The article concludes that the throwaway culture, driven by cheap, disposable products, significantly impacts mental health and consumer trust. With a rise in cognitive dissonance, many consumers recognize the damaging effects of their purchasing habits yet continue to buy low-quality goods. This behavior is linked to increased feelings of depression and anxiety. Additionally, trust in U.S. businesses has fallen to 47%, lower than the global average, which points to deeper issues of betrayal and dissatisfaction with brands. Entrepreneurs are urged to prioritize quality over quantity in their offerings to combat these trends.
This ongoing struggle is taking a toll. A 2023 study published by Frontiers in Psychology found that materialism is consistently associated with mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in U.S. businesses runs at just 47%, well below the global average of 56% and lags behind countries like China.
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