Australian consumers are rejecting the throwaway culture, instead snapping up sustainable options, according to new research from Monash University.

A report released by Monash Business School’s Australian Consumer and Retail Studies (ACRS) research unit has found Australian consumers want sustainable products and are increasingly looking for more environmentally conscious shopping options.

More than half (52 per cent) of the 1000 Aussie shoppers surveyed for the latest retail monitor report Spotlight on Sustainability, say they are giving more thought to the social and environmental impact of their purchases before they buy, and are even willing to pay more for products that are ethically produced.

Among the report’s key findings:

• 85 per cent of survey participants said that durability and repairability (73 per cent) were priorities when making non-grocery purchases
• 38 per cent have reduced the number of new products purchased
• 45 per cent are willing to pay more for ethically produced products
• 42 per cent would pay more for products packaged in recycled material

The report’s lead author Dr Eloise Zoppos, principal research consultant and research fellow in the ACRS research unit in Monash Business School’s Department of Marketing, said today’s customers are sustainability-savvy and they are increasingly contemplating the social and environmental footprint of their purchases before they buy.

“Pleasingly, both industry and government are taking note, actively seeking sustainable solutions to meet consumer demand and making sustainability a priority,” Zoppos said.

Over the last three months, participants in the Spotlight on Sustainability survey purchased clothes, footwear and accessories (70 per cent), personal care (49 per cent), household goods (42 per cent), books and stationery (38 per cent), consumer electronics (26 per cent), toys and games (24 per cent) travel and tourism (21 per cent), media and entertainment (18 per cent), automotive (16 per cent) and sporting goods and equipment (16 per cent).

The report’s findings show that consumers are notably keen to support locally sourced and produced goods (44 per cent) and increasingly aware of the benefits of offsetting costly carbon emissions from shipping and transportation, they are also prepared to pay more for locally produced items.

And, they are walking the talk, with 96 per cent engaging in sustainable practices such as bringing their own shopping bags and recycling product waste regularly, over the three months of the survey.

“It is clear from our research that sustainable shopping practices are important to us, and from a lifestyle perspective, most Aussie shoppers are engaging with sustainable lifestyle practices and are committing to them,” says Dr Eloise Zoppos.

Aussie shoppers are increasingly more conscious of the environmental impact of their purchases and everyday activities and believe they can make a difference – and many retailers are getting on board, the report says.

Other retailers are embedding sustainability into company policy and growth agendas, while the Australian consumer watchdog listed consumer and fair trading issues in relation to environmental claims and sustainability as one of their compliance and enforcement priorities for 2022-2023 (and just this month began their online review of at least 200 brands for misleading sustainability claims).

Yet it’s the everyday, Aussie shopper driving this change, with consumers taking more responsibility to drive sustainable change through their everyday purchases and lifestyles and wanting businesses to enable change.

A report published by EY Australia found that half (54 per cent) of Aussie consumers believe it’s their responsibility to drive businesses to better social and environmental outcomes.

Only a third (34 per cent) of Australians believed what they do does not make a big enough impact on the environment.

“This consumer-led sustainable product revolution is underway,” says Dr Zoppos, “and it’s a movement that is gaining momentum. Thankfully, business and government are responding to the call.”

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