We all love to shop but I know I always feel a little guilty about how much I buy because of the enormous amount of waste the consumer product industry produces. Recently, rather than give up my shopping addiction, I have become more aware about the companies I buy from. I have started looking for sustainable companies that I can shop from instead of my usual go-to's; the following are a few of the ones I have found. I often find that companies that are aware of their environmental impacts also focus on their economic impacts. And tend to employ people in developing countries and provide them with living wages and benefits.
Pela Case
Pela Case is an eco-friendly company that strives primarily to reduce the amount of plastic waste in our production system by creating a phone case made out of a plant-based material that is compostable. The case is designed to protect your phone, especially the screen. Cases are available in a variety of designs and colors for most iPhones and Androids. Pela Case is part of 1% for the Planet, meaning they donate at least 1% of their profits to environmental non-profit organizations.
Pact Apparel
Pact Apparel is a clothing company that produces their products using organic and sustainable materials and Fair Trade Certified factories. They attempt to find the softest and most sustainable fabrics to create incredibly soft clothing. They make a wide variety of clothes for men, women and children in simple styles. Because Pact commits to a high quality of clothing, their products can be a bit pricey but they have a program that allows you to receive $20 off when you refer friends.
People Tree
People Tree is also a Fair Trade Certified women's' clothing company that uses organic fabrics in their products. Their clothes are handmade in rural parts of the developing world, allowing the workers to remain in their homes instead of moving to cities to look for jobs. Their clothes are more unique, fun and a bit pricey, but shop their sale section and you can find sustainable and quality clothing for a good price.
Raven and Lily
Raven and Lily is a women's lifestyle company, mainly focusing on accessories and high-end clothing. Their main goal is to empower over 1500 women around the world and provide them with living wages. They also produce their products in an eco-friendly manner, using environmentally friendly materials. All of their products are handmade and you can find videos and short blurbs about their artists on their website. All of their products are very unique and beautiful.
Patagonia
Patagonia is an outerwear/outdoors company that creates a large variety of clothing and sporting accessories while being environmentally conscious. They also donate at least 1% of their sales to environmental groups working to protect the planet. In most of their clothes they use recycled fabrics including polyester, wool and nylon and organic cotton to reduce the environmental footprint of their products. Their clothing and other products are well made and will last for many years.
Hopefully this short list of the many sustainable companies out there has inspired you to shop more eco-friendly and rethink your shopping choices. Some of these products can get pretty expensive, but so far I have found that they are totally worth it because they last so much longer than most other products.