5 sustainability trends that will take the lead in 2022
At the beginning of the year, we often think of the many “good” things that we want to start doing. Have you given any thoughts on how we can adopt a more sustainable daily routine?
As we navigate through the impact of climate change and the ongoing pandemic, a bit of motivation may be needed to improve our lifestyles. If you are feeling stuck and are curious to learn what sustainable trends you should look out for in 2022, we have put together a few things that may help you speed up your transition plans and put them into action.
Living mindfully
The pandemic has prompted many of us to reconsider our values, lifestyles, and goals. According to a recent study by Mastercard* , nearly 60% of people from 24 countries are now more mindful of their impact on the environment, and 85% said they’re willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability challenges. Due to the pandemic, more people have embraced the trend towards conscious consumption and mindful living, giving rise to changed attitudes and actions. For many of us, living mindfully means being fully present with every moment and action and rethinking how our actions will impact the earth and what we can do to make it better.
Recycling is cool!
Recycling is here to stay and is made easier than ever, especially with the many new and upcoming innovations around us that make the process more efficient and smoother. Consumers are now seeking products that can be recycled, upcycled, made from recycled materials, or return to nature as a whole. With the increased awareness from consumers, brands and companies are also implementing reuse schemes and investing in innovative recycling technologies. If you do not recycle already, we recommend looking around your neighbourhood to see where you can recycle products and reduce waste!
Stay climate positive
With the rise of green activism, consumers, especially Millennials and Generation Z, are taking charge and are aware that their individual consumption choices can make a difference. Therefore, more consumers have been expecting brands to engage in climate positive actions to combat climate change. Some even vowed to only buy from brands that are aligned with their values. With the issuance of EU SUPD and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2021, you can expect to see more brands and companies proactively showing consumers their investment in sustainability. Such actions can include offering more carbon footprint certified products or transparent green labelling.
Reconnect with nature
We all agree that the pandemic has shown us how important nature is to our daily lives. By noticing that our actions have an impact to our environment, many of us have started to reconnect with nature and value our planet. This connection to nature will grow in 2022 as we continue to find answers and solutions to a better future. Whether it is going on a long walk around your neighbourhood or going to camping at a nearby campsite, embrace your time and show your appreciation to nature.
Quality over quantity
As consumers become more conscious about their purchases, many have become more willing to spend on higher quality, sustainable products. For instance, many are now seeking quality and sustainable personal care and hygiene products, such as wipes, facial sheet masks and sanitary products, which have become some of the ‘must-haves’ at home under the pandemic. Remember to always check the ingredients and product labels when purchasing a product. For single-use personal care and hygiene products, we recommend avoiding products that contain fossil-based synthetic materials. Search for ones with eco-responsible footprint that you will feel good about!
Which of the above trends will you hop on? We hope that you will join us to continue caring for our future by making eco-conscious choices, after all #ItsInOurHands to build a greener future and a better tomorrow.
https://www.mastercard.com/news/insights/2021/consumer-attitudes-environment/
This initiative is presented by
