Eco-friendly trends to look out for in 2023
As 2022 draws to a close, it is now time to start looking ahead and planning for a new eco-friendly year. It is never too late for you to start living a more sustainable life -- and a new year is filled with new possibilities. Embrace 2023 to kick that bad habit, do more for the environment or try a new diet for a change. To help you get the most out of 2023, we have selected some of the best eco-friendly trends we expect to see in the upcoming year. #ItsInOurHands to ensure this is the best year for you and the environment.
In with the old, out with the new
Normally the new year means out with the old, in with the new, however, this will change in 2023. The reuse of second-hand products and materials has been growing in popularity and we expect this to continue in the new year. If you are a savvy shopper, you’ll be well aware there is nothing wrong with being a bit thrifty when it comes to buying clothes or materials for your home. In fact, vintage items still have a certain appeal and can be repurposed, even passed down from generation to generation. In 2023, expect to see second-hand items more central to the way people shop as consumption habits change with people being more environmentally aware and more conscious about making sustainable purchase decisions and their impact towards the environment.
Composting to reduce food waste
Reducing food waste is high on the agenda for those who are looking to live a sustainable life. And one trend we expect to see more of in 2023 is composting. For those of you who don’t know much about composting, it is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as fruit and vegetable scraps and leftover food, into a valuable fertilizer. The reason we believe it will be popular in 2023 is that composting at home has a myriad of benefits, such as reducing the volume of materials that might otherwise be disposed in landfills with minimal effort and helping you save money by producing compost which is free. Composting is a great way to recycle the organic waste we generate at home and reduce the impact our waste has on the environment.
More demand for plant-based foods
According to a study by Oxford University, by not eating meat or dairy products, a person can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 73%. Now for many of you, it will be surprising to learn that the food on your plate has the potential to be the biggest contributor to your carbon footprint. But there is more, a UN report [1] on climate change shared how adopting a plant-based diet and reducing meat consumption on a global scale could have significant environmental impacts, such as helping fight climate change. When you combine the environmental benefits with the health benefits -- a lower risk of premature mortality [2], it is easy to see why more people are becoming more conscious about what they eat.
Brand transparency is no longer an option
It is important to know what steps your favorite brand is taking to ensure its products and services reduce their impact on the environment. In 2023, brands will have to be more transparent than ever before to show they are taking the appropriate steps to meet the high benchmarks set by their customers. This year, take the time to learn more about your favorite brand’s goals, values, material sources, manufacturing processes, operations, CSR initiatives and whatever else interests you. When it comes to personal care and hygiene products, take a conscious ingredient-led approach to understand the safety, quality, and origin of the ingredients. Learning about a company, no matter the size, will help give you a more informed view about their practices and ethics and help you decide if they deserve your loyalty and trust.
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