Consumers today are voting with their wallets. With more than 85% of shoppers wanting brands to help them pursue an environmentally friendly lifestyle, companies are stepping up. This is giving eco-conscious consumers a lot of great zero-waste choices.
Zero waste is focused on reducing waste sent to landfills and incinerators to zero, or as close to zero as possible. It goes beyond recycling. Zero waste encourages consumers to buy less and manufacturers to use durable and recyclable materials (think the opposite of fast fashion). It includes reusing or upcycling items, treating waste in an environmentally friendly method, and avoiding single-use plastics and products.
Here are eight standout zero-waste companies and stores that are helping consumers save the planet.
The vision of Lush Cosmetics is to “create a cosmetics revolution to save the planet.” Known for its colorful bath bombs, Lush has been a strong advocate for zero-waste practices. Many of their products are sold without packaging, and those with packaging are recyclable or made of recycled materials. Through the company’s Bring It Back program, customers can return their used packaging for in-store incentives. In 2022, Lush proudly announced that 100% of its North American operations are powered by renewable energy through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates.
This Eileen Fisher fashion brand, named after its founder, has been pioneering eco-friendly practices since its start in 1984. It all started with a commitment to using natural fibers and materials. Today, the company focuses on a circular model by choosing fibers that are renewable and recyclable and using manufacturing processes that use less energy, water, and chemicals. Eileen Fisher also offers Renew, a take-back and resale program to reduce waste. Perhaps the most unique and innovative move is the company’s Waste No More initiative, where damaged clothes received from the Renew program are repurposed as artworks, wall hangings, and more. Eileen Fisher is truly the godmother of sustainable fashion.
The Package Free Shop is just what it sounds like. Created by a zero-waste advocate, this store offers a wide range of daily essentials — all without unnecessary packaging. The end goal is to reduce individual trash, eliminate single-use plastics, and support our planet. You can find everything from shampoo bars to stainless steel straws to cleaning spays and laundry detergent. All their products and shipping materials can either be reused, refilled, composted, or recycled. Shipping is also 100% plastic-free. Curious shoppers can check out the store’s wide variety of Zero Waste Kits. Those who are already committed to the cause can choose to subscribe and save.
Saying goodbye to plastic wraps is made easy with Bee’s Wrap. The company offers a sustainable alternative made from organic cotton infused with beeswax, plant oil, and resin. It’s reusable, biodegradable, and perfect for wrapping and storing food. Plus, it comes in several different stylish designs. Bee’s Wrap is also a certified B corporation, meaning that they use their business as a force for good, and as a 1% for the Planet Partner, they give 1% of their annual sales directly to vetted environmental partners.
This isn’t so much a store, as it is a zero-waste platform. Loop calls it a “global reverse supply chain.” They work with a coalition of large retailers and manufacturers like Unilever, P&G, The Coca-Cola Company, and Walmart, just to name a few. It’s a simple and brilliant model that collects and hygienically cleans used packaging from consumers, and then returns it to manufacturers for refill. Check out if Loop is available in your area by downloading the app.
Despite its cheeky name, Who Gives a Crap is serious about sustainability. They produce 100% renewable and sustainable bamboo toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues. When you make a purchase at Who Gives a Crap, they deliver using carbon-neutral shipping. No surprise here: they are also a certified B corporation for environmental impact. Beyond their zero waste efforts, they are driven to help save lives and prevent disease by donating 50% of their profits to build toilets and provide clean water for those in need.
Despite its cheeky name, Who Gives a Crap is serious about sustainability. They produce 100% renewable and sustainable bamboo toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues. When you make a purchase at Who Gives a Crap, they deliver using carbon-neutral shipping. No surprise here: they are also a certified B corporation for environmental impact. Beyond their zero waste efforts, they are driven to help save lives and prevent disease by donating 50% of their profits to build toilets and provide clean water for those in need.
The online zero-waste store EarthHero, since around 2017, is a vast marketplace that offers a variety of sustainable products, from clothing to electronics. EarthHero ensures that all brands and products they feature align with certain eco-friendly standards using their comprehensive 5-Pillar Sourcing Methodology. Buyers can shop by values including plastic-free, zero-waste packaging, and upcycled and repurposed materials.
We simply can’t wrap this up without mentioning the many zero-waste grocery stores available throughout the country. These stores allow you to bring your own bulk bags, jars, or containers to buy unpackaged staples. Check out Litterless to find a package-free grocery store near you.
These eight businesses are shining examples of what’s possible in the realm of eco-friendly commerce, and by choosing to support them, you can push more brands to follow suit. At eveelife.com, we are focused on bringing awareness to environmental issues and finding the best tech, trends, and information to support people like you who want to lead a carbon-free lifestyle.
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Published August 30, 2023 12:13PM
Eveelife is an eco-oriented lifestyle platform that helps consumers make more purposeful choices about how they live and what they consume. We do it by curating content and products that help them make more conscious, carbon-free choices while amplifying their EV ownership experience.
