The overconsumption of Labubus is harming our bank accounts and the environment.
This year, the new trend is Labubus, a scary cute monster bag charm that has gone viral on social media because of K-Pop artist Lisa from BLACKPINK .
The social media crazed trend that seems geared towards children has seeped over to my own mom and her coworkers.
Labubus has generated over $677 million in the first half of 2025 with 60% of its demographic being adult women, according to a Sept. 15 DemandSage article.
But what’s the point of buying into a trend, when it leads to overconsumption that harms our bank accounts, environment and our well being?
The overconsumption and limited scarcity of Labubus have led to higher prices.
While Labubus can range in different prices for different blind box collection lines, from $22.99 to $27.99, they are often sold out on the Pop Mart website and in stores.
It is the reselling space where Labubus goes up in costs.
On eBay, the reselling costs for Labubus can range from $35 for one to $300 for an entire blind box set, according to eBay price listings.
I think it is silly how once the trend of Stanley Cups that were so popular in 2024 are dead, that the Labubu trend will eventually die off as well.
Stanley’s 40-ounce Quencher cups are reusable steel thermos flasks that have double wall vacuum insulation and a comfort-grip handle, according to the Stanley website.
They became very popular in 2024 because the thermos came in many different colors and its ability to keep drinks hot and cold for several hours, according to a Jan. 10 CNN article.
Buying something just because it is a social currency for the time being does not mean it is a worthwhile investment to buy.
I just do not understand the reason to spend so much money on expensive Labubus, especially when we are living in a time with rising costs of food, gas, and housing costs, according to a CBS News price tracker.
I have bought small items for myself that brought joy to my life, but I am not the type of person to buy into trends on social media because of the hype.
For myself, I often buy more of my needs than of my wants. I work part-time while being a full-time college student.
I know how far the length of my dollar can go if I buy things that are good and worthwhile investments.
I also do not need five different Stanley Cups to match with my outfit or the rarest Labubu to make it through my day.
It’s not just a waste of money, it’s also harmful to the environment
Labubus are made of non-biodegradable materials of polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), in a June 27 South China Morning Post article .
It was found that PVC is one of the most damaging plastics to the environment and toxic substances that affect people, according to a study published Dec. 28, 2023 in the peer-reviewed journal Materials.
Throughout the lifecycle, it releases toxic chlorine-based chemicals that build up in the environment and food chains, according to the same study.
While Labubus are made up of a small percentage of PVC, they can be harmful to our environment and well being of our health, especially to young children.
The fact PVC is being used in Labubus and many people are buying them, do not realize that PVC is a harmful plastic that will take a long time to biodegrade.
The overconsumption of Labubus is another trend that will eventually die and when no one wants them anymore, they will be discarded as a waste of our money and a waste of resources used to produce them.
