Today, consumers are increasingly turning to products, goods, and services that are made from environmentally friendly materials or help them be environmentally responsible and join the global movement for preserving the environment. Therefore, running an environmentally friendly business today is not only responsible, but also profitable.
True, in many countries, including ours, this type of entrepreneurship faces many obstacles. As a rule, this is legislation that does not allow this type of business or even goes against the environmentally friendly ideas of today. The most striking example of this is the separate collection of garbage, which will not become part of our lives as a necessary norm, but is generally perceived as an eccentricity.
However, waste collection and recycling is far from the only business of this kind that can be built in the vastness of our country.
Types of eco-friendly projects and business ideas
So what is business ecology? An environmentally friendly business aims not only to generate income from the production of environmentally friendly products, as is the case, for example, in the case of eco-farms. Another component of it is the preservation of the environment and natural resources, improving the environment in the territory of one’s production or the planet as a whole. Therefore, there are many different directions in which environmentally friendly business is developing.
The following main directions of its development can be identified:
- eco-education aimed at conveying information to end consumers about the possible environmentally friendly use of products;
- creation of landscapes, construction, landscaping in order to maintain natural balance;
- searching for alternative energy sources in order to preserve natural resources;
- production of environmentally friendly products, equipment, goods, vehicles and other things.
It is believed that the most profitable green business is in the field of obtaining energy from alternative sources: sunlight, wind, organic sources, garbage and others.
Eco-business activities
It is generally accepted that this kind of business is conducted in the following areas of economic activity of enterprises and social activity of society:
- demographic regulation;
- environmental education;
- recreation;
- human reproduction;
- ecological reproduction, planning;
- use of secondary resources;
- resource-saving technologies, equipment;
- measuring and control equipment.
Next, we will look at several interesting, unusual and popular examples of creating eco-businesses in the world that are applicable to our conditions.
Ways to make money on environmental projects and recycling (disposal) of household waste per year.
Ecobusiness is a profitable niche in a crisis
Features of eco-business
Eco-business is a certain entrepreneurial activity that is characterized by initiative and takes into account environmental requirements. Actions in this area are mainly aimed at reducing or eliminating harmful impacts on the environment and improving environmental performance. In this case, the entrepreneur receives monetary or other reward for his actions.
Eco-business, environmental business is a special sector of the economy.
This type of activity should include:
- Businesses that can reduce or eliminate pollution. For example, production of equipment, electric vehicles, measuring instruments, carrying out all kinds of examinations.
- Enterprises focused on resource-protecting and resource-saving technologies - recycling, searches for alternative types of energy production, production of environmentally friendly goods - for example, miswak toothbrushes, dishes from waste from the wood processing industry, or trays for pets from waste paper.
- Enterprises that provide design and improvement services for urban and/or industrial space.
- Institutions providing financial support for environmental education of the population.
Each of the above areas is on the path of development and requires significant theoretical study.
It is worth noting that the “econekol” direction (economics and ecology, bioeconomics) is actively used abroad. Currently, this term is actively used by insurance agents who draw up contracts in case of ensuring payments in case of environmental factors that potentially threaten life/health.
An environmental business is one of the ways to start without investment or with a fairly small initial capital. But in order to provide the population with a finished product, and not just a resource, you will have to find an investor.
Environmental business is closely linked to process industries. Ecological business is distinguished by special stimulation mechanisms. In order for business development to proceed at an adequate pace, it is necessary to establish inter-industry and inter-farm relations, as well as ensure that social, economic and legal factors are sufficiently implemented. It is also worth remembering the phenomenon of environmental crime.
Types of environmental crimes
On video: Startups. Glass container recycling
Electricity generation
The very first sources of alternative energy that everyone remembers are solar and wind energy. True, today it is difficult to build a highly profitable business on them, since the infrastructure for their use has not yet been established. Most often, solar power plants and plants for converting wind energy into electricity are used for local needs. The main problem is to find a suitable place to install batteries or mills. In Japan, for example, they began to use abandoned golf courses for this purpose. They are very convenient in their landscape, are blown by the wind as much as possible and are heated by the sun all year round.
