TikTok Barista Exposes Eco-Unfriendly PR Stunt by Wellness Brand

Outrage Over Renude's Wasteful PR Package

An American barista and TikTokker, Lara, recently called out Renude, a California-based wellness brand, for their environmentally irresponsible PR package. The package, intended to promote their mushroom powder product Chagaccino, included a rechargeable screen playing a promotional video, sparking widespread criticism.

The Controversial Package

Lara and her coworkers were shocked to find a cardboard book with an embedded screen in the delivery. The package also came with a charging cable, allowing the recipient to rewatch the promotional video repeatedly. Lara took to TikTok to express her disbelief, questioning the brand's decision to create such a disposable, landfill-bound item.

"How many people are going to open it, look at it for one second, and throw it into landfill?" she asked her followers. "For a company promoting holistic and organic products to pull this shit?"

Public Backlash

The TikTok video quickly went viral, with many users echoing Lara's concerns. Comments ranged from disbelief to outright anger:

• "Charging an ad is crazy," one user wrote.
• "They couldn’t do a QR code?" another asked.
• "These ‘disposable’ screens and batteries should be illegal," added a third.

Lara suggested simpler, eco-friendly alternatives like a post-it note or a sample sachet, which would have achieved the same promotional goal without the environmental cost.

Brand Silence

As of now, Renude has not responded to the backlash or requests for comment. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable marketing practices in today's eco-conscious world.