Are consumers sticking to their green diet?
When global warming and the need for greener, more efficient living took center stage, consumers looked to purchase the hottest new items on the market to help them go green, and make living efficiently easier. With all of this newly deemed efficient technology, consumers have slowly lost hold of the initial idea: going green is a lifestyle change; no matter what tools and toys we have to save the earth and our wallets, our day to day lifestyle must transform.
Consumers still need to adopt the idea to use only what is needed, and stop creating waste – this is necessary to avoid the Snackwell’s effect.
The Snackwell’s effect can be defined using the old quality over quantity adage. When going green, simply because a homeowner has installed a quality CFL blub, they are not at liberty to leave this light turned on for a longer quantity of time. Just like dieting, when living eco-consciously moderation is key.
Since consumers aren’t always using these efficient products properly some are seeing no change in their energy bills or eco-footprint. Efficient appliances and tools can be helpful in living a greener lifestyle only if they’re not seen as short cuts, rather small steps towards living eco-consciously.
How can you make sure consumers are using your products properly? Educate them with the background and instruction they need:
- Part of a complete diet - Most low calorie foods and diet appropriate snacks don’t work alone – exercise is needed to complete the winning formula – tell your consumers green living is the same way; your products will point them in the right direction, but it’s up to them to keep going down that green path.
- What’s your active ingredient? Provide clear labeling and packaging language – if your product is going to help a homeowner go green, tell them why and how.
- Calories per serving – Tell consumers how much your products will save them and how much their eco-footprint will shrink over a given amount of time. Give them the tools to measure.
At the end of the day, CFLs and HE appliances are not what is going to save our earth, consumers dedicated to living a better lifestyle are the champions of efficient living.
