Starbucks baristas have flooded my TikTok, all ranting about the brand’s newest, ill-stocked release of the seasonal Starbucks Bearista cup. Alongside these tired baristas who were attempting to recover from a night of incessant phone calls and disgruntled customers, many videos began to circulate of the ridiculously long lines outside of and physical fights within the popular coffee chain’s stores because of a $25 glass bear.
Starbucks recently released an apology, but, honestly, the “bearista” situation has really irked me, especially since these cups are now being resold for upwards of $300 on Ebay and other resale sites (not that I am looking to buy one, ever).
At the beginning of this year, I joined many Americans in pulling back from companies like Starbucks that continually prove to consumers that profit is more important than people and our environment.
I have a million reusable cups, so why would I need theirs?
Last New Year’s Eve, I set a goal for myself: to not buy things I already have or do not need. Starting that night, I swore to use what I have until it was either broken or unusable. This resolution really helped me this year to save money and buy responsibly.
Instead of buying the cute new seasonal thing-a-ma-bob or corporate grift, I get to not only save money, but feel better, too. But, how do I avoid the temptation?
As much as I am usually a sucker for a good floral design and the presence of pink on any product, I ask myself if I need it. Most of the time, the answer is: I do not. I have a million pink floral products, and there are probably a million more waiting to be rescued at the thrift store. I wear drugstore eyeliner and mascara, and these items last a long time if you use every drop. I also opt to buy for quality over quantity, which increases the longevity of the products I use.
Going back to the million reusable cups, they are all just stacked atop each other precariously in my kitchen cabinet. Honestly, I am afraid of opening it because of the potential avalanche. I do not need another one.
As an American, I feel like I too often equate a cute purchase with my personal happiness. But, guess what? I inevitably get sad again, and the cycle just continues.
According to Overconsumption.org, one of the best ways to avoid overconsumption is to consume mindfully. As the holiday season approaches, it is especially important to recognize our ability to avoid overconsumption or giving more money to those who will only continue to hoard it.
Do not get it twisted, though. The individual footprint is minuscule compared to the pollutants and footprint of the large corporations I am currently working to not support. According to the International Energy Agency, “the world’s 1% of emitters produce over 1000 times more CO2 than the bottom 1%.” I am not trying to relay or support the message that it is up to the individual to stop climate change when corporations should be held to account instead.
You do not need to make a barista’s life harder for a $30 product that will inevitably be shoved into the practically overflowing cabinet of other “reusable” cups. You do not need that new Starbucks cup.