In a world facing increasing economic instability and the growing negative impacts of climate change, consumers worldwide – especially those in developed countries that import a large portion of Vietnamese handicrafts, such as the US, Europe, and Japan – are increasingly interested in sustainably produced products. According to a 2025 GlobeScan survey, 49% of US consumers reported having purchased at least one “eco-friendly” product in the past month – up from 43% in the previous survey in August 2024. Nielsen research indicates that 81% of consumers in Europe choose sustainable products and are willing to pay a higher price for them. According to a survey by the Japan Market Research Bureau, approximately 67% of Japanese consumers stated that they are interested in purchasing sustainable and environmentally responsible products.
So what is a sustainable product? How can a sustainable product be designed? A product is only considered sustainable when it meets the following five criteria: (1) The raw materials must be sustainable; (2) The production process must be sustainable; (3) The distribution process must be sustainable; (4) The consumer's usage process must be sustainable; (5) The disposal of the product after its lifespan must be sustainable.
Materials are considered sustainable when (1) Materials are locally sourced / reducing transportation emissions (2) Materials are purchased with complete and valid documentation (3) Materials have certification for sustainable forest management / no illegal exploitation of materials from protected forests, special-use forests, etc. (4) Materials can be reused / for example, using the remaining bamboo root after chopstick production to produce bamboo charcoal, chopstick holders, etc. (5) Materials do not use harmful chemicals for processing or impregnation (6) Materials do not use excessive amounts of inorganic fertilizers that cause greenhouse gases
A sustainable production process is when (1) The product uses the least amount of raw materials (2) The product does not consume a lot of electricity/fuel to complete (3) The production of the product generates the least amount of waste/garbage/wastewater (4) Producers need to work in conditions that ensure safety and do not affect health (5) The product creates many jobs for local people (6) Products that generate good income so that local people do not have to live off forest resource exploitation (7) Products that do not use chemicals – prioritize products using natural colors
Sustainable distribution process when (1) Making products that are consumed locally first to reduce costs and emissions from transportation (2) Making products that can be stacked together to save shipping volume / maximize the volume transported each time (3) Using environmentally friendly materials for packaging / for example, packaging, containers made of natural materials instead of plastic…
Sustainable consumer use process when (1) Products made need to consider functionality and safety (2) using minimal energy (3) Can be adjusted/upgraded to extend product lifespan
Sustainable disposal of products after their lifespan is considered when (1) Always making products that can be reused for other purposes even after they break down (2) Consideration should be given to Does the product, after its lifespan ends, cause any negative impact on the environment?
Mastering these five factors will help businesses adopt a suitable approach to designing sustainable products in the most comprehensive way, meeting the increasing demands for sustainable products worldwide. This will create differentiation and enable them to seize business opportunities in line with market trends in developed countries and future market trends.