Eco-products
A business on eco-products can be built in several options - production and sales. Production involves opening an eco-farm where products will be produced without the use of chemicals, growth hormones and other dangerous additives. It can be conducted in the following directions:
- livestock farming;
- poultry farming;
- growing various crops.
At the same time, it is important that the farm is located in an ecologically clean area; the land on which crops will be grown or animals will graze is also free of mineral fertilizers. Please note that some of them take decades to decay.
Another direction is the creation of a store selling organic products. With such a business, your task is to sell what the above farms produce. As an option, you can set up the production of food products from environmentally friendly raw materials: dairy products, sausages, baked goods, etc.
SALES SPHERE
1. Selling LED light bulbs
The popularity of LED lamps is growing because they are not much more expensive than conventional energy-saving incandescent lamps, and the savings from their operation are many times greater.
2. Repair and sale of used phones, computers and laptops
It's no secret that used equipment is cheaper than new one. The process of manufacturing brand new smartphones uses a lot more energy compared to the energy used to repair them.
3. Sale and repair of bicycles
A bicycle is an environmentally friendly means of transportation. By owning a bicycle sales and repair business, you can not only make money, but also become part of the eco-revolution.
4. Sale of recycled glass products
Glass is one of the products that it is recommended not to throw away, but to recycle. It's cost effective.
5. Production of bags from recycled paper
In most European countries, retailers are encouraged to use recycled paper bags because they are environmentally friendly and easily biodegradable. The trend is slowly spreading to Belarus. And in Kenya, they recently banned the use of plastic bags altogether, fearing a 4-year prison sentence.
6. Production and sale of biofuel
Biofuel is a relatively safe energy source that is becoming increasingly popular. Do your market research before getting into this business.
7. Second-hand store
The essence of eco-selling is to help reduce energy costs in the production of new products. And second-hand stores sell used items.
8. Used bookstore
Book production requires a lot of energy and, of course, tons of wood. Therefore, buying used books is more environmentally friendly than buying new ones.
9. Selling e-books
80 ecolvl - electronic readers. Buying an e-book instead of dozens of paper ones is cheaper and more environmentally friendly. This way you can save trees from cutting down and your wallet from additional expenses.
10. Selling eco-friendly children's toys
Such toys are easily decomposed and safe for children. If you search on the Internet for those who produce “green” toys, you will be pleasantly surprised by the number of them.
11. Production of herbal medicines
Herbal medicines differ significantly from synthetic ones. Typically, the advantage of herbal medicines is their low allergenicity.
12. Sale and installation of solar panels
The demand for solar panels is increasing, so this business is a good way to earn income.
13. Making furniture from recycled materials
Furniture made from recycled materials saves the planet from cutting down trees and producing other materials. Even more profitable is the reconstruction of old furniture.
14. Sale of electric cars
The popularity of electric cars is increasing every year, so selling such cars is profitable. You just need to calculate the capabilities of the Belarusian infrastructure.
15. Sale of portable solar chargers
Such portable devices do not require recharging on a sunny day. Therefore, they can be used even where access to electricity is problematic.
16. Environmentally friendly building materials
Green construction is a type of construction in which the impact on nature is minimal, and the materials used have increased energy efficiency.
17. Organic grocery store
There are many organic products that can be sold at retail. Organic hair and skin care products, pet products. This is only a small part of the products from the sale of which you can make a good profit.
18. Gold from old equipment
You can make money by selling gold from old computer parts. The good thing is that you will be receiving electronics that someone no longer needs for free!
Clean rest
One of the popular trends today is ecotruism. Its main goal is to provide everyone (usually residents of megacities) with outdoor recreation. Moreover, the territory on which recreation is offered must preserve its original appearance as much as possible. Tourists get acquainted not only with wildlife, but also with local residents, their culture, and the peculiarities of their way of life. Participation in Aboriginal daily life is often encouraged. At the same time, the main principle of such recreation is non-interference with the environment and preservation of its original appearance. Most often, such trips are organized in protected areas and forest parks. But recently, visiting small settlements for a day or more has become increasingly popular so that tourists can experience the local socio-cultural environment firsthand.
