The internet watches in shock as videos show dozens of people sprinting down the central aisle at Target, all with the same goal: to buy the newest color Stanley. After lining up for hours outside the store, teens and adults rush toward the shiny new Stanley display the moment the doors open. Pushing past each other, they grab as many water bottles as they can. Following each of Stanley’s releases of their newest collections, these viral videos highlight the growing and irrational frenzy for the brand’s products.
Influencers continuously post about the newest “must-have” items– whether it be water bottles, clothing items or handy accessories, their content online only fuels issues of overconsumption. Many have taken to platforms like TikTok to show off their cabinets full of Stanleys and even go as far as to match them to their outfit, pushing the message that one is not enough.
Social media is a massive part of peoples’ lives, influencing the daily actions of millions. Anjali Langan (‘25), explains the influence social media has made on her life. “I find trendy items on TikTok,” states Langan, who admits to buying multiple of the same item even though she might not necessarily need them. When asked why, she reasoned, “Because I thought they were cute and helpful.”
While TikTok is a great place for self-expression and finding new useful items, it only adds to the pressures of spending to keep up with trends. In addition to the endless promotion of Stanley cups within each scroll, influencers push a sense of scarcity through advertising limited-edition releases and exclusive “color drops.” Promotion through platforms like this increased Stanley’s revenue from $73 million in 2019 to over $750 million in 2023.
The most popular water bottles used to be Nalgenes, Yetis, S’wells, and Hydro Flasks. These bottles, constantly phasing out of trends and promoting overconsumption, ironically succeeded during a strong shift in activism towards environmentalism and slogans such as “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
Nothing has created such an uproar as Stanley cups, however. They seem to threaten the very premise of sustainability and can almost be viewed more as a fashion accessory for many… and it’s not just the consumption of these bottles itself, but the various actions and accessories influencers promote with them that raise concerns regarding environmentalism.
On social media platforms, influencers have posted a multitude of videos showing off their Stanley cups.
“Pack my Stanley with me” videos have amassed millions of views online, where creators adorn their cups with appealing strap-on pouches, keychains and charms. Similarly, videos such as “Get my Stanley ready for breakfast with me” show influencers packing full breakfast meals into plates that fit around the rim of the lids. These seemingly harmless videos inspire viewers to purchase similar products, and the influencers’ lifestyle-driven content taps into viewers’ desires to emulate a certain aesthetic or sense of belonging; however, these videos create a cycle of unnecessary consumption, contributing to the same environmental problems that these reusable cups are meant to combat.
With each new trend, the public ignites in excitement, but it is essential not to fall victim to rapid trend cycles– as how much good does a cabinet full of unused reusable bottles really do for the environment? Trend cycles empty more than just peoples’ pockets. The constant influx in demand for the next best thing will only exacerbate humans’ toll on natural capital.
The massively popular accessories for a Stanley cup are mostly made of plastic, which contributes significantly to fossil fuel production and landfill overflow. Owning a Stanley bottle or trendy items is not inherently harmful, but consumers must be conscious of their consumption to avoid contributing to excess waste and environmental pollution, especially when trends encourage consumers to constantly phase out and discard items when they are no longer deemed cool.
Trend cycles can cause significant harm on the environment, but AP Environmental Science teacher Mr. Benjamin Rush offers ways people can mitigate this. Rush explains, “Promoting reusable water bottles [such as Stanley cups] are absolutely a good thing, but if you don’t like your design anymore or if it isn’t in style anymore, maybe give it to a sibling or donate it for reuse so it doesn’t go to waste.” He also offers insight into the creative ways to reinvent water bottles, even if they no longer are popular, stating “You could always just slap a new trendy sticker on it. No one who matters will judge you for the type of reusable water bottle you have.”
It’s important to remember the purpose of reusable water bottles: to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote sustainability. Water bottle trends, which constantly change in a cycle, create pressure to constantly keep up with the next best thing. Overconsumption, driven by viral content and the desire to stay in style harms the environment through excessive production and waste. To be a more conscious consumer, it’s essential to recognize the difference between genuine need and trend-fueled impulse.
