Ebay says they cannot monitor if the ivory for sale on their site is legal, so effective January 1, 2009, all ivory sales on eBay will be stopped globally.
The popular auction site became a huge place for ivory owners to collect cash, so there may be a mad rush to sell it leading up to the holidays. You may as well dig up all your ivory and get it listed too. The prices for real ivory are sure to skyrocket as the ban date on eBay gets closer.
At the time this article was written, there were over 38,000 items for auction with the word ‘ivory’ in the description.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Eco Auction Sites
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a new online auction platform that focuses exclusively on eco-friendly products and prohibits the sale of environmentally harmful items, such as ivory.
- Ivory Ban
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create alternative materials or products that mimic the appearance and properties of ivory, providing a sustainable and cruelty-free option for consumers.
- Ethical Consumption
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a platform or app that allows consumers to easily assess the ethical and sustainable practices of various sellers and make informed purchasing decisions.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Online Auction Platforms
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate advanced monitoring and verification systems to ensure the ethical and legal trade of all items listed on the platform, addressing the challenges faced by eBay.
- Materials and Product Manufacturing
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in research and development to create sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to ivory products, catering to the demand for ethical and animal-friendly materials.
- Consumer Information Technology
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative digital tools that empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, encouraging ethical consumption and transparency within the marketplace.