Business idea: Agritourism farm
What does an agricultural farm look like?
More and more people are choosing a vacation in harmony with nature - in the countryside, where you can look at cows, drink water directly from a well, make juices from freshly picked fruits, etc. Agritourism is a good business idea , especially there, where there is no industry, in areas that are famous for their beautiful scenery.
Eco-friendly tableware
The desire to save time on washing dishes and make them easier to use has led to the emergence of disposable plastic cutlery, glasses and plates. They do not need to be washed, which saves water, energy and time, and they are easy to carry. But this option turned out to be extremely dangerous for the environment - the issue of recycling such household items became acute.
The Americans have found an alternative that solves the environmental issue without compromising the comfort of using disposable tableware. They make it from fallen leaves! The technology involves softening them with water, followed by pressing using heat and steam. No other components are used in manufacturing.
In addition to being as lightweight and durable as plastic, these cookware can be used in the refrigerator, oven and microwave. But the most important thing is that even after being used for its intended purpose, it can be used.
Firstly, it can be used as a food additive for hamsters, parrots, rabbits, even cats and dogs. Secondly, it can be used as compost for house plants. True, such dishes in America cost a dollar per plate. But, given the versatility and waste-free nature of the product, it’s worth it.
How we solve the packaging problem
Previously, when we first started, we had disposable tableware that was constantly thrown away. Then I gradually began to think about ecology.
Now we are trying not to use plastic, but we won’t be able to completely give it up yet. We are gradually replacing all the dishes in the kitchen with ceramic, glass and wood.
Products are usually packaged in craft bags. Many customers come with their own containers. For some products, such as desserts, only plastic containers are suitable. I ask you not to throw them away, but to bring them back. Then I use it around the house or take it to a waste sorting station for recycling.
In the near future I plan to reduce the use of packaging and promote the Zero Waste concept. I want to buy reusable plastic containers and charge an advance payment for them, so that after purchasing people will come back and bring the containers back.
We are also gradually solving the garbage problem. I recently started sorting garbage myself. I try to use bags and boxes several times. We do not throw away organic waste, but take it to the village and use it on the farm. We collect plastic bags separately and recycle them. We burn all paper, receipts, price tags, because they contain substances that cannot be recycled. We use the cardboard boxes in which the goods arrive for packaging tea.
Dishes, packaging, etc.
Today, in a number of countries, there are special benefits for those entrepreneurs who use environmentally friendly products in their production and produce environmentally friendly goods. There is hope that soon we will have the same attitude towards entrepreneurs from the law. Therefore, when starting your business now, it is better to initially build it on the principles of environmental friendliness. In particular, try to use safe materials.
Such a material is polylactide, which in European countries is known by the abbreviation PLA. It gained popularity for its high degree of degradability. In the soil, it disintegrates in a very short time - from two to 24 months. It is produced from constantly renewable resources in nature: sugar cane and corn. But you can make a lot of useful things from it:
- personal hygiene products;
- packaging;
- disposable tableware;
- containers, including for medicines.
How the idea to open an eco-shop was born
Several years ago, my husband and I completely gave up animal products and switched to a raw food diet. Now we support the idea of veganism and clean eating, we separate garbage and care about the environment. A year ago, we decided to open an organic store to educate people about healthy eating and contribute to protecting the environment.
We have a subsidiary farm in the village, so we grow some of the products ourselves: vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs. I also make healthy sweets without flour, gluten, sugar, or animal fats. My husband makes teas - he collects herbs himself and dries them using a special technology.
The farm is located in the village of Kiyasovo - 70 km from the city. Igor comes 2 times a week, bringing fresh vegetables and teas.
Initially, the store had a specific goal - we needed a sales point for tea and sweets. When we just started producing them, we gave the goods for sale to other eco-stores, cafes and yoga centers. The product sold well, demand grew, and we had regular customers. We are thinking about opening our own store.
