Sustainable Retail & the Zero Waste Revolution [INFOGRAPHIC]

Alison Choe
Alison Choe

As today’s consumers are more aware of the impact of their purchasing decisions, they seek to support eco-friendly businesses, including those who strive to be zero waste. As such, retailers have a large opportunity to attract shoppers through transparent sustainable practices.

Sustainable business practices have changed from simply being a brand differentiator to becoming a necessity for retailers. Consumers are increasingly curious and proactive in understanding the origins and impact of their purchases, and seek transparency from retailers. In a report by Accenture Strategy in 2018, 62 percent of consumers wanted companies to take a stand on issues like sustainability and transparency.

A big part of sustainability in retail is reducing waste. More businesses are moving towards becoming zero waste. We see this movement take place in the grocery industry, with the rise of bulk food stores, in which shoppers bring their own containers to reduce the use of single-use plastics. In the apparel fashion industry, we see brands such as Reformation, build their businesses with eco-friendly principles at its core.

Reformation’s packaging is made from 100% recycled materials and is compostable.

Retailers are increasingly seeing that consumers will pay a premium to support brands and businesses they believe in. In fact, 56 percent  of consumers are willing to pay more to use “green” products, according to a study by GfK which surveyed 25,000 consumers.

To learn more about the benefits of and steps to turning your business into a sustainable and zero waste organization, check out the infographic below from CSG, “The Zero Waste Retail Revolution.”

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