Sustainability is at the forefront of most people’s minds, and the same can be said for businesses too. It is possible to live a life that doesn’t cause more harm than good to the planet, and you can apply the same mindset to a business as well. More companies are becoming greener and taking note of what their customers expect of them. For instance, some have made the move from plastic to more environmentally friendly hot food takeaway containers. These small changes can actually have a large impact on the climate, and they can also save you some money in the long run. If you’re looking for some sustainable inspiration, keep reading, and you can discover the top 3 eco-friendly businesses.
- Patagonia
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly outdoor clothing brand, then you need to check out Patagonia. This sustainable brand is all about ethical consumption and driving the use of recycled materials. They even encourage people to repair their Patagonia products instead of throwing them away and buying new ones. This has caused some people to ridicule their approach and question whether or not they can survive as a business. However, Patagonia has shown them all that being eco-friendly and conscious of the mark your business will leave on the Earth is a winning business model. Patagonia also donates 1% of all their sales to the conservation of the planet and environment as well. If Patagonia has to use animal products in their items, they always make sure that they’re from a responsible, sustainable supplier that is accredited. This means that you can also buy their wool products, knowing no sheep were harmed in its production. Their products are even made from recycled materials too, so whenever you choose Patagonia, you know you’re choosing the best business for the planet.
- Ikea
Most people turn to Ikea for all their furniture needs, and with their innovative designs and easy to build flat-packs, it’s easy to see why. But did you know that Ikea is actually super invested in protecting the environment? Nearly 50% of their wood is sustainably sourced and 100% of their cotton meets the standards of the Better Cotton requirements. They even power their stores with solar electricity and are planning to fund green energy and reforestation with $220 million! They also use LED lights in their stores and eliminated single-use plastic too. Ikea also branched out recently and started selling veggie hot dogs, showing their commitment to the planet even further. By 2030 they’re aiming to have every Ikea product to be made from recycled or renewable plastic too. They’re also hoping to reduce their carbon footprint on each product by a whopping 70% as well, which will make a massive difference to the planet. It just goes to show that Ikea is a lot more than just a furniture retailer!
- Lush
You might already shop at Lush for all your bath and body needs, so you may already be aware of their stance on animal testing. But Lush goes even further than that and aims to take a sustainable approach throughout their whole business. All of their products are vegetarian, and they’re committed to making as many products vegan as they can.They only use natural ingredients that are ethically sourced to really help protect the environment. Lush are also pioneers in their use of sustainable packaging. They’ve completely eliminated it from some products and removed the use of plastic as much as they can. When they do use it, it’s made from recycled plastic so you can feel guilt free when purchasing.Lush has also done away with palm oil which is known for its negative impact on tropical rainforests. Palm oil is very unsustainable and causes animals to lose their natural habitats, so being able to purchase products that are free from it, is brilliant.89% of their packaging is recyclable too, which means they’re leading the way amongst beauty suppliers worldwide. Even their gifts are wrapped in paper or reusable fabric. Lush has also tried to steer away from energy companies that source their power via fracking. This process has devastating consequences for the planet, so keeping clear of it is definitely beneficial. So, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly beauty store, Lush is definitely the way to go!
Being eco-friendly takes a lot of effort and it means you have to be considerate of every aspect of your business. It takes more than simply recycling your cardboard boxes. Being a sustainable, green company requires your whole business model to revolve around protecting the planet and the steps you can take to do so. If you’re ever torn between two competitors, why not check out their stances on sustainability? You’ll easily be able to decide which business to go with when you see who’s more eco-friendly.
Article Credits: Eminetra
Images Credits: Wikipedia