Then the idea came to combine it with a kitchen and bar.
Customers like to come to our bar - there is a special atmosphere here
There are 2 rooms in our store. One is reserved for retail space: there are shelves with goods, a counter and a cash register. In the other room there is a bar counter where I prepare sweets. There are also several tables and benches for visitors, shelves with our teas. You can buy a piece of vegan cake, choose tea and try it all right here in the cafe.
Wrapping paper
Who among us has not been concerned about the problem of perishable food! Many food manufacturers use preservatives and other dangerous additives to increase their shelf life. It turns out that you can achieve what you want in a safer way, using natural antiseptics - spices and herbs. An American woman, Kavita Shukla, came up with the idea of soaking a napkin with a solution of such components, and then wrapping food in it. It turned out that they actually last longer this way. By and large, you can create your own solution composition and use it to produce such antiseptic packaging.
Photocatalytic clothing
Perhaps, when such clothing becomes popular among city residents, they will come up with a simpler definition for it. But today this brainchild of two American professors, a chemist and a fashion designer, is just making itself known to the world.
The idea behind the garment is that it is made from two layers. The top one represents the clothing itself, and the bottom one represents the lining of photocatalysts. The latter are activated when sunlight hits them. By reacting with air molecules, they break down into radicals, which break down complex chemicals into simple and harmless ones, purifying the air around them. Caring for such clothes is also easy - just take them to the laundry.
Clothes made from milk
The idea of making clothing fabric from milk came to the mind of a German designer. The production technology involves the use of sour milk, from which protein powder is extracted. The raw materials are then diluted with water, boiled and pressed, forming ropes. According to its characteristics, the fabric made from these strands resembles silk and does not have any odors characteristic of sour milk. You can care for clothes made from it in the same way as clothes made from cotton, linen or other materials.
The environmental friendliness of the fabric lies in the fact that its production requires several times less water than when producing material from the same linen or cotton. For example, to prepare a kilogram of cotton yarn, 20 thousand liters of water are needed, and for dairy yarn - only two. Per kilogram of milk tissue will require 30 liters of milk.
How much do we spend on purchases?
A one-time purchase of goods from Moscow or St. Petersburg costs 15–20 thousand rubles. Typically these are products that cannot be ordered from local suppliers: cocoa butter, cocoa mass, coconut oil, milk and other products. We purchase at least 5 kg of each product. Although it is exotic, it sells out quickly, in about 2 weeks.
We purchase another 10–15 thousand tons from local manufacturers every week. R. These are cheese-pressed oils, urbechi, flour (rice, chickpeas, corn, etc.), cereals, cosmetics, tea.
In general, the minimum weekly purchase amount is RUR 30,000. Usually, on average, it comes out to about 50,000 rubles.
We try to make regular purchases (2 times a month) so that the goods arrive uninterruptedly and the assortment is always varied. There are exceptions. For example, we do not purchase nuts in advance, but try to always sell them fresh. There are no problems with this, since the supplier is located in Izhevsk.
During quarantine, procurement costs had to be reduced to a minimum. Now we are gradually recovering, demand is growing again, and turnover has increased. Alas, income is still unstable, and all proceeds go into goods. Despite this, our prices are reasonable. We don’t make big markups because we believe that it’s better to increase revenue through turnover rather than through price.
How to warm yourself
The idea of reducing energy costs for heating was implemented by a Swedish company that oversees the national railway network. Company specialists estimate that less than 200 thousand people visit Stockholm's central railway station every day. Each of them is a unique heat source that can be used to heat a building.
To do this, special heat exchangers were built into the station's ventilation system, which use the heat of the heated air to heat the water of the heating system. Thus, resources for hot water for the heating system are saved by 25%.
Ecological dry toilet
Dry toilets that operate autonomously without connection to the sewerage system are already a breakthrough in the market of environmental goods and services. But human thought has gone further, and now such a toilet is a small plant for the production of biological fertilizers.
Inside the new generation dry closet there is a special electronic system installed, in which almost everything is automated: water pressure, drainage, sanitation, problem monitoring. The operation of such a toilet is monitored remotely by an operator, so the fertilizers formed during operation are promptly removed from the cabin, and a fresh tray is placed in its place.
