“Companies will one day integrate sustainability in all its functions,” says Carlos Sanchez of Philip Morris International, and that day is rapidly approaching. Sustainability is at the top of consumers’ minds nowadays. A business that doesn’t make changes to their current models are sure to pay the price in the long run.

In fact, the sustainability market in the US is expected to reach $150 billion in sales this year alone. Lucas Fraser, CEO of Circle Environmental Solutions is right, “There has never been more energy, enthusiasm, and momentum behind corporate environmental responsibility.”

The home product industry consists of home decor, furniture, appliances, and other home goods and equipment. So-called “smart-home” technologies are helping to cut down on energy consumption and save consumers money while having the added benefit of helping the environment. We spoke with C-Suite executives in the home product industry to see how they are approaching this new sector of their market.

Make Changes at the Product Level

• Hannah Skvarla, Co-Founder of The Little Market

“It’s important for us to share products that prioritize people and our planet. My tip is to look for or create products that are sustainably made, so you can make a difference with every product you carry and shoppers can feel good about their purchases. If you can, select items that are made with recycled materials and pieces that can be repurposed to extend their lifespans. It’s important to understand how products are made and the production process is environmentally conscious. Each of us can take little steps to make a positive change and create a more sustainable home industry.”

Make One Change

• Chris Hetherington, Founder and CEO of Peels

“Companies need to find new and cost-effective alternatives to how they are currently operating. For instance, at Peels, we are 100% organic and completely natural. That may not be an option for every company, but look at your product and try to find at least one thing that goes into it that could be made more environmentally sustainable. Even a minor change is still a change.”

Be Transparent

• Jordan Nathan, Founder & CEO of Caraway

“We make it a point to have a webpage on our site that breaks down what we are doing differently from the competitors. We say, ‘this is how it is usually done, and this is how we are doing it now.’ This gives consumers an inside look into how we are making a change so they know that we care about the impact our products have on the environment.”

Ditch Plastic

• Alex Czarnecki, Founder & CEO of Cottage

“Wherever possible, remove plastic from your business. Everyone knows that plastics are bad for the environment at this point. There are more and more eco-friendly alternatives available to choose from. Try one out and be a part of the solution.”

Packaging is a Good Place to Start

• Jeff Henretig, President of Apothecanna

“If you want to make a change but aren’t sure where to start, look at your packaging. There are so many ways that you can change your packaging to make it more environmentally friendly. You can lose all of the plastic in that process and it will still be very affordable.”

Recycling Programs

• Ted Toledano, Founder of Modloft

“Take a look into offering a recycling program if you have a product that would benefit from one. It might be hard for consumers to recycle your product properly and they might be open to reaching back out when it is time to dispose of whatever it is they bought from you. This lets them know that the item is being properly disposed of or recycled and offers some peace of mind. It has the added benefit of showing off your company’s commitment to sustainability.“