As sustainability and eco-friendliness trend upward, natural product companies and retailers are prioritizing products and packaging that are kind to the planet.
As consumers turn toward favoring more eco-friendly and sustainable products and packaging, companies and retailers in the natural products industry have been responding. According to Allied Market Research, “the global green technology and sustainability market size was valued at $10.32 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $74.64 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 21.9 [percent] from 2021 to 2030.” Likewise, Grand View Research has reported that “The global green packaging market size was valued at $274.15 billion (U.S.) in 2020 and is expected to grow at a … CAGR of 6.1 [percent] from 2020 to 2028.” The growth is attributed to “growing consumer awareness regarding sustainable packaging, together with the strict bans regarding the usage of single-use plastics.”
With the issues of climate change, harm to oceans and wildlife, and pollution plaguing our only home, consumers want to make a difference more than ever before. Savvy and educated consumers are aware of the impact their purchasing choices make on the planet and seeking out sustainable and eco-friendly solutions are one way to ensure that their individual footprint is reduced.
Tulsi at the Market located in Huntington, WV, carries a variety of eco-friendly products, from supplements to health and beauty, according to its owner, Travis Lemon. Having served the public for four years so far, “We have always been focused on increasing our reliance on eco-friendly and sustainably minded products. Better packaging and better ingredients is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Lemon. “A large portion of our HBA products is eco-friendly and we are always seeking out supplement brands that are using better packaging options and sustainably sourced ingredients.”
Eco-friendly Companies and Their Missions
There are several companies that are closely following the eco-friendly/sustainable product and packaging trends, including Nolé Care LLC. The company has been making plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars since March 2022. “In addition to giving users the peace of mind that their hair cleaning products are not polluting the oceans, Nolé hair care also leaves them with shinier, softer, stronger hair,” said Alida Boer, CEO. The biggest reason why their products are so appealing, she added, is due to the fact that “Being kind to the environment feels good and polluting feels bad.”
Another company supporting the trend is LastObject, located in Copenhagen, Denmark. In business since 2018, the company offers a range of sustainable products both online and in retail globally, including reusable swabs, makeup remover pads and tissues. “A key benefit [of eco-friendly products and packaging] is dramatically reducing the amount of waste we produce and the impact it has on the environment,” said Isabel Aagaard, co-founder, LastObject. “For example, many disposable swabs are flushed down the toilet and end up in the ocean where they are ingested by marine animals. A single LastSwab replaces up to 1,000 single-use swabs, so by making the switch we can do our bit to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans.”
Aagaard continued, “Choosing reusable products also reduces the amount of energy, water and raw materials needed for manufacturing. And finally, because fewer reusable items need to be shipped, the CO2 emissions and other pollution caused by transportation are much lower. It’s easy to focus only on disposal when considering the environmental impact of a product, but we should take into account the entire life cycle of a product to determine what the most sustainable choice is.”
The Market for Sustainability
“People are experiencing climate change in their backyard, literally. So, they’re gaining consciousness of how critical it is to protect the environment,” said Boer. “The market for zero-waste packaging is growing since the consumer is more conscious about the planet and what plastic packaging has caused to the environment. Major players from food to beauty have been shifting to more sustainable packaging because the consumer is asking for it.” Aagaard concurred, adding that “The U.S. market continues to be the biggest for us. We continue to see an increased level of interest in products that focus on the environment with all of the channels we work with, from beauty to natural grocers.” Despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is on an upward growth trajectory, and has “exciting new partnerships” on the horizon, Aagaard said.
Lemon noted he has seen the growing trend firsthand in his own store as well. “Since we opened, there has been more focus by brands on not only eco-friendly packaging, but also more sustainable sourcing of ingredients. Especially in the health and beauty category, but many brands in the supplement category seem to be heading in that direction.” As far as the consumer group most interested in eco-friendly products and packaging, Lemon said “the main appeal is to the younger generations for obvious reasons. Everyone needs to focus on earth friendly products, but younger folks are going to have to make this a big priority if they want a livable planet, not only for themselves, but also for their children.” He also noted, “It is great to have that talk with an older customer and let them know that this is another reason to support stores like us and the brands we carry.”
Overall, consumers are keeping eco-friendliness and sustainability top of mind, and this trend is far from slowing down. In order to meet this demand, companies like Nolé and LastObject are stepping up and prioritizing these efforts. “Many of our products are very proud of their eco-friendly ingredients and packaging, so we can just point [customers] to the products or show them on the product where their sustainability efforts are located,” Lemond said. “I think customers really appreciate clear labeling on these issues, I know I do.” VR
As sustainability and eco-friendliness trend upward, natural product companies and retailers are prioritizing products and packaging that are kind to the planet.
