Buy Now! Why do we keep buying? Consumerism, waste and corporate responsibility - Lesson 2 of 2
Key stage 3 • Active citizenship, making a positive difference • Lessons
Why do we keep buying? Consumerism, waste and corporate responsibility
This lesson is the second of two that connect to the issues highlighted in the release of the Netflix documentary, Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy
Lesson 2 focuses on deepening students’ understanding of consumer behaviour by exploring the concept of planned obsolescence and the role that it plays in driving repeated purchases. Key concepts such as product lifespan, corporate responsibility and waste management are examined through the lens of how companies design products to encourage more frequent replacements. The lesson challenges students to think critically about the environmental and ethical implications of this practice, as well as the responsibility that consumers and companies share in reducing waste. Through discussions, case studies and creative tasks, students will reflect on how they can take action to promote sustainability and challenge wasteful consumption patterns.
Students will work towards answering the following questions:
- What is planned obsolescence and how does it affect our buying habits?
- Why do companies design products with limited lifespans?
- How can consumers take action to reduce waste?
- What role do companies play in creating waste and what responsibility do they bear?
These resources are designed to engage and empower your students on the contemporary issues of consumerism and the environment. Don’t forget to view and download the first of the two Buy Now! resources here.
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