Lots of people are trying to go green nowadays. It makes sense because we know how important it is for the environment to reduce our carbon footprint. And a great way to do your part is by supporting eco-friendly businesses and buying from ethical online stores.
Ethical online shopping is both eco-friendly and convenient. When you shop from the comfort of your home, you not only save time and energy but also reduce your carbon footprint.
Although it may be daunting, shopping ethically online is possible and we’re here to help you. Below is a list of some great e-stores that fit the bill, as well as pointers to make your ethical shopping experience even easier.
How To Shop Sustainably Online: 5 Tips For Choosing An Eco-friendly Store
With online shopping, you have a lot of options. While this can be good, it can also be bad because it can get overwhelming. The internet makes it easy to include any information you want on your website, and that’s why there are so many brands that falsely claim to have certain values.
With so many online stores and products available, it can be difficult to know which are eco-friendly and ethical. To help you narrow down your options, we have provided some tips that will make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for.
With these five tips, you’ll be able to find eco-friendly stores without even trying;
Look Out For Transparency
While it may be easy to find an eco-friendly store online through a search engine, doing your research on the different brands is important. Make sure to visit their websites so you can learn more about what they sell and if their products fit your needs. Take a look at their “About Us” sections and other data that will provide you knowledge about what they believe in and how they operate.
Words such as “sustainable” and “green” have become meaningless buzzwords to some companies. What you should be looking for instead is transparency in their practices. For example, can you easily find information on the website about where the company gets its supplies? Are the workers treated fairly? What kind of fabrics are used? Or what kinds of products does the company offers?
What Does Sustainability Mean to You?
“Sustainability” and “eco-friendly” are two broad terms that can mean different things to different people. For some, it may simply refer to items made with eco-friendly products. But for others, it could encompass eco-conscious manufacturing and marketing processes as well.
What does sustainability mean to you? Depending on who you ask, there are countless definitions;
- There are many sustainable and eco-friendly practices that brands can adopt, one of which is refraining from animal testing. By choosing cruelty-free products, you’re playing a small but important part in helping the environment.
- Many people search for eco-friendly practices when looking to purchase items, and Fairtrade policies are a significant part of that. What’s great about these types of policies is that they provide producers in developing countries the chance to be seen and earn money decently.
- Not to mention, carbon neutral products are key. Reducing the amount of emissions produced into the atmosphere is essential for global health. For some people, it’s a priority to only purchase handmade items since that significantly cuts down on harmful fumes emitted into the air.
Before you can buy sustainably, you need to understand what the term means to you. That way, you can find stores and brands whose values align with your own. This will give clarity to all of your sustainable purchases.
Keep The Brand’s Mission Statement In Mind
A company’s mission statement is a great way to learn about the brand, discover its values, and see what it prioritizes. By taking the time to read a mission statement, you can get a sense of how long the brand has been around as well as its goals for the future. Furthermore, it is essential to look beyond mere words like vegan, sustainable, and organic. It is paramount that you research how these companies define these terms and what they entail for their products and procedures.
If you want to be extra sure about your decision, read interviews with the company’s founders. Does their business model seem ethical? Do the founder’s attitude come across as conceited? Answers to questions like these can help you decide whether or not it’s worth investing in them.
Make Sure To Check For Certifications
It is both time-consuming and expensive to get a certification, which explains why some local brands don’t have one. If an eco-friendly brand does have a certification, though, it’s certainly worth considering.
If you’re inexperienced with sustainable brand certifications, don’t worry. We compiled a list of the most prominent ones so that you can make an informed decision.
- Fairtrade International Standards
- World Fair Trade Organization
- Certified B-Corporation
- Global organic textile standard
- Fair Trade Certified
- Global recycled standard
Although it’s excellent to shop from brands with certification, it is by no means required. You can buy from any brand you choose!
Keep an Eye on Reviews and Social Media
To get an accurate understanding of a brand, check out their social media accounts. This will give you insight into the brand’s identity and what they stand for. Everything from Instagram to Facebook to Twitter can be valuable in this research process.
Investigates a brand’s rhetoric on social issues, environmental sustainability, and other similar topics. Usually, there is a visible distinction between dialog from brands that are authentic in their beliefs and those who simply say something because they think it sounds good. Furthermore, reviews left by customers can be helpful in determining how efficient a company is in terms of delivery times.
The types of products offered on a website can give customers clues about what to expect from the site.
Consider these tips to help you find brands and stores that reflect your values. Additionally, it is good to look for websites that retail eco-friendly and sustainable brands. To make things easier for you, we have put together some great options.
10 Best eco-friendly Stores Online
1. Earth Hero
We’re starting off this list of the best places to buy eco-friendly products online with Earth Hero. This shop is versatile and sell a range of different items, all sourced from sustainable practices. If you’re passionate about being eco-friendly, then this is the store for you!
Earth Hero is your one stop shop, whether you’re looking for home goods, beauty supplies or outdoor gear. With such a wide range of products available, you’re sure to find what you need. You can find shirts at a variety of price points, so there’s something for everyone. For example, this women’s tee is $34 but you can find cheaper options if that doesn’t fit your budget.
