I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas
No, I’m not talking about weather. I’m talking about making our habits more environmentally friendly. Following is a News Canada release about this.
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Providing eco-sensitive products and manufacturing is a noticeable upward trend among Canadian online retailers this season. An increasing number of cosmetic companies are choosing all-natural, organic products with little or no packaging. Most are now using biodegradable packaging and eco-friendly shipping methods. Some will even “carbon offset” your order as an added incentive to buy online. Where foam “noodles” were once used to cushion breakables like jewelry or electronics, corn starch or sugar cane can be formed into similar material and will dissolve when soaked with water. A popular trend among clothing retailers is organic fibres like bamboo, hemp, soy or cotton and water-based silk-screening rather than the use of harsh chemicals.
There is good revenue basis for retailers to become eco-friendly. According to a recent survey by Environics Research Group, “75 per cent of Canadians surveyed were likely to change their shopping habits to purchase more environmentally friendly goods and services.” Retail and manufacturing companies are not the only ones affected by this change in consumer habits. Many Canadians are shirking energy-sucking retail stores altogether in favour of shopping online.
Derek Szeto has noticed the green shopping trend. As president of the successful web communication firm Clear Sky Media, he is an expert in online consumer behaviour. His online bargain-hunting community, RedFlagDeals.com, has recently added a “green” section, where online shoppers can compare prices and find deals on eco-friendly products and services.
“There are many Canadians who would prefer to buy eco-friendly products, but find them too expensive,” Szeto explains, “Websites like http://RedFlagDeals.com help consumers save money on the products they want to buy.”
Szeto points to his online community as the model for consumer behaviour. As long as people are finding a good deal, he says, they will be likely to make good choices for the environment.
Credit: www.newscanada.com