The system receives electricity not from the mains, but from solar panels installed right there on the cabin. This allowed the price per toilet visit to be set at five cents.
How we work with suppliers
We produce some of the products ourselves: we grow vegetables and fruits in the village, and buy berries from local nurseries. We order coconut and cocoa products from Moscow and St. Petersburg - these are the nearest cities where suppliers operate.
Natural products have a short shelf life. To prevent goods from spoiling during transportation, preservatives, sugar and molasses are often added to them. We strictly monitor what we sell, so we try to choose local manufacturers, because we are already familiar with many and trust them. The closer the manufacturer is, the greater the likelihood that the product will have a “pure composition.” Also, when choosing suppliers, we carefully look at what they pack their goods in.
We try not to order products in plastic and plastic bags or reduce them to a minimum.
For example, we try to order teas in canvas bags or by weight. So far all cosmetics are in recyclable plastic containers, but with my next purchase I plan to order some products for bottling. For example, dishwashing detergent, washing gel, shampoos, balms.
Solar energy from under your feet
Dutch scientists have created and implemented a road surface capable of accumulating solar energy and converting it into electricity. They called this miracle Solaroad - sunny road. Pedestrian and bicycle paths are now equipped with new technology. The roads are built using concrete blocks, which are then covered with a special thin layer of crystalline silicone cells. It is this centimeter layer of silicone that accumulates solar energy. It is protected on top by a special coating of durable glass. From one square meter of solar coverage, approximately 50 kW can be collected per year. This is quite enough to ensure the operation of the roadside lighting system, including road signs.
Biofuel on beer
It is believed that the idea of using leftover brewer's yeast after beer production first came to the Japanese. Today it is readily used by breweries around the world.
The essence of the idea is that from a unit mass of brewer's yeast, 95% of pure ethyl alcohol, which is also called bioethanol, can be isolated. True, a car will not run on pure bioethanol. As a rule, only 10% ethyl alcohol is poured into the tank, and the rest is topped up with gasoline. But this move solves the issue of recycling beer production waste and to some extent eases the burden on the environment.
Bioethanol can be produced not only from beer production waste, but also from other alcoholic beverages, as well as waste from animal husbandry (manure), logging industry (sawdust), agricultural production (sugar cane, corn, etc.)
Business idea: Creating “green” applications
Ecological apps allow you to track your regular diet, save on purchased products, etc.
This market segment is growing the fastest, but it is also one of the most innovative business ideas . Such applications are used, among other things, to save energy at home, help with waste disposal or help with raising children.
Eco-friendly trash cans
Another eco-friendly idea for recycling waste right at the point of collection. BigBelly containers are equipped with electrical sensors and transmit data about their condition to the operator via Wi-Fi:
- tank fullness;
- activation of decay processes;
- the appearance of unpleasant odors.
When the tank is filled with sorted waste, it immediately begins processing biological waste into compost. As a bonus, such tanks are equipped with an electronic panel on which various important information is conveyed to residents of the area in a ticker. Moreover, such devices operate exclusively on solar batteries.
Promotion after quarantine
After isolation, we had to develop almost from scratch. Realizing that I couldn’t do it alone, I hired an SMM specialist who is now developing accounts. These are additional costs - 10,000 rubles. per month, but they pay for themselves.
We are now preparing our Instagram profile to launch advertising. We adequately convey information to subscribers, inform about the availability of goods, new products, fresh arrivals, etc.
Our SMM manager Julia has been working for only 2 months. But I have already done a lot during this time:
- We changed the format of Stories.
Previously, these were static Stories with product, price, weight. We are now adding live shelf and product reviews.
We also added captions to the pictures so that users could immediately understand what the post was about.
- We carried out 2 promotional events: a draw within the account and advertising with a blogger.
