The climate crisis has become a global concern, and businesses, along with nations andinstitutions, have stepped up efforts to ensure that their operations have minimal effects in terms of waste and carbon emissions. Startups are also taking the approach to sustainability by starting green businesses.

How green businesses are helping to save the planet and how you can start your own

Green businesses (also known as sustainable businesses) are businesses that embrace initiatives and procedures that enable the business to do the following:

Source or manufacture products and run operations and facilities in an environmentally responsible manner

Reduce its carbon footprint by being energy efficient and using clean, renewable energy

Actively reduce, reuse, and recycle the amount of waste it produces

Avoid pollution of water, the air, or soil in its business practices.

As contributing toward environmental sustainability is one of Alibaba.com’s corporate social responsibility pillars, it continues making efforts to make its business and its partners greener. The Alibaba.com Autumn 2021 Online Trade Show, from October 18th to 31st, is one such effort aiming to connect buyers interested in running green businesses to suppliers with sustainable products.

10 product ideas to start a green business

A 2019 Nielsen market study reported that consumers are willing to pay more for their sustainable living value, meaning that increasing profitability could be achieved through trading in eco-friendly products.^[2] If you are looking to start a green business or turn your business into one, here is a list of product ideas to inspire your product offerings.

1. Vacuum water bottles

Sustainability is about reusability as a way of reducing waste. A great way of doing this is by using vacuum water bottles, typically made of stainless steel. They minimize toxic waste released through manufacturing and remove the need to buy new plastic water bottles everytime someone wants to hydrate!

2. Bamboo cutting boards

As an alternative to wood or plastic versions, bamboo cutting boards are more eco-friendly as it doesn’t require toxic manufacturing processes and grow quickly for reuse. Beyond this, bamboo is also biodegradable, making for safer disposal. These green natural resources make bamboo cutting boards a cleaner and renewably sourced option.

3. Reusable grocery bags

Plastic bags are infamous pollutants as they are non-biodegradable. Fossil raw materials such as crude oil and natural gas are used in their manufacturing process. Still, reusable grocery bags eliminate the need for single-use plastic, the use of non-renewable resources, and the potential polluting of coasts and marine life.

4. Wool dryer balls

Wool dryer balls are natural fabric softeners sustainably sourced. They are a good replacement of plastic and rubber dryer balls and are less wasteful than dryer sheets.

5. Stainless steel / reusable straws

Stainless-steel or reusable straws are created to be highly durable, replacing traditional single-use straws. This helps in environmental protection as it significantly reduces the use of single-use plastics and the toxic chemicals released during plastic manufacturing.

6. Reusable food wraps

When it comes to food storage, reusable food wraps are a great alternative to plastic food wraps.They are typically made from more materials such as organic cotton muslin, hemp, beeswax, soy wax, and tree resin, not only natural but often antibacterial.

7. Recycled paper wallets

Recycled paper wallets are made with previously disposed materials. This reduces the amount of landfill waste accumulated every year, and because they are often biodegradable, their end-of-life disposal also has strong green credentials.

8. Cotton dishcloths

Cotton dishcloths are a great product to add to your store as it is a perennial product that will always have year-long demand. They are a great alternative to paper towels as they are reusable and biodegradable.

9. Eco-friendly phone cases

Eco-friendly phone cases allow mobile phone users to switch from plastic phone cases to ones made of natural materials that are highly sustainable and easily biodegradable. Such materials include bamboo, cork, or wood that has been sustainably harvested.

10. Portable solar kits

Renewable energy sources are one of the main frontiers of environmental protection. Portable solar kits offer a clean, free, and renewable energy source that offers you the versatility of using it wherever you go!

Sourcing for your green business at the Alibaba.com Autumn 2021 Online Trade Show

Alibaba.com is hosting a two-week online trade show that connects buyers and suppliers worldwide. The virtual trade show reduces the carbon footprint of travel and provides a safer way for businesses to source products and meet suppliers still. It also offers buyers access to high-quality supplies, whose founders and CEOs will go on livestreams to give buyers more insight into the products, company profile, and innovative technologies of different exhibitions.

Buyers also have access to over 9,900 of some of the best suppliers on Alibaba.com, with a featured Green Product Venue that showcases a range of different green products that are set to become popular, all of them sharing common eco-friendly credentials and third-party certification.

For further peace of mind, Alibaba.com is offering a number of special services* during the event, including free third-party production monitoring for orders placed over US $1,000 and free inspection services for orders over US $5,000! There are also great deals and discounts on offer, including product samples as low as US $0.01 and up to 30% off in discounts!

Claim the deals now and launch your green business today!

*on eligible orders and subject to Terms and Conditions.

References:

https://www.alizila.com/alibaba-shows-how-retailers-can-go-green-this-shopping-season/
https://greenbusinessbureau.com/blog/financial-benefits-of-an-eco-friendly-business/