Research has found that while Canadians want to reduce their plastic waste, they don’t want to pay extra for more eco-friendly packaging. While environmental awareness is important, relevant financial incentives may be required to change buying behaviours across the country.

What do younger generations consider to be aspirational? Amid rising environmental concerns and an acute awareness of how purchasing choices reflect one’s personal brand, there’s a new landscape for coolness that has nothing to do with novelty. Now, Gen Yers and Zers are asking: ‘will it last?’

Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo is expanding its sustainability efforts through in-store repairs at its biggest US store, to appeal to conscious consumers. Customers can pay $5 to have their Uniqlo items mended, helping them avoid unnecessary waste and making the brand feel like a good investment.

ChopValue is a manufacturer that rescues discarded chopsticks from restaurants and transforms them into trendy and affordable homeware treasures. How is its circular business model meeting eco-conscious consumer demands while also catering to the burgeoning home improvement market?