More than half of Britons believe they are sustainable shoppers, survey finds

A majority of adults said that being a sustainable shopper had become more important to them in the past five years

‘For many, being green, sustainable and trying to look after the planet is a big concern’ (AFP via Getty Images)

Caring shoppers refuse to buy eggs from cage-reared hens – but never check if their beauty products are sustainable and cruelty-free because it’s ‘too difficult’ to understand the packaging.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 57 per cent consider themselves to be a sustainable and ethical shopper, with 62 per cent claiming this has become even more important to them in the past five years.

As a result, the majority said they would always buy free-range eggs, despite it being more expensive than eggs from battery hens.

Only a few however buy more expensive beauty products to ensure they are cruelty-free, with 61 per cent struggling to tell if hair and skincare products are ethical from the packaging.

Meanwhile, many don’t usually check the eco credentials of make-up and haircare as they feel they have ‘no choice’ but to buy items which aren’t sustainable and animal friendly.

However, the study by vegan, eco, ethical and cruelty-free haircare brand weDo/ Professional found 54 per cent have considered sustainability a more important factor when buying hair, beauty and skincare items in recent years.

More than half feel it is more important than ever to look for an item with recyclable packaging, while others are now more concerned about products being animal friendly.

A quarter of shoppers are also more likely to look for an accreditation or mark to prove its eco-friendly status.

Elinor Brown, spokesperson for weDo/ said: “For many, being green, sustainable and trying to look after the planet is a big concern – especially when it comes to beauty - but they feel it’s not always as simple as they would like.

“We can see consumers have good intentions to buy sustainably, yet this is easier to do in some areas than others.

“It’s easy to see whether the eggs you are buying come from cage reared hens or free range, but it seems many shoppers don’t feel the same way about beauty and haircare products – and you don’t always have the time to stand in the store trying to decipher the details on the packaging.

“At weDo/, we want to show our consumers that it is easy to make more sustainable choices with clearer labelling and product promises which reference sourcing, ingredients and recycling schemes.”

The poll also found that younger adults are leading the way when it comes to ethical shopping.

More than two thirds of 25–34-year-olds consider themselves to be sustainable shopper compared to just 48 per cent of pensioners.

Many younger adults would also refuse to buy shampoo or conditioner which wasn’t ethically and sustainably produced, while just a quarter of 55-64-year-olds said the same.

It also emerged only very few 25–34-year-olds consider the sustainability credentials an important factor when choosing a hair care product compared to just 14 per cent of over 65s.

As a result, many young adults check the packaging of beauty products to ensure they are produced ethically and sustainably before making a purchase – more than the 38 per cent of over 65s who do the same.

However, a lack of clear information on packaging is a barrier for many with 49 per cent of all adults wanting brands to make it easier to spot how a product was produced.

More than half would even be prepared to pay an average of 19 per cent more for an item which was clearly shown to be cruelty-free, while 31 per cent would part with more cash if it was obvious it had used ethical packaging.

The desire for more ethical and sustainable items has also seen one in four adults turn their backs on hair products in plastic bottles and use a shampoo bar instead, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

The main driver for doing so is to reduce plastic use from shampoo bottles, while 44 per cent say it’s a small change they can make to help the environment.

Elinor Brown from weDo/ added: “Making a small change, like going from shampoo bottles to shampoo bars, can seem a bit daunting at first.

“But it’s a little change which can really help your beauty regime to become more ethical and sustainable.”

SWNS