What Sustainable Products Deserved More Attention This Year?
In search of sustainable products that deserved more attention this year, we reached out to sixteen industry leaders and founders. Their insights range from the benefits of switching to natural deodorants to the innovative concept of Ecosia, the tree-planting search engine. Let’s dive into their expert recommendations and discover the sustainable products that are making a difference.
- Natural Deodorants
- Linen as A Sustainable Textile Choice
- Printers with Continuous-Ink-Supply Systems
- Bamboo Flooring
- Activist Skincare’s Sustainable Serum
- Solar-Powered Water Purification
- Solar Ovens
- Rechargeable Bulbs
- Eco-Ice Rinks
- EcoWrap
- Compostable Food Packaging
- Loop’s Reusable Packaging System
- Solar-Powered Mobile Phone Chargers
- FoodCycler
- Biodegradable Plastics
- Ecosia
Natural Deodorants
Natural deodorants deserve more attention. Deodorant is an everyday item, which means any switch to a more sustainable option can have a big impact.
The majority of people still use spray deodorants, aerosols, and antiperspirants that are created using fossil fuels. They aren’t a sustainable choice and are harming our environment.
Natural deodorants smell great, are created with the planet in mind, and are an impactful and easy sustainable switch to make.
Ben Hardman
Founder, Tiny Eco
Linen as a Sustainable Textile Choice
One sustainable product that should garner more attention is linen home textiles and sleepwear. Linen, derived from the flax plant, possesses a unique set of qualities that make it a standout choice.
From an eco-friendly perspective, linen is a winner. Flax cultivation is water-efficient and requires minimal pesticides, making linen a sustainable choice. It is also biodegradable, minimizing its environmental impact.
Linen boasts a timeless aesthetic. Its natural texture and relaxed appearance can add a touch of elegance to any home interior or sleepwear collection.
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, linen home textiles offer an eco-conscious, stylish, and comfortable choice deserving of attention.
Aliaksandr Parmon
Founder and CEO, FlaxLin Eco Textiles
Printers with Continuous-Ink-Supply Systems
In recent years, printer manufacturers have increasingly invested in creating products with sustainability in mind. The most noteworthy enhancement comes as printers that leverage continuous-ink-supply systems. These are also referred to as ink-tank devices and can hold enough ink to print thousands of pages before ink replenishment is needed.
CISS-based devices are more sustainable because they use bottles instead of cartridges. The technology helps reduce plastic waste because of the material used and because it allows users to print comparatively more pages than traditional cartridge-based systems.
Epson is the clear leader in the CISS inkjet market and achieved this ranking through the success of its EcoTank and SuperTank lines.
These products deserve more attention because printers don’t usually come to mind when consumers think about sustainability. However, the efforts that some brands have made to drive sustainability by reducing plastic waste are noteworthy.
Valerie Alde-Hayman
Senior Analyst, gap intelligence
Bamboo Flooring
Nearly all our customers who are choosing new flooring and looking for sustainable materials have never heard of bamboo flooring. It looks very much like hardwood, but bamboo grows very quickly and is highly sustainable, unlike oak, maple, and other hardwoods that take decades to mature. Bamboo is as sustainable as it gets. It’s gorgeous, and I wish that more people knew about it. I wish that the bamboo manufacturers would do more marketing.
Rick Berres
Owner, Honey-Doers
Activist Skincare’s Sustainable Serum
A sustainable product that I believe deserved more attention this year is the Active Hydration Vitamin C+ Antioxidant Serum by the brand Activist Skincare. This product was formulated using green, ethically sourced ingredients, is vegan, and is not tested on animals.
This serum is not yet as well-known as those from top brands in the industry, but out of its reviews, it has 4.95 out of 5 stars. It works exceptionally well, having quickly become one of my personal favorite facial products. As for the brand, they work exclusively with sustainably minded suppliers and prioritize women and people of color when selecting partners and vendors.
For all of these reasons, and more, I believe the Active Hydration Vitamin C+ Antioxidant Serum by Activist Skincare deserved more attention this year.
Nicole Moughrabi
Marketing Coordinator, Achievable
Solar-Powered Water Purification
An environmentally conscious product that has garnered increased recognition in recent times is the “Solar-Powered Water Purifier.” This novel apparatus integrates environmentally sustainable technology with functionality.
Utilizing solar energy to power its water purification process, having a compact and lightweight design, incorporating multiple filtration stages (including UV sterilization, activated carbon, and micron filtration), ensuring a durable construction, and adopting an eco-friendly approach that mitigates the carbon footprint linked to potable water are among its most prominent attributes.
This product is exceptional in that it not only advocates for sustainability but also tackles worldwide water challenges, thus warranting greater acknowledgment.
Steven Athwal
Managing Director and Tech Enthusiast, The Big Phone Store
Solar Ovens
A product that didn’t get much attention this year is the solar oven. Solar ovens are great for cooking food while being kind to the environment. They work by using the sun’s energy to create heat, so there’s no need for fossil fuels or gas. This is a great choice for people who care about reducing their carbon footprint.
These ovens need a few hours of direct sunlight to get really hot. They’re perfect for outdoor activities like camping. They are easy to take care of. You won’t spend a lot of time or money on maintenance. Compared to electric or gas ovens, they are quite budget-friendly. They offer a sustainable way to prepare meals without breaking the bank.
