From Trend to Necessity: Understanding the Shift Towards Green Consumerism

Consumer habits are evolving, with greener practices becoming a top priority. Research indicates that 66% of consumers consider themselves environmentally conscious, and 58% actively participate in reducing packaging waste.

Packaging that Resonates

Packaging is often the first physical interaction a consumer has with a product. High-quality stand-out packaging with your brand’s name at the forefront can differentiate your brand in a crowded market and give a lasting positive impression. Packaging becomes a silent brand ambassador, influencing purchasing decisions and developing brand loyalty. Investing in thoughtful and appealing packaging is a strategic decision to enhance consumer experience and differentiate your brand.

It’s simple: happy consumers equal good business. Listening to your consumers’ wants and needs, which are shifting toward more responsible practices, is crucial. In fact, 79% of consumers seek products with responsible packaging, such as recyclable materials, products made from recycled content, or those with a low carbon footprint. By offering the materials they desire, you demonstrate that you are attentive to their needs.

From initial concept to execution, WSCS Global’s experts specialise in developing innovative products that distinguish your brand and leave a lasting impression on consumers. By leveraging our expertise and global network, we ensure our offerings stand out and deliver top-class products.

Who’s Embracing Responsible Packaging?

Gen Z and Millennials most favour responsible packaging. With ongoing discussions about climate change, Gen Z is particularly aware of human impact on the environment and wants to prepare for their future. This generation is willing to spend money in alignment with their values, making environmental consciousness a top priority when shopping. However, businesses should also pay attention to consumers beyond Gen Z. A significant 73% of UK consumers indicate that paper or cardboard packaging plays a crucial role in evaluating a brand’s eco-friendly practices. Additionally, 66% of consumers highlight the importance of recyclable packaging, reflecting a broad interest in environmentally friendly packaging across various age groups.

Numerous businesses promote their eco-friendly practices, and consumers can become desensitised to the message. Therefore, it’s crucial to go beyond just talking about it—Gen Z wants to witness real action. They prioritize authenticity over hype and believe businesses should take genuine responsibility for environmental issues, beginning with their packaging.

Sustainable packaging isn’t limited to one industry sector. Google searches suggest consumers are interested in responsible food, clothing, liquids, cosmetics, and food product packaging. You may think your consumers don’t care about greener packaging because you’re in a certain industry, but you could be mistaken.

Here are what some of the top brands are doing to incorporate greener practices:

• Calvin Klein: 74% of their packaging is already recyclable, part of a larger goal to become a zero-waste business by 2030.
• Boxed Water: Their packaging is 100% recycled, recyclable, and doesn’t contribute to plastic waste.
• Dove: They are part of the movement towards refillable bottles and are committed to making all plastic packaging either 100% recyclable or made from 100% recycled plastic.
• Aldi: They have removed all plastic shopping bags from their US stores, preventing approximately 4,400 tons of plastic from entering circulation each year.

Credible Packaging Solutions

Being accused of greenwashing can severely damage your brand’s reputation and undermine the trust between your brand and consumers. Often, greenwashing happens unintentionally due to insufficient research and a lack of understanding about the requirements for making environmental claims.

When you partner with WSCS Global, all products are traceable back to their source. This transparency is crucial because today’s consumers, especially Gen Z, prioritise accountability for environmental impact. The Gen Z consumer is savvy in distinguishing between genuine care and greenwashing. This means that actions speak louder than words for businesses. Therefore, demonstrating concrete actions, such as tracing all products to compliance-approved suppliers, is essential for authenticity in business.

Taking the next step

It’s important to always listen to your consumers’ needs, and adhering to their environmental choices helps maintain transparency and protect your brand reputation. Confidence in your suppliers to provide responsibly made products is essential for your brand’s credibility and for building trust with your consumers and suppliers. At WSCS Global, we ensure the traceability of every product and deliver a world-class service, giving you peace of mind throughout the supply chain journey.

Speak to us about your goals and how we can support your business throughout the supply chain process.