Think back to the last time you went to a store. Did you ever wonder how many of the items would be unsold, collecting dust on the shelves? 

Many corporations claim to donate and recycle some of those unsold products to reduce waste. Stores like CVS have publicly announced their wish to help the environment by reusing and recycling 50% of unsold merchandise.

To find out the truth about this waste, Anna Sacks, a dumpster diver on TikTok (@thetrashwalker), decided to go through trash near large stores. She was shocked to find makeup, accessories, food, and clothes thrown away in perfect condition. Another diver on TikTok, Lis Wilson (@salty.stella), chose to dive through a dumpster near HomeGoods, finding it filled to the top with holiday-themed items. Everything from holiday mugs to decorations was thrown out, simply because the holiday had passed. In her videos, Ms. Wilson focuses on the importance of raising awareness, believing that consumers should be aware of the consequences of fast fashion and fleeting trends. 

As expected, these videos went viral, sparking outrage at the neglect of these businesses. People continue to demand that these stores be held accountable for their actions and follow through with their promises of helping the environment. 

Wilson and countless others work hard to expose large corporations, bringing attention and awareness to this crisis. Thankfully, their approach seems to be working, as online outrage forces companies to come to terms with their wastefulness; a significant step towards a healthier environment.

Sources: NY Times, Insider