As we all become increasingly aware of the negative impact of waste on our planet, many people are actively adjusting their shopping habits. A report from Quantexa found that 76% of consumers no longer buy from businesses that neglect the well-being of the environment, the community, or their employees, and a huge 88% said they’re more loyal to brands that advocate for sustainability.
Retail businesses are responding to this demand for eco-conscious practices by adjusting their business strategies and product offerings to reduce their waste. Let’s explore how.
Digital Receipts
An estimated 10 million trees are cut down every year solely to supply the world with paper receipts. However, most receipts end up in the bin almost immediately, and due to the ink used to print them, they’re not always recyclable. This is why many retailers are moving towards electronic receipts by asking customers for their email addresses or telephone numbers when checking out.
Membership cards and apps are also becoming more common because they make it easy for electronic receipts to be sent to the customer automatically. Many online retailers can also handle returns and exchanges via email or through their websites, often using QR codes, making paper returns slips unnecessary.
Streamlined, sustainable packaging
Plastic packaging accounts for almost 70% of all plastic waste in the UK. The majority of plastic packaging is immediately discarded after the product has been removed from it, so there’s a dire need to both cut down on unnecessary packaging and make packaging multifunctional so that it has a longer lifespan.
Responsible retailers are choosing to stock minimally-packaged products to cut down on waste. Some food retailers now provide refillable packaging that can be used time and time again for loose fresh produce, while retailers of all goods are moving towards packaging made from renewable and biodegradable materials such as paper, cardboard, bamboo, and bioplastics. Because these materials come from natural, renewable sources, they break down in landfills and have a less detrimental impact on the environment than the likes of plastic, glass, and aluminium.
Discounting and donating unsold and damaged stock
It was once commonplace for retailers to simply dispose of damaged stock or unsold goods. But now, businesses are making more effort to ensure excess or damaged stock goes to good use. Food retailers often have shelves dedicated to discounted products that are due to expire, or donate to local food banks for disadvantaged individuals.
When it comes to clothes, toys, homewares, and other non-food products, retailers can donate excess and lightly damaged stock to local charities
Shop with responsible retailers to protect the planet
As more retailers make an effort to cut down on their waste production, consumers have more choice to shop with the brands that share their concern for the planet. By spending with sustainable retailers, we can all help to support businesses that take their environmental impact seriously.
