Homing in on sustainable consumption

New from McKinsey & Company

Tomorrow marks World Consumer Rights Day, which this year focuses on tackling plastic pollution. Get smart on related issues, and what companies and consumers can do, by revisiting articles that address waste and building a more sustainable future for all.

The future of fashion: Sustainable brands and ‘circular’ business models

There’s no denying that the fashion industry has been a major contributor to climate change and biodiversity loss—which means the industry’s sustainability efforts are critical to our planet’s health. In this edition, The Next Normal explores the coming decade in sustainable fashion.

Get the fashion forecast

Survey: Consumer sentiment on sustainability in fashion

Engagement in sustainability has deepened during the COVID-19 crisis, with European consumers wanting fashion players to act responsibly and consider the social and environmental impacts of their businesses.

Understand their views

Meet Generation Z: Shaping the future of shopping

The newest consumer generations—Gen Z and millennials—are upturning retailers’ expectations. Here’s how—and what to do about it.

Get up to speed

The path forward for retail’s sustainable future

Leaders from across retail shared their views on the industry’s future during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum (NEF).

Grasp what matters

Sustainability in packaging: Inside the minds of global consumers

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some global themes regarding consumer sentiment are evident. But perceptions and priorities regarding packaging differ by country and require a granular response.

See the findings

Beyond COVID-19: The next normal for packaging design

The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped industry megatrends in ways that will have major short- and long-term implications for packaging design.

5 moves to consider

The future of packaging: Smart bottles, edible boxes

Milk jugs with sensors. Personalized wine bottles. Edible boxes and bags. These are just a few examples of The Next Normal in packaging. They might sound gimmicky now, but they could be commonplace in the coming years.

Look to the future

Plastics recycling: Using an economic-feasibility lens to select the next moves

The Plastics Recovery and Reuse model helps identify the most effective moves to boost plastics recycling, using analysis of fully integrated economics across the value chain.

Sort through the options

The European recycling landscape—the quiet before the storm?

Before plastics recycling in Europe can scale up, the industry needs to overcome sizable obstacles. Our survey helps illustrate what companies can do to achieve their aspirations.

See our findings

— Curated by Torea Frey, a managing editor in McKinsey Global Publishing based in Seattle

Follow our thinking

McKinsey Insights - Get our latest thinking on your iPhone, iPad, or Android