The results of the draw were worse than we expected. At that time, the account’s audience was still small - a little more than 400 people, so the competition brought only 25 new subscribers. Another possible reason for failure is an incorrectly chosen prize. We were raffling off a set of coconut oils: food and cosmetic. The product is specific, not all of our subscribers needed it.
When choosing a blogger, we focused on her target audience to get maximum response. The main parameters of our target audience: women aged 25 to 44 years, who think about proper nutrition and the environment, and lead a healthy lifestyle. The number of subscribers was also taken into account: we tried to choose a blogger who was not too big. Now the store is not yet ready for a sharp increase in customers: it employs one salesperson. If you push too much traffic, the store may not be able to handle it.
As a result, Reseda was chosen for cooperation. She is the mother of four sons, lives outside the city, bakes her own bread, and takes care of her family’s diet. At that time, the audience of her account was almost 1,500 people.
We held a draw through her account with the obligatory condition of subscribing to us. During the drawing, she reviewed our products, which she chose as payment for barter. As a result, we received an increase of +80 people.
As a result, over 2 months of work, the number of subscribers increased by one and a half times - from 350 to 555 people. Sales have increased significantly, but it is too early to draw conclusions.
The end of quarantine coincided with the beginning of summer. Sales are usually low during this period, as most residents move out of town.
As long as we continue to work in the given direction and do what we do. We have a simple strategy - to be clear and accessible to clients.
Living cup
This idea of creating special eco-friendly coffee cups combines several eco-friendly ideas. Firstly, they are made from recycled waste: rags, waste paper, etc. Secondly, their production uses biodegradable packaging technology. Thirdly, plant seeds are specially integrated into the paper when making cups. The idea behind these cups is that after use they need to be softened in water for five minutes and buried in the ground. The paper part of the cup softens, and the seeds inside it germinate. You can simply throw away the glass, but then the germination process will take about six months. This is how the environment becomes greener. Moreover, such a cup costs the same as a regular paper cup - two cents.
As practice shows, the germination of seeds from such containers lasts for two years. The only problem is that they cannot be exported. First, not all seeds from other parts of the world can germinate in unfamiliar conditions. Secondly, the sanitary and epidemiological inspection simply will not let them through at the border. In this way, various plant epidemics and natural disasters are prevented. But this does not mean that it is impossible to produce such cups within the country using local green manure - plants that help prepare the soil for planting useful crops.
Compost from spoiled vegetables
A huge scourge of today's supermarkets and vegetable depots is spoiled, completely spoiled vegetables and fruits that cannot be sold. Often they are simply thrown away. But there are people who buy them for processing into compost and fertilizers for gardeners and plant growers.
This is most often done by small farms that grow earthworms, California worms, or gold digger worms. They are the ones who process fruit and vegetable waste into a sought-after product.
Ecological business areas
Environmental business is regulated by government policies and related regulations.
- Thus, one of the main types of income from eco-business is the use of recyclable materials and recycling of household waste.
Some of the main problems that new entrepreneurs face include:
- environmental entrepreneurship is not a separate object of legal regulation;
- the demand for relevant products is not supported at the state level, and economic policy does not take additional measures to develop environmental entrepreneurship;
- prices for finished eco-products do not always allow expanding production volumes;
- Entrepreneurs for the most part are not eco-oriented; environmental thinking is at a rather low level. At the same time, certain knowledge regarding eco-production and the competitiveness of manufactured goods is not always at a sufficient level;
- greening is most often of a forced nature and for this reason is often ineffective;
- monitoring in this area remains at an unsatisfactory level.
In order for such a profitable area of activity to have the opportunity for growth and development, a stable legislative and legal framework and financial support from the state and investors are needed.
Assistance in the development of eco-business will help change the environmental situation in the country and significantly improve the process of protecting natural resources and the environment.
Ecological business areas
Foreign practice shows that the most popular are sources of alternative energy production, while half of the capacities that produce it are privately owned (Germany).
An alternative and profitable business is the construction of ecological villages and affordable housing. Such startups are also called “green businesses.”
