The True Cost of Convenience: Lessons from Buy Now
Netflix’s Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy shines a harsh light on the mechanisms of modern consumerism and the devastating impact of our throwaway culture. At the heart of its revelations is a painful truth: the things we discard don’t simply vanish—they end up somewhere, taking a toll on people and the planet.
Paul Polman encapsulates this perfectly when he says:
“When we throw it away, we actually don’t throw away—‘away’ doesn’t exist. It ends up somewhere else on this planet earth, and it increasingly has consequences.”
This sentiment resonates deeply with the challenges explored in the film: from planned obsolescence, where products are intentionally built to fail, to the global recycling crisis, which has exposed the startling inefficiency of our waste management systems. It’s a call for change—not just in how we consume, but in how businesses take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products.
The Endless Cycle of Waste
At its core, Buy Now reveals a system that thrives on disposability. From fast fashion to electronics, many products are deliberately designed to break, fail, or go out of style, forcing consumers to replace rather than repair. This practice, known as planned obsolescence, has not only normalised waste but entrenched it as a profitable business model.
But the cycle doesn’t stop there. Even when we try to do the right thing—by recycling, for example—the results can be shockingly ineffective. As highlighted in the documentary, and one of the core reasons we focus on reusability and compostability, a staggering amount of waste never reaches recycling plants, let alone gets recycled. It’s estimated that only 10% of items marked for recycling actually get repurposed, with the rest ending up in landfill or, worse, exported to developing nations where it wreaks havoc on local ecosystems.
This paints a grim picture: even our best intentions are often undermined by systemic inefficiencies. And it raises an urgent question: what can be done?
Taking Responsibility: The Role of Businesses
What Buy Now makes clear is that systemic change begins with those who create the products in the first place. Businesses have an undeniable responsibility to ensure their products don’t become part of the problem. That means designing goods with durability, repairability, and proper end-of-life disposal in mind.
Unfortunately, few brands are taking accountability for their impact on the environment. For the majority, the focus remains on producing more, faster, and cheaper—leaving consumers to grapple with the waste. This is where businesses like Forrist are stepping in to challenge the norm, proving that it’s possible to combine convenience with sustainability.
The Forrist Commitment: Compostable, Reusable, and Circular
At Forrist, we went to great lengths to ensure that all of our packaging is compostable—and for good reason. With only about 10% of recyclable items actually being recycled, we knew we needed to provide a better solution. Our packaging is designed to break down naturally in home composting systems, giving Forrigers peace of mind that their purchases won’t end up in a landfill.
But we also recognise that not everyone has access to composting facilities. That’s why we launched our Back to the Forrist scheme, a take-back programme designed to make sustainable disposal as easy as possible. This initiative ensures that any Forrist packaging, from kraft bags to resealable pouches, can be returned to us—where we ensure it’s composted responsibly.
This isn’t just about minimising waste; it’s about reclaiming control. By taking responsibility for the end of life of our packaging, we’re actively working to reduce the amount of compostable materials that might otherwise end up in recycling centres—or worse, in landfill.
Towards a Circular Future
The Back to the Forrist scheme reflects a larger goal: to challenge the idea of “away” entirely. As Paul Polman reminds us, “away” doesn’t exist. Every item we produce or purchase has a destination, and it’s up to all of us—brands, governments, and consumers alike—to ensure that destination isn’t another landfill or polluted ocean.
At Forrist, we’re not just creating products; we’re creating systems that prioritise reuse and regeneration. By offering incentives for customers to return their packaging and making every piece reusable or compostable, we’re striving for a circular economy where waste is no longer a byproduct but a resource.
Why You Should Watch Buy Now
If you’ve ever wondered about the hidden costs of your shopping habits—or questioned whether recycling really works—Buy Now is a must-watch. This gripping documentary reveals the truth about planned obsolescence, the global waste crisis, and the systems that keep us locked in a cycle of consumption.
It’s an eye-opening exploration of the ways businesses, governments, and individuals are complicit in the waste problem—and what must change to create a sustainable future. Whether you’re a conscious consumer, an activist, or simply curious about how the world works, this film is guaranteed to change the way you think about what you buy and throw away.
You can watch Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy on Netflix here.
What Buy Now Teaches Us About the Road Ahead
If there’s one takeaway from Buy Now, it’s that the system isn’t going to change on its own. It’s up to all of us to demand better—from the brands we support, from the governments that regulate them, and from ourselves.
At Forrist, we see this as an opportunity to redefine what it means to consume responsibly. Every product we design, every piece of packaging we use, and every step we take is aimed at building a world where “away” truly doesn’t exist.
The road ahead is long, but together, through programmes like Back to the Forrist and conscious consumer choices, we can move towards a future where sustainability isn’t the exception—it’s the standard.