More consumers than ever are becoming conscious of shopping eco-friendly products and services. This means that a number of companies are now choosing to become more environmentally conscious, both as a way to attract new customers and save the planet in the process. Here are some of the industries that are starting to adopt more eco-friendly practices.
The food service industry
A number of bars and restaurants around the UK are now banishing the use of plastic straws, often replacing them with paper alternatives. These changes come following announcements that the UK will soon ban plastic straws altogether. Plastic has a number of harmful effects on the environment such as killing wildlife and polluting our oceans. Companies that take steps to reduce plastic use or get rid of it altogether are making great strides to help save the planet as a whole.
The property industry
Property development companies are taking big steps to make their developments more eco-friendly. UK based property investment company, RW Invest, are an example of a company making use of these trends. Some of their properties use cutting edge modern low carbon technology as a way to help the environment and limit the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. New build properties are also more eco-friendly in general, with better insulation meaning that tenants or homeowners don’t need to use as much energy through central heating or air conditioning. Property companies building new build developments are helping to attract tenants and buyers while cutting energy use and positively impacting the environment in the process.
The beauty industry
A lot of beauty brands recognise the negative impact that some of their products can have on the environment. Many companies, such as Lush, focus on producing quality skincare, cosmetics and toiletries made with natural, environmentally friendly ingredients. The beauty industry as a whole is also adopting a more forward-thinking outlook, with the biggest breakthrough being the banning of microbeads. The Microbead-Free Waters Act was passed in 2015 and called for beauty brands to stop using microbeads as an ingredient in their products. Microbeads are problematic due to the small plastic particles polluting the ocean and contaminating our food. This act means that from 2018 onwards, microbead containing products can no longer be produced, which will massively impact the environment for the better.
The fashion industry
The fashion industry is a perfect example of an industry that gets a bad rep when it comes to the environment. While the fashion industry still has a long way to go to become entirely eco-friendly, a lot of companies are definitely going green. Brands like fast fashion chain H&M are adopting eco-friendly practices, such as using sustainable materials like recycled cotton and polyester. H&M even has an ultimate aim to be using only 100 per cent organic cotton by 2020. Other more high-end brands like Stella McCartney also use cruelty-free, ethically sourced and recycled materials to produce their clothing. With more and more brands headed towards a more eco-friendly future, things are looking promising for the future of the fashion industry and its reputation.
