It may cost more for consumers to be green, but it pays off for many eco-friendly businesses.
Austin businesses are benefiting from an increased demand for natural, non-toxic and organic products.
The increasing popularity of environmentally friendly living that is spreading throughout the United States resulted in $209 billion in profits this year and is estimated to reach $400 billion by 2010 nationwide, according to a report released last Thursday by Nielsen Co. and the Natural Marketing Institute.
The report showed that shoppers with greener tendencies are the top buyers of consumer packaged goods, explaining the increase in organic, natural or environmentally friendly products.
Amy Holland, co-owner of Eco-Wise, a local store that provides eco-friendly products, said profits have steadily increased since Eco-Wise was founded in 1990. She believes this relates to Austin's tendency toward living "green."
"Austin is on its way to becoming a green city," Holland said. "The awareness is there. Businesses just need to jump up to speed."
Holland said customers often act as catalysts for the products her business provides. Because of the progressive nature of Austin consumers, she said they constantly research and look for new ways to keep up with trends for protecting the environment.
Austin has also seen an increased interest in products that are locally grown and made.
The profits from the Farmer's Market, a weekly gathering of local farmers and vendors who come to Republic Park to sell their products, increased 29 percent since last year, said Suzanne Santos, a representative from the Farmer's Market. Many of these farmers offer organic produce.
When demand increases, local farmers are forced to increase productivity, and that leads to an increase in profit, Santos said.
Santos said Austin consumers are typically more progressive, better educated and more proactive and thus prefer greener products. Businesses must offer services and products to meet this need, she said.
"We had 2,300 people in a span of four hours last week, which is great, but we have the ability to be bigger," Santos said.
