If item degradation was tied to long rests (which is the only indication of time passing that I can think of), then it is somewhat a counter intuitive process - the thing you spend a big chunk of consumables on is the thing which causes unused consumables to spoil. What would be an intended benefit? Using as much items as possible in encounters? Gathering as much food only as is needed for next rest or two and leaving the rest for later? I don't see a rewarding gameplay loop there.
Can you explain your line of thinking here? I don't see how consumables (potions, scrolls) expiring after X long rests is counter intuitive. If you're talking about food spoiling, then yes that's kind of circular - you have to spend the food on resting in order for it to not expire. But you don't spend potions & scrolls in order to rest. You'd be encouraged to use them more often and go as long as possible with rests to make use of your consumables.
I was thinking here primarily of food, yes. The thing you use your food for, is the thing that make the food spoil.
As far as consumables go, I see simpler solution: streamline and limit inventory capacity, no send to stash. Tweak things enough, and people will end up selling stuff they are unlikely to use and keep things they are likely to use. Once they understand that they can carry only that many potions,scrolls etc. they shouid be more likely to use or sell spare items rather then leaving stuff on the ground. At least that generally what works for me.
And if player will have to choose what to carry in each playthrough, that only enhances uniquness of each playthrough. Maybe even character build choices wouldn't feel like wasted choice. I have Speaking wth Animals? Cool, I can sell the potions and carry something more useful to me instead.
That is probably not a realistic option, though - to achieve a good balance with such system the game would require a careful and deliberate design, and it is just not something I expect from BG3 at this point.
