Sustainability is a term that has gained a lot more attention over the past few years. With the seriousness of climate change, people are becoming more aware of their carbon footprint and its impact on the Earth.
As a result, it’s slowly affecting how people choose what products they want to buy and where they buy them from. However, there’s still a significant amount that needs to get done before we can truly start seeing change.
In this article, we’ll be discussing sustainability, its impact on society, and how to get consumers to buy more sustainable products.
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is figuring out ways to meet our goals and needs without compromising how future generations will meet theirs. As a consumer, you’ll most likely hear or see the word sustainability on a TV ad, browsing through a store, or while grabbing something to eat. But, it ties in with all aspects of society.
There are three parts to sustainability:
- Environmental
- Economic
- Social
Environmental
Environmental sustainability ensures that all of Earth’s ecosystems are balanced so that the natural resources used by humans are replenished at the rate they are used.
Economic
Economic sustainability focuses on the livelihood of humans. Therefore, we want to ensure that there are enough resources for people to meet their financial obligations and have activities available to increase their quality of life.
Social
Social sustainability embodies the natural rights that should be accessible to humans. Everyone has a right to keep their families healthy and should have access to the means to make sure it’s possible. Communities can develop these practices through fair and unbiased leadership.
Related: PlantSwitch Solution
What Are Consumers Worried About?
Whenever we go shopping, what is it that you look for? For most, price is the first factor. You have to make sure that you’re able to afford what you want. Durability is also another factor that’s important to consumers.
However, according to a recent study, 84% of people believe that brands should make environmentally friendly products. People also have been conscious of buying more eco-friendly products than in the last five years. But why?
Consumers now have increased their knowledge about the dangers of chemicals and plastics to the environment. Over 300 million tons of plastic waste gets produced globally each year, which is about the weight of the human population. Also, globally, about 400 million tons of hazardous chemical waste gets produced each year.
As you can see, with those high numbers, it’s no wonder why people are paying extra dollars to buy more eco-friendly products. With each person doing their part, we can create a sustainable society.
Getting More People To Practice Sustainability
With sustainability practices on the rise, society will slowly become eco-friendly. First, however, more people must get on board to have significant change. To do so, you can:
Use the Power of Social Media
The most powerful instrument we have today is social media. We can share pictures, information, videos, and news about certain activities we’re doing with it. So whether you’re a business owner or consumer, you can share any eco-friendly tips that you’re using with others.
You could document how you dispose of certain materials and create a campaign for others to get involved. With sustainable behaviors being evident to more people, their behavior is more likely to change.
Are you thinking of switching to composting? Learn about its benefits in this article from PlantSwitch.
Related: Compostable Straws: An Eco-Friendly Buyer’s Guide
Speak to the Heart or the Brain
Effective communication with consumers is essential to business success, but it can be challenging when dealing with sustainability. You can take two approaches when speaking to customers; emotional and rational.
By using an emotional appeal, people are more inclined to take on a new behavior if they feel like it has a positive outcome. For example, if a child sees another child getting a lollipop for throwing their waste in the garbage, they’re more likely to copy that action because they know a reward is coming.
You could use the same approach for your consumers. Why don’t you create a rewards program around recycling or compostable materials that your store offers? It may encourage participation.
If you don’t want to use an emotional appeal, you can always be rational. Another reason why people partake in behaviors is knowing that they will come with an immediate effect.
For example, let’s say your energy company is promising savings by switching to green energy usage, but those savings aren’t reflected until a few years down the line. That may be a hard sell because consumers are worried about the upfront costs.
The same could be said for sustainable practices. Although some people are concerned with the environment’s future, some won’t be easy to persuade.
So instead of telling them about the global impact, market who sustainability will impact society locally. People are more likely to consider changing their behaviors if they can directly affect the outcome.
Related: Reduce, Reuse, Replace
3 things you can do to be more sustainable
For many of today’s consumers, sustainability has become a way of life. More and more people are making an effort to purchase greener, healthier, and more environmentally friendly items from greener businesses.
Consider this: every purchase you make has health, social, and environmental issues like carbon offsetting.
Here are 3 things you can do to be more sustainable and make a difference in your community and your own house today:
Related: 10 Best Ways to Boost Sustainability in Restaurants
1) Be Smart When You Buy Your Products
Sustainability is a fundamental element of who we are and how we conduct business here at Plantswitch.
From the beginning – with manufacturing and product design– to the conclusion – logistics and recycling – our devotion is reflected in every element of our operations.
Our goods are healthy, environmentally responsible, and safe for our employees, customers, and the environment.
Our dedication to outstanding craftsmanship and materials has propelled us to the forefront of the industry’s innovation.
When you buy your products, aim to buy from companies like us who deeply care about the planet.
2) Protect Natural Resources For Future Generations
Natural resources provide us with everything we require to live, including food, air, water, and shelter.
By squandering such resources today, we risk depriving our children and grandchildren of those resources tomorrow.
Many of our natural resources will be depleted if they are not conserved.
On the other hand, our natural resources will live far longer if we safeguard and conserve them.
We may reduce waste and wisely manage natural resources by practicing conservation. This will provide future generations with the same advantages that we have now.
Related: The 20 Best Sustainable Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products
3) Start at Home For A Healthy Life
Purchasing smarter products for your house results in a healthier living environment for you and your family.
Look for organic and natural materials, recycled materials, energy-efficient products, and biodegradable products.
Consumers rely on a variety of environmental labels to help them select products that are greener and healthier, such as:
- ECOLOGO: To verify compliance with strict, third-party environmental performance criteria for products that need to undergo rigorous scientific testing, extensive auditing, or both. This category includes cleaning supplies, cell phones, tissue paper, paint, toys, and more.
- Energy Star: Superior energy efficiency helps businesses and individuals save money while also protecting the environment.
- USDA: Promotes agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping to feed others around the world, as well as conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands to protect the nation’s natural resources.
- Fair Trade: Attempts to make commerce more balanced. Fairtrade outlaws child labor, forced labor, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and promotes ecologically friendly production.
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): An autonomous, non-profit organization that sets guidelines for responsible forest management to safeguard forests for future generations.
Our PlantSwitch Solution is to make the world a better place by using the newest and best technology available to save the environment.
If you consider the requirements listed above, we are sure that your indoor air quality at home will improve, and you’ll live a healthier life with your family.
Ready to help preserve the planet and the ecosystem for future generations? Have a look at our high-quality, environmentally friendly supplies, proudly provided by PlantSwitch.
How PlantSwitch Is Creating a Sustainable Future
At PlantSwitch, our goal is to create an eco-friendly society by creating sustainable products that people will enjoy. Unfortunately, there are too many “sustainable products” out there claiming they are helping the environment when they’re hurting it in other ways. Isn’t the whole purpose of sustainability to save the Earth? That’s where we come in.
Our products are landfill biodegradable and don’t come with any special disposal needs. So, you’ll be able to help the environment while using a high-quality product. Let’s make the change together and bring society towards a sustainable future.
Why don’t you contact PlantSwitch today to learn more about how you can connect with our brand? You can also visit our site to learn more information about sustainability.