Paying more for high-quality sustainable goods is nothing new – but understanding why these products are more expensive is key to making smarter shopping choices that don’t cost the earth.
As well as paying for higher quality ingredients, you are also paying for the assurance that eco-friendly goods are ethical and sustainable, all the way from manufacture to reuse of packaging. And while the research and innovation can mean a higher price, it’s essential to keep buying eco-friendly goods, as this is what will ultimately drive down the cost as demand increases. Many sustainable brands also partner with and donate to environmental charities and campaigns, to help spread awareness and get more people involved with the eco-conscious lifestyle.
We take a closer look at why buying eco-friendly goods makes perfect sense for you, your home and the planet.
Sustainable products are made with higher quality, safer ingredients
The ingredients used in eco-friendly products are carefully chosen to avoid harm to the environment and human health. Ingredients are thoroughly researched and ethically tested, giving us the knowledge that the product is safe and effective for use on our bodies and around our homes.
Many of the toxic ingredients used in major, cheaper, non-sustainable beauty brands are reported to have adverse effects on our health. However, choosing products that include organic and toxin-free ingredients minimises the risks. Organic ingredients require time and effort to grow, and use healthy soil, minimal pesticides and no artificial fertilisers to create a final product that is better for us and is less likely to aggravate existing conditions such as asthma or eczema.
Looking out for accredited ecolabels, such as Soil Association Organic Standard or the Leaping Bunny (as found on Neal’s Yard and Bramley products), is a trusted way of knowing you are paying fairly for effective high-quality ingredients that are safe for you and the planet.
Sustainable products have innovative, recyclable or reusable packaging
Cheap non-sustainable packaging contributes to a shocking 8 million tonnes of plastic polluting our oceans every year. And while the initial price of a sustainable product might be more expensive than its non-eco equivalent, the packaging often pays for itself several times over when you reuse the container to refill the product.
Eco-friendly brands such as Certified B Corp company Beauty Kitchen uses packaging that is pre-cycled, recycled or recyclable, and also has a ‘Return-Refill-Repeat’ scheme, similar to Bower Collective, which ensures your used packaging is taken care of. Other brands who make regular-use items include Wild, whose aluminium case is a one-off purchase that can be replenished with deodorant refills that are affordable and minimally packaged.
While the cost and effort of recycling materials can be something that drives the price of goods up, as demand for eco-friendly packaging continues, the resources needed for proper recycling will increase, making it easier – and cheaper – for companies to package their goods more sustainably.
Ultimately, though, reducing and reusing packaging is the most effective way to make an impact – and paying once for a high-quality dispenser that is ready to fill (and refill and refill!) is not only a win for the planet, but can be a more cost-effective way to shop too.
Sustainable products are more ethical and carbon neutral
At Bower, all our suppliers meet the Ethical Trade Initiative base code, which guarantees fair pay, safe working conditions and reasonable working hours. This means the money you spend on the final product ensures the workers who created it can live and work in dignity, while relying on a stable income.
When key ingredients used in sustainable goods are sourced abroad, brands such as The Seep Company, Georganics, EarthKind endeavour to make sure their products are ethical from the very beginning. Look out for labels such as Fairtrade and GOTS that show the product is up to ethical standards.
While many ingredients can only be sourced abroad, choosing products that are manufactured and delivered closer to home is a better way to shop for minimal impact on the planet. At Bower Collective we constantly monitor our carbon impact and, where possible, use a carbon neutral delivery network.