If you have read any of my previous blog posts then you know that I am motivated by what we as individuals can do to support climate health and fight climate change.
There are so many different types of organizations working on climate solutions, but I really do think that – we the people – hold the most power for making things happen. It is not just how we vote, or where we show up, it is also what we buy. If we stop buying things, we make our environmental concerns known that way, and I am certain that they will be heard.
Today, most big companies publicize their sustainability efforts in an annual report. Some because they are required to by regulation, others because they want the public to know what they are doing that is beneficial. So far, as consumers, I am not sure that we are aware of or examine these reports, to direct our purchasing choices based on a company’s climate action or inaction.
Brand loyalty
I do not think our brand loyalty as a total consumer group is yet tied to a company’s environmental impact. I have thus far been fiercely loyal to my favorite brands. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I did a deep dive into ingredients, chose my products, and honestly have not made a whole lot of changes since. Even when we lived overseas, I made sure that I had a supply of my vetted favorites versus switching brands.
As a previous business owner and, of course, a consumer, I am also aware that brand loyalty only runs so deep. It has a limit, which can sometimes come as a painful reminder to companies, that details do matter. And, I have reached my limit with a few of my favorites during this past year. Just this week at my favorite grocery store I was told that they would no longer offer a $0.05 per bag credit when customers bring their own bags. So, over roughly $0.15 each week, I am now considering other stores. Ridiculous, right?!
$, incentives & bottom lines
The company’s reason for the switch is that other grocery stores in the area sell bags at the register for $0.10, and so the company decision makers feel like the “bonus” is built in. “I am going to take your credit away, but I will not charge you $0.10,” does not apply to me, because I bring my own bags. I am environmentally conscious. The real winners here are the customers who do not bring their own bags and continue to do harm to the environment by using single-use bags each time. So, is my favorite grocery store trying to attract them? For me, this seems like a step backwards. It is not just messaging! It has a relation to the company’s bottom-line, but how much can they possibly save by not offering their environmentally conscious consumers a $0.05 discount per bag?
Will fewer people remember to bring their bags without the extra incentive? I am not sure. And I know that I have to be realistic – this company does so much more for the environment than others in its market. But that does not mean that I should take this lightly. And that is my big point for this blog post today – we should not take what is happening in the world lightly and we should make ourselves be heard. Maybe I am not capable of changing politics or inspiring political will, but I can put pressure on businesses that I shop with, and I do not have to accept compromise as the only solution.
Sustainability Compromises
As a consumer, I previously was not aware of the steps that my favorite brands were or were not taking. That is on me! I am definitely going to pay better attention, but I am also going to call them out on things they do that I do not like. I have spent the last few weeks reading sustainability reports, and on the one hand I have been pleasantly surprised, on the other hand upset and angered by the things still not done. Right now, the companies are setting the standard. Where the bar lies has been and continues to be set by them, but we as consumers can control this and raise the bar with our purchase choices.
Reading about a company that withdraws fresh water, puts it into plastic bottles, and then sells it locally where that water also comes out of everyone’s tap – but the company makes almost two billion dollars in annual revenue – that is disturbing. But to then realize that the work that the company is doing to help the environment is far too valuable to then address the plastic problem. What?!
Consumers (us) drive the market
The driver here is one simple thing – there is a large market for bottled water. There is a large market for coffee drinks in paper and plastic cups. There is a large market for to-go food in single-use containers. We, us regular people, continue to buy and use products and packaging that are doing harm to the environment. We continue to create the demand for single-use items!
So, yes, I can celebrate the steps that a company does and publicizes on their sustainability report, but I can also stop using products that do harm. I can make choices that support my beliefs and send a message about what is important to every company I interact with. As a consumer I can limit my compromises by telling the company with my dollars how I feel entirely about their practices. And, if we all do it, then there is a message that is worthy of attention!
Power to the purchaser
If it is not in a reusable container, I am not buying it! That is where I draw the line in the sand! Plastic, commercially compostable, recyclable, or otherwise – is still plastic! And most things labeled compostable, or biodegradable are still getting thrown in the trash. When those items go in the trash, they rot like the rest of our garbage in a landfill so it totally does not matter if the company intended on them being recycled, composted, or biodegraded. If the product’s end of life is a landfill, there is responsibility on the producer’s part for creating that problem.
When the question is not about a single-use item, what is my solution? That, I am still working through. I think the evaluation of all other efforts get weighed and compared, but I will also be brave and use my voice. I know it is only $0.05 per bag, which is not the point! It is a step backwards and I will not accept that as a consumer! I have money and a voice, and I intend on using them both! What about you???
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