Counterfeits and Sustainability: How Fake Goods Hurt the Planet

While the true cost of counterfeiting in terms of harming profits and brand value is an ever-present concern, other less obvious consequences also exist. For example, the environmental impact of fake products is less widely publicised – but is hugely important.

Here’s a spotlight on some of the negative effects the illegal counterfeiting industry has on our planet.

The unsustainable fate of fakes

Due to the (generally) lower quality of material selection or supply regulation, fake products are far more likely to end up in landfill. From fashion and cosmetics to toys and electronics, the lack of regulation means that substandard or even hazardous materials can be used in production. And this absence of accountability means that there’s no responsibility or motivation to make products more sustainable. Unlike genuine items, they usually can’t be recycled, repaired or repurposed safely.

For example, electrical items may contain toxic substances or components, risking contamination or human injury during processing. As a result, the majority of seized counterfeit goods in the UK are either incinerated or sent to landfill, rather than being responsibly recycled. Such practices undermine real sustainability efforts, threaten ecosystems and drive up waste.

Why can’t fakes be safely recycled?

Established and trusted product recycling and repair schemes rely on known, regulated inputs. Since counterfeit products bypass these requirements, they pose a risk to reputable recycling streams.

The potential for contamination means most local authorities and recycling charities will be reluctant to accept them. And as such, the incineration and landfill routes are often the only viable alternative, contributing to soil and water pollution and creating lasting harm.

Stats that tell the story

There’s no single quantifiable source that details the total amount of counterfeit goods destroyed each year, but there are several recent illustrative examples that hint at the scale of the problem, such as:

What’s clear is that the problem is vast in scale, isn’t restricted to one type of sector and needs addressing urgently.

How can anti-counterfeit technology help tackle the problem?

Q-ID® anti-counterfeit technology uses quantum-level randomness to produce tags that cannot be practically replicated, copied, or faked. These signatures can be verified instantly with standard smartphones and are relatively straightforward to integrate into existing production processes.

The result is a supply chain that is greener, more transparent and supports a circular economy. By dramatically reducing the circulation (and resulting disposal/destruction) of counterfeit items, advanced authentication is a win for the environment.

If you’d like to know more about how protecting your brand reputation can also help protect the planet, please contact us.