Define Green Consumer

Green consumers are individuals who are careful to purchase products that are biodegradable, recyclable or otherwise safe for the environment. These individuals are sometimes called "tree huggers" because of their concern for preserving natural resources.

Significance

• Countries across the world, including the United States, are encouraging everyone to become green consumers to some degree as they push for more renewable energy sources and strive for a cleaner environment.

Function

• Green consumers include individuals who purchase hybrid cars or use solar panels to power their homes. They also tend to avoid canned or boxed foods and generally purchase more organic products than the average consumer.

Identification

• Green consumers tend to be relatively young and educated and are often influenced by their children's environmental concerns. More women are green consumers than men, according to BSD Global. Green consumers often make above-average incomes that allow them to afford organic products, which are more expensive than conventional brands.

Effects

• Green consumers are also concerned with indoor pollution. They tend to purchase laundry detergents, soaps and other cleaning products that don't contain the harmful or harsh chemicals used in many commercial cleaning products.

Considerations

• Some people become green consumers as a result of certain illnesses like allergies, fibromyalgia or even cancer. Nutritionists and alternative medicine practitioners believe that organic and preservative-free foods are healthier than those foods sold in bulk at grocery stores.