Earth Day has come and gone, but it should be a concept we (as consumers) keep in mind for the other 364 days of the year. We live on the planet year-round, so it’s in our best interest to keep it from being one giant trash heap, right?
The Consumerism Commonality
I am the ultimate consumer. In the humble words of Ariana Grande, “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it.” That’s me. But the more things I purchase, the more I’m aware of the one thing they all have in common: Packaging.
Almost everything has a package and, most of the time, it’s a single-use piece of material that’s only purpose is to house the thing inside during shipping/transport, that is then ripped open and tossed out. According to an article from Earth911, “Although a product’s packaging provides only fleeting value, 82 million tons of containers and packaging materials were discarded as waste in the US in 2018.” An Orca whale weighs an average of 85 tons…so we’ve discarded the trash equivalent of around one million Orcas. Not good.
Recycling More
Plenty of people recycle the packaging they can—sometimes without thought, like a knee-jerk reaction. You see that if it’s plastic or cardboard, it’s instantly sorted into the recycling bin. That’s a great habit!
But my recent purchases have me noticing something different lately. They’re yelling at me about recycling. Not literally, but the giant, printed information on a package I received from chnge.com made me aware that not only was the packaging sustainable, but the entire brand is also. Their website states, “Our production partners share our vision for sustainability, workers’ rights, and transparency.” While I won’t show you the shirt I bought (it has some choice wording on women not owing anyone anything), I instantly knew I’d buy from them again.
| Chnge packaging and garment tag |
Another brand that absolutely shocked me? SKIMS. Yes, Kim Kardashian’s clothing company. The packaging is simple cardboard on the outside with “SKIMS” embossed into the inside flap and the bag that the item comes in loudly states that it is not plastic, but is biodegradable. The website’s FAQ page states that, “At SKIMS, we are committed to the highest ethical standards and legal compliance in all aspects of our business and product supply chain. We only work with suppliers and vendors who we believe in and share our commitment to sustainability, accountability, and transparency.” And while I don’t necessarily agree with the price point on some or her items (even though they are good), I very much applaud Kim for this specific detail.
| SKIMS bag |
What This Means
For me, I find a sense of trust in companies that take the initiative to let me know their practices are making strides for the betterment of the planet. I feel a weight lifted that, even though I purchased something and am recycling responsibly, the company is also doing something on their end to make an even bigger impact.
And as someone who shops constantly, I am more likely to repurchase from companies who are transparent and impactful in their goals. I’m 32, so my millennial self is not exactly as forthright about things as Gen Z is, but brands having an impact on the things in life I value and find importance in is something we can agree on. Brand loyalty is a huge factor nowadays—or lack thereof, with the younger generations. Aligning with core personal values is what drives loyalty, these days.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
Not everyone can shop sustainably with every purchase (at least not yet). But when brands make it loud and clear that they’re aligning themselves with good causes and efforts, they have a greater chance of gaining those consumers who want to help make a difference.
I found brands like CHNGE and I didn’t just recycle the packaging habitually as per usual; I was made aware of an effort aligned with a value I have. And from that, they gained a repeated customer—at least in the sense that I will check with their site for items first because I’m happy with their efforts.
If I have to shop (and I promise you, I must), I’d rather have less of an environmental footprint by doing so. Brands that offer that piece of mind are more likely to have my attention—and I’d be willing to be a few Gen Zs as well.
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