Top 20 Eco-Friendly Shopper Trends
This Earth Day, we’re especially excited to be rallying around brands and goods that are better for our environment!
My journey towards more eco-friendly living, and commitment to sharing my discoveries with the Good Everything community, is so rewarding because I get to constantly discover inspiring brands and new and exciting approaches to reducing our impact on the planet. There are some incredible brands out there that are really raising the bar for the ethical and environmental accountability we should be demanding from businesses.
Since we’ve started following the rapidly growing landscape of eco-friendly, sustainable and recycled goods brands and product lines, we’ve noticed some trends that are starting to really pick up steam.
Here are the top 20 eco-friendly trends hitting the streets:
1. 100% Organic Cotton Clothing
Gone are the days when we had no idea how harmful clothing production was on our environment. Fast fashion is under pressure to offer more sustainable alternatives, and 100% cotton is rising in popularity because of its significantly reduced environmental impact. Brands like Pact are bringing the 100% organic trend to the mainstream, with reasonable prices and a great selection of options for men, women and kids.
2. Bamboo-based Clothing
Bamboo is a highly sustainable crop due to its rapid growth rate and ability to flourish without chemicals or irrigation. Many brands are finding ways to create textiles from bamboo as a more sustainable alternative, like the comfortable and soft bamboo-based clothing from Free Fly Apparel.
3. Recycled Plastic Leggings & Shoes
With seemingly endless plastic waste available, many brands are coming up with inventive ways to incorporate plastic waste like water bottles into their fabric production process. Girlfriend Collective was the first brand I discovered that was doing this some years ago, and I assure you the fabric quality is fantastic! Rothy’s is hitting its stride with its recycled water bottle shoes.
4. Bamboo-based Paper Products
Who Gives a Crap is my new favorite brand playing in this space. Producing toilet paper, tissues and paper towels from bamboo and recycled paper, this is an easy way to make a dent in the resources your household requested.
5. Upcycled & Second-Hand Clothing
The secondhand clothing market is becoming a popular way to refresh your wardrobe, and some brands are leaning into this. Olivia Wilde just launched her “Choose Used” clothing line with ThredUP through her sustainability campaign company Conscious Commerce, and people seem to be moving past looking down their noses at the idea of shopping at a thrift store.
6. Glass & Insulated Water Bottles
A simple swap, and possibly one of the best for your health as you’re almost guaranteed to hydrate more – bringing a reusable water bottle with you everywhere can help greatly reduce the volume of plastic water bottles we collectively consume. And as more and more refill stations are being put in at gyms, schools and other high traffic areas, we can together make a real impact with this one swap alone.
7. Reusable Metal, Glass & Bamboo Straws
Another easy swap is just saying no to plastic straws, whether that means you travel with a reusable straw, look for compostable straws or just get used to sipping out of a cup, with more hitting the marketplace daily. If you have to choose, paper straws are also a better option than plastic, though they are single-use so investing a few bucks in reusables will go a lot further at home. I do appreciate restaurants that serve with paper straws though!
8. Reusable Zip-Loc Replacements
Stasher Bags first caught my attention, but since I’ve noted many other brands offering comparable products that ensure we never need to use a single-use zip-loc again.
9. Metal Lunch Tins
With a Pinterest feed full of wonderful lunch prep ideas, all one needs is some handy containers and they’re on track with a healthier lifestyle and significant cost savings. If only it were so easy to stay motivated… but fun and simple lunch containers can help be one more reason to remember to pack that lunch, like these non-toxic, stainless steel tins from Eco Lunch Box.
10. 100% Recycled Paper Products
Who Gives a Crap tops my list here, but it’s fantastic to see 100% recycled paper towels and toilet paper options also hitting nearly every shopping store shelf. I was even able to find some 100% recycled paper plates from Amazon the other day (fingers crossed they ship without any plastic packaging!)
11. Plastic-Free Shipping
This growing trend just makes me so happy. Pulling back on my oh-so-convenient Amazon Prime orders due to overly wasteful packaging was tough, but Of late, I’m pleased to say many of the ethical and eco-friendly brands I’ve ordered from have been really focused on this. Top of mind for me based on my most recent eco-friendly orders include CAUSEBOX, Who Gives a Crap, and Imperfect Produce.
12. Eco-Friendly Subscription Boxes
CAUSEBOX, Imperfect Produce and Who Gives a Crap again top this list as great ethical brands offering subscription services with a focus on eco-friendly solutions. (sorry for the repeats, I’m totally showing my hand on my current favorite eco-friendly brands!)
13. Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
Reducing plastic waste is a major trend amongst conscious consumers, and companies are being founded to deliver on this mission. These bars are a great start to reduce your plastic waste in the bathroom.
14. Toothpaste Tabs & Powder
Another great way to reduce plastic waste in the bathroom, these tooth powders even purport to do a better job than traditional toothpaste. Less mess too! I haven’t found one yet that tastes as good, but I’m sure they’re out there!
15. Bamboo Toothbrushes
Every household goes through at lease a few plastic toothbrushes annually (on the conservative side), and this plastic waste remains in landfills or worse, our oceans, forever. Switching to bamboo toothbrushes like these from Thrive Market is another easy waste reduction change anyone can easily make.
16. Konjac Face Scrubs
My recent CAUSEBOX delivery came with a cognac scrub, and I’m in LOVE. I don’t know if it’s the combination of the rose water spray, or the medication I’ve been taking finally kicking in, but for possibly the first time in my life my skin feels great without makeup! Here is one from Grove that’s similar.
17. Laundry Detergent Alternatives
We instinctively know that household cleaning products like laundry soap are having a negative impact on the planet, but mainstream eco-friendly options have been significantly lacking until recently, with brands like The Ultimate Green Store, Method, Mrs. Meyers, and Seventh Generation becoming easier to find and releasing biodegradable alternatives. Even more exciting, you have to check out the eco egg which uses naturally derived cleansing pellets to lift away dirt and grime- good for 720 loads! After five loads, my only complaint is that it took way too long for me to learn about this miracle egg!
18. Biodegradable Kitchen & Bath Sponges
The kitchen sponge is a seemingly innocuous everyday item, but it contains plastics and non-biodegradable materials – and we use a LOT of them. Naturally derived scrubbing materials are hitting their stride, reducing the amount of waste being added to landfills.
19. Throwback Wooden Kid’s Toys
Tired of seeing plastic toys hit the market and then the trashcan just as fast, brands like Wild Dill are brining back classic wooden kids’ toys for a more sustainable and unnecessarily overcomplicated play experience.
20. Biodegradable Plastic Alternatives
With items like plastic phone cases piling up in our landfill at rapid rates, brands like Pela is tackling this issue with their innovative plastic alternative material. Derived from flax seed and strong yet flexible, these phone cases will biodegrade naturally into the environment once disposed of.
Rajendra
Leaf plates and spoons
April G
Oh yes! Great add! Any companies jump to mind that are doing this well? I’ve definitely seen a few, will track down the brand(s) and share. Thanks!