Sustainability is a word we see everywhere, and real changes towards a greener future are already underway. If you are passionate about living sustainably and reducing your carbon footprint, you will want to support businesses that hold the same values. From small eco-centric businesses to large companies doing their bit for the environment, we look at five sustainable companies who are doing things the right way.
No matter how large or small your purchase is, being mindful of how you shop is one of the most powerful ways you can affect change. As more of us choose sustainable companies, other companies will seek to also win our sustainable custom.
IKEA
Sustainability has been an important part of IKEA’s business for years, and the Swedish furniture company incorporates sustainability into many of its products. Starting with the materials it uses, IKEA sources almost 50% of its wood from sustainable forests and 100% of the cotton it uses comes from farms which met the Better Cotton Standards.
It creates products that encourage eco-friendly living, too, such as LED light bulbs, bins made from plastic bottles and solar-powered lanterns. It aims to be powered 100% by renewable energy by 2020 and it has more than 700,000 solar panels powering its own stores.
It’s circular and climate positive policy sets out to transform IKEA into a climate positive business by 2030, regenerating resources, reducing waste and sourcing sustainable food for its in-store restaurants.
H&M
Fast fashion is one of the biggest threats to our environment and this issue been rising on the agenda of both governments and companies. H&M is one of the most well-known fashion brands that has been working on sustainability. It has pledged to be climate positive by 2040, to use 100% recycled or sustainable materials by 2030 and it is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative.
One of the most obvious steps taken by H&M is it’s in-store recycling program, encouraging customers to not only shop in a more sustainable way, but also to recycle unwanted clothes. It’s conscious collection also offers customers more sustainable and eco-friendly products.
Currys
Another major retailer encouraging and facilitating recycling is Currys, who have set up a comprehensive guide to recycling electronics and promote recycling old technology across their stores. Currys are committed to recycling, collecting, reusing and recycling around 65,000 tonnes of electrical appliances every year.
With new technology and constant upgrades hitting the market, it is essential that we get rid of our old gadgets and appliances responsibly. Currys will collect and recycle old appliances when you order a new one, and it also offers recycling for smaller items in-store.
Recycling appliances not only reduces the harmful waste going into landfill, it also provides valuable reusable materials which can be found in old technology.
Bulb
Sustainability affects everything we purchase, and this includes the gas and electricity we use in our homes. Eco-friendly energy company Bulb is a sustainable and planet-friendly alternative to the larger carbon-based energy companies.
They have pledged to save 6.6 million tonnes of CO2 by 2020, providing homes with 100% renewable energy and 100% carbon neutral gas. Sustainable power is essential to this green business and it sources its energy from independent generators of solar, wind and hydropower. As we become more aware of the dire consequences our carbon dioxide emissions are having on the environment, finding a sustainable alternative to carbon is key.
With each home that switches saving 3.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide, renewable and sustainable energy has become cheaper and easier than ever before.
Ethical Superstore
Providing eco-friendly and ethical alternatives to a huge variety of products, Ethical Superstore is like the eco-friendly Amazon. From eco-friendly washing powder, fair trade chocolate, plastic-free bathroom products, and vegan milk substitutes – it provides access to some amazing eco-friendly and sustainable brands.
With fair trade principles at the centre of its business, it sources products that meet its strict ethical guidelines and supports a range of charities too. Its vision is to provide ethical alternatives to the products we use every day, giving you more choice and better quality products.
Whether you are looking for eco-friendly baby products or organic coffee, Ethical Superstore has a whole host of unusual and sustainable products.
You must log in to post a comment.