It can be hard to find products that are safe, trustworthy and responsible. Whether your goal for the new year is to switch to organic, minimize irritating chemicals in your home or simply use a little less plastic, these brands can be relied on for responsibly made products that are safe and effective. Individual consumers may only be able to do so much, but every little bit helps.
In this article: Seventh Generation Liquid Dish Soap, Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Sport Cap and Equal Exchange Organic Love Buzz Dark Roast Coffee.
Marketing terms like "all-natural," "clean" or even "organic" may sound nice, but they can often be empty claims. Branding that claims to be environmentally friendly while the company falls short of (or even acts in opposition to) eco-friendly practices is "greenwashing."
Some examples of greenwashing include vague claims about a product's "all-natural" or "nontoxic" ingredients, or a heavy focus on reducing litter to distract from the company's real pollution problem. Greenwashing is a serious consumer issue, not simply because it's misleading, but because it undermines trust in truly eco-friendly companies.
So how do you spot companies that actually align with your values? Don't let nature-themed marketing imagery or buzzwords sway you. Products that are labeled "Fair Trade" or "Certified B Corporation" are a good place to start since these third-party certifications require more transparency and accountability.
Often, the companies that are the most dedicated to ethical and environmentally friendly practices are the most transparent about those practices. Look on the company's website to see if they have a sustainability report or a corporate responsibility report. Be prepared to do a little background digging, and don't be shy about asking the company directly about their eco-friendly practices. If they're as passionate about the environment as you are, they'll be happy to share the steps they're taking.
Shopping local is a great way to minimize your carbon footprint, but if that isn't feasible, check your online order to see how far it's shipping. If the product you want has to travel halfway around the world, see if you can find a nearby substitute. If you are shopping locally, remember to bring your reusable bags and consider buying staple groceries in bulk with reusable containers.
If your New Year's resolution is to ditch fast fashion, look for a local class or an online tutorial to mend, repurpose or reuse your clothes. If you're shopping for new clothes, look for natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, or recycled materials. Check your size carefully too: Remember that returning an online order results in additional shipping emissions.
Finally, consider simply buying less this year. It'll reduce food waste, save resources and minimize waste in your own household.
ECOS Plastic-Free Liquidless Laundry Detergent Sheets
ECOS uses 100% renewable energy to produce cleaning products like these dye- and fragrance-free detergent sheets. Their packaging uses no plastic, and the sheets dissolve fully in laundry to clean your clothes.
Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags
Swap out single-use plastic wrap and bags for these food-grade silicone storage bags. They are dishwasher-safe and can go in the microwave or freezer. They're available in tons of sizes and colors.
Seventh Generation Liquid Dish Soap
Sustainable cleaning and personal care company Seventh Generation gets its name from the Iroquois concept of considering a decision's effects on the next seven generations. This biodegradable dish soap is not tested on animals, and it's packaged in a recycled plastic bottle.
Biokleen Bac Out Stain and Odor Eliminator
Instead of using irritating chemicals to clean up stains, try an enzyme-based cleaner like Biokleen's citrusy formula. It's safe to use on carpets and upholstery. Biokleen also makes nontoxic laundry detergent and other cleaning products.
Ilia Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint
If your earth-friendly resolution is to buy less, try multi-use beauty products like this cream blush, which can also be used as a lip tint and a glowy highlighter. It comes in twelve shimmer and sheer shades.
Klean Kanteen Classic Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Sport Cap
Klean Kanteen was the first company to make reusable stainless steel water bottles, and today the Certified B corporation offers a wide range of standard and insulated water bottles. This one comes in several colors to help you stay hydrated without reaching for single-use plastic bottles.
REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner
This gentle daily toner brightens, smooths and hydrates skin using an assortment of exfoliating acids. It's packaged in a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic.
Sold by Sephora
Numi's organic tea is hand-picked by farmers who are paid a fair wage, and it is packaged in compostable paper filters. Try the Earl Grey, which is made with single-origin black tea leaves and organic bergamot.
Sold by Amazon
Alaffia Everyday Shea Baby & Kids Shampoo & Body Wash
This gentle cleanser contains shea butter and fair-trade coconut oil for softer, fresher skin from head to toe. Alaffia's body care products are ethically sourced and made in Togo, West Africa, and they're free from sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances and dyes and more potential irritants.
Sold by Target
Made for ages 6 months and up, this shape sorter comes with eight colorful shapes and a two-part sorter that twists apart. Green Toys are made with 100% recycled materials, and they're food-safe so babies can play safely.
The Honest Company Plant-Based Baby Wipes
These alcohol- and fragrance-free wipes are made from sustainably harvested fluff pulp. They're soft and sturdy yet gentle on baby's skin. The Honest Company also offers a wide range of beauty, personal care and cleaning products as well as baby clothes and bedding.
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Laura Duerr writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
