Tech companies have been unveiling new eco-friendly features and policies ahead of this year’s upcoming Earth Day on 22 April.
Yelp’s new eco-friendly business attributes
Local business review and networking site Yelp has announced 5 new searchable eco-friendly business attributes making it easy for customers to find businesses which align with their environmental values.
Yelp says its users are increasingly looking for more eco-friendly options.
“In fact, searches for “plant based” have increased an average of 56% each year from 2018 to 2021, and searches for “EV charging” have increased an average of 41% each year.”
The new searchable attributes businesses can add are:
- EV charging station available
- Plastic-free packaging
- Provides reusable tableware
- Bring your own container allowed
- Compostable containers available
These, and existing relevant attributes such as “Bike parking” and “Vegan,” will be searchable and highlighted in Yelp search results and business pages.
Users can find the attributes on business pages listed under the “Amenities and more” section on Yelp.com or the “Info” section in the iOS or Android app.
Image source: Yelp
They will also be highlighted on listings in relevant search results. Here’s how it looks on a user search:
Image source: Yelp
Business owners can add the attributes to their Yelp page by logging in to their business account and editing the Business Information section.
Google adds new recycling attribute
Google Business Profile has a new recycling attribute businesses can add to their profile to indicate any recycling services they offer to customers, whether it’s for plastic bottles, electronics or glass bottles.
Here’s what it looks like:
Image source: Google
Google said this would make it “easier than ever” for people to find local recycling points on Search and Maps, and help businesses offering in-store recycling to stand out.
Pinterest acts against climate misinformation
Pinterest has launched an expanded climate misinformation policy aimed at keeping false or misleading claims around climate change off the platform.
Pinterest says there are increasing number of environmentally focused searches on the platform.
“...searches for "zero waste tips" were 6X greater, “recycling clothes ideas” were 4X higher, “recycled home decor” increased by +95% and “zero waste lifestyle” increased by +64% compared to last year.”
Under Pinterest's Community Guidelines on misinformation and disinformation, the platform will remove content that may harm the public’s well-being, safety or trust, including:
- Content that denies the existence or impacts of climate change, the human influence on climate change, or that climate change is backed by scientific consensus.
- False or misleading content about climate change solutions that contradict well-established scientific consensus.
- Content that misrepresents scientific data, including by omission or cherry-picking, in order to erode trust in climate science and experts.
- Harmful false or misleading content about public safety emergencies including natural disasters and extreme weather events.
Pinterest has updated its Advertising Guidelines “to explicitly prohibit any ads containing conspiracy theories, misinformation and disinformation related to climate change”.
Why it matters
Whether it’s giving businesses the opportunity to highlight their eco-friendly policies or creating a safe space online free from climate misinformation, the announcements show an awareness of people’s increasing concern over environmental impacts. Customers are looking for businesses who share their environmental values and will reward those who do.
They're small steps, but reflect the way priorities are changing and may encourage businesses to adopt eco-friendly policies such as recycling, which can only be a good thing.