Albert Vaisman
Founder and CEO, Honest Brand Reviews
Rechargeable Bulbs
Rechargeable light bulbs are not something you hear of often, but they are a great way to be more sustainable this year. I find they have gotten little attention, but they are perfect for any homeowner, or anyone who works from home and, therefore, needs light constantly.
These light bulbs use much less energy than generic bulbs, which means you can be more sustainable and also save money on your electricity bill. They last a while and can also be used without being screwed into a socket, which means they are great to have during a power outage.
Pascal Tatipata
Composer, Founder and Owner, dl-sounds.com
Eco-Ice Rinks
Eco-Ice has been revolutionizing ice rinks, especially in 2023. Ice skating is a popular sport, but manufacturing ice rinks takes upwards of 40,000 liters of water. However, the latest eco-ice rinks use no water or electricity and are on par with traditional rinks for quality.
Plus, they’re non-toxic and far more affordable than a traditional ice rink. You can even install the pads inside your home! This innovation has been a win for athletes and leisure skaters across the nation, giving us a fantastic example of how eco-conscious technology can transform traditional practices while minimizing environmental impact. It’s ultimately a win-win for both businesses and the planet.
Viktor Meier
CEO, Glice
EcoWrap
This year, I came across a sustainable product called “EcoWrap,” a biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic cling wrap. What stood out to me were its features: it’s made from natural ingredients, it’s fully compostable in a home setting, and its adhesive quality rivals that of regular plastic wraps.
Moreover, it’s safe for food storage and breaks down without leaving harmful residues. I truly believe EcoWrap deserves more spotlight for its innovative approach to reducing single-use plastics.
Ryan Hawker
Founder, H3 Home Buyers
Compostable Food Packaging
Compostable food packaging is a sustainable product that deserves more attention. Traditional food packaging materials, such as plastic and Styrofoam, are non-biodegradable and contribute to waste accumulation in landfills. Compostable food packaging, on the other hand, is made from natural materials like plant fibers, cornstarch, or bagasse, which can break down into nutrient-rich compost.
These packaging materials are not only eco-friendly but also offer similar functionality and durability to traditional packaging. By using compostable food packaging, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of our food consumption and waste generation.
Eric Lam
Founder, Exploding Ideas
Loop’s Reusable Packaging System
One sustainable product that deserved more attention this year is the “Loop” reusable packaging system. Loop offers a unique approach to reducing single-use plastic waste by partnering with major brands to package their products in durable, refillable containers.
Customers can order products like groceries, household items, and personal care products in these reusable containers, which are then picked up, cleaned, and refilled by Loop for future use.
This innovative system not only reduces packaging waste but also encourages consumers to adopt more sustainable consumption habits. Loop’s expansion and collaboration with well-known brands make it a noteworthy sustainability initiative in 2023.
David Bui
Director and Business Specialist, Schmicko
Solar-Powered Mobile Phone Chargers
One sustainable product that deserves more attention this year is the solar-powered mobile phone charger. While it isn’t directly related to business, I find it useful and very cool!
These chargers harness the power of the sun to charge smartphones and other devices, offering a renewable and environmentally friendly way to stay connected. They are compact, portable, and easy to use, making them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and anyone looking to reduce their reliance on traditional electrical outlets.
By utilizing solar energy, these chargers reduce the carbon footprint associated with charging devices, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future while providing a practical solution for staying connected on the go.
Christian Ofori-Boateng
CEO, ChristianSteven
FoodCycler
The FoodCycler, designed by the Vitamix company, is an indoor food waste composter that has the potential to revolutionize waste sorting.
Organic waste is problematic for those who don’t have a yard or a lot of space in their dwellings for a compost pile. It smells and discourages many people from sorting waste correctly. This is where the FoodCycler comes in to help.
The device comprises two units, and the idea is straightforward: you fill the smaller one with food waste and, once it accumulates, you insert everything into the bigger bucket. The content is then thoroughly ground and cooled. After a few hours, you are left with a dry and odorless fertilizer that you can conveniently keep indoors before you take it to the nearest composter or use it to fertilize your plants.
Sustainable products can only be successful if they bring a tangible improvement to our everyday lives. Vitamix has perfectly put this idea into practice.
Martyna Szcześniak, Community Expert, MyPerfectResume
Biodegradable Plastics
Bio-based and biodegradable plastics deserved a bigger spotlight this year. Traditional plastic remains the biggest source of pollution in the world, not to mention that non-renewable resources are used to make it, which makes it even worse.
On the other hand, biodegradable plastics are produced from renewable sources, such as starch and oils. These plastics break down naturally over time, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.
Perry Zheng
Founder and CEO, Pallas
Ecosia
One sustainable product that deserves more attention is Ecosia, a search engine that plants trees. It’s easy to use and bets on our everyday internet habits; only this time, each click contributes to tree-planting programs worldwide.
As we acknowledge the urgency of reforestation to bounce back from climate change, using Ecosia is a simple switch with an enormous impact. Features include transparent monthly reports showing financials and planting progress, so users can see their clicks turning into real forests.
Abid Salahi
Co-Founder and CEO, FinlyWealth
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