(BPT) - Sustainability has been a buzzword in the business world for years, with many businesses looking for different ways to introduce “green” products to a market that is demanding them.
According to internal data from global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce platform Alibaba.com, Request for Quotations (RFQs) containing terms such as “sustainable,” “eco-friendly,” “biodegradable” and “renewable” are up 23% year-over-year (YoY). Growth in these inquiries has occurred across industries, including apparel and accessories (61% increase YoY), kids’ toys (30% increase YoY) and electronic components (26% increase YoY).
The issue for many businesses, especially smaller ones, is some product markets are becoming oversaturated with sustainable products and setting yourself apart can be difficult. So how can you help your business stand out compared to competitors? It starts with expanding your sustainability efforts beyond the product itself.
Start with sourcing: Sustainable supply chains elevate sustainable products
With the crowded market for sustainable products, small-business owners can set themselves apart by making their entire sourcing operations sustainable. How many times have you placed an order that came in an unnecessary amount of extra packaging that you just ended up throwing away? Is a sustainable product really sustainable if its packaging isn’t, or if the supply chain to get it to customers creates considerable pollution? By considering these potential issues and adapting your supply chain to address them, your business can do more than create a sustainable product — it can be a sustainable business.
How can you implement sustainable practices into your supply chain? Turning to online sourcing platforms to help identify sustainable sourcing partners can do a lot of the work for you, including:
How to tell people about your sustainable business
Crafting your sustainable product line and supply chains is important, but equally important in standing out amongst your competitors is effectively marketing your product and sustainability practices. While tactics might differ based on the types of products you are selling, there are a few key considerations as you go to market your products:
At the end of the day, differentiating your sustainable business from competitors requires you to ensure that your entire operation is sustainable, and communicating your sustainability efforts in a way that your customers can understand. While the physical delivery of sustainable products is important, giving customers the peace of mind that they are making full-circle sustainable choices to help the world is equally crucial to building and maintaining your consumer base.