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Eco-Friendly Products: 4 Things Wholesalers Need To Know
Manufacturing and selling eco-friendly products has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, due to factors such as government regulations and laws, but also by a rise in environmental awareness by the average consumer.
With this rise in popularity comes a rise in demand for eco-friendly products, and businesses are starting to take note of it.
Concern for the environment among consumers has created an eco-friendly social movement that has made people want to consider living a more green lifestyle, one that’s free from products that use harsh chemicals, and a push toward a reliance on reusable items.
If you’re looking to make the move toward an all eco-friendly business model, or you’re just starting to dabble in the pros and cons of a green business model, we’ve got some helpful tips that every wholesaler (or buyer) should know.
What Makes Something Eco-Friendly?
There’s no one definitive answer for what makes a product eco-friendly; usually, a number of important factors come into play when considering whether a product is eco-friendly. Thankfully, the Federal Trade Commission of the United States has issued guidelines, called “Green Guides,” that help business owners and consumer alike determine whether something meets the necessary criteria to be called eco-friendly.
The guidelines consider a number of things when determining whether a product is eco-friendly, such as the ingredients used in the manufacturing of a product, the product’s packaging, impact on the environment, etc. If you want to look through the FTC’s extensive guidelines for what constitutes an eco-friendly product, you can view the document in full by clicking here.
What Are The Advantages Of Eco-Friendly Products?
Going Green, or committing to an eco-friendly lifestyle might be popular because of its “cool factor,” but it’s also important to remember the reason behind eco-friendly products in the first place: the environment.
The environment can be a fragile thing. It’s existed for millions of years, but as humankind has advanced our technology and expelled more and more pollutants into the atmosphere, our environment has become alarmingly less resilient. Environmental problems, such as pollution and the depleting of natural resources, have caused many business owners to step back, assess the situation, and commit to changing the way they do business.
By committing to manufacturing and selling only eco-friendly products, you are helping to slow the decay of the environment, and potentially aid in reversing some of the long term damage that’s been caused by eco-hazards. Eco-friendly products are simply better for the environment than non-eco-friendly products.
Sustainability is also a major point to consider when talking about going green. Many of the natural resources that we use every day aren’t always going to be here. Businesses have to start considering alternative sources of fuel, building materials, and ways of producing energy. Switching to an eco-friendly business model can aid in increasing sustainability.
Do Customers Care?
Yes. A lot.
A Study conducted by Nielsen in 2014 found that “55% of global online consumers across 60 countries say they are far more likely to purchase products and services provided by companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact.” In the U.S., the number is 42% of online consumers.
That’s millions of consumers around the world who agree that businesses who sell eco-friendly products and have eco-friendly business models are worth spending their hard earned money on.
Going green, or converting your business into a more eco-friendly model, can spur a huge profit for your company, thanks to consumers who only buy products that meet these requirements.
Where Can I Buy Eco-Friendly Products?
Glad you asked! There are tons of businesses out there who supply eco-friendly and green products, but if you’re looking for the best eco-friendly wholesale vendors on the Internet, you’ve come to the right place.
FGmarket has a wide selection of awesome wholesale vendors who specialize in eco-friendly products and services. From Gourmet Food to Candles to Home Accents, FGmarket has exactly the products you’re looking for to give your customers the eco-friendly products they seek.
To explore more of our eco-friendly section, click here!
Eco-Friendly, Fair-Trade Gifts From Acacia Creations
The work that Acacia Creations does goes far beyond the normal work of a jewelry, gift, and home accent creation company.
Founded in 2007 by Maura Kroh, this eco-friendly, fair-trade practicing company is based out of Nairobi, Kenya. From their studio, they create beautiful works of art, from artisan jewelry, to amazing home accents.
A Noble Mission
The company was started after Kroh spent some time working in refugee camps across Africa. She noticed the natural artistic talent of the residents of African towns and villages, but also noticed the frustration they felt from a lack of a proper outlet for selling their beautiful creations. Kroh’s solution was Acacia Creations, a company that not only employs these artisans, but also pays them fair wages for the work that they create.
They make beautiful jewelry and accessories, but with the holiday season coming up, your customers will be looking for gorgeous ornaments to decorate their brightly lit Christmas trees!
Hand-Carved Ornaments From Africa
Acacia Creations provides a wonderful variety of hand-carved wooden animal ornaments, that represent the diverse and exotic wildlife of the African plains. These magnificent ornaments are hand-carved and painted by artists in Kenya.
They are also fair trade items, and as part of their Endangered Collection, 10 percent of the sales from each of these ornaments goes to wildlife conservation! Their collections includes elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, leopards and more.
