01/23/2024

The Big Problem with the Giant Stanley Cup

The Quencher FlowState Tumbler has become a symbol of overconsumption

Once a masculine emblem of construction workers and hikers, Stanley drinkware is now a status symbol for the wellness-oriented internet trend-chaser. The ubiquitous 40-ounce Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler is at the heart of some of the 2020s’ most recognizable woman-dominated and pastel-toned trends, like the "hot girl walk" and TikTok’s controversial #WaterTok niche. The Stanley cup, as it is universally known, is toted by countless influencers and even some A-list celebrities who praise its supposedly superior functionality even as it draws mockery for its sometimes comical impracticality.

The movement against disposable containers is urgently needed, and reusable water bottles have been fashionable for decades. In the past, consumers signaled their love of hydration and the environment with water bottles from brands like Nalgene, Swell, Hydro Flask and Yeti. But none of Stanley’s predecessors inspired a frenzy on a scale so large that it threatens to symbolize the very kind of environmentally-harmful consumption that reusable containers are supposed to end.

Despite its buy-it-for-life legacy, Stanley products are now commonly purchased as trendy collectors’ items. Some customers camp outside of retail stores for a chance to obtain limited-edition models, or take to TikTok to boast extensive and colorful Stanley collections, sometimes occupying a full kitchen shelf or their very own designated cabinet.

Please select this link to read the complete article from WIRED.