Earth Hero is a fantastic website for those who want to shop based on their values. The site makes it easy to find brands that support different causes, such as women-owned businesses, veganism, black history and culture, LGBTQIA+ rights, etc.
Shopping according to your ethical standards has never been easier.
2. Made Trade
If you’re looking for more sustainable, eco-friendly stores to shop at, add Made Trade to your list of best places to buy eco-friendly products online. With beautiful colors and interesting home decor pieces, clothing, and accessories, you won’t be disappointed. Most of the products are handmade and ethically sourced too, so you can feel good about your purchase.
While Made Trade may not have as many options available compared to the previous store, they more than make up for it by supporting local and independent artists. They also operate fairly, which means that the artists featured on their site get the visibility and compensation they deserve.
You can find beautiful jewelry for as little as $41, and other items within your budget.
3. EcoRoots
Eco Roots is one of the best places to buy eco-friendly products online. Shop at EcoRoots for eco-friendly home supplies that won’t damage the environment. Their team is dedicated to being sustainable through responsible practices, which means all products in their store are plastic-free. They also only use recycled materials for shipping purposes.
EcoRoots has a range of vegan home goods that are perfect for those who want to live a more sustainable life. Their natural bamboo toothbrushes, zero-waste cleaning kits, bamboo soap dishes and other products are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. In addition to home goods, they also have a variety of beauty and skincare items available. Depending on your needs, they may be worth a try! So why not make the switch today?
By shopping with EcoRoots, you’ll be giving back to the planet. 1% of all their earnings are donated to a sustainability initiative, so you can rest assured that your purchase will make a difference.
4. Package Free Shop
The Package Free Shop is an online store that is entirely devoted to reducing the amount of plastic waste from packaging and shipping. Instead of using traditional plastics, The Package Free shop uses 100% recyclable and compostable paper for packing orders. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of their business while also helping their customers do their part in saving the planet.
Aside from the reasons above, The Package Free Shop is also one of the best eco-friendly online stores because it has a wide range of sustainable items. You can find beauty products, home goods, baby items, pet supplies, and more. Plus, they support local artisans and fair trade practices.
For orders over $200, The Package Free Shop offers free priority shipping. For domestic orders over $65, they offer free shipping. You should add them to the list of your best places to buy eco-friendly products online.
5. Eartheasy
If you want to shop for eco-friendly gardening supplies or find some stylish green plants for your home, Eartheasy is the perfect place to start. They offer a wide variety of products that are both sustainable and chic. Eartheasy is dedicated to sustainable living practices and offers sustainable garden products such as natural cedar planter boxes, solar lamps, and water filtration systems.
At home, finding one product to suit multiple purposes is ideal. For example, try using silicone bowls instead of paper or plastic disposables – they’re just as effective and often cheaper in the long run. You can also purchase natural cleaners, degreasers that don’t rely on harsh chemicals, reusable bags that help reduce your carbon footprint, etc.
Eartheasy plants a tree in partnership with Trees for the future for every online order placed.
6. Life Without Plastic
Education is among the best places to buy eco-friendly products online, and it is at the forefront of what Life Without Plastic does in its dedication to reducing plastic waste. Many people are unaware of how detrimental different types of plastics can be, but this company takes it upon itself to inform consumers about why cutting down on plastic is important. Not only does this store provide excellent service, but they also make sure that their customers are well-informed too.
Life Without Plastic ethically sources all its products and uses sustainable practices throughout production. Plus, this store is Green American certified if you want some extra reassurance. So when you make a purchase, you can be confident that it was made sustainably.
You’ll be able to discover multiple items from distinct categories, like home goods, beauty, kids, etc., on this website. Plus, items are almost always discounted for sale so that you can get your necessary household supplies at a lower price than usual.
7. Jungalow
If you want to find beautiful and sustainable items, Jungalow is the place for you. The website offers a wide range of stunning products that are all made with eco-friendly materials. Plus, Jungalow works with local artisans from around the world to bring these unique items to your home. You will only find items made out of eco-friendly materials that are good for the environment. These include recycled, upcycled, and compostable materials
Before making a purchase on Jungalow, you can read reviews and product descriptions to ensure that you’re getting exactly what you want. You can shop confidently with this store knowing that all their items are both eco-friendly and of top-quality.
Every time an online purchase is made from Jungalow, two trees are planted- giving you a chance to contribute to a great cause while also promoting local artisans.
8. Shades Of Green
Comparable to most of the aforementioned online stores, Shades of Green, cautiously hand-picks their inventory from top sustainable brands. What makes this online store unique is that every item for sale must pass a strict evaluation process before it can appear on the site. All of the products on the website are given a green score out of 5, with 5 being the best possible ranking.
While this may be the case, it by no means suggests that products in the number 1 category aren’t eco-friendly. In fact, quite the opposite is true! Each green score has a designated worth and can assist you in shopping according to your values. You can feel confident in knowing that all of the products are earth-concious and good for the environment.
