7 Industries That Are Going Green in 2024

Global sectors are taking powerful strides to implement eco-conscious practices in the race toward a greener future. This year, the innovations are compelling consumers like you to make smarter choices. From renewable energy to supporting ethical work conditions, these seven sustainable industries lead the way to a better tomorrow.

Packaging

Plastics are inexpensive but wasteful. Of the 9.2 billion tons of plastic produced, only 9% has been recycled properly. In an attempt to reverse this, the sector is slowly giving way to a greener future. Today, eco-conscious consumers are seeking brands that are environmentally aware. Companies are now using plastics made from plant-based materials, compostable containers and recycled packaging from waste. The future of the global sustainable packaging market looks promising and is expected to exceed $393 billion by 2028.

Companies going green since their foundation include Tetra Pak and noissue. Tetra Pak uses responsibly sourced carton packages to help consumers lower their carbon footprints. On the other hand, noissue uses compostable packaging made using bio-polymers and renewable plant-based items to support a circular economy.

Fitness

In addition to promoting a healthier lifestyle, the fitness industry is slowly shifting toward creating a healthier planet. Sustainability encourages equipment manufacturers and gyms to generate eco-friendly products to join the collective mission. For instance, Active Giving is an app enabling people to convert calories burned into trees planted.

Modern gyms are gradually adopting sustainable strategies addressing basic green principles, such as energy efficiency, water management and eco-friendly interior design. The simple act of incorporating natural light is a great way to cut electricity usage. Installing recumbent bikes is also an eco-conscious swap because they use kinetic energy from pedaling to generate electricity and recharge batteries, providing power to the equipment’s display and music.

Fashion

Trends come and go, but the environmental impacts of this sector will affect the planet for years. The apparel industry’s global emissions will increase by 50% at the end of the decade. This alarming environmental implication pushes brands and consumers to go green and address the product lifecycle process. Here are the top five trends that support sustainable fashion:

Upcycled: This popular trend among fashion designers and celebrities repurposes materials to create new clothes.

Green: This refers to replacing plastics with biodegradable options, such as kelp leather, organic cotton and hemp.

Cruelty-free: Fashion products manufactured and obtained without cruel means fall into this category.

Circular: The phrase connotes a closed-loop process referring to reusing wasted materials and repurposing them for manufacturing.

Ethical: This trend refers to supporting employee welfare, promoting equal gender rights and creating a safe working environment.

Levi’s is an example of a sustainable fashion brand that supports the environment by producing denim items that stand the test of time. Amour Vert is one of the many companies that support circular fashion — it uses deadstock fabric, sells pre-loved items and plants trees in North America for every shirt bought.

Playground

This lesser-known industry is not playing around when supporting a greener future. The production of playground equipment usually involves plastics, metals and nonrenewable resources that bring significant environmental implications. Manufacturers have acknowledged these challenges and are implementing eco-friendly efforts like passive design strategies, natural ventilation and recyclable materials, such as bamboo and sustainable wood.

Many companies, such as Little Tikes Commercial, hold vital environmental certifications, like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This verifies business processes and materials are eco-friendly.

Construction

The construction sector is among the sustainable industries aiming to create a healthier environment for future generations. The main goal of this industry is to utilize eco-conscious development tactics, employ energy-efficient strategies and maximize green technology.

The industry is going green using sustainable building solutions, such as laminated timber, stone, bamboo and recycled plastic. Even though the construction sector lags behind other industries, it uses more advanced technology like building information modeling (BIM) during design development.

Food and Beverage

As the planet gets warmer, food and beverage companies are expected to do their part in supporting organic practices and reducing food waste. Restaurants and brands are now implementing sustainable innovations, such as plant-based alternatives, reducing carbon emissions across operations and using reusable food containers. Certifications like USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified are also used to label brands that follow ethical procedures.

Supporting brands that are going green provides a way for you to do your part in the environment. Good Catch Foods is one example of a brand advocating for better ocean life by delivering plant-based options.

Automotive

Engaging in sustainable practices is essential for a sector contributing to 10% of global carbon emissions in 2022. Automotive businesses are now at the forefront of going green by improving fuel efficiency to reduce emissions. Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles, like electric cars and hybrids, are also rolling out in the market. Decreasing reliance on fossil fuels is vital in addressing climate change.

Brands like Tesla are committing to a sustainable energy economy. The company has sold over 1.3 million electric vehicles that support eco-friendly transportation.

Tourism

Sustainable tourism refers to adopting practices to reduce instances of economic leakage, damage to the environment and overcrowding. The main goal of this sector is to address the needs of tourists in a way that impacts the environment and economy positively. Environmentally friendly efforts include preserving wildlife and landscape restoration.

This can be achieved through various efforts. One way is encouraging visitors to support local communities, which benefits the economy and reduces the carbon footprint from transporting goods. Raising awareness about controversial practices like eating exotic animals is beneficial, as irresponsible dining habits can result in habitat loss and species extinction.

Support Sustainable Industries

Climate change is rapidly affecting the planet, and these sustainable industries are working hand-in-hand to tackle the common aim of making Earth liveable for many years. As you embark on an eco-conscious lifestyle, remember to support businesses that help improve the world you’re living in.

About the Author: Beth Rush is the green wellness editor at Body+Mind. She has more than five years of experience writing and editing articles covering topics like sustainable transit and the importance of green spaces in urban planning. You can find Beth on Twitter @bodymindmag.

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