How Brands Can Leverage Environmental Impact Today, To Drive Revenue Tomorrow - Part 1
The first in our educational content for S.C.A.L.E. First up, learning about the problems our planet faces and why you should care - hint, it's because your customers do!
Later this week, we’ll showcase businesses benefitting big from going green, explain exactly what you can do to start driving revenue with impact, and demonstrate just how easy it is to begin.
Embracing Plastic Free July: A Sustainable Path to Revenue Growth
Plastic Free July is a movement encouraging millions of people around the world to reduce their plastic waste.
The planet is grappling with a plastic crisis.
Over 400 million tons of the material are produced annually, half of which is designed for single use.
Five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year and estimates place the tons of plastic ending up in our oceans in the millions, wreaking havoc on marine life and ecosystems.
With growing concerns over climate change and the health of our planet, this environmental catastrophe has made sustainability a critical issue for consumers and brands alike.
Adopting eco-friendly measures like ocean plastic cleanup contributions can place your brand on the right side of history, enhance consumer satisfaction, set you apart from your competitors, and drive revenue now and into Q4.
Let’s dive deeper into why you should consider a change:
Your Customers Care
Today's consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever. According to a Nielsen report, 73% of global consumers say they would definitely or probably change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact.
A study by Unilever revealed that a third of consumers choose to buy from brands they believe are doing social or environmental good.
This shift in behavior underscores the importance of sustainable practices for brands looking to attract and retain customers.
Now, more than ever, consumers are looking to the brands they purchase from to make steps towards a greener planet. And crucially, they are happy to support them via spending.
Sustainable Values Increase Customer Trust and Conversions
Aligning with eco-friendly initiatives can significantly boost your online and in-person conversion rates.
A recent report by Deloitte concluded that a third (34%) of consumers stated that their trust in brands would be improved if they were recognised as an ethical or sustainable provider by an independent third party.
Moreover, a similar proportion (32%) claimed that their trust in brands would be improved if they had a transparent, accountable, and socially and environmentally responsible supply chain.
Brands like Patagonia and Lush have seen tremendous success by aligning their business models with environmental causes. A commitment to sustainability has earned each company an extremely loyal customer base, contributing to billion-dollar revenues.
In a world where consumers have more choice than ever before, a commitment to the environment can ensure that you stand out from the crowd.
Opening Doors to Big Retail
Embracing sustainability can also open doors to partnerships with major chains.
Retail giants like Sprouts and Whole Foods value brands with a positive environmental impact (it’s even written into their partner codes of conduct!). They often require detailed information on what brands are doing (or not doing) to support the environment before agreeing to carry their products.
By demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability, your brand can secure placements in these coveted retail spaces, expanding your market reach and driving revenue growth.
We’ll have more information on the Ecodrive clients doing just this in Part 2 of this series!
In short, aligning yourself with eco-friendly projects and values is great for both the planet and your business.
Not only do customers expect you to practice sustainability, they actively reward it.
Stay tuned for Wednesday’s blog and newsletter outlining how powerful leveraging sustainability, as well as a deep-dive on the companies making waves by going green.
----
This feature was published as part of Ecodrive's Summer Series collaboration with S.C.A.L.E
Signup for free to receive more educational content like this from Ecodrive and our partners at Kickfurther, RangeMe, Hawke Media, and Shipbob here.