Ever-increasing pollution, the climatic crisis, and environmental concerns have made companies think about developing products in a more sustainable way of living. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the behaviour of consumers has also changed, and started utilizing more environmentally-friendly products. Consequently, global companies have shifted to eco-friendly products leading to increased demand for sustainable products. In this article, let’s see the top 10 sustainable business trends to look out for in the coming years. 

1. Sustainable Finance

Sustainable finance is a type of investment decision that provides funds for the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors of economic activity or project. It is a subcategory of traditional financing that aims to place capital into projects that emphasize sustainable development.  It has an important role in this world’s evolution to net zero by directing private money into carbon-neutral projects. According to recent statistics, the value of global total ESG assets may hit $53 trillion by 2025. Sustainable development companies keep flourishing here and there since they can get financial support for their eco-friendly products and services. Sustainable finance supports viable projects for sustainable and ecologically friendly agriculture.  

2. Sustainable data centre

Companies need to keep records of data because of its importance. A sustainable data centre can be used to improve a company’s sustainability functions by identifying ways it can run more efficiently. In this digital era, the advantages of sustainable data centres are inevitable. Turning sustainability into strategies and budgets is becoming an essential factor in data centre operations, and data centre PR. There are several benefits of sustainable data centre since it:

• cuts electricity consumption
• decreases water use
• lowers carbon emissions
• lowers long-term operating costs
• reduces space requirements
• reduces waste output

3. Sustainable retail

A sustainable retail sector is a must for creating an eco-friendly world because it can reach every consumer. It has transformed from an ‘if’ to a ‘when’ and ‘how’. Recently, consumers expect their chosen brands to take a stand for what they believe in and one of them is sustainability. Investors and customers both want to support a brand that prioritizes the environment and humanity. By selling sustainably sourced products, an eco-friendly retail business creates eco-minded consumption among consumers. When you open an eco-friendly retail store, you may consider partnering with a sustainable company that is focused on manufacturing sustainable products. And also, an eco-friendly retailer may diversify with new products or services as sustainable products will keep mushrooming.

4. Recycled products

Recycling is the new trend in sustainable products and that is why companies should continue utilizing this trend to invent new technologies that can convert used products into usable recycled products. Recycled products will support reducing the amount of pollution they contribute to the world. Meanwhile, we, as buyers should contribute in this matter by recycling, reusing and consume in a sustainable way!

Benefits of Recycling

• Conserves natural resources such as water, minerals, and timber
• Increases job opportunities by exploring new domains
• Prevents environmental pollution by reducing the waste
• Saves energy for future usage

Top 10 Recycled Materials in the US

1. Aluminum
2. Concrete
3. Corrugated Cardboard
4. Glass
5. Mixed Papers
6. Newspapers
7. Plastic (PET)
8. Plastics (HDPE)
9. Steel
10. Used Motor Oil –ok for me
11. Renewable energy

As the global population rises, our energy requirements have also increased, but fossil fuels are running out of the world. And also because of the negative impacts of burning fossil fuels, we human race need to create environmentally and socially conscious products and services in various economic sectors. So, companies can utilize this trend of global interest by generating cleaner energy alternatives and utilizing government-incentivized renewable energy initiatives. This is the best time to help solve the world’s energy problems and make money by doing it. Technology innovation and declining costs are giving way to renewable energy to gain competitiveness and the year ahead is getting more opportunities for cleaner energy sources to grow in most market segments.

6. Sustainable food products

Nowadays food production, packaging, and shipping are all undergoing a revolution in sustainability and consumers are considering products that can help them to live a socially responsible and sustainable life. If you have new projects to deal with sustainable food production, you can help preserve our natural resources and create a new sustainable-friendly global society. Sustainable food products are not only about the food items themselves but also a combination of aspects such as production process, logistics, packaging, and consumption. The pandemic has also made companies and consumers consider and focus more on sustainability as we have suffered through social, health, and economic crises.

7. Sustainable construction materials

Either as a manufacturer or a retailer, an entrepreneur should start a business based on sustainable construction materials. These materials are not only a better alternative for the environment but they also offer a better utility compared to traditional methods. Sustainable materials create energy-efficient structures and build green building materials and prove how they contribute to saving energy. This is the list of materials that are related to green buildings.

• Bamboo
• Cellulose
• Composites
• Cordwood
• Cork
• Earth Bags
• Earthen Materials
• Fiber Cement
• Fiber Glass
• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Natural Clay
• Natural Fiber
• Natural Fiber Floor
• Non- VOC paints
• Polystyrene and isocyanurate
• Polyurethane
• SIPs
• Slate/ Stone Roofing
• Steel
• Stone
• Straw Bale
• Thatch
• Wood

As we move into another year, sustainable building materials in the market are all set to surge!

8. Eco-friendly and sustainable toys

As an entrepreneur, if you have a passion for introducing innovative toys to get into the toy business, you may focus on creating types of toys that teach sustainability with eco-friendly raw materials. Toy companies are more fixated nowadays on expanding their market for environmentally conscious customers. If you’re not interested in designing new toys, recycle old toys to create new toys. By playing with eco-friendly and sustainable toys, kids in the present generation will get ready to create a new sustainable economy in the future. The increase in awareness among parents and schools, has resulted in most children shifting also to sustainable options in toys. 

9. Sustainable interior design services

Interior designers can become sustainable business owners. If you want to become a role model, use eco-friendly furniture and other sustainable products to decorate residential as well as commercial buildings. Those who survive in these places will become eco-friendly customers so they will buy other sustainable products.

Beauty, convenience, and comfort with less damage to natural resources are completely in the spirit of today’s times when it is very important to take our planet’s safety seriously.

10. Green apps and software

We need apps and software for facilitating every process. So, develop green apps and software to check the ingredients and ethics of sustainable products and to manufacture recycled products. Green apps are technically not a new concept, but it has caught the public’s attention due to concerns revolving around the impact of pollution and global warming. Green apps will support sustainable companies in taking decisions on important environmental factors, and they support making the production process simple and encouraging companies to think green. It will continuously grow and be an increasingly determining factor for consumers in the future.

Conclusion
According to research, corporates with high ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings will outperform the market average in both medium and long-term earnings very soon. A sustainable economy opens the door to new opportunities and offers huge benefits to our society and the planet. With the right business trends, sustainable businesses can overcome competitors that are environmentally unaware.