The Increasing Demand for Eco-Friendly Products and Packaging

Chloe Rowlands on behalf of Rombus Packaging

This article features the key reasons why there is an increased demand for eco-friendly products such as conscious consumerism and cutting costs.

The Conscious Consumer

The increase in demand for eco-friendly packaging and products has certainly developed from a change in consumer thoughts and behaviour. Did you know that one third of the UK is concerned about the origin of their products, and according to a study carried out by Global Poverty Project, 74% of people are willing to pay an extra 5% for their clothes if there is a guarantee that they were made ethically?

There is no doubt about it that we are currently facing the worst economic climate to date, and as a direct result consumers are becoming a great deal more conscious and aware of the impact their purchasing decisions have on the environment.

A conscious consumer is an individual that considers the social, ecological, environmental and political impact of products and makes positive decisions regarding their purchases. With many more people becoming conscious consumers, the demand for eco-friendly alternatives to standard products and packaging is higher than ever before. It is hugely important not just for the sake of the environment, but also in order to retain customers that companies adapt to meet the needs of conscious consumers and make the switch to green packaging solutions.

Companies ‘Going Green’

Many large companies worldwide are beginning to cater to the demands of conscious consumers and are also paying more attention to their evident impact on the environment.

McDonald's are one of the first large chain restaurants to trial the use of paper straws, and Iceland have famously banned the inclusion of palm oil in all of their own branded products due to the destructive deforestation required to source and produce the oil.

These significant changes mean we’re likely to see a larger number of companies providing ethical and eco-friendly products going forward.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Packaging

There are many obvious benefits to switching to eco-friendly packaging from both a business and consumer perspective. As a business owner, not only will you save money and cut shipping costs when switching to eco-friendly packaging, but you will also position yourself as a positive and eco-aware brand attracting customer loyalty. Here are some further benefits to eco-friendly packaging:

Produces fewer emissions
Reduces carbon footprint
Lower shipping costs
Creates positive brand image
Recyclable
Sustainable

As well as businesses benefitting from switching to eco-friendly packaging or products, using environmentally friendly and all-natural products can also have a positive impact on the consumer.

Many eco products are made from recyclable materials and contain no harmful chemicals or ingredients such as BPA as found in plastic products. Products containing all-natural ingredients are also far less damaging to your health than many other items on the market. Certain beauty products for example contain chemicals which have been shown to cause premature puberty and drastic side effects to consumers, they are also linked to cancer and other concerning illnesses.

Overall, there are many reasons as to why switching to either producing or purchasing eco-friendly alternatives to the products you typically manufacture or buy is a positive step. With many huge companies taking action, there is also set to be a continued increase in eco-friendly products worldwide.

Rombus Packaging specialize in the production and printing of high quality, bespoke packaging solutions available for a range of different businesses and industries. They boast over 30 years of experience and offer a variety of different types of packaging to suit all companies’ needs. To learn more, visit their Contributor Page.