Over the years, they have been fortunate enough to expand their business into other countries, including parts of Asia, where they now work with artists in Thailand, India, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Recycled Paper Ornaments From Asia
From their Vietnam artists, a unique take on the traditional ball ornament is found. Instead of glass, the artists in Vietnam create their ornaments from recycled magazines, making them not only eco-friendly, but each piece is also unique in its design.
They are also available in a large selection of sizes, shapes, and designs. Your customers can get the traditional ball-shaped ornaments, or they can purchase a wonderful recycled paper elephant, ballet pirouette, or giraffe ornament! These fair trade items provide a steady and dignified income for hundreds of artisans in Vietnam.
With eco-friendly products, providing work for artisans all over Africa and Asia, what’s not to love about Acacia Creations. Your customers will love their beautiful products, along with the mission and fair trade work that they seek to provide for their artists.
FGmarket’s Weekly Pick – Acacia Creations
Acacia Creations creates eco-friendly jewelry, gifts and home accents at their fair trade studio in Kenya. Improving lives in a long-lasting and sustainable way has been their mission from the very beginning.
Feature beautiful jewelry, such as bracelets, necklaces and earrings created with paper beads, eco-friendly material and shells. The combination of these products truly makes anyone stand out. Not only will you find beautiful jewelry, you’ll also find Canimals that are animals made from recycled aluminium cans and telephone wire. Lets not forget about their home products made from recycled paper, metal & wood, and stationery & gift items. Acacia Creations has something for everyone and would be a great addition to your store.
Eco Friendly Greeting Cards Can’t Be Beat!
Eco friendly cards and stationery are the cat’s meow. Ask any eco conscious consumer and s/he will tell you the same thing. Eco friendly greeting cards is a rather broad term. Here are some of the most popular types of wholesale eco friendly greeting cards and what your eco conscious consumers would say to seeing them:
“It doesn’t matter what it used to be, a recycled greeting card might as well be made of gold.”
Recycled greeting cards are those that are made of recycled materials such as cardboard, paper and plastic. Depending on the original material, recycled greeting cards (greeting cards made of recycled products) can be more appealing than standard greeting cards! Give your eco friendly customers the choice between a greeting card made of colorful recycled plastic cookie packaging (it’s been done!) and a generic greeting card with no edgy appeal–the choice will always be the recycled greeting card.
“Offering plantable greeting cards is like planting a seed of eco friendliness.”
Plantable greeting cards can be planted in the ground. Just like seeded greeting cards, plantable greeting cards have seeds embedded in biodegradable paper. Once the paper has decomposed, the seeds are left and something beautiful blooms. It’s two gifts in one!
“Seeded greeting cards aren’t just growing in the ground–they’re growing in popularity!”
Seeded greeting cards are the same as plantable greeting cards. Both are printed on seed-embedded paper. Though these are the two most popular terms, you may also hear “plantable paper greeting cards” as well. Wholesale eco friendly greeting cards like these are great choices for the customers in your store that are “going green” or are going-going gone!
Plant A Seed of Eco-Friendliness With Plantable Greeting Cards
Did you know that seeded greeting cards help you plant a seed of eco-friendliness as well as express a sentiment? Your customers do. Eco-friendly trends are sweeping the nation. The latest one is well worth the consideration because its duality helps both your customers and you get the most from one single product.
Seeded greeting cards are typically composed of wildflower seeds embedded in biodegradable recycled paper. The paper breaks down when the card is planted and watered. Next the seeds are left and begin to germinate and blossom to life. As an eco-friendly consumer, there are at least a half dozen things right with this idea.
- The sender still gets to say something sweet or funny. The message gets across in the same way.
- Quality design isn’t sacrificed with plantable greeting cards. They are still attractive eco friendly gifts.
- Seeded greeting cards are made from recycled paper. Greeting Cards like this show that recycled products can be just as effective as their non-recycled counterparts.
- Plantable paper greeting cards are made from biodegradable paper. Something that breaks down naturally is a guilt-free gift for any eco-friendly shopper.
- It’s fun to watch something grow. It’s more fun to know that something that probably shouldn’t grow is growing. You can’t just plant any old greeting card. Seeded greeting cards are special.
- Sending seeded greeting cards encourages environmentally friendly attitudes in the recipient. Pass the word!
These are more than just consumer thoughts about plantable greeting cards. Guilt-free gift giving, the chance to share an opinion, the ability to watch something grow—these are all things that eco-friendly consumers look for in every product that they buy. These are things that they desire and your store can easily give them when you add seeded greeting cards to your eco-friendly products.