In recent years, there’s been a strong push towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. There’s also been a lot of “green” noise, and many of us are left dazed and confused on how to make earth-friendly brand choices (with products we actually like using). Today we’re highlighting some brands with an eco TWIST. They help us “do good” for Mother Earth – and love the experience.
Out of the Woods: affordable bags made from responsibly-sourced tree cellulose-turned Supernatural Paper™
Out of the Woods proves you don’t have to sacrifice style for substance. With bags ranging from insulated coolers to a daily tote, Out of the Woods supplies timeless options that are good for the environment and your wallet. Instead of leather, cotton, or other synthetics, Supernatural Paper™ offers a durable and washable bag alternative. Even though this material is made from trees, the Out of the Woods site provides ample explanation of how their process differs from that of harvesting materials like cotton. In addition to the ethical sourcing of materials, Out of the Woods prides themselves on ethical manufacturing as well.
They also have a sister brand, Out of the Ocean, if a bag made entirely from plastic removed from the ocean is more your wavelength (get it?).
Parade: underwear made entirely from “reclaimed, recycled, responsible, renewable, or regenerative materials”
At first glance, Parade might not seem like your typical sustainable clothing brand, but their emphasis on social responsibility is anything but secondary. They boast and proudly showcase an impressive range of sizes compared to other underwear brands, host a range of nudes that are actually nude for more than a few select skin tones, and pioneer their own underwear recycling program. Parade also has a giving program dedicated to donating 1% of every purchase to a partner cause of your choice.
Larry’s Coffee: coffee beans, k-cups, concentrates, and canned brews
Mindful consumption goes much further beyond choosing fruits and vegetables over cookies and pasta. It’s important that when we think about sustainability, we consider where the materials (or in this case ingredients) come from. In the same way we don’t want our clothes to be made in sweatshops by underpaid workers, we want our coffee beans to be grown, harvested, and roasted with the same care. It’s not just about the end product, it’s about the people behind the product. Larry’s Coffee is certified fair trade, in addition to their impressive roster of other sustainability initiatives including (but not limited to): biodegradable packaging, composting food waste, zone heating in facilities, and harvesting rainwater. And did we mention it’s delicious to boot? The reviews agree– Larry’s coffee quality and taste are second to none!
Dip: shampoo, conditioner, and sun shield bars for all hair types
When it comes to sustainable haircare, Dip dips deeper. In their own words, Dip is “an environmental awareness company parading around as a damn good personal care company* *(not the other way around)”. How do they do this? Their products are made to last a “very long time”, and the brand promotes purchasing at local stores that carry Dip bars instead of buying online to reduce the cost and environmental impact of shipping.
As a bonus, Dip has a page on their site where they have other tried and true environmentally-friendly brands they enjoy. If sustainable brands ranging from skincare to plastic-free grocery delivery interest you, they know a guy.
Are there any brands with an eco TWIST that you’re a fan of? Let’s celebrate our beautiful planet and make it easy for us to all be green. Leave your faves in the comments below!
Great post for Earth Day! I really liked the Larry’s Coffee example – he also has a great web site!