Ecopreneurist recently received a question from a reader about whether manufacturing an eco-friendly product in China is a good idea. We thought his question would make a good topic for discussion and encourage other Ecopreneurist readers to give Chris your advice too by commenting below.

Chris wrote, “I have designed some great eco-friendly items […that…] are not eco- or green-washed, but [are] designed from the start to be green and are made with fully sustainable and recycled materials… The problem I am having is, the only place I can find a supplier to make these green products is in China. I am afraid that there could be criticism, backlash or negative comments made about the brand because the products are not made in a more eco-friendly perceived Country. I have made a huge effort to have the items made elsewhere without any luck… Do I make the items in China if that is my only option and risk criticism?”

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Chris, you are right to see this as an important branding question.

I assume that you have checked into the potential manufacturer and have confidence in that factory’s environmental record and labor practices. If you know that it is possible to manufacture a product in China in a sustainable way, then it is just a matter of either transportation or image. And, for products sold on the West Coast of the US, shipping from China can have less impact on the environment than other transportation means, such as trucking or air freight.

So, let’s assume that your product will be truly green in all ways (materials, manufacturing and shipping) and that your issue is only a matter of impression. What can you do?

Transparency

Explain your choice of materials and manufacturing facility on your website and on the packaging. A lot of consumer education is still needed around green products. If you know you are operating a green business, but you feel consumers won’t “get it”, explain your choices. You can’t really prevent people from being prejudiced if they are determined to be so, but you can show that not every person and every factory in China works unsustainably.

Authenticity

Operate all aspects of your green business in a truly sustainable way. If your choices of office supplies, packaging, marketing materials, commuting transportation, office equipment, etc. are all made with sustainability in mind, you are less likely to be criticized for any aspect of your business operations. An eco-sensitive consumer who sees waste or hypocrisy, is more likely to assume that major business choices (such as manufacturing location) have been made without the level of environmental concern that you are obviously have.

I hope that other Econpreneurist readers and writers will weigh-in with their thoughts on and/or experience with manufacturing in China.