The amount of damage we have inflicted upon the Nature has reached an alarming level. Our Non Eco-friendly practices have not only affected the humans, but it has also taken a toll on the flora and fauna surrounding us.
Activists around the world are raising their voices against the same issue. The only way to fight this scenario is to go Eco-Friendly, but this in some cases is a costly affair.
Here is a quick comparison table
| Product | Eco-Friendly | Normal |
| Lipstick | $30 | $10 |
| Food | $7 | $2 |
| Candle | $10 | $6 |
| Soap Loaf | $40 | $25 |
Table of Contents
- Factors affecting the price of Eco-Friendly products
- Cost-effective solutions to an environmental-friendly lifestyle.
- Why is paying more good and necessary?
- Conclusion
Factors affecting the price of Eco-Friendly products
There are lots of factors behind the high cost of Environmental-Friendly products. Some of the factors are the way materials are resourced, the manufacturing process, the packaging material used etc. Eco-Friendly practices are not limited to up to minimizing the impact on the environment, but it also counts in the fair labour and ethical process.
There is much that needs to be done in order to spread the awareness regarding Eco-Friendly products. As the demand is quite less and hence the expensive pricing by the firms in order to sustain in the industry. The traditional manufacturers use this very point to push in the Non-Eco-Friendly products. Let’s see exactly the reason behind such high prices.
Agricultural Process:
First and foremost the most important step is to source the raw materials grown organically and naturally.To grow with organic and natural farming processes is not an easy feat. To shift from harmful pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers to their organic substitutes add to the cost.
If one opts for natural farming practices the first few years are void of a good yield, as too much nutrients have already been consumed from the land without replenishing it in an ethical way and filling it up with fertilizers instead.
Apart from that the increased labour costs induced because such farming process does not use the traditional farming methods. To manually take care of land by removing weeds, cleaning and other farming activities are some labour intensive activities.
Also, there are lots of costly certifications one needs to take to become Organic or Natural Farming certified.
Fair Labour Employment Terms:
It’s not only limited to provide the customer with the best, it’s also about taking care of those working in the field. Providing fair wages and proper working conditions will naturally ads up to the cost.
Manufacturing Process:
Such products are not formed on large scale and uses small units instead. Hence they do not enjoy the benefits of scalability. Given it’s a new domain there is scarcity of skilled and knowledgeable workforce. Also, the raw materials are sometimes not easy to find and the manufacturers needs to source it from different places again adding to the cost.
Certifications:
The circle of certifications starts from the first step itself. To be recognized as an Organic and Natural farmer you need certifications. There is more than one certification one needs to take if the person is targeting to export to different part of the world.
Also, the companies needs certifications for its products which acts as hallmark that the ingredients are sourced ethically, it’s not tested on animals and cruelty free. Additionally there are certifications which make you Vegan certified.
Check out this list of Eco-Friendly Certifications in various domains of the industry.
These certifications are costly and for some you need to meet certain criterion that needs to be fulfilled which might take few years. The additional inspection fees and frequent renewals bring up the cost too. It takes some real determination to sustain this field, but eventually if you play your card right it pays off.
Low Demand:
Get ready we are about to enter a vicious circle. The products are expensive due to low demand and the demand is low due to expensive prices. Does this mean that Eco-Friendly products will always be expensive?
The answer is “NO”, you might ask how?
It’s simple you just have to make a choice, a choice to buy Eco-Friendly product and it doesn’t matter if it’s a toothbrush or mascara. You need to educate others around you so that they too can see the long term benefits.
The Solution to Cost Effective Eco-Friendly Items
The best solution is to Do It Yourself. Yes you read that right and it’s not at all tricky too make some products at home. It costs next to nothing even if you compare the cost when you buy something traditional from the market. There are endless number of products you can come up with. Who knows if in the near future you start your own company to provide Eco-Friendly products at affordable promises.
Here are few examples to get started with:
Next time someone is throwing a pair of jeans, ask them to donate it to you and make a beautiful cool looking reusable Denim bag out of it. For this you would only need a sewing machine and some sewing skills. Now either you can choose to resell them or to someone else. Don’t know sewing? No problem, make a reusable t-shirt bag.
Few DIY Projects:
- Bags
- Candles
- Cleaning Products
- Straw
- Perfume
- Mouthwash
- Wipes
Here are some cool DIY (Do It Yourself) products you can get started with.
Why is paying more good and necessary?
Imagine if you have to choose between:
1.Non-Eco Friendly product which will not degrade for about 500-100 years and it would be either dumped in a landfill or dumped in sea where the aquatic animals will encounter it sooner or later.
OR
2.Eco-Friendly product which was manufactured by environmental friendly process and its purpose is to have a positive impact on environment as well as the person using it.
I hope option two is your choice. I agree that it’s a bit heavy on your pocket, but shelling in some extra bucks definitely helps in a longer run. Not to mention how such products not only helps to save the environment, but greatly enhance your lifestyle and quality of living. Here are few points to convince yourself and others:
- When you buy Eco-Friendly products you help the use of sustainable materials, fair labour wage, and environmental friendly practices and more importantly you support a better future for coming generations.
- You will help to break the vicious circle of demand and supply which will eventually result in decreased prices of Eco-Friendly products. You will also motivate the manufacturers by helping them to stay in the market and will boost them morally as there is someone out there that believes in their company.
- Looking at the demand of such products, others will get the motivation to start a venture of their own. More competition in the market will drive the firms to come with better products at affordable prices, given that the companies don’t deviate from the main motto.
- Imagine how much it will help in employment generation. This would help in more labour flow in not only the product manufacturing companies, but also the labour required in farms as well. There is a big chain behind which works to deliver the product at your doorsteps.
- With such products you will be helping yourself and keeping you away from products made out of harmful synthetic chemicals made in the lab. Health wise you will do favour to your body.
Conclusion
So, if you are looking for a place to buy have a quick look at 10 Eco-Friendly products to buy in 2020. Also, it’s not necessary to spend huge fortune here are some cool DIY (Do It Yourself) products you can make at home.
Hopefully I believe that now you are well aware of the reason behind the increased costs and despite that how it’s necessary to help the cause. Remember you will be standing with others in forefront to make the world an Eco-Friendly place to live.
Just imagine if a neighbour comes and ask you about where you got that cool looking Bamboo toothbrush. It would be your time to shine and educate them a about the cause.
