A future demand for 'green' products and services

With the U.S. economy climbing out of a historic recession and consumer spending slowly gaining confidence, many Americans are rethinking their purchases and are buying eco-friendly products, services and apparel offered by their local community. New Entrepreneurs are finding creative ways to reboot the retail and service industry by catering to a growing green consumer. Organic products, energy efficient home remolding, eco-friendly jewelry and apparel, gifts, health and beauty, skin care, baby products and home décor has never been more mainstream. Choosing to go green in not only good for the planet, but good for the community and your wallet.

In the past, the average person associated ‘green’ products or living to be expensive, only affordable to Hollywood and the very rich. It seemed a premium was necessary in order to be part of the movement-but now with tax-friendly credits for businesses and consumers, a steady supply to retailers are having a larger role in offering products as well as being fiscally responsible to the environment. Still, the overall awareness of green products and services remains miniscule compared to its opposite means of conventional products, but the green sector has been steadily increasing over the last several years. Americans are still the largest consumer in the world and an increase in the green movement will have a positive impact on the local and national economy. A lower cost margin on green supplies is driven not only by the consumer, but the retailer who takes a higher margin on eco-friendly brands, because fortunately, price premiums have been shrinking in this area. The wallet crunch has shoppers saving money with their purchases, but living and doing business in a more socially and environment way.

One market in particular that has shown a steady increase is cleaning supplies. Conventional cleaners have harsh chemicals that can aggravate individuals with respiratory conditions and are often made from nonrenewable ingredients like petroleum and phosphates. Chemicals that actively damage the environment. Consumers, especially parents, are having a growing concern what products in their homes and in their daily lives that are made from chemicals which can have a direct result to their child’s health well-being. 

Going green will not only be better for the environment, or your health, but purchasing green products and services will create a market that can only supplied by local businesses. The direct result of supporting the green sector will expand a growing market with an upward of 6 billion in the U.S. and across the globe. The national conversation about going green could not have been easier.