The global economic meltdown of 2008 had one silver lining: the internet. Businesses that could thrive during these tumultuous times needed a way to reach customers, and the internet provided that way. Websites sprouted up like mushrooms after the rain, and before you knew it, the entire planet was plugged into the digital economy.
This being said, the web did not emerge from the ashes of the Great Recession unscathed. With the world shifting to a new normal of shorter attention spans, less mobile internet usage, and more time at home, users are now seeking entertainment, community, and information online. Businesses that can provide these essentials are able to thrive as the traditional methods of marketing and sales through TV commercials and magazine spreads fell flat during the pandemic.
To get these audiences back on their feet, entrepreneurs are pivoting to alternative forms of advertising, looking for ways to make money online, and exploring sustainable business models.
Whether you’re looking to join the shift and help businesses become more sustainable, or are simply curious about what the buzz is all about, this article will introduce you to 10 websites that are leading the way to a more eco-friendly, profitable, and enjoyable online experience.
Wondering how to be sustainable online? Learn to reduce your ecological footprint.
Wondering how to be sustainable online? Learn to reduce your ecological footprint.
In these uncertain times, humans need reliable sources of information and entertainment, as well as places to socialize and connect with others. While there are certainly plenty of magazines, blogs, and websites telling you how to go eco-friendly in your day-to-day life, what you need is resources that can teach you how to reduce your ecological footprint when surfing the web. Luckily for you, we’ve got just the thing.
The New York Times recently conducted a scientific study to determine the most sustainable forms of web consumption. By analyzing the electricity usage of different websites, the publication found that consuming content that takes less energy to produce is far more beneficial to the planet than mindless scrolling. What’s more, they suggest ways that you can reduce your carbon footprint when using tech devices such as laptops and cell phones. For instance, use battery-saving devices and unplug unused electronics when not in use. Moreover, make sure that your internet service provider is doing their part in reducing carbon emissions by supporting green energy sources.
Now, you might be wondering how you can reduce your carbon footprint when using the internet. Perhaps the most obvious way is to switch to a greener browser. While Chrome and Firefox offer some greenery in their logos, the truth is that all major browsers consume energy when they are in use. So if you are to reduce your carbon footprint, you should only use browsers from the eco-friendly family — the dark web.
The darker the better when it comes to the web. Nipping at the heels of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, the darker web browsers offer users the ability to avoid adverts, trackers, and malware. While this might not appeal to everyone, for those who prefer their news devoid of pop-ups and aggressive advertising, the darker web is the solution. In addition to shielding users from invasive ads, these browsers also obscure the identity of websites — a great way for users to maintain some semblance of privacy.
Whichever browser you choose, make sure that you keep your energy consumption to a minimum while online. For those who use their laptops on battery power only, cutting back on the electricity used by your device could be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Going green when using tech devices is simpler than you’d think — with the exception of cell phones, which are powered by fossil fuels.
Find the joy in being green.
Find the joy in being green.
While it’s great to be aware of your ecological footprint and to seek out sustainable options when purchasing new products, the benefits of going green in a spiritual sense should not be overlooked. For those who identify as spiritual, it’s important to look at the way that you consume resources and how you live your life. Not only does going green offer numerous tangible benefits to the planet, but it can also improve your mental, emotional, and physical health.
For those seeking an improvement to their quality of life, going green is a great place to start. Instead of focusing on the material goods that you consume, set a goal to reduce your environmental impact and strive to make the world a better place. By living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, you not only reduce your carbon footprint but you might also reduce your toilet paper use — truly benefiting the environment and your wallet at the same time. In fact, if you’re really determined to go green, you could even consider planting a tree. Although you’ll eventually have to purchase furniture to accommodate your new sapling, you’ll be glad you did. After all, a tree is a great source of both food and oxygen, preventing potentially serious effects from climate change.
In addition to oxygen, trees also provide great thermal insulation. While you might be tempted to chuck all of your cozy blankets on the floor to keep warm in the winter, planting a few trees could be a better solution. Not only will the wood provide endless opportunities for creative DIY projects, but the shade could also provide some protection from the sun as well.
Saving the planet one website at a time.
Saving the planet one website at a time.
Websites such as TikTok, Pinterest, and Reddit dominate our Facebook and Instagram feeds thanks to their unique blend of entertainment, education, and social sharing. As much as we like to think about sustainability and how to reduce our ecological footprint, many of us still want to spend our time scrolling through exciting new content. As a result, some businesses are capitalizing on this trend and are using their websites to teach users about sustainable business practices while also appealing to our baser instincts. The trend is known as “triple bottom line” and encourages businesses to consider the environmental, social, and financial aspects of running an enterprise. For example, let’s take a look at Reformation, a business that helps retailers sell more clothing ethically.
Reformation encourages users to become more sustainable by integrating sustainable business practices into their website. To start, the platform encourages users to buy less – which, in theory, should reduce your carbon footprint. Next, it asks you to consider how you can be more ethical when buying clothing. For example, do you buy pre-loved items or do you avoid fast fashion?
Considering the environment is a big topic these days, with many businesses seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, Reformation encourages users to buy less – which, in theory, should reduce your carbon footprint. Next, it encourages users to consider how they can be more ethical when buying clothes. For example, do you buy pre-loved items or do you avoid fast fashion?
While it’s great to know more about sustainable business practices and how to be more eco-friendly, it’s even better when a website actually teaches you something. Reformation’s aim is to get users to think about the clothes that they buy and how they impact the planet. Moreover, they want users to see this not as a chore, but as a fun learning experience. So, rather than a chore, they make sustainability a part of their brand identity and seek to instill a sense of pride in their users. Similarly, HubSpot’s mission is to “help businesses become more efficient and profitable through software,” and they do this by integrating sustainability practices into their platforms. Similarly, ForNow aims to connect businesses (especially those in the fashion and beauty industries) with eco-friendly consumers who want to buy fair trade and organic products.
Eco-friendly fashion brands.
Eco-friendly fashion brands.
With so much competition, it’s imperative that your business stands out. Fortunately, the internet provides a wealth of tools that can be used to draw more customers to your store. To best serve your customers and encourage them to come back for more, you need a website that stands out above the rest. As discussed, some businesses are using web tools to promote more sustainable and eco-friendly living, and it’s a winning strategy.
While some fashion brands might not want to divulge their secrets, HubSpot has created a tool that allows users to discover the best fashion brands for the environment. Using location-based data and articles curated from influential media voices, this tool compares the sustainability practices of over 250 fashion brands and scores each one on a scale from one to ten, with ten being the most eco-friendly.
Users can explore the database of brands and learn more about their specific habits, from the energy that they consume to how they dispose of their waste. Moreover, HubSpot has also designed a tool that helps customers discover the best-selling, most popular, and environmentally-friendly fashion brands.