9 Eco-Friendly and Ethical Products You Need Right Now
20 Dec
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When you’re looking to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle, it can be tough to know where to begin. But every journey begins with a small step, like switching out some of your home goods and everyday items for items made with sustainable materials by employees working under fair, ethical conditions.
That’s where our guide to the top sustainable and ethical living products on the market comes in. We’ve scoured the latest offerings from top sustainable brands to find these nine must-have products. Each one was crafted with the environment and the well-being of all living creatures – people and animals alike – in mind.
Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint with some easy swaps, find a gift for that friend who volunteers at the local Sierra Club, or simply upgrade your minimalist lifestyle with a gorgeous new centerpiece, you’re sure to find something to appreciate in our curated guide to ethical online shopping.
Korissa Bread Warmer + Basket with Tea Towel – Bird Oval from Made Trade
This earthy terracotta bread warmer, cotton tea towel, and accompanying basket – crafted from jute wool and seagrass – bring a rustic, farm-cottage charm. Microwave-safe and emblazoned with a delightful bird and leaf design, it makes for a fantastic housewarming gift for the style-conscious, sustainability-minded foodie or aspiring chef in your life.
Each bread warmer is made by hand by Bangladeshi artisans working under fair trade conditions and each basket is woven with sustainably-grown seagrass. Made Trade has certified the brand as BIPOC- and women-owned, so you can feel confident that your purchase is going toward marginalized artisans and business owners.
Grove Collaborative Multi-Purpose Cleaner Starter Set
Overhauling your household cleaning routine is a great first step in leading a more eco-friendly life. If you’re not sure which products to choose, this multipurpose cleaner kit from Grove Collaborative makes for an excellent starter set.
The multi-purpose cleaner concentrate is almost entirely plant-based and free from harmful substances like ammonia, phosphates, formaldehyde, and chlorine bleach. It comes with a reusable glass spray bottle so you can cut down on your plastics use while keeping your home looking and smelling fresh. You can choose from refreshing, essential oil-based scents like orange and rosemary, sea spray, lemon and eucalyptus, apple and pear blossom, and lavender blossom and thyme.
MasayaCo Amador Manila Rocking Chair – San Geronimo from Made Trade
Based in Nicaragua, MasayaCo is a sustainable furniture brand that’s dedicated to combating climate change through reforestation and responsible design. Each piece is handcrafted from FSC-certified teak wood sourced from their own reforestation projects. So sustainability and ethical values are top of mind at every touchpoint in the creative process. Every piece is handmade by local artisans, and the company plants 100 trees for each piece they sell.
The Amador Manila Rocking Chair – San Geronimo is an excellent example of the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship. Featuring a woven manila cord pattern inspired by a Masayan religious celebration, the rocking chair blends a classic mid-century modern aesthetic with a bit of colorful whimsy. The natural oil finish emits low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – gases that can cause problems from eye irritation to breathing difficulties – meaning it’s safer for your personal health and well-being.
Lomi Bin
Lomi is a popular in-home food recycler that turns food scraps into fertilizer. Whether you have one yourself, compost your organic waste on your own, or prefer the organics pick-up service, you’ll appreciate the Lomi Bin – a cleaner alternative to typical food waste storage.
Just toss your food scraps in the bin and use the removable strainer to keep things neat – no worries about damp or stinky trash bags. When it’s time to empty it, just pop off the removable lid and wash your bin off in the sink or dishwasher. Available in four-liter and seven-liter sizes and three minimalist shades, this food storage option is a great way to keep your kitchen nice and clean before it’s time for the next compost.
Public Goods Cedar & Suede Soy Candle
A vegan, plant-based, upcycle-friendly, plastic-free, and longer-lasting aromatic candle? We’re in! This soy candle from Public Goods has cotton wicks, a stylish lid made from acacia wood, and three size options. It’s free of lead, phthalates, BPA, and dyes, so you can feel safe with it lighting up your home. Once it’s burned down, it boasts a wealth of creative opportunities for dedicated upcyclers, making it an ideal gift for crafty types.
We chose this candle not only for its eco-conscious cachet but its delicious fragrance. Immerse yourself in the forest with the sandalwood scent, lilting notes of jasmine and rose, and heady hits of amber and leather.
Moon Bath Milk & Honey Bath Sea Salts from DoneGood
Moon Bath is a -driven, women- and POC-owned brand that embraces all the values many of us are passionate about. Their products are free of toxins and GMOs and are made by fairly compensated workers in the United States. I especially love their Moon Bath ritual series, which blends organic ingredients into a refreshing, cleansing experience for mind, body, and spirit.
Moon Bath’s Milk & Honey bathing salts combine the healing power of sea salts with the moisturizing essence of coconut milk and honey crystals. Essential oils like frankincense, bergamot, and lavender add a touch of sweetness. The salts can be added directly to your bath or used as exfoliants.
Terra Thread Earth Backpack from DoneGood
It’s tough to list all the reasons that the Earth Backpack from Terra Thread, a certified B corp, deserves a spot on our list of the best sustainable and ethical living products – but we’ll give it a try.
With a handy laptop sleeve, two pockets for water bottles, and plenty of internal and external storage, this versatile backpack can take you to school, work, or even a campsite. It’s manufactured from organic cotton and lead-free metal fasteners and zippers in a Fair Trade Certified facility in India and shipped to your doorstep with as little packaging as possible.
What’s more, part of the profits from your purchase will go towards Feeding America’s mission to combat hunger by supporting food banks across the U.S.
Public Goods Fragrance Free Laundry Detergent Sheets
Looking for a simple way to make your laundry routine more eco-friendly? Look no further! Public Goods’ fragrance-, phosphate- and paraben-free laundry detergent sheets are a no-plastic alternative for your usual detergent. Their gentle formula makes them safe to use on anybody’s clothes – even those with sensitive skin. Simply toss them in your washing machine and use them for up to 100 loads. They don’t leave residue behind, so there’s no post-wash mess to clean up.
Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
Many of us resort to single-use plastics for everyday food storage. Bee’s Wrap reusable beeswax food wraps offer a food-safe, organic alternative.
The smallest wraps can be used to keep produce – think avocados and lemons – fresh, while medium-sized wraps are ideal for bringing a sandwich to work or school for lunch. The largest ones are great for covering pans or bowls. They’re washable and compostable and last up to a year!
Bee’s Wrap wraps make for creative gifts or stocking stuffers. This brand is also a small business, so you can feel even better about supporting them with your purchase.