Essity Releases Green Response Report 2021 to COVID-19

At Essity we continuously conduct research among the general public to understand behaviors and attitudes related to hygiene and health, and how that impacts the world around us. Our Green Response report seeks to understand if the lifestyle changes demanded by the global pandemic have impacted the way in which international communities feel and behave towards the environment. What is the link between COVID-19 and the environment?

Covid forcing the whole world to pause...

Consumers, communities, businesses, and healthcare systems across the world were forced to change their plans and priorities and adapt to a new reality. Hygiene and health concerns were thrust into the center of attention as everyday behaviors and attitudes that we had taken for granted were banished overnight.

We wanted to understand if these monumental shifts in behavior changed the way in which people feel about and behave towards the environment. Has the well-being of our planet dropped down the priority list? Or has the pandemic strengthened our determination to safeguard its future?

Here is what we discovered...Sustainability is here to stay!

• 49% of participants say they have become more environmentally friendly since the beginning of the pandemic.
   
• 91% of those that are living more sustainably say they intend to continue their greener living

What we also found out:

Looking through the results of this research, it shows that many of our consumers have taken this moment in time to learn more about sustainability issues and have taken action to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Consumers also show they are willing to commit more time to activities beneficial for the environment and are willing to pay a price premium for sustainable alternatives.

Dive deeper into the report here

Conclusions

Looking through the results of this research, the message we hear from consumers is one of optimism. Many of them have taken this moment in time to learn more about sustainability issues and have taken actions to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Consumers also show they are willing to commit more time to activities beneficial for the environment and are willing to pay a price premium for sustainable alternatives.

For Essity, a central finding is that hygiene and health has become an increasing priority for consumers, making it even more important for us as a global hygiene and health company to continue to lead the way with our sustainability work. The pandemic has underlined that the challenges societies meet are interlinked and it has highlighted the important role that Essity plays together with our customers, consumers, and other partners in increasing well-being for both people and the planet.

Consumers are prioritizing actions such as recycling, reducing waste and purchasing more environmentally friendly products, which is strongly aligned with our decision to commit to minimizing our environmental impact by making more from less, working for a circular society and continuing to provide innovative solutions that are both sustainable and increase well-being. This way Essity will provide value both for our customers and the planet

At Essity, we commit to continue listening and learning from our consumers in our work to innovate for a more sustainable future. We also want to share our knowledge with our employees, partners, customers and the global community, to encourage continued dialogue, innovation and action towards a more sustainable future.

Click here to read the full report