Shades of Green is your one-stop shop for all things home. From silk throw pillows to drinking mugs, pots and pans, and trays, they have everything you need to make your house a home.
9. Fox Holt
Fox Holt is an excellent eco-friendly online store for fashionable, sustainable clothing, accessories, and travel essentials. With a focus on upcycled pieces that are both affordable and stylish, Fox Holt bridges the gap between ethical shopping and fashion. A smart way to be a more conscientious shopper is by buying fewer items and making sure they’re pieces you’ll actually wear. This is called creating a capsule closet.
Looking for the perfect addition to your wardrobe? Check out Fox Holt’s collection of capsule closet essentials. With a range of dresses, skirts, blouses, shirts and accessories to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Plus, all items are ethically sourced and vegan-friendly.
Save 10% on your total order when you subscribe to their newsletters, also get free shipping with a code from the site.
10. Our Commonplace
Shop at Our Commonplace to help support women’s empowerment and find perfect clothes, accessories, beauty products, and home goods all in one place. This store is a great way to support women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses. By shopping here, you can help empower women from all walks of life.
Not only does this store use 100% carbon-neutral shipping, but they also invest in renewable energy sources globally! You can find any type of outfit you desire at Our Commonplace. If you like dresses that are either formal or casual, fashion that is colorful or more subdued, this store has got what you’re looking for.
For instance, you could buy beautiful necklaces crafted from sustainable materials like recycled buffalo horn. All of the pieces are made with environmentally-friendly and clean materials that are either recycled, upcycled, or compostable.
Our list of the top eco-friendly online stores is coming to a close! If you only want to use products that are environmentally friendly, research different brands before making any decisions. With our tips, you can quickly and easily find genuine brands online. If you’d rather not put in the effort to do this yourself, check out our comprehensive list for all the work we’ve already done for you.
FAQ on Best Places to Buy Eco-Friendly Products Online
What Are Eco-friendly Products?
Products that are eco-friendly have a minimal negative impact on the environment. These items consider every stage of production and transportation to be as gentle as possible on ecosystems. To ensure this, manufacturers use only 100% ethically sourced materials in their products. It’s important not only what materials are used to make a product but also how the product is made. These products are made from recyclable materials such as bamboo, stainless steel, paper, and more to create sustainable products.
For example, an increasing number of companies are selecting production and transportation methods that result in zero net carbon emissions.
When you shop with sustainable brands, you’re voting with your wallet for a brighter future. These businesses often create vegan, eco-friendly products and offer fair trade. Plus, they ensure their employees are treated well.
Why Should I Buy Eco-friendly Products?
There are many reasons to buy eco-friendly products, but the three most important are preserving human health, animal welfare, and environmental protection. Think about how the production process of items – from sourcing to transportation – can impact our planet and the people who live on it.
For example, because of fast fashion, carbon emissions have lately been on the rise. A way to stop this is by only buying clothing items you actually need and ensuring that they come from brands with 100% carbon-neutral production processes. Another serious environmental problem we face today is water pollution: it hurts both animal and human populations.
Are Eco-friendly Products More Expensive?
While eco-friendly products do tend to be more expensive than their conventional counterparts, don’t let that discourage you from shopping green. There are always cheaper alternatives available, and by being mindful of your ethical choices as a consumer, you can help make a difference.
Shopping ethically is as easy as being mindful of what you need. Unfortunately, one of the environmental issues caused by fast fashion is that many clothes are disposed of improperly. However, when we buy only what we need, we can recycle and dispose of less. Not to mention, land pollution from clothing would be significantly decreased.
What Are The Best Eco-friendly Packaging?
Many businesses use eco-friendly packaging to transport orders, which is great for the environment. If you want your orders delivered in eco-friendly packaging, look out for the following;
- Compostable packaging: Once compostable packaging is disposed of, it will break down and decompose back into the earth instead of polluting it. Most compostable packaging is made from sustainable materials like bamboo, corn, or sugarcane.
- Recyclable packaging: These are made from recycled plastic that is already in the environment.
- Corrugated Packaging: These box fibres are made from trees and other corrugated materials.
- Cellulose Packaging: Packages made of wood, hemp, and cotton
- Mushroom Packaging: An eco-friendly replacement for styrofoam
- Cornstarch Packaging
- Green cell
- Kraft paper
These materials are not only good for the environment, but they are also safe for human health.
How Can I Be Eco-friendly?
Sustainability is key when trying to be eco-friendly. This can be accomplished through many methods, such as:
- Join the fight for a greener tomorrow by learning more about eco-friendly principles and planting trees.
- Find ways to save water while showering, like keeping it short or using a special appliance, etc.
- Use solar-powered experiences to reduce your reliance on electrical power and fuel.
- Implement LED lighting
- Stop wasting food and clothes
- Support local businesses and artisans
- Make all your purchases on the best eco-friendly online stores
- Only use greenhouse decor and products.