Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 28th November 2024 Issue no. 1140
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Promoting visible sustainability initiatives may help encourage people to return to your facility
To help understand how environmental sustainability considerations may affect UK consumer behaviours and perceptions, SC Johnson Professional commissioned YouGov to survey a representative sample of consumers in the UK, with a total of 2,093 people responding.
It is no surprise that the general population is becoming more environmentally conscious, with the extent of plastic pollution often making headlines. These perceptions should impact the way we manage our facilities - SC Johnson Professional found that visible sustainability efforts may make people more likely to return to your facility.
Product choice is a key route to visibility.
The YouGov survey found that the choice of products which reduce a company's environmental impact is one of the top ways it can show that it is taking steps to be more sustainable. Some 54% of respondents believed that businesses should demonstrate sustainability efforts through this route. For example, when looking at hand hygiene products, respondents stated that a focus on sustainability in the product's manufacture is second only to a product's features, such as its effectiveness and how pleasant it is to use.
Sustainability efforts should be visible.
When it comes to a company's reputation, over half (55%) of the survey's respondents said that environmental sustainability efforts improve their opinion of an organisation.
However, it is important that these efforts can be clearly seen; 57% of respondents said they are more likely to choose to return to a public facility if it is making visible and clear improvements to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
When it comes to working environments, 24% of respondents said they are more likely to visit offices if clear steps are being taken to operate in an environmentally sustainable way. Whilst people often can't choose the office they work in, they do have agency over which restaurants, cafes, or leisure centres they visit. In facilities such as these, where customers have more freedom to choose, the number who are more likely to visit a restaurant or shop if clear and visible steps are being taken to operate in an environmentally sustainable way, grows to 47%.
Young people and women more likely to favour sustainability efforts.
Overall, findings from the survey indicate that younger consumers generally prefer public facilities with a stronger commitment to sustainability. The survey reveals a positive correlation between age and the likelihood of choosing to revisit a public facility that visibly makes efforts to reduce its environmental impact, with 66% of 18-24-year-olds more likely to revisit these facilities vs 53% of 55+ year olds.
Likewise, when asked to what extent, if at all, environmental sustainability efforts improve their opinion of an organisation, 70% of 18-24-year-olds said it would be improved versus 50% of those aged 55+. A further 53% of 18-24-year-olds agreed that companies should demonstrate sustainability efforts even further by working with relevant charities or organisations. As the next generation of consumers and workforce, it is important to recognise the behaviours, preferences and values of younger respondents.
Beyond age, the survey highlights that female respondents are more likely to factor in environmental and sustainability considerations when responding to questions about facilities. Notably, women are more likely to revisit offices, cafes, restaurants, and leisure facilities if these establishments operate in a sustainable way. These findings align with data from the Office of National Statistics, which states that women are more likely to make an environmentally conscious lifestyle change.
Demonstrate that your facility is making sustainable choices.
Looking to take a step towards visible environmental sustainability efforts in your facility?
The SC Johnson Professional Proline Wave 1-litre washroom soap dispenser is made with 70% Recovered Coastal Plastic. The plastic is sourced from a global partnership between SC Johnson and Plastic Bank, which adds social benefits by supporting opportunities for over 20,000 people in vulnerable coastal areas.
Made with the equivalent of 16 x 500ml Recovered Coastal Plastic waste plastic bottles (excluding caps and labels), the Proline Wave 1-litre dispenser can be used with the full range of SC Johnson Professional foam soaps, which, compared with traditional lotion soaps, provide people with an effective, pleasant hand wash using up to 45% less water and 30% less product when washing and rinsing.
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