Dissecting A Trending Niches Which is also Evergreen
Sustainable living
Sustainable living refers to a lifestyle that aims to reduce an individual's or household's environmental impact and resource consumption. The goal is to ensure that present needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Some statistics
Global consumer spending on sustainable fast-moving consumer goods reached $128 billion in 2020, up 65% from $77 billion in 2014.
The global sustainable living market was valued at $365.2 billion in 2020 and is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% from 2021 to 2028. (Grand View Research)
In the U.S., sales of consumer packaged goods positioned as sustainable grew 5.6x faster than conventionally positioned goods in 2021. (IRI)
The U.S. sustainable clothing market was valued at $7.9 billion in 2020, seeing 15% growth from $6.9 billion in 2019. (Grand View Research)
The global eco-friendly furniture market is projected to reach $265.6 billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2022 to 2031. (Allied Market Research)
The global biodegradable plastics market is forecast to grow from $4.3 billion in 2020 to $6.1 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 6%. (Precedence Research) https://www.precedenceresearch.com/biodegradable-plastics-market)
The organic personal care products market was valued at $16.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $22.6 billion by 2026. (Statista)
Some key principles of sustainable living:
- Reducing waste - This can involve steps like avoiding single-use plastics, buying reusable rather than disposable items, composting food scraps, recycling, etc. The aim is to cut down on sending waste to landfills.
- Conserving energy - Turning off lights when not in use, installing LED bulbs, purchasing energy efficient appliances, and reducing overall energy usage helps conserve resources.
- Conserving water - Tactics can include taking shorter showers, turning off water when brushing teeth, purchasing water-efficient faucets and toilets, collecting rainwater, etc.
- Choosing sustainable products - Opting for sustainably sourced, organic and eco-friendly versions of products helps reduce environmental toll. This supports green companies.
- Eating sustainably - Following a plant-based diet, purchasing local/seasonal produce, or growing one's own food are more sustainable eating habits.
- Using green transportation - Walking, biking, public transport or electric/hybrid vehicles are preferred over gas-guzzling options.
The overall goal is to shift towards a lifestyle of ecological responsibility by being mindful of the environmental costs of daily habits and choices. Sustainable living looks at the human footprint holistically.
Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are more concerned about environmental impact. There's growing awareness of problems like plastic pollution and climate change. Eco-friendly products provide an easy way for people to feel they're making a difference.
- Climate change has become a defining issue for younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z grew up hearing about threats like melting ice caps, rising seas, and increasing natural disasters. This instilled a sense of urgency around combating climate change.
- Younger consumers are very concerned about environmental impact and want to lead eco-conscious lifestyles. Surveys show high levels of support for sustainability among millennials and Gen Z. They're willing to pay more for earth-friendly products.
- Increased focus on reducing waste, especially single-use plastics. Images of beaches littered with plastic bags and bottles turned anti-plastic sentiment into a mainstream issue. Reusable alternatives help curb plastic pollution.
- Advancements in green tech make sustainable living more convenient. Products like affordable solar panels, electric vehicles, and eco-smart appliances remove barriers to going green.
- Environmentalism has entered pop culture through films/shows, celebrity activists and social media influencers. This helps spread awareness and makes sustainability "cooler" to younger crowds.
- Companies catering to sustainability can attract passionate Gen Z/millennial customers and employees. Brands like Grove Collaborative and Allbirds have successfully tapped into eco-conscious shoppers.
- Supporting the environment gives young consumers a sense of purpose. Buying reusable straws or upcycled clothes lets them feel like they're contributing to positive change.
Here are some potential angles and target audiences to consider if you want to start a blog about sustainable living:
- Eco-friendly product reviews - Review the latest sustainable products like reusable straws, solar chargers, organic mattresses, etc. Useful for consumers looking for green options.
- Sustainable home - Feature tips on how to make your home more eco-friendly through energy efficiency, waste reduction, green cleaning, indoor plants, etc. Appeal to homeowners.
- Sustainable fashion and beauty - Cover sustainable clothing brands, natural skin care, reuse/recycling in fashion, avoiding fast fashion, etc. Relevant to style-conscious readers.
- Zero waste lifestyle - Provide advice and product recommendations for achieving zero waste through refusing, reducing, reusing, recycling and composting. Attracts environmentally-motivated readers.
- Plant-based eating - Share recipes, meal plans, restaurant recommendations, etc. for eco-conscious eating. Useful for vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians.
- Green travel - Suggest sustainable travel tips, destinations, hotels, and transportation options. Appeal to eco-tourists.
