Want to Shop Sustainably Online? Try These Eco-Friendly & Ethical Alternatives to Amazon
Amazon is convenient but problematic. Yes, it’s a great luxury to be able to buy everything you need from a single website and have it turn up at your home two days later —but what are the hidden costs of that convenience?
There have been endless claims concerning workers who are underpaid and required to work in unfair conditions. In addition to that, the e-commerce behemoth has a serious carbon footprint due to its packaging and shipping to meet instantaneous delivery times. In 2020, Amazon emitted 60.64 million metric tons of carbon dioxide — up 19% from the previous year.
An important part of the sustainability movement and mindful living is being conscious about the brands you support with your business. While that’s a big responsibility, the good news is that there are plenty of wonderful, sustainable alternatives to Amazon.
If you’re looking for places that you’ll feel good about buying from, we’ve got you covered. Check out these ethical alternatives to Amazon for everything you need!
10 sustainable & ethical alternatives to Amazon
1. EarthHero
EarthHero is the place to order all of your sustainable essentials, like produce bags, eco-friendly laundry detergent, pet shampoo bars, and so much more! The companies EarthHero sells from all use renewable, organic, or upcycled materials and power their operations with renewable energy sources. Additionally, EarthHero provides carbon-neutral shipping by using recycled boxes.
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2. DoneGood
DoneGood is an amazing ethical alternative to Amazon for all kinds of products. They work with brands that are both good for people and good for the planet. DoneGood is dedicated to empowering workers with fair wages and safe working conditions, and they employ eco-friendly production practices.
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3. Made Trade
At Made Trade, you can find everything from clothing to furniture and table linens. All of their products are sustainably made, and it’s a woman-owned, family-run company. All products at Made Trade fall into at least one of the following categories: fair trade, heritage, made in the USA, BIPOC-owned, women-owned, sustainable, or vegan.
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4. Wholesome Culture
For the cutest tees, hoodies, loungewear, activewear, and so much more, *yours truly* is an amazing choice for apparel that spreads love for the planet while promoting sustainable practices. All of our clothing is sustainably made with eco-friendly materials, water-based ink, and shipped in biodegradable packaging. In addition to that, our products are printed on demand to minimize waste and avoid creating excess inventory.
5. Thrive Market
Thrive Market is a monthly membership that delivers organic groceries and pantry staples to your door. Their sustainable practices include: carbon-neutral shipping, recyclable packaging, zero-waste warehouses, and ethical sourcing.
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6. Package Free Shop
The Package Free Shop’s mission is to create less trash and make natural and plastic-free products more accessible and affordable. All orders are shipped and packed with recyclable and compostable materials. Here, you can buy home and health and body products, plus curated kits of zero-waste essentials.
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7. Grove Collaborative
Grove Collaborative is a great source for eco-friendly, cruelty-free, non-toxic household products like cleaners, soaps, and detergents. Grove is currently plastic-neutral, with a goal of becoming 100% plastic-free by 2025.
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8. Zero Waste Store
The Zero Waste Store sells exactly that — products that enable and facilitate a zero-waste lifestyle. Get bamboo toilet paper, shampoo bars, eco-friendly makeup, and so much more! All products in their store are sustainably made.
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9. BLK + GRN
BLK + GRN is an all-natural marketplace with products created by Black artisans. Their collection of skincare, bath, and body products are non-toxic, plant-based, and cruelty-free. Shopping at BLK + GRN is not only a great way to buy sustainably made beauty products, but it’s also an excellent way to support Black-owned businesses and makers.
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10. Wild Minimalist
Wild Minimalist provides a wide variety of products —from beauty and baby essentials to kitchen and cleaning items — that are high-quality and zero waste. All packaging is plastic-free. Plus, their Zero Waste Kits would make a perfect gift! Choose from cleaning kits, lunch kits, food storage kits, and others!
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There are so many amazing local and online sustainable and ethical alternatives to Amazon for everything you need. Please consider shopping with one of these Earth-friendly brands before loading up your Amazon cart.
Want to find more sustainable brands to support? We’ve got you covered.
