Over the last few years, eco-friendly products have become more popular as more people want to do their part in going green, but some products can be a bit pricey. So why are these products so expensive?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you recycle? Do you buy local produce? Do you unplug appliances when they are not in use? You probably do all of these things because you care about the environment and want to preserve it for future generations. That is why more and more people are turning to eco-friendly products – they can help protect the environment by reducing carbon emissions, waste and pollution. Below we outline why some products are expensive with some ideas on where you can find affordable products to suit your budget:
Natural ingredients
1) Eco-friendly products are made with (pricey) natural ingredients
Eco-friendly products use natural ingredients which need time to grow. They are often cultivated using regenerative agriculture practices. These products differ from traditional products because instead of using harsh chemicals, eco-product companies rely on natural ingredients like essential oils and waxes which take time to produce.
For example, a hand soap made with environmentally friendly ingredients like organic coconut oil, organic aloe vera, essential oils and oatmeal will have a different cost to produce than hand soap made with chemicals.
Smaller quantities
2) Products are made in small batches
Natural eco-products are usually made with finite traditional products in limited quantities. These eco-companies might not have the massive factories that big eco-companies have, so eco-products can take longer to make. This means higher costs for eco-friendly products because it takes more time and money to make eco-products
More testing
3) Companies put eco-products through more tests
Businesses take eco-friendly products through multiple tests to make sure products still meet biological and economic standards. For example, silicone mats used for baking would have been tested to ensure that products are suitable to be used around food. Creating and testing new materials can get expensive and costs even more if it needs to meet sustainability standards – tests can cost thousands or even millions of dollars.
Looking after the environment
4) Eco-friendly businesses spend the extra money on the environment
Many businesses use closed-loop processes to minimise the damage to environment and local communities. For example, at the colours of nature they produce dyes using sustainable processes. Even wastewater is recycled so no pollutants enters the local community drinking water.
These businesses also tend to use their resources in other ways than just for profit. Sustainable businesses often give back to local communities they work with by supporting fair employment and edcuational support for future generations.
Higher demand for products
5) There is a growing demand for eco-friendly products
Now that eco-friendly sustainable products are popular, many companies are keen to meet the demand for eco-friendly products. However, many large companies are guilty of green-washing by labelling products as environmentally friendly when they are not. Whilst there are standards for labelling food, clothes, toys and so on, there is not one unified labelling system for green products. Unfortunately, that means that whilst some products are eco-friendly and sustainable, most green products will not be.
As a consumer, you have the difficult task of working out which products are actually eco-friendly and which ones are greenwashed.
Sustainable practices
6) More effort on sustainable practices to make eco-products
Genuine eco-products are made using sustainable practices that minimise the impact on the environment. For example, some products are biodegradable and are packaged in eco-friendly packaging so follow circular economy principles.
Disadvantages of ecofriendly products
Sustainable products are typically more expensive than their non-eco friendly counterparts
One of the biggest disadvantages is that products are more costly to manufacture. It is not just the ingredients but it is also the eco friendly packaging that might have recycled materials, recyclable containers, or biodegradable materials. The eco-friendly industry spends a lot of money on research to find eco-friendly alternatives for usable eco friendly ingredients and eco friendly materials.
Products are more expensive than their counterparts because it takes much longer to produce them. The products have to be tested and then approved. This process can take many months. Some eco-friendly products go through several eco tests to prove that they are eco friendly enough before they can be sold.
How do eco-friendly products help the environment?
Products tend to help the world and its people more than environmentally damaging products. Eco-friendly products minimise damage to nature by ensuring that sources are sustainable.
The product producers also tend to pay workers a fair wage for their work as well as invest in traceable systems so you know where items were sourced. The fact that ingredients are trackable is an advantage over ordinary products – it means that you can buy eco friendly products with a guilt-free conscience.
This includes eco-friendly clothing which is often made from sustainable materials such as bamboo or organic cotton. Whatever you buy, you know the intention is to minimise damage to the earth.
Why are eco-friendly products important?
Eco-friendly products are important because they can reduce our impact on the environment and reduce our carbon footprint. Buying a product labelled eco-friendly helps us take positive action towards helping the environment.
Where do I find affordable eco-products?
We all know that we need to go green and buying expensive eco-friendly products is not necessarily the way the do it. There are other ways of being eco-friendly. For example, instead of buying new products, you can prolong the life of products by buying refurbished or pre-loved items.
Also, think about lifestyle changes like eating more veggies and less meat or buying a capsule wardrobe instead of fast fashion items.
If you have eco friendly ideas to share (that don’t cost the earth), why not leave a comment below!
