throwaway items

[/ˈθroʊ.ə.weɪ ˈaɪ.təmz/]
nounpl: N/A (plural noun)
itens descartáveis
1. Products or goods designed or intended to be used once or for a short period and then discarded
The restaurant uses throwaway items like plastic plates and cups to reduce cleanup time.
O restaurante usa itens descartáveis como pratos e copos de plástico para reduzir o tempo de limpeza.
2. Inexpensive or low-quality products that are not meant to last long
Modern fashion often promotes throwaway items that fall apart after a few washes.
A moda moderna frequentemente promove itens descartáveis que caem aos pedaços após algumas lavagens.
3. Objects or materials considered having little value and easily replaced
She treats her belongings as throwaway items and never bothers to repair anything.
Ela trata seus pertences como itens descartáveis e nunca se preocupa em consertar nada.
The concept of throwaway items reflects broader discussions about consumerism and environmental sustainability in both American and Brazilian contexts. In Brazil, there's growing concern about 'cultura do descartável' (throwaway culture) impacting landfills and environmental conservation. In the USA, this term is often used critically in discussions about fast fashion and planned obsolescence.
NYC Slang
junk items, cheap stuff, one-and-dones
Synonyms / Sinônimos
disposable itemssingle-use productsconsumablesexpendable goods
Antonyms / Antônimos
durable goodsreusable itemslong-lasting productskeepsakes

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
itens descartáveis
Most common and widely understood term across all regions
Rio de Janeiro
coisas descartáveis
More colloquial usage, using 'coisas' instead of 'itens'
São Paulo
produtos de uso único
Emphasis on single-use aspect, common in formal/business contexts
Portugal
artigos descartáveis
Preferred term in European Portuguese, slightly more formal

Related Words

disposablesingle-useconsumablewastelandfillsustainability

Related Idioms & Phrases

throw it away and buy a new one
use and lose
built to break
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