Gen Z Is Pushing Food and Beverage Brands to Think Greener

It’s no surprise that Gen Z, growing up in a world of climate crisis and economic pressure, is using their purchasing power carefully. Every dollar they spend is a vote — for a healthier planet and for financial survival.

The good news? Brands are starting to listen. Today, there are more opportunities than ever for Gen Z to "shop their values," and consumers have powerful platforms to call out brands that fall short. This growing demand is pushing food and beverage companies to rethink their practices and adopt more climate-responsible approaches.

But why focus on food and beverage manufacturing?

This stage of the supply chain has a huge environmental footprint. It often relies heavily on nonrenewable energy sources to power heating, cooling, and refrigeration — driving up carbon emissions. Manufacturing also produces a significant amount of waste, from excessive packaging to processing byproducts. And when that packaging isn’t recyclable or biodegradable, it only adds to the planet’s growing pollution problem.

The pressure from Gen Z consumers is clear: it's time for brands to step up, rethink their impact, and build a future that’s sustainable — not just profitable.

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