Dubai: The main drive in the change of habits is that now ‘green is possible, it's affordable, it's next door', said Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Co-Founder at Goumbook, a Middle East online directory of environmentally conscious businesses and stockists.
"Being environmentally conscious is becoming more in the forefront. Green is everywhere these days — in the news, politics, fashion, food, technology … the list goes on. Embracing a greener lifestyle has stopped just being about helping to preserve the planet, people now realize it can also mean improving your health and, ultimately, improving your overall quality of life," said Abella.
Usual suspects
So far many retailers are only stocking the ‘usual suspects' when it comes to household or lifestyle items that help reduce energy or water consumption, but diversity is growing as more people ask ‘where can I buy this', she added. "These recent years have seen an important number of environmental initiatives taking place in the UAE and in the region," said Abella.
"People are careful now and want to find the products that will help sustain their new green lifestyle. Since Goumbook started the directory a little over a year ago, the number of companies and retailers listed with us has considerably grown , demonstrating that a large number of them have set up in this region in response to a demand by consumers for more eco-friendly products to be made available here and not just in the West," said Abella.
Goumbook will be launching it's own online store of eco-friendly products next month.
"Products that are easiest to adopt include organic food, re-usable tote bags, organic cotton clothing, eco-friendly cleaning products, non toxic toys. Generally products related to mothers and children are the most requested."
