63% of people in Ireland aged 18-25 have become more aware of shopping sustainably over the last year, according to new research by Bank of Ireland.
It reveals that 69% of this cohort are now willing to pay more for sustainable goods, compared to the national average of 54%.
The recent survey of 1,000 shoppers by Red C which examines the nation's sustainable shopping habits, was carried out to launch Bank of Ireland’s new bio-sourced Visa Debit Card, the first of its kind in Ireland.
Available to third-level students from today, the new bio-sourced card is made from 82% bio-sourced renewable materials derived from field corn.
When its lifespan is over, it takes just six months to break down unlike its plastic equivalent, which take around 400 years to decompose.
According to the Bank of Ireland research, when shopping sustainably, two-thirds say that environmentally friendly packaging is the number one thing they look out for when making a purchase.
56% say a product which is locally sourced or Fairtrade certified and has traceable origins is a key part of the decision process, while 45% say ensuring the product is cruelty-free is important to them.
The research also reveals that the current pandemic has played a role in changing how we shop and what we are purchasing, leading to a greater emphasis on shopping local, being more sustainable and supporting Irish businesses.
61% of respondents say that they have made an effort to shop closer to home since March and 30% say they have been actively buying more sustainably sourced items.
Reflecting the decline in socialising, 52% say they have bought less clothing over the last six months and 30% say they are spending less on beauty and personal care products.
In line with the shift towards becoming more mindful shoppers, 38% say they are purchasing more quality items over quantity since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.