On video: Production of environmentally friendly dishwashing gel
The most profitable niche in this area is the disposal and recycling of plastic waste. In countries far and near abroad, the practice of separate waste collection has been used for several decades. Special containers for different types of waste are a good idea, but our compatriots are not yet ready to separate household waste on their own. You can also obtain raw materials by purchasing ready-made pressed plastic from enterprises that directly deal with this. One of the biggest problems is transporting raw materials - they take up a lot of space. Granules, which are obtained by processing secondary raw materials, are in very high demand.
The granules are made from recycled plastic, and the raw material that has gone through the first stage of processing is called flex - it looks like fluffy flakes of different colors. Granulate is used for the manufacture of various insulation materials, canisters, fillers, etc.
- Organic farming is another niche where you can make money. Experts note that this type of business activity is a system of balanced use of resources given by nature.
The basis lies in the level of soil fertility, the health of farmed animals and the high biological quality of agricultural products.
Ecological principles: healthy soil – healthy animals (plants) – healthy food – healthy population.
According to data provided by the International Federation of Organic Farming, organic farming is practiced in 164 countries around the world. Organic labeling differs between Europe and the US.
So, in the EU these are products with the BIO mark, in the USA this is the inscription ORGANIC.
Logos for eco products
Today, the reality is such that beautiful edible products are made from low-quality raw materials. Eating habits are gradually formed under the influence of a huge number of chemical additives, which actually make food taste the way it is; preservatives increase the shelf life of the product and affect its attractive appearance. T.N. illiquid vegetables and fruits can also bring additional income.
The main directions of food production: industrial (intensive) and organic (ecological).
Industrial production is aimed at accelerating the pace of obtaining the finished product, while organic farming strictly adheres to the principles of traditional cultivation of plants and animals, the product is created in harmony with the environment and is much more beneficial to health.
In Russia, such food products are quite difficult to find, they are more expensive and such products are most often not certified due to the lack of necessary regulatory documents that would regulate the activities of organic agriculture.
In countries where such activities are regulated, products undergo strict control and the use of any chemicals is excluded. The label explains to the buyer in which region of the country the product was grown and what requirements he has the right to present to the manufacturer.
There is also a general Codex Alimentarius, which sets out the rules for such products.
Rules and standards for eco-products
Organic farming in Russia is on the path of development, and this type of business activity is acquiring its own myths.
Misconception #1
Natural products are more expensive than industrial ones
It is worth noting that the rejection of chemical growth catalysts and other components of inorganic origin leads to the fact that the output is a smaller amount of products, the production cost is higher, and the profitability is slightly lower. In countries where organic products are popular among the population, the cost of natural food is 20 percent higher. However, where it is directly produced, the price is almost equal to the industrial price. Organic livestock farming can significantly reduce the cost of electricity and fuel consumption. Nitrates and pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics are not used here. The rise in price of organic products is due to the need to transport, store, and package the finished product. At the same time, production is more technologically intensive and accessible. Access to natural products is determined by the region of their sale (sale). The most profitable option is an area less than 300 km from the place of production - then the price of the final product can compete with the price of industrial food.
Local trade is becoming the main sales market, which needs to be saturated with local food products.
Today, the most popular places for selling natural products are fairs, markets and specialized stores. Less commonly, such products can be found on supermarket shelves and in online stores.
In times of crisis, the consumer wants to know what he is paying his money for, and how this will affect his health in the future.
Misconception No. 2.
Organic food is for a narrow circle of consumers, there is too little of it to satisfy demand
If the population supports the industrial type of management, then natural products will remain in such small quantities. It is already clear that products from the countryside are in demand, the demand for them is growing, but it will not be possible to satisfy all of it in the near future. The growing demand can be met when all available free land in Russia and biological resources in general - water, land, as well as local animal breeds and plant varieties - are taken into account. At the same time, the population should be provided with knowledge about healthy lifestyles, and environmental education should receive active government support.
Misconception #3
Organic farming will not be able to fully satisfy the growing demand and cannot do without the use of fertilizers for plants and hormones for livestock.
It is worth remembering that eco-business is not only a niche for making money - it is a certain degree of thinking and worldview.
Education in “eco” style”