Target Audiences:- Millennials and Gen Z - Younger generations highly engaged in environmentalism and green living.
- Eco-conscious women - Women tend to lead in sustainable and green purchasing. Moms seeking to reduce family waste.
- Conscious professionals - Forward-thinking professionals aiming to incorporate sustainability into work and lifestyle.
- Zero waste community - Those actively working to minimize waste through refusal, reduction and reuse.
- Plant-based eaters - Vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians seeking sustainability through diet.
- Green travelers - Purpose-driven travelers looking to reduce carbon footprint.
Because more women than men are into sustainable women there is an opportunity to write articles to encourage men to be more sustainable . Here are some article titles.
- Top 10 Sustainable Gifts She'll Actually Use - Show You Care About Her Values
- Small Changes That Make a Big Eco-Impact - Easy Tips to Try Together
- How to Be Her Sustainable Shopping Buddy - Support Her Green Lifestyle
- Date Night In: Candlelit Dinner with Reusable Everything - Romance Without the Waste
- Upcycled Furniture for Your Shared Space - Give New Life While Saving Money
- Grow an Indoor Herb Garden for Eco-Friendly Cooking - Take Your Kitchen Skills Up a Notch
- Fun Weekend Projects to Decrease Your Home's Carbon Footprint
- Eco-Conscious Road Trips You'll Both Enjoy - Sustainability from Wheels to Meals
- Outdoor Activities to Boost Your Green Bonding
- Saving Water While Saving Energy: Clever Tips for Your Home - Impress Her with Your Green Game
Product Promotion Ideas
1. Reusable produce bags - Alternative to plastic bags for fruits/veggies
2. Stainless steel straws - Replace single-use plastic straws
3. Glass food storage containers - Plastic-free, reusable alternative
4. Metal water bottles - Instead of buying disposable plastic bottles
5. Beeswax food wraps - Swap for plastic wrap
6. Compost bins - Encourage food waste composting
7. Cotton reusable towels - Cut back on paper towel waste
8. Natural cleaners - Non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products
9. Electric vehicles - Reduce gas emissions
10. Solar panels - Generate clean energy
11. Eco-friendly mattresses - Made from natural materials like organic cotton
12. Bamboo toilet paper - More sustainable alternative to regular TP
13. Rechargeable batteries - Replace disposables
14. Menstrual cups - Rather than tampons/pads
15. Wool dryer balls - Cut back on plastic dryer sheets
16. Digital grocery platform - Reduces food waste with precise portions
17. Smart sprinkler system - Conserves water for lawns
18. Air purifying plants - Improve indoor air quality naturally
19. Canvas reusable bags - Replace plastic/paper bags
20. Veggie burger starter kit - Encourage plant-based eating
Future Trends
Circular Economy Models
Product and materials leasing, renting and resale will grow as ownership models decline. Companies like Rent the Runway, Tulerie and Loop lead this space.
Recycling infrastructure and takeback programs will improve dramatically through investments and technology like AI-enabled robotics.
Businesses will increasingly "product-as-a-service" models that retain ownership and reuse products multiple times. For example, Philips leases lighting systems.
Sustainable Technology
Advances in renewable energy storage, carbon capture, and energy efficiency will drive sustainability. Companies like Tesla are spurring innovation.
Smart home systems will proliferate, using IoT sensors to seamlessly manage energy, water usage and waste. Voice assistants may play a key role.
Supply chain transparency and traceability will improve through blockchain, DNA tagging, machine vision and other emerging tech.
3D printing may reduce transport emissions by enabling localized and on-demand production. It also limits material waste.
Policy and Collaboration
Stricter government regulations around sustainability reporting, carbon emissions and plastics will likely enforce change.
Corporate coalitions and cross-industry initiatives will form to tackle mega-challenges too big for any one firm.
Citizens demanding systemic change through activism, voting blocs and lobbying will pressure governments and business to enact sustainability reforms.
Recent Comments
35
Hi there, Catherine.
Thank you for sharing this insightful information related to sustainable lifestyles and trending niches to explore.
Rachele
Great post and shocking statistics, Catherine!
We try to do all we can to help conserve resources. 😎
Frank 🎸
There are actually a lot, but this one is just a minor example:
Sadly, one thing that I do know is that most rechargeable batteries are utterly worthless, and don't last near as long as they are touted too, and they are much more expensive too, and as with many of those batteries, they are hazardous waste, and cannot be adequately disposed of either.
Everyone must be wary of the "bait and switch" going on in a lot of arenas in this world.
