the real price tag of black friday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become cultural events built around urgency: buy now, ship fast, don’t miss out. A single weekend of discounts can make it feel like you’re falling behind if you don’t buy something — anything.
But beneath the deals and doorbusters is a cost we rarely see: the environmental impact of fast buying, fast shipping, and fast trashing.
more stuff, more waste
This annual shopping frenzy isn’t harmless. Every year, the environment pays the price.
Before you click “add to cart,” consider this:
131.7 million Americans made a Black Friday purchase in 2024
Holiday deliveries generated an estimated 429,000 metric tons of CO₂ — equivalent to 435 flights from London to New York
Product returns spike by 143% in the days following the weekend
Discount electronics often break sooner, becoming e-waste that is rarely recycled
Overall holiday waste increases by 25%, driven by excessive packaging and unwanted items
Fast consumption doesn’t just strain our wallets — it overwhelms landfills, increases emissions, and accelerates resource extraction.
Slowing Down Is a Radical Choice
At Beaches Go Green, we believe sustainability isn’t about perfection — it’s about mindfulness. This season, choosing less can actually give you more: less stress, less waste, and more meaning.
Instead of spending, consider opting out of the frenzy altogether.
Meaningful Alternatives to Black Friday
Here are a few ways to celebrate without contributing to excess:
Participate in Buy Nothing Day
Spend time outdoors — at the beach, on a trail, or in your neighborhood
Host a family game night or movie marathon
Cook or bake something homemade
Volunteer or give back to your community
These moments don’t come with packaging, shipping emissions, or buyer’s remorse — but they do create lasting memories.
Choosing Connection Over Consumption
The holidays don’t have to be fueled by overconsumption. By slowing down and shopping with intention (or not shopping at all), we can reduce waste, protect our planet, and reconnect with what actually matters.
This year, let’s rethink the rush.
Less stuff. More meaning.

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