By Eva Hu
Is it worth the price?
Should I buy the cheaper model?
Those are the questions that people often ask themselves when making a purchase. A couple weeks ago, I came across a podcast episode that discussed a very similar topic: is it worth investing in a good kitchen bin?. While it may seem counterintuitive to do so, Taimur, one of the hosts, commented that to him, “a kitchen bin is a high measure item”, and therefore, is worth investing in an expensive model. He then explains the term “high measure item”, describing them as an item that might not bring an individual a lot of value each time they use it, but if the individual were to use that item regularly, then in the long run, even if the item was, say, only 20% better than the other models, the frequent usage of the item would add up and bring value to the individual’s life, negating the item’s price.
This concept of investing in a “high measure item” is nothing new. Though it is not often stated explicitly, people do compare an item’s price to how often they would use it, or how important of a role it would play in their routine when shopping. Items such as stoves and pans for cooking, televisions, gaming consoles and computers for entertainment are all placed into careful consideration prior to making the purchase. However, other items such as water bottles and ziploc bags, are not taken into the same consideration. Even though it is worth investing in a durable metal water bottle and silicone ziplock bags in the long run, many of us still continue to buy plastic ones on the whim, without thinking about the cost adding up nor its impact on the environment.
Statistics show that on average, 60 million plastic water bottles end up in either landfills or incinerators everyday, amounting to a total of 22 billion a year. While most of us may emphasize on recycling, it might be surprising for you to learn that only 1 out of every 6 of these plastic bottles are recycled and used to make new ones. Yes, in the short run, a plastic water bottle may only cost $1.45, but if you were to spend money on one every day, it would add up to $10.15 a week and $40.6 each month, and that’s only taking into consideration buying one. Most of us drink at least two to three bottles each day, which means the cost will double or even triple. On the other hand, how much does a metal water bottle cost? The one that I’m currently using, a 32 liter Takeya water bottle costs merely $30, a price that is significantly smaller, and I have been using this particular water bottle for a year now.
Even though it might seem convenient to purchase something on the whim next time you’re out, think for a moment. Is it the value of the item worth paying for its small cost now? Small changes like switching to using silicone ziploc bags, glass containers, and metal water bottles can make a huge positive impact, not only on your budget, but also the environment.
Citations:
Abaal, Ali, Abaal Taimur, host. “Why Should You Invest in a Good Kitchen Bin?” Not Overthinking, Apple Podcast, 14 Apr. 2019. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-should-you-invest-in-a-good-kitchen-bin/id1456538451?i=1000434875495
Franklin, P. (2006). Plastic water bottles should no longer be a wasted resource. Retrieved September 19, 2020, from http://www.container-recycling.org/index.php/issues/.../275-down-the-drain