Research commissioned by Barclays Bank in the UK revealed that small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) not considering their eco-credentials could be missing a trick as environmental considerations become an ever-higher priority for consumers.
The research found that over half of the British people (57 percent) placed going green highly on their personal agenda, with nearly half (45 percent) actively seeking to purchase products or services from businesses that are environmentally friendly.
Ian Rand, chief executive of Barclays Business Banking said, “In recent years, consumer trends and habits have clearly swung towards a more eco-based focus, and SMEs need to ensure they are adhering to the same values in order to strengthen and grow.”
It’s not just consumers who are paying attention to a business’s approach to green but the workforce too. Seven in 10 workers revealed it is important to them that their current or prospective employer is considered a green business, with the figure reaching nearly eight in 10 amongst Gen-Z.
Research reveals that SMEs are starting to listen to consumer demands, with 22 percent actively making changes to reduce their carbon footprint and a further 41 percent looking to make changes within the next year. Over the next 12 months, SMEs in the North East of the UK (47 percent), East Midlands (46 percent) and the North West of the UK (45 percent), look to be leading the way when wanting to introduce green polices.
In his recent presentation at the Recycler Live conference, Chris Fink, Managing Director at Effective Consumables Solutions told the conference that driving environmental change is an opportunity to change your business for the better, to increase your appeal to your customer base and potentially a whole new customer demographic, creating a positive impact on your bottom line.
Editor’s Note: There is so much potential for environmentally friendly products, including remanufactured cartridges just based on the eco-friendly, ‘going green’ initiatives. Gen-Z is going to be demanding green and environmentally friendly reusable products.
