Consumers want to make more environmentally friendlier choices when it comes to the products and services they buy, but many say they struggle to find helpful information and to find green products which are also affordable.
In a recent survey from Buy Smarter, Buy Greener, 85% of people said they care more about the environment than they did 12 months ago, but 72% said they don’t find it easy to make environmentally friendly choices. This is due to the lack of information available (57% said finding out how to be environmentally friendly isn’t easy) and also down to the challenge of finding sustainable products which are also affordable (78% said they want more affordable options).
TV business and consumer expert Kate Hardcastle is the founder of Buy Smarter, Buy Greener and says she created the website, “To help everyone understand more about their available buying options and to help them live a greener and kinder lifestyle, without spending more money.”
Ms Hardcastle says that in her years supporting families on her show ‘Eat Shop Save’ and working closely with brands around the world, she’s found that, “Now more than ever, people care about the planet and the impact of our everyday lives and the things we buy and use. This covers a whole range of things, from plastic use and CO2 emissions, to where products come from and those who work to produce them. With Buy Smarter, Buy Greener, we’ve done the work in breaking down the information out there on all types of products, so that if someone wants to be a bit more greener at home, on holiday or when out shopping, they can feel much more confident in the choices they’re making. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about everyone taking small steps every day, to make a big difference. I hope that with Buy Smarter, Buy Greener, we can show that sustainable living is for everyone, not just those with money.”
Ms Hardcastle is keen to point out that the website promises “fast facts and no preaching” and says, “As a busy working mum of 3, I care about issues such as sustainability and like many, I want to do my bit to protect the planet and its people for future generations. At the same time, we don’t always have the time and money to source the right solution, and nobody needs a guilt trip about their choices – just ideas on how to make changes that are right for them. These tips and advice won’t break the bank and will examine everything from health and beauty products to eco-friendly travel.”
Buy Smarter, Buy Greener can be found at www.buysmarterbuygreener.com