Posts by Alicia Briggs
Sustainable Plant-Based Milk: How to Choose the Best Option + Our favorite Brands
 

The Best Sustainable Plant-Based & Vegan Milks

Most of us now know that drinking plant-based milk is generally more sustainable than dairy milk. However, with so many different options available, it’s important to know what to look for in plant-based milk. Not all plant-based milk is good for us or the planet, thanks to additives, artificial ingredients, unsustainable sourcing, or plastic packaging. Below we’ll cover how to find healthy and sustainable plant-based milk, as well as some of the best plant-based milk brands. 

Is Plant-Based Milk Sustainable?

All plant-based milk is more sustainable than dairy. One liter of cow’s milk uses significantly more water, and land, as well as produces more greenhouse gas than one liter of plant-based milk. 

While plant-based milk is more sustainable, just how sustainable will greatly depend on the ingredients and the production methods used. Some non-dairy milk uses very little water, while others emit less greenhouse gas or are easier to ethically source. 

Is Plant-Based Milk Good for you? 

Plant-based milk is generally good for you, as long as you pay attention to the ingredients. If you’re drinking plant-based milk to replace specific nutrients in dairy milk, you won’t be very successful. 

The cleanest, organic plant-based milk only contains water and the primary ingredient, so it won’t be fortified with additional vitamins and minerals found in dairy milk. If you choose fortified plant milk, certain ingredients may block your body's ability to absorb those nutrients. 

In general, it’s healthiest to choose plant-based milk with minimal ingredients and no artificial additives, and use other food or supplements to replace any nutrients naturally found in dairy. 

What’s the Least and Most Sustainable Milk Alternative? 

When determining which nut milk (or plant-based milk) is the most and least sustainable, there are a few different factors that need to be taken into consideration. Below we’ll break down the most common types of plant-based milk and how sustainable they are. 

Oat Milk: Oat milk could be considered the most sustainable plant-based milk overall. It’s also become one of the most popular non-dairy milk options due to its creamy consistency and rich flavor. Oats are a nutritious, a low-input crop. That being said, oats are commonly mass-produced in an unsustainable way and contain a glyphosate-based herbicide that has been linked to cancer. Look for small brands that use certified glyphosate-free oats, as well as organic and non-GMO oats. 

Almond Milk: Almond milk has long been one of the most popular kinds of nut milk, but it’s gotten a bad rap lately due to its water usage. Almond milk is not worse for the environment than dairy milk, and overall, it is a sustainable milk alternative. Almond milk has some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and requires very little land to grow. However, almond trees do require a significant amount of water and are mostly grown in California, a state prone to droughts. Local almond farmers have taken action over the last few years to reduce water usage, but it’s always best to look for organic almonds that are grown on sustainable farms in small batches. 

Soy Milk: Soy milk is commonly considered one of the most sustainable, and cleanest plant-based milk options. Soy milk requires very little water to produce, though it does require a higher amount of emissions. That being said, soy milk is largely mass-produced in an unsustainable way. It’s harder to find non-GMO soy on the market, and its production has caused deforestation in the Amazon and throughout South America. If you want to drink soy milk, look for brands that don’t source their soy from South America and that use organic, non-GMO soybeans. 

Rice Milk: As far as plant-based milk goes, rice milk isn’t the most sustainable or nutritious. Rice production has some of the highest, if not the highest, greenhouse gas emissions, and requires a large amount of water to grow. Rice is grown in water and those paddies contribute to water pollution and emit methane gas. Of all the non-dairy milk options, you may want to skip this one. 

Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is another popular milk alternative, with high nutritional benefits. If you’re wondering if coconut milk is sustainable, it depends on where you get it from. Coconuts are in such high demand that coconut production now commonly involves exploitative labor including animal cruelty, where monkeys and other animals are forced to help harvest coconuts. Coconut farms contribute to deforestation in the rainforest, particularly in Indonesia. Look for small brands that are ideally Fair-trade certified or are transparent about how they source their coconuts.  

Seed Milk: Seed milk, such as hemp, flax, and chia milk, has become more commonly available and offers higher nutritional benefits, like protein and fiber. These plants require very little water to grow and aren’t commonly mass-produced. Another sustainable seed milk that has recently become more widely available is sesame milk. This milk is a wonderful sustainable option, as sesame plants require very little water, are self-pollinating, drought-resistant, and don’t need pesticides. 

Pea Milk: Pea milk is a popular choice for those looking for higher protein milk. It’s also a sustainable choice, as it has lower emissions, and uses less fertilizer and water to produce when compared to other plant-based milk. That being said, many pea milk options on the market today are filled with additional ingredients and additives that aren’t very good for us. 

Additional Nut Milk Options: There are numerous nut milk options available today, with varying degrees of sustainability and different taste profiles. 

  • Cashew Milk: Widely available, it requires less water than almond milk with a similar taste. Cashew production often involves exploitative labor, so look for cashews that are fair trade or were produced transparently and ethically. 

  • Hazelnut Milk: This beloved nut makes a great milk alternative. It’s a very sustainable nut milk — produced in the Pacific Northwest, in a naturally moist environment, and it doesn’t require bees for pollination. 

  • Pistachio Milk: Less common, but becoming more popular, pistachio milk is a relatively nutritious nut milk that uses less water than almonds. It has relatively low greenhouse gas emissions as well. 

  • Macadamia Milk: Last but not least, macadamia milk is a creamy milk alternative that also requires less water than almonds. It’s important to choose organic, non-GMO options, however, as macadamia nuts are grown in areas that commonly experience water shortages. 

What to Look for From Sustainable Non-Dairy Milk Brands: 

Some ingredients to look for when choosing a sustainable plant-based milk are: 

  • Minimal Ingredients/ No Artificial Ingredients

  • Organic Certified Ingredients

  • Ethical/Sustainable Sourcing

  • Recyclable and Plastic-free Packaging

  • Fair Trade Production

When it comes to our health, much of the plant-based milk available on the market today contains processed and artificial ingredients. While many of these ingredients are used as emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners, some have been linked to cancer, while others may impact our digestion and skin. Ultimately, we just don’t know how these additives will affect us in the long run. 

If you’re looking for truly sustainable non-dairy milk, avoid the following ingredients: 

  • Added sugar or artificial sweeteners

  • Added oils 

  • Natural Flavors

  • