Tips for Sustainable Online Shopping ID 88094029 | Online Shopping © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com

Tips for Sustainable Online Shopping

Date
Jan, 27, 2025

Tips for Sustainable Online Shopping

Someone asked me how to shop more sustainably online. While we all know that to be a conscious consumer, the most sustainable way to shop is from a local store, I understand this isn’t always feasible. So, let’s explore how you can shop more sustainably online. Yes, it’s possible to reduce your carbon footprint while shopping online, and it’s empowering to know that your choices can make a difference!

Tips for Sustainable Online ShoppingID 88094029 | Online Shopping © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com

Shopping tips to help you make greener choices:  

Buy from Sustainable Brands

Look for brands that:

  • Use eco-friendly materials (organic cotton, recycled plastics, etc.)
  • Offer certifications like Fair Trade, B Corp, or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
  • Implement carbon-neutral or reduced-carbon shipping practices

Prioritize Secondhand or Upcycled Goods

Secondhand shopping reduces waste and minimizes the demand for new production. For quality secondhand items, try platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, Depop, and eBay.

Look for Sustainable Delivery Options

  • Choose retailers that offer carbon-neutral shipping or consolidate orders to reduce emissions.
  • Choose slower shipping methods to lower the carbon footprint.  

Check for Minimal and Recyclable

  • Support brands that use biodegradable, compostable, or minimal packaging.
  • Avoid excessive plastic.  

Use Online Marketplaces for Local Goods

Platforms like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace often allow you to buy from local sellers, reducing transportation emissions.

Support Tree-Planting Initiatives

Some online retailers contribute to reforestation projects for every purchase, such as:

  • Tentree
  • Ecosia (browser that uses search revenue for tree planting)  

Use Eco-Focused Shopping Extensions and Tools

  • DoneGood: A browser extension highlighting ethical brands 
  • Ethical Barcode App: assess a product’s sustainability and ethics  
  • Trendhunter: helps consumers turn their daily shopping routine into a positive force by supporting ethical brands

Avoid Impulse Purchases

  • Stick to a list to reduce overconsumption.
  • Focus on quality over quantity to ensure products last longer.  

Research Before You Buy

  • Check Good On You, a platform that rates brands on sustainability and ethics.  
  • Read brands’ sustainability reports, which can usually be found on their websites.  
Tips for Sustainable Online ShoppingID 88094029 | Online Shopping © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com

Brands that sell sustainable products and packaging:

1. Clothing and Fashion

  • Patagonia
    • Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly fabrics, repair services, secondhand shop (Worn Wear)
    • Packaging: Minimal and recyclable materials
  • Outerknown
    • Sustainable Practices: Fairtrade, recycled ocean plastics
    • Packaging: Compostable and plastic-free packaging
  • ThredUp
    • Sustainable Practices: Secondhand clothing marketplace
    • Packaging: Recycled materials used in shipping

2. Beauty and Personal Care

  • Ethique
    • Sustainable Practices: Plastic-free solid shampoos, soaps, and balms
    • Packaging: Compostable and zero-waste
  • Lush
    • Sustainable Practices: Handmade, cruelty-free products
    • Packaging: Reusable tins, minimal plastic
  • The Detox Market
    • Sustainable Practices: Curates eco-friendly and clean beauty brands
    • Packaging: Recyclable and eco-conscious

3. Home Goods

  • Package Free Shop
    • Sustainable Practices: Zero-waste lifestyle products
    • Packaging: Plastic-free, uses recyclable or compostable materials
  • Made Trade
    • Sustainable Practices: Ethical and artisan-crafted home goods
    • Packaging: Eco-friendly and sustainable materials
  • Grove Collaborative
    • Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products.
    • Packaging: Refillable and recyclable packaging options

4. Food and Groceries

  • Thrive Market
    • Sustainable Practices: Organic, sustainable food and pantry items
    • Packaging: Recyclable and compostable packaging materials
  • Imperfect Foods
    • Sustainable Practices: Reduces food waste by selling “imperfect” produce and goods
    • Packaging: Uses recyclable and reusable shipping materials

5. Technology and Electronics

  • Pela
    • Sustainable Practices: Biodegradable phone cases and accessories
    • Packaging: 100% compostable mailers
  • Nimble
    • Sustainable Practices: Eco-friendly tech accessories like chargers and power banks
    • Packaging: Made with recycled and biodegradable materials

6. Miscellaneous

  • Etsy
    • Sustainable Practices: Many sellers offer handmade or recycled goods
    • Packaging: Often eco-conscious, depending on the seller
  • EarthHero
    • Sustainable Practices: Curates sustainable products across categories
    • Packaging: Plastic-free shipping, 100% recyclable or compostable materials

These businesses incorporate sustainability into their products and practices, helping reduce your environmental impact while shopping online.

Happy shopping!

Don’t miss out on our special deal: when you buy my book A Practical Guide to Zero Waste for Families, you also get the book Be the Change by the famous Rob Greenfield.

Fredrika Syren

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