Why Do Sustainable Products Cost More?
When you first look at the prices of sustainable products you might be surprised or even put off by the higher cost.
We’re all trying our best to choose ethical, quality items that do the least harm to our planet, so it might be helpful to understand why they can sometimes cost more.
Sustainable Products Cost More to Manufacture
It’s a simple truth: eco-friendly products cost more to grow and manufacture.
These products are often certified organic, meaning they don’t use cheap chemicals and pesticides on crops, and reputable certifications add to the costs as well.
Paying workers a fair wage is another important facet of sustainable products that can’t be overlooked.
We’re all in this together, and making sure everyone is taken care of is worth it!
Fast-Fashion Has Set Our Expectations
The low-quality, disposable clothing we see on racks everywhere has led us to believe you can buy a shirt for $5 with no consequences behind it.
If we stop and consider the labor alone we could reasonably assume that those workers are not being paid a livable wage.
On top of that the quality of materials used is not made to last.
Companies thrive on the quick-sell mentality of putting something on a sale rack rather than considering the long term consequences of the goods they’re pushing.
Sustainable Products are Less In Demand
Until sustainable products are seen to be a worthwhile investment for companies who sell them, they will always be priced at a premium.
By buying cheaper, disposable items we are reinforcing the belief that it’s truly what the consumers want and showing companies that they should continue focusing less on sustainable goods.
As the demand rises for these items we will see a rise in production as the company shifts manufacturing resulting in the prices lowering.
All that is to say, we “vote” for what we want with our dollars.
The more often we choose sustainable products, the demand will drive the cost down over time.
So why might opting for a higher- priced, sustainably-made product be a better choice?
It’s Just Better For Everyone
Think about some of the the shortcuts companies take to make cheap products:
- unsafe working conditions and low wages for laborers
- harmful chemicals and toxic additives to products
- wasteful, non-recyclable packaging.
None of that is good news for us as individuals or us as a planet.
Choosing sustainable products not only helps show companies we demand a higher standard going forward, but it guarantees a safer, greener world for us all.
Quality Items Last Longer and Can be Repaired
The idea of spending a large sum at one time on a single item can be daunting.
But if we consider the longevity of that item over years of use it becomes much more valuable.
Consider a pair of jeans that costs $30 but only lasts you a few months.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to choose a high-quality pair that might last you several years for 2-3x the price?
It’s a better investment for you and for the planet to choose a single, higher-quality item rather than contributing more waste!
The Bottom Line
Eco-friendly products may cost more right now, but if we all do our part and use our dollars to tell companies we want a sustainable future, they will listen and prices will come down.
Keep thinking of the long-term and what’s best for us all, and we can spread a hopeful outlook for the future!
