Singapore’s growing economy, but consumerism is taking a toll on the environment.