The world is moving toward a more sustainable and equitable future. What might have seemed like just a phase in the early 2000s has since grown into a much larger movement for environmentally-friendly manufacturing and ethical sourcing. If you own a business, you would be wise to take note of this ongoing trend, not only because it’s good in and of itself, but because more and more consumers care about your practices.

A study conducted by Cone Communications in 2017 found several indications that many modern consumers care about business’ beliefs and practices, and will base their purchasing decisions at least somewhat on these matters. For instance, according to this study, 87% of consumers who care about environmental issues will make a purchase from a business who matches their beliefs, and 88% of customers express increased loyalty to a business that advocates for environmental improvement. So, regardless of your personal beliefs, finding ways to achieve a more environmentally sustainable and ethical business model can boost your reputation and bottom line.

If you own or manage a grocery or retail business, consider which aspects of your operation could be made more environmentally friendly. You most likely rely on external vendors to provide most of your goods and equipment, so it’s also worth considering their practices and if they gel with your own. For example, where do your shopping carts and baskets come from? Who is your manufacturer, how do they operate, and are they creating these baskets and carts in an ethical manner?

How to Know Your Carts Are Ethically Made

The Power of Recycled Plastic

Since its invention in the mid-19th Century, plastic has led to countless innovations and lifestyle improvements around the globe. Of course, not everything about plastic is fantastic. Its synthetic material, which decomposes at an incredibly slow rate, has already led to major environmental concerns in the century-and-a-half it’s been around.

For instance, when plastic is burned, toxic chemicals pollute the air, harming the flora and fauna around it. When thrown into bodies of water, plastic may be consumed by fish, ducks, and other species, which can poison and kill them, or severely damage their bodies. It will also gradually dissolve in the water over time, harming the larger ecosystem. Plastic also pollutes the land itself as it slowly decomposes into the earth and eventually poisons the groundwater beneath it. 

In other words, because it’s so useful and cheap, there is a lot of plastic out there, and it’s also very difficult to get rid of in a safe and ethical way. Because of these emerging issues, many governments and private organizations have made increased efforts to encourage recycling plastic in all its forms. While plenty of plastic still goes to waste today, much of it does end up getting recycled for various uses. One way plastic can and should be recycled is for the manufacturing of shopping baskets. If your business requires these items, consider purchasing them from a vendor who uses recycled materials to make them.

In fact, the best shopping baskets are made from recycled materials. Depending on the materials, such as elastomers for added strength and the manufacturing process used, they are often much more durable and flexible than baskets and carts made from non-recycled plastic. Purchasing ethically manufactured baskets and carts is, for a number of reasons, a smart choice for your business.

Made in America?

By now, it’s no secret that American manufacturing has been on the decline for several decades. While certain areas of the U.S. produce more domestic goods than others, plenty of these jobs and industries now thrive in other countries, like China, Japan, and Taiwan, just to name a few. There are several reasons for this economic shift, and some experts claim that American manufacturing is making a comeback, though no one knows for sure.

Many consumers and businesses actively seek out American-made products for a number of reasons. Some want to support their country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), others believe that U.S. goods are of a higher standard, while another group are more concerned with foreign labor laws and worker treatment. In certain countries, workers are far less protected than they are in the U.S., and many consumers would rather not support these negative business practices.

These are all strong justifications for preferring American goods, but there’s an even more practical reason, too: U.S. goods are often cheaper for U.S. consumers and businesses since there is no additional import cost. So, ordering your small and large baskets from a U.S. manufacturer isn’t just a good ethical decision, but a sound business practice as well.

The Good L Corp. Difference

As the overarching culture continues to favor businesses with sound manufacturing and sourcing practices, you need to partner up with companies that fit this bill. Good L Corp has been producing shopping baskets and carts in Tennessee for 30 years, always looking for ways to improve the quality of our product while reducing our environmental footprint. Whether you need standard carts or custom shopping baskets with your name on it, our baskets are proudly made with recycled materials. Our big, tall, large, standard, and mini baskets are 100% recycled material and American-made, so you can rest assured that your purchase benefits both the economy and the environment.

Good L Corporation delivers innovative shopping cart and basket solutions for retailers on a global scale. From a fleet of new custom carts to launch your store opening to replacement baskets that supplement your existing shop supply, Good L Corp can configure the right carryall strategy to boost your retail business. Let’s get started! Contact us today for a no-pressure sales quote.