Product Sustainability: How to Make Sustainable Products (2025) – Shopify Israel

With growing environmental concerns and climate change realities, product sustainability has become vital for both consumers and businesses worldwide. Sustainable products aim to minimize ecological harm throughout their lifecycle—from raw material extraction to final disposal—while fostering socially responsible practices and economic feasibility.

What is a Sustainable Product?

A sustainable product is designed and manufactured to reduce negative environmental impact during its entire lifespan. This includes efficient resource use, low greenhouse gas emissions, ethical labor conditions, and ensuring future generations can meet their needs. Sustainability assessment involves examining both the product’s materials and the company’s overall environmental footprint, such as energy sources used in manufacturing.

The Four Pillars of Product Sustainability

1. Resource Efficiency
   Optimizing natural resource use by employing product designs with less material, minimizing waste, using renewable inputs, and adopting energy-efficient manufacturing and logistics processes.

2. Impact on Environment
   Conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to measure carbon emissions, water usage, and other environmental factors across production, transportation, and disposal stages. Standards like ISO 14040 and 14044 guide robust LCAs to tailor sustainability efforts.

3. Social Responsibility
   Upholding ethical standards including fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and human rights respect across the supply chain.

4. Economic Benefits
   Ensuring products are profitable and market-viable long-term to prevent replacement by unsustainable alternatives. Cost reduction, accessing eco-conscious markets, and transparency bolster customer loyalty.

How to Produce and Sell Sustainable Products

1. Select the Right Materials

Prioritize recycled, bio-based, or sustainably sourced materials. For example, recycled PET plastics or bamboo offer lower carbon footprints compared to conventional plastics and hardwoods. Replacing plastic components (e.g., lotion tubs, buttons) with reusable or biodegradable alternatives strengthens unique selling propositions.

2. Optimize Energy Use

Reduce carbon emissions by utilizing renewable energy (solar, wind) in manufacturing and business operations. Regular audits can identify energy reduction opportunities both in physical stores and e-commerce platforms. Shopify, for instance, supports sustainable hosting solutions.

3. Promote Supply Chain Transparency

Disclose sourcing locations, manufacturing processes, and delivery methods on your website. Partner with suppliers sharing your environmental values. Example: Great Wrap openly shares its potato-based compostable cling wrap production details.

4. Be Thoughtful About Packaging

Aim to minimize packaging and comply with regulations. Use eco-friendly packaging like biodegradable labels, recyclable boxes, and reusable containers. Reusing packaging materials (e.g., bubble wrap) enhances sustainability.

5. Acquire Relevant Certifications

Obtain third-party certifications such as Fair Trade USA or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to validate sustainability claims. Certifications increase consumer trust and encourage continuous environmental performance improvements.

6. Educate Your Customers

Empower buyers with knowledge about sustainable product benefits through transparent communication and marketing, building stronger brand loyalty.

Conclusion

Sustainability in products extends far beyond the use of eco-friendly materials, encompassing comprehensive environmental, social, and economic factors. By strategically selecting materials, optimizing energy, ensuring transparency, thoughtful packaging, certification, and customer education, brands can create sustainable products that thrive in the modern marketplace and contribute positively to the planet’s future.

Source: Shopify Blog, updated April 10, 2025

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.