Westpac promotes eco-choice in the economic gloom

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Westpac promotes eco-choice in the economic gloom

Westpac New Zealand is helping its customers make better choices for the environment amid economic gloom.

The launch of Westpac ecoshop, an online store specialising in eco-conscious products, enables Westpac’s online banking customers to purchase these products with discounted prices and free delivery.

The wide product range includes personal and household products, toys, magazine subscriptions, appliances, entertainment and outdoor equipment, plumbing and heating solutions.

Head of corporate responsibility at Westpac, Suzie Marsden, says the bank’s sustainable business goals are not taking a backseat amidst tougher economic conditions.

Considerable steps have already been made towards creating sustainable business practices. In December, Westpac became the first bank in the world to achieve Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) certification as part of its strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.

Sustainability goals are also a key consideration in Westpac’s purchasing decisions, extending from its car fleet to banking technology and design features in its new Green Building Council green-star rated corporate offices.

Now, with Westpac ecoshop, the bank hopes to help its customers on their own eco-journey.

Although the store is quite separate from its banking operations, Suzie Marsden says it’s a practical way for the bank to help its customers to be more environmentally-conscious.

“It’s all about giving our online banking customers an easy way to access products that are either produced in a more sustainable way, or by companies that have an environmentally-conscious mandate,” she says.

“Westpac ecoshop caters to the growing number of ‘Solution Seekers’ – those consumers making conscious choices to live differently. The latest Moxie research figures show that even as economic pressures increase, Solution Seekers, which represent one-third of the New Zealand population, are staying true to their values and aren't reducing in number.

“This is significant when you consider that this represents more than one million Kiwis that are considering products based on sustainability principles.”

Since the pilot site went live in December, more than 15,000 customers have visited Westpac ecoshop, with new suppliers coming on board as well.

Auckland commuters were given a taste of the bank’s new ecoshop yesterday morning, with an ecoshop display set up at Britomart.

“Commuters were given the opportunity to kick-start their eco-journey with us with a free cup of Fair Trade coffee and other goodies,” says Ms Marsden.

“The response was positive with many seeing Westpac ecoshop as a way of removing perceived barriers to buying environmentally-conscious products.”

Among the products set up at Britomart was a water and energy efficient washing machine, recycled cardboard speakers, “eco-nappies”, worm farm kits, bamboo chopping boards, eco-light bulbs and energy-efficient phones.

ENDS

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