feilkonsum

Feilkonsum is a term used in Scandinavian languages to describe consumption that is inefficient or wasteful, in the sense that the resources spent do not maximize well-being or value. The concept covers decisions and behaviors where the perceived utility of a purchase or use is lower than the actual cost, due to cognitive biases, information gaps, or social pressures. While it can refer to individual choices, feilkonsum also appears in discussions about households’ energy use, food purchases, and other durable or time-bound goods.

Causes of feilkonsum include bounded rationality and present bias (overvaluing immediate gratification), misperceptions of quality or price, inflating beliefs about usefulness, and the influence of marketing or social norms. Information gaps and cognitive load can lead to suboptimal choices, while habitual behavior and addiction-like patterns may lock in wasteful consumption. Cultural and structural factors, such as aggressive advertising, pricing schemes, and lack of clear labeling, can also contribute.

Consequences of feilkonsum are financial strain for individuals, environmental impacts from waste and unnecessary resource use, and broader inefficiencies in the economy. It can contribute to higher energy or material footprints and reduced overall welfare.

Mitigation strategies focus on information and choice architecture, such as clear labeling, decision aids, defaults, and nudges that steer toward more sustainable options. Policy tools may include taxes or fees on wasteful practices, incentives for durable goods, and stronger consumer protection. Feilkonsum is often discussed alongside related concepts such as overconsumption and conspicuous consumption, while some scholars caution that the term can be normative and culturally dependent.