"Unpacking the Stanley Tumbler Frenzy: From Target Campouts to TikTok Trends"
The Stanley water bottle craze has taken America by storm, with viral TikTok videos showing people clamoring for the latest color drops at Target, sometimes paying over 200% of retail price on secondary markets. This trend reflects a broader history of bottled water and reusable water bottles in the U.S., where despite the rise of reusable bottles suggesting an eco-friendly shift, bottled water sales have also surged to record highs. Critics argue that the trend is less about environmentalism and more about fashion and identity, as consumers collect bottles as accessories that communicate health, lifestyle, and status. The trend's environmental benefits are questioned as many of these bottles may eventually contribute to landfill waste.