Eco-Conscious and Sustainable Living does not mean to Compromise!
I have always believed in the paraphrase, “to be a part of a change, you must start from home”. With the world facing several climatic challenges, there can seemingly never be a better time to take up a partnership with the environment, which is both profitable and environment-friendly for the community. The term ‘eco-conscious’ simply expresses the combined meaning of two words – being aware of our actions and its impact on the environment, it is a commitment towards being caring and accountable towards our surroundings. Hence when Boba Bar was conceived, I was sure to create a brand that would represent this in its actions without cutting down on the fun. When we set out to find out if customers really care about environmental impact, we were thrilled to learn that nearly 87 percent of consumers around the world create a positive impression of a company that supports social or environmental issues.
Having lived and travelled through different cities around the world, I have come across some of the most amazing and mind-blowing efforts and commitments to save the environment. When I meet young people making green choices that help us to reduce waste and preserve the environment, I couldn’t be happier. The positive attitudes toward eco-friendly products and services are not only impressive but contagious. There are people who have no inhibitions in making major changes in their lifestyle if it creates a positive impact on the climate. To inspire green consumers, you have to be one yourself. There are now plenty of consumers ready to put the “planet first”.
Remember there was a time when the automobile industry was not sure about electric cars but today, it is heartening to see that government bodies are making efforts to make buying an electric car an attractive choice for consumers. Customers are waking up to the idea of reducing their carbon footprint. They are talking about sustainable travel and stay choices. People have been installing solar panels after being inspired by their neighbours. And the best part is that they have also realised that these sustainable purchases and behaviours are beneficial for themselves as well as the whole community. This radical rethinking of consumption patterns has been extremely encouraging for brands like us. At Boba Bar, we were ready to invest with open heart but we also wanted our consumers to stand by us and drive our green story. So far, it has been a very rewarding journey.
Where there is a will, there is a way
Consumers especially millennials and generation Z are being more aware of how products are being created, packaged, and presented and are showing support for businesses that exhibit care for the environment. The story of a company has become a much larger part of the decision-making process for consumers than it has been in the past, and here I would like to share how Boba Bar has evolved and become a brand which thrives on the ethos of sustainability.
With an appetite for eco-conscious practices, I have always been interested in learning how to encourage more and more sustainable consumption. Some of my personal experiences helped me integrate sustainability into my business model. Our eco-conscious practices are our strength. We feel more confident about our products because we do not shy from doing our bit for the environment. And best of all, none of our practices compromise on taste and quality. By providing straws made of bamboo, using chemical-free and organic products, and adopting green practices for our packaging, we have made it easier for our customers to be a part of the sustainability drive. We use bioplastic where possible which is made of corn starch and if fully compostable.
No doubt, ethical practices are more expensive but we wanted it this way. Finding an environmentally friendly replacement is not always possible but one can at least strive to adapt and improve the business practices. If your product or service is good for the environment and the community, your customers will understand and feel good about it.
Eco-conscious brands and customers are the future.
We may all strive to have an eco-friendly lifestyle but implementing it in our day to day life becomes difficult for many reasons. As a consumer I try to make more sustainable choices like using a bamboo toothbrush instead of plastic, or using a reusable cotton shopping bag instead of purchasing a plastic bag. However sometimes we just don’t find an ethical alternative, or it may be way more expensive, or it would just not be fit for purpose so finding an environmentally friendly replacement is not always possible. Hence I consciously choose what brands and companies I shop from and it seems to be the way moving forward for a large conscious consumer base. I like to see brands incorporating sustainability models and I am certain these practises can prove to be profitable too!
‘Eco-conscious’, ‘Sustainable’, ‘Eco-friendly’, ‘Zero Waste’, ‘Consumer consciousness’, ‘Ethical’, ‘Vegan’, ‘Organic’, etc. are some of the terms that are here to stay. So next time, when you read about these terms, do spend a minute to see how they are benefitting you and the environment. Each one of us must decode our eco-conscious roles and give back to the community in our own way to protect the next generations.
The environment needs more and more eco-conscious businesses. A brand can create a meaningful impact on its customers and the society as a whole, if it wants. It has been seen that humans have a strong desire to fit in and will conform to the behaviour of those around them. Together, we can bring a lot of positive change in the society by being aspirational towards creating an eco-conscious community.