As consumers turn toward favoring more eco-friendly and sustainable products and packaging, companies and retailers in the natural products industry have been responding. According to Allied Market Research, “the global green technology and sustainability market size was valued at $10.32 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $74.64 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 21.9 [percent] from 2021 to 2030.” Likewise, Grand View Research has reported that “The global green packaging market size was valued at $274.15 billion (U.S.) in 2020 and is expected to grow at a … CAGR of 6.1 [percent] from 2020 to 2028.” The growth is attributed to “growing consumer awareness regarding sustainable packaging, together with the strict bans regarding the usage of single-use plastics.”
With the issues of climate change, harm to oceans and wildlife, and pollution plaguing our only home, consumers want to make a difference more than ever before. Savvy and educated consumers are aware of the impact their purchasing choices make on the planet and seeking out sustainable and eco-friendly solutions are one way to ensure that their individual footprint is reduced.
Tulsi at the Market located in Huntington, WV, carries a variety of eco-friendly products, from supplements to health and beauty, according to its owner, Travis Lemon. Having served the public for four years so far, “We have always been focused on increasing our reliance on eco-friendly and sustainably minded products. Better packaging and better ingredients is a win-win for everyone involved,” said Lemon. “A large portion of our HBA products is eco-friendly and we are always seeking out supplement brands that are using better packaging options and sustainably sourced ingredients.”
Eco-friendly Companies and Their Missions
There are several companies that are closely following the eco-friendly/sustainable product and packaging trends, including Nolé Care LLC. The company has been making plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars since March 2022. “In addition to giving users the peace of mind that their hair cleaning products are not polluting the oceans, Nolé hair care also leaves them with shinier, softer, stronger hair,” said Alida Boer, CEO. The biggest reason why their products are so appealing, she added, is due to the fact that “Being kind to the environment feels good and polluting feels bad.”
Another company supporting the trend is LastObject, located in Copenhagen, Denmark. In business since 2018, the company offers a range of sustainable products both online and in retail globally, including reusable swabs, makeup remover pads and tissues. “A key benefit [of eco-friendly products and packaging] is dramatically reducing the amount of waste we produce and the impact it has on the environment,” said Isabel Aagaard, co-founder, LastObject. “For example, many disposable swabs are flushed down the toilet and end up in the ocean where they are ingested by marine animals. A single LastSwab replaces up to 1,000 single-use swabs, so by making the switch we can do our bit to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans.”
Aagaard continued, “Choosing reusable products also reduces the amount of energy, water and raw materials needed for manufacturing. And finally, because fewer reusable items need to be shipped, the CO2 emissions and other pollution caused by transportation are much lower. It’s easy to focus only on disposal when considering the environmental impact of a product, but we should take into account the entire life cycle of a product to determine what the most sustainable choice is.”
The Market for Sustainability
“People are experiencing climate change in their backyard, literally. So, they’re gaining consciousness of how critical it is to protect the environment,” said Boer. “The market for zero-waste packaging is growing since the consumer is more conscious about the planet and what plastic packaging has caused to the environment. Major players from food to beauty have been shifting to more sustainable packaging because the consumer is asking for it.” Aagaard concurred, adding that “The U.S. market continues to be the biggest for us. We continue to see an increased level of interest in products that focus on the environment with all of the channels we work with, from beauty to natural grocers.” Despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company is on an upward growth trajectory, and has “exciting new partnerships” on the horizon, Aagaard said.
Lemon noted he has seen the growing trend firsthand in his own store as well. “Since we opened, there has been more focus by brands on not only eco-friendly packaging, but also more sustainable sourcing of ingredients. Especially in the health and beauty category, but many brands in the supplement category seem to be heading in that direction.” As far as the consumer group most interested in eco-friendly products and packaging, Lemon said “the main appeal is to the younger generations for obvious reasons. Everyone needs to focus on earth friendly products, but younger folks are going to have to make this a big priority if they want a livable planet, not only for themselves, but also for their children.” He also noted, “It is great to have that talk with an older customer and let them know that this is another reason to support stores like us and the brands we carry.”
Overall, consumers are keeping eco-friendliness and sustainability top of mind, and this trend is far from slowing down. In order to meet this demand, companies like Nolé and LastObject are stepping up and prioritizing these efforts. “Many of our products are very proud of their eco-friendly ingredients and packaging, so we can just point [customers] to the products or show them on the product where their sustainability efforts are located,” Lemond said. “I think customers really appreciate clear labeling on these issues, I know I do.” VR
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