'We don’t need this': Aussies unhappy after Kmart’s controversial new product hit the shelves
- Replies 1
A new product has stirred up a wave of controversy across the country, with many questioning its necessity and environmental impact.
What was marketed as a summer essential quickly became the centre of heated debate, sparking frustration from shoppers and experts alike.
What happened next has left many wondering whether this product is really worth the hype—or the backlash.
Aussies were less than impressed with Kmart’s latest 'must-have' item, a $5 plastic beach cup holder promoted as a summer essential.
Despite the retailer’s push to make it a beach necessity, a glaring issue with the product quickly caught the attention of both consumers and environmental experts alike.
‘The damage to the environment from excessive plastic use is very concerning and growing, especially as these products have a short life and when dumped as litter or landfill, break up into microplastics which harm marine animals and enter human bodies via the air and water,’ said Jeff Angel, director of Total Environment Centre.
Aussies made their dissatisfaction known, flooding the comments section with critical remarks.
‘Stop creating more unnecessary rubbish. We don’t need this nor our planet more plastic,’ one person posted.
Another agreed, writing, ‘Really!? Come on. Just another creative way to create landfill. This is the stupidest thing I’ve seen in ages.’
Many voiced their concern over the environmental impact of cheap, disposable products. One commenter warned, ‘Ah, yes. Really looking forward to finding these littered on my local beach on my morning walk after every warm day this summer, alongside the other discarded low-cost beach products I end up binning because people don’t care if they leave this cheap stuff behind.’
‘Perhaps Kmart could consider contributing to environmental clean ups?’ someone added, pointing to the growing pile of discarded items, from full sun shelters to boogie boards, found along the shorelines.
Experts, too, weighed in on the risks associated with plastic waste, particularly in terms of marine life.
‘Plastic pollution can have a significant effect on wildlife in multiple ways. Things like plastic can be eaten by a range of species and ingested plastic can cause significant internal injuries,’ said Professor Dieter Hochuli from the University of Sydney.
‘Microplastics are a bit of a hidden pollution issue, when plankton ingest them, the microplastics can then move up the food chain and even end up on our plates. There’s also the degradation issue: plastic can take 1000 years to decompose, which means we’re stuck with the litter for a long time.’
The plastic cup holder also raised concerns for beachgoers' personal items, with some worried about the risk of theft.
One person remarked, ‘Great way to leave your phone, keys and drink in the hot sun
Not to mention calling out to all those looking to steal!’
Another agreed, adding, ‘Ha, it's like a theft temptation device.’
Another warned that it would make it easy for thieves to ‘yoink all your stuff in one go.’
Is this Kmart product just another example of disposable summer junk, or does it have a place in our beach days? Let us know in the comments below!
What was marketed as a summer essential quickly became the centre of heated debate, sparking frustration from shoppers and experts alike.
What happened next has left many wondering whether this product is really worth the hype—or the backlash.
Aussies were less than impressed with Kmart’s latest 'must-have' item, a $5 plastic beach cup holder promoted as a summer essential.
Despite the retailer’s push to make it a beach necessity, a glaring issue with the product quickly caught the attention of both consumers and environmental experts alike.
‘The damage to the environment from excessive plastic use is very concerning and growing, especially as these products have a short life and when dumped as litter or landfill, break up into microplastics which harm marine animals and enter human bodies via the air and water,’ said Jeff Angel, director of Total Environment Centre.
Aussies made their dissatisfaction known, flooding the comments section with critical remarks.
‘Stop creating more unnecessary rubbish. We don’t need this nor our planet more plastic,’ one person posted.
Another agreed, writing, ‘Really!? Come on. Just another creative way to create landfill. This is the stupidest thing I’ve seen in ages.’
Many voiced their concern over the environmental impact of cheap, disposable products. One commenter warned, ‘Ah, yes. Really looking forward to finding these littered on my local beach on my morning walk after every warm day this summer, alongside the other discarded low-cost beach products I end up binning because people don’t care if they leave this cheap stuff behind.’
‘Perhaps Kmart could consider contributing to environmental clean ups?’ someone added, pointing to the growing pile of discarded items, from full sun shelters to boogie boards, found along the shorelines.
Experts, too, weighed in on the risks associated with plastic waste, particularly in terms of marine life.
‘Plastic pollution can have a significant effect on wildlife in multiple ways. Things like plastic can be eaten by a range of species and ingested plastic can cause significant internal injuries,’ said Professor Dieter Hochuli from the University of Sydney.
‘Microplastics are a bit of a hidden pollution issue, when plankton ingest them, the microplastics can then move up the food chain and even end up on our plates. There’s also the degradation issue: plastic can take 1000 years to decompose, which means we’re stuck with the litter for a long time.’
The plastic cup holder also raised concerns for beachgoers' personal items, with some worried about the risk of theft.
One person remarked, ‘Great way to leave your phone, keys and drink in the hot sun
Not to mention calling out to all those looking to steal!’Another agreed, adding, ‘Ha, it's like a theft temptation device.’
Another warned that it would make it easy for thieves to ‘yoink all your stuff in one go.’
Is this Kmart product just another example of disposable summer junk, or does it have a place in our beach days? Let us know in the comments below!
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