In addition, if a world war erupts, this will vastly negate anything possibly redeemed from the Climate Change hysteria in my opinion, it will likely destroy the entire world in short order if saner heads do not soon prevail! Very sad that it comes to all of this. We will just have to wait and see!
Thanks for the information, Catherine!
Jeff
Bait and switch is not sustainable I totally agree, it is just another way to make profit.
I also agree with you about climate change but it does not negate the idea that we should all be responsible for our carbon footprint.
i have faith in humanity and don't listen to the news, either good or bad. Certainly it would be in the Biden administration to have a Civil war, we can hope it won't happen. Thanks for an honest comment
I hope that will not be the case either, Catherine! While there is complete turmoil in the US, Europe is having huge issues with the new Axis of power over there revolving around the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and, in fact, the entire continent! Day by day is how we must approach this while also doing our best to keep pursuing our goals!
I totally agree Jeff, your book ales are not going to change world politics, but I hope they change your world. The carnage goes on with or without us, which is why I dont read about it
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Catherine, those numbers are frightening!
In our little world, my daughter and I try our best to do what we can.
We compost, recycle and pass on what we can.
Only go "shopping" when necessary.
Eat what we grow.
Walk as much as we can (although crime in Trinidad is a nightmare!).
Your blog post is packed with great ideas.
There is a barrel full of ideas from which to launch a website and a YT channel.
An excellent share!
Thank you.
Cassi
🐛 Change Happens at the point of Congruence.
🦋 Change Your Script!
Change Happens at the point of Congruence. Yes, it does indeed Cassi. I am currently in Nicaragua, which I imagine has the same crime rate as Trinidad. It is also fiercely hot as we wait for the rains. However, despite the extreme poverty, every plastic bag has instructions to recycle at participating shops. Of course, I have hessian bags which reduces the need for plastic, although half a watermelon in a hessian bag without plastic is a nightmare. I eat mostly raw food and vegetables so I don't have the embodied energy of cooking. I am arranging to buy land in Guatemala to start a community project and a big thing will be a recycling plant and an organic garden with a school for the community. So for me exciting times. Change Happens at the point of Congruence. Yes, it does indeed. I have to make my actions totally congruent with my beliefs.
Catherine!
Catherine!
Catherine!
When I think I cannot ❤️ you more, this happens.
Absolutely remarkable!
I have just placed Guatemala on my "GET IT DONE" list and all I have to do now is put a date to it.
This is a true example of Congruence and I will be following your journey closely.
For a Caribbean island of about 1.4 million we will probably pass 600 murders for 2023 (599 were registered in 2022).
Poverty and everything that goes with it is also increasing at an uncontrollable rate.
I truly admire you.
Cassi
🐛 Change Hapens at the Point of Congruence
🦋 Change Your Script!
I have just written an article on my digital nomad blog about the effects of civil war. It seems an unrelated topic, but isnt. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua have all suffered Civil wars less than thirty years ago . I have spent a lot of my life in Civil war zones. That is not as dangerous as it first appears, because the purpose of a civil war no matter how it is dressed up is genocide. Guatemala had 200,000 Mayans wiped out by right wing government forces backed by the US. So I am looking forward to building community programs owned and run by Mayans. I will be an unpaid advisory.
The murder rate is about the same here in Guatemala but often gang related. Poverty and inequality is also increasing incrementally for the Mayans who are left behind. The Caribbean will never truly evolve until People stop believing that it is their own personal playground rather than a community of islands. Rant over Cassi you can safely put your head up now
Catherine, you have nailed it in this comment summary.
I keep saying that we Caribbean people have sold out the Caribbean.
We own very little of our land and we have opened our islands up to the wills and fancies of the outsiders.
While we are busy chasing and building other people's dreams, we are losing our souls.
Quite sad.
Cassi
🐛 Change Happens at the Point of Congruence.
🦋 Change Your Script!
Yes indeed Cassi I totally concur. It get worse when you have countries like St Kitts and Nevis selling off land and citzenship
Exactly!!!
Gosh, that has me SO 🤬😡!!!
I am the only member of my immediate family in Trinidad now (with Zafirah of course).
Perhaps we will come and go but this is where our roots will always be.
The more I earn, the more land I will purchase to pass on.
Cassi
🐛 Change Happens at the Point of Congruence.
🦋 Change Your Script!
A perfect plan Cassi
Thank you, Catherine!
I am going to respond to your PM now. 🙂
Cassi
🐛 Change Happens at the Point of Congruence.
🦋 Change Your Script!