It is a question that quickly arises in a conversation about sustainability, eco-friendly products and environmentally conscious living. Not surprising, given that at first glance it also seems that eco-friendly products cost more. But what is actually more expensive in the end? In this blog, I'll figure it out for you!
Sustainability and quality
A major difference between sustainable and non-sustainable products is quality. Often, the former category has carefully selected materials that have been produced in an environmentally friendly way, with an eye for quality. This gives products a longer lifespan, meaning you don't have to purchase a replacement as quickly. Buying a high-quality sustainable product can therefore be seen as a long-term investment. You spend more money at once in order to use a product for a longer time.
Washable diapers
A great example of a sustainable product that you can see as an investment is washable diapers. These cost an average of €21 each, and you need quite a few of them if you don't want to do laundry after every diaper change. For a first baby, you can quickly spend a few hundred euros. Although that might be daunting at first, I'll immediately reassure you with the fact that disposable diapers are quite a bit more expensive in the long run. However, for washable diapers you make a one-time large expenditure for several years, whereas the costs for disposable diapers are spread out over that same time. Moreover, the washable diapers are of such good quality that they can be used for several children. If you want to know more about this product, read this blog!
Including fair wages
In addition to quality, there is of course much more included in the price of a product. An eco-friendly brand often has an eye not only for the product itself, but also for the conditions under which it was produced. This includes fair working conditions and hourly wages. Moreover, the market for eco-friendly products is growing, but it is still nowhere near as large as the market for regular products. As a result, those production costs cannot always be spread over very large quantities, because production (as of yet) is not that high.
Do note that a high price for a product does not automatically mean that it was produced in a sustainable or fair way. There are still companies that generate high revenue by applying a high profit margin to their products. To be sure that you are buying a product that has been produced in an eco-friendly way with sustainable materials, look at the labels that the product has. These are awarded by independent bodies that check and assess products, materials, and the production process against various requirements they set. Would you like to get to know the different labels? Then take a look at this page, where they are all listed!
Conclusion
In general, it can be stated that the hard price of sustainable products is higher, but that by using them you are cheaper off in the long run. Moreover, you spare the environment a lot of misery by using eco-friendly products. In recent years, there has been increasing attention for the environment and products that fit into that picture. Let's ensure together that this trend continues to develop and that eco-friendly products slowly become the standard in our daily lives!
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