Are your shelves groaning or wardrobes bursting?
If so, then maybe you’ve reached “peak stuff”. Steve Howard, head of Ikea’s sustainability unit, believes that demand has reached its zenith. At a Guardian Sustainable Business debate he declared: “In the west, we have probably hit peak stuff. We talk about peak oil. I’d say we’ve hit peak red meat, peak sugar, peak stuff … peak home furnishings.”
And it’s true elsewhere. Last week, Apple revealed that global sales of the iPhone had stagnated in the last three months of 2015 (and things are not looking so hot for the iPad either). From cars to home furnishings growing signs demand is saturated.
So, what do you think? We want your photos and stories of conspicuous consumption. Do you have too much stuff? Show us photos of things you’ve bought several times over in different models, styles or formats, or show us the results of your weekly shopping splurge. We also want to hear from people who live in a minimalist way – do you de-clutter your house regularly? Show us your zen-like spaces. How do you resist the temptation to buy new things? Does it make you feel happier to have less, or is it simply that you can’t afford more? We want to hear from you.
Share your stories and photos and we’ll roundup the best ones on the site.
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