"Even Underwear and Essence for Just 1,000 Won"... China's Generation Z Consumes Single-Use Products Like a Trend

Recently, "single-use consumption" has been spreading like a trend among China's Generation Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s).

On the 27th, China National Radio reported, "This year, the single-use skincare market is expected to surpass 70 billion yuan (approximately 13.524 trillion won)." In particular, single-use essences are gaining popularity, with Chinese brands such as Kefumei, Guodi, and Lunbaiyan attracting consumers with their low prices ranging from 5 to 12 yuan (about 966 to 2,300 won).

Disposable products sold at offline stores. Weibo.

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According to a recent survey conducted by the Chinese media outlet 21st Century Business Herald through the Chinese social networking service Weibo, more than 60% of respondents said they use single-use underwear.

However, respondents expressed concerns about several issues related to single-use products. These include the problem of advertising or labeling products as pure cotton even though they contain chemical fibers, falsifying labels to disguise non-sterilized products, and exceeding safety standards for carcinogens or mold. Additionally, they pointed out that the poor production environment of single-use products could lead to environmental issues such as increased waste. They also criticized that relying solely on single-use products leads to unnecessary consumption, and when such trends spread through social media, the unit price tends to rise.

Products that appear when searching for disposable underwear. Baidu.

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Disposable cover used on high-speed trains. Weibo.

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The hidden problems behind single-use consumption are also coming to light. China Central Television (CCTV) recently focused on the disorder within the single-use goods industry. According to China National Radio, more than 600 complaints related to the quality of single-use underwear have been filed on consumer complaint platforms. A resident of Beijing, Ms. Lu, commented on her experience purchasing single-use underwear, saying, "The size didn't fit, and I was also worried about the quality and safety." She explained that some sellers do not provide purchase records and sometimes misrepresent product ingredients or labels.

China National Radio expressed concern, stating, "Generation Z brings single-use sheets when taking high-speed trains and drinks milk tea in single-use cups," and questioned, "If you use something once and throw it away, who will bear the cost (the environmental impact)? This is something we need to think about seriously."

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