Sustainable, eco-friendly products are the hottest new trend hitting the ecommerce world in 2023. As climate change and environmental concerns take center stage, consumers increasingly make purchase decisions based on company values and greener supply chains. Sales of eco-friendly products grew an astounding 70% YoY in 2022 alone according to recent Shopify research.
For online retailers and dropshippers, this shift in priorities represents a massive opportunity worth over $150 billion globally based on current growth rates. Whether developing your own brand of eco-products, sourcing inventory from green suppliers or curating items in an environmentally conscious storefront, multiple avenues exist to capitalize on this growing niche.
This guide will explore exactly why and how selling eco-friendly merchandise through a dropshipping model can significantly boost customer engagement and sales.
Why Eco-Friendly Products Represent an Emerging Goldmine
Recent surveys reveal just how dedicated modern consumers have become to supporting green brands and reducing waste across industries:
- 73% of millennials say environmental impact plays an extremely significant role in purchases.
- 92% of Gen Z try limiting plastic consumption.
- Boomers also factor sustainability in buying decisions with 57% willing to pay more for eco-friendly options.
Consumers across backgrounds now actively avoid brands perceived as greenwashing or contributing to global emissions. In an economy where attention spans compete with TikTok clips, customers develop fierce brand loyalty when values align.
Even during inflationary periods and potential recession, the outsized growth in eco-friendly niches endures compared to traditional retail categories according to analysts. Consumers don’t see sustainability as a luxury but rather an imperative for retailers.
Stocking eco-inventory also serves as a competitive differentiator that meets buyer preferences while opening up additional revenue streams. The numbers don’t lie – selling green pays.
Top-Selling Eco-Friendly Products to Jump On
While demand continues growing across all sustainable goods, these specific products make ideal inventory additions:
Reusable Straws
Plastic straw bans spreading globally makes reusable metal and silicone straws hot sellers. A pack of rainbow coloured reusable straws sees below average return rates in the lifestyle category per ecommerce analytics. Metal straws in particular fetch higher profits despite greater supplier costs and shipping expenses.
Bamboo Toothbrushes
Eco toothbrushes represent the rare product delivering on both environmental and functional benefits. Bamboo handles last longer than plastic equivalents and the softer bristles reduce gum irritation. Charcoal-infused bristles add a whitening component to boost appeal.
Beeswax Food Wraps
Sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics such as beeswax wrap provide an reusable option for covering bowls and food storage. Cute patterns and designs pint towards wider demographic appeal beyond just hardcore environmentalists.
Metal Lunch Boxes
Catering to remote workers looking for plastic-free ways to transport daily meals, stainless steel lunch boxes win on convenience and style. Integrated compartments keep ingredients separated and maintain optimal temperatures longer.
Compostable Phone Cases
Part tech accessory, part daily environmental pick me up, phone case manufacturers now produce models made of biodegradable materials that don’t compromise style or protection. For the IPhone 14 series, floral prints and nature-inspired designs resonate strongest with 18 to 24 year olds.
Reusable Produce Bags
Lightweight mesh produce bags provide the perfect alternative for wasting hundreds of single-use fruit and vegetable bags yearly. Their affordable price point makes these bestsellers for newcomers exploring sustainable living.
While this covers today’s most popular eco-dropsipping finds, the list keeps growing!
Optimizing for the Eco-Friendly Shopper
While interest continues gaining momentum across demographics, roughly half of environmentally-conscious shoppers are millennials according to Statista.
When sourcing suppliers and marketing eco inventory, keep these end user preferences and values top of mind:
- Prioritize natural materials like bamboo over cheap plastic derivatives
- Convey specific details on manufacturing processes and supply chain impacts
- Stress fair trade suppliers and workers right policies
- Share stories about the origins of products that foster an emotional connection
- Use minimalist branding and earthy color palettes
- Feature robust sustainability sections on ecommerce sites detailing green initiative
- Publish blog content highlighting environmental issues and brand alignment
- Promote eco-features alongside functionality where possible; don’t make customers choose between green living and convenience
- Run occasional discounts on popular products promoting environmental causes
While passionate about the planet, ethical buyers convert best when messaging balances inspiration with practicality. Avoid virtue signaling or overusing buzzwords without transparent data.
Relatable and descriptive language keeps shoppers in the sales funnel. Ultimately everyone can appreciate clean air and beautiful forests while still needing their phone protected or lunches kept fresh. Find that overlap.
Adding Eco-Dropshipping Products to Inventory
Sourcing reliable eco-friendly suppliers without inflated MOQs or shipping times makes or breaks the pivot towards sustainability.
When vetting vendors focus on:
Materials and Process Transparency: Suppliers should openly share where materials originate and how production impacts environments. Having access to life cycle analyses helps quantify footprint.
Fair Labor and Trading Practices: Seek B Corps and manufacturers ensuring safe working conditions and reasonable wages through auditing. Most consumers support sustainability extending into human rights.
Packaging and Distribution: Whether using recycled mailers or optimizing loads to reduce miles, logistics decisions influence overall footprint. Inquire about these policies.
Industry Certifications: Search for recognized stamps like Organic Materials Review Institute, Certified Vegan or USDA Certified Biobased Product seals confirming environmental claims.
Price Equilibrium: Higher production expenses commonly raise wholesale rates for eco-goods. Ensure enough headroom exists to retail the products profitably after adding shipping overheads.
While margins may get thinner with eco-lines compared to mass produced items, the supply limitations and customer loyalty counterbalances the slimmer overhead. You can always raise retail prices gradually given the unique product offering while maintaining price advantage over boutique brick and mortar green stores.
Scaling Sustainable through Digital Jiu Jitsu
For fledgling eCommerce sites lacking the resources of an Amazon, implementing lean marketing frameworks provide the ideal mechanism for catching eyeballs without catching budgets on fire through paid ads.
Own your niche by becoming a trusted resource. How? Content!
Strategically optimize site content targeting buyers at every stage of their research process:
- Informational Blog Posts – Pitch journalists to get featured as a sustainability expert. Ghostwrite guest posts for natural living blogs detailing positive impacts of specific eco-friendly products.
- Comparison Posts – Craft reviews contrasting the durability, usability and style of popular items like beeswax wraps or reusable masks. Videos work incredibly well.
- Curated Product Descriptions – Move beyond technical specs to tell a story for each product emphasizing origins, craftsmanship and purpose. Support with infographics.
- UGC and Reviews – Sprinkle in testimonials from real buyers highlighting favorite products and experiences to build trust and transparency.
- SEO Focused Guides – Develop long form guides with advice tailored specifically to your products like “8 Things To Know Before Swapping Bamboo Straws.” Comprehensive resources perceived as valuable by search engines.
- Hashtag Focused Instagram Content – Post aesthetically pleasing lifestyle imagery featuring your eco-products in use alongside hashtag campaigns trending in the space. Leverage influencers for extra amplification potential.
Rather than competing dollar-for-dollar with giants on ad networks, insightful educational content shared organically across channels earns attention AND surfaces your store as a leader in the sustainability space.
Time to Drive The Eco Bandwagon Towards Sustainable Profits
As conscious consumerism goes mainstream, retailers wanting to resonate with modern buyers must make environmental impact assessments as commonplace as expense report submissions and Monday morning leadership meetings.
While dyeing your logo green won’t cut it as genuine long term commitment, introducing eco-friendly products into existing inventory serves as an easy transition into greener practices while benefiting from this high-growth category.
Even modest initial steps pay dividends over time on consumer perception and search visibility. Then scale impact through supplier partnerships, offset programs and philanthropic initiatives as revenues increase.
Now is the moment to align principles with profits and steer towards sustainability. Your values-driven customers eagerly await a lift in your eco-friendly rideshare. Time to ramp up for the road ahead.