Because of the pandemic, we are entering a new age in the digital economy. Last year, there were an estimated 256 million online shoppers in the United States and that number is expected to rise to 278 million by 2024. Unfortunately, this has led many businesses and consumers to rely on single-use plastics that harm the environment.
If you’re an entrepreneur who wants to create a business that shows your commitment to the environment, here are some business ideas to get you started:
Greenhouse Business
As people spend more time in their homes, home improvement has become a popular pastime. The lockdowns prompted more people to buy items that would improve their homes and help them cope with the anxiety brought on by the pandemic. Among these items are plants, and slowly, they became one of the many post-pandemic must-haves. If you have a green thumb and are willing to research your area’s hardiness zones, optimal temperatures for plant growth, and other plant-related information, consider growing and selling plants.
Owning a greenhouse business is not as easy as getting plants from a supplier and selling them at a higher price. You have to grow them yourself, making sure that you’re growing them at the right humidity, temperature, and time of the year. You’ll also have to invest in your greenhouse, which varies in build depending on what kind of plants and crops you plan to grow.
Sustainable Fashion
Consumers are becoming more aware of the ugly truth behind fast fashion brands. We’re now beginning to see the rise of slow fashion, also known as sustainable fashion, with the expected market growth to reach $9.81 billion in 2025.
When it comes to the sustainable fashion business, you want to make sure it doesn’t only apply to your products. Aside from using eco-friendly materials like cotton, linen, or hemp, to create sustainable clothes, consider running your whole business sustainable. That means using biodegradable packaging, using online invoices, and if you own a physical shop, upcycling your store furniture, and using LED lights.
Organic Food Supplier
The pandemic has prompted us to reconsider the way we live, especially when it comes to staying healthy. Consumers are now shopping for healthier food as many continue to live a sedentary lifestyle while working and learning from home.
If you have a love for food and healthy eating habits, you can source out organic and locally-grown produce and deliver them to people and businesses looking to shift to a healthier menu. Farm-to-table restaurants can become your potential clients for this kind of business.
Eco-Friendly Landscaping
As homeowners continue to begin different home improvement projects to make their space more comfortable, eco-friendly landscaping is the perfect way to keep homes looking great while minimizing your client’s carbon footprint. This type of business can help people save water, energy, and create less waste while maintaining their backyard.
If you’re opening your business from scratch and aren’t sure about what you need to get your foot into the landscaping business, consider learning the lawn treatment franchise startup costs. You’ll pay a fixed cost and have what you need to grow your business.
Natural Handmade Products
Handmade products like soap, shampoo bars, and other skincare products made of natural ingredients can become a lucrative business if you know your target market. While anyone can create their own versions of these products, these handmade items accompanied by intricate (eco-friendly packaging) and sold in sets will attract customers with a love for the environment.
Eco-Friendly Housekeeping Service
Some people can get so busy that they no longer have the time to keep their houses clean. Provide a solution by offering cleaning services that range from minor cleaning to heavy-duty cleaning. What will set you apart from other cleaning services is the fact that you will only be using eco-friendly cleaning products that don’t contain any harmful chemicals.
When it comes to rates, you can either charge a flat rate or hourly rate depending on the services you’re providing. However, since we are in the middle of a pandemic, it’s important to follow the proper health and safety protocols.
Green Cosmetics
Cosmetics may not be as in demand as they used to be. But with the increasing use of video conferencing applications like Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Skype, they can help people look more presentable and feel more confident in front of the camera. Create cosmetics with this and your commitment to the environment in mind by using sustainable ingredients such as olive oil, argan oil, plant dyes, etc.
To further minimize your carbon footprint, use renewable sources of energy to create your products and run your physical shop. However, since e-commerce is on the rise, you can also choose to put up an online store instead.
Sustainable businesses are just as profitable as regular businesses these days. Not only can you earn a profit through your business, but you’re helping preserve the Earth for future generations. At a time when the world is suffering from the pandemic and the environmental crisis, there’s no better time than now to start your eco-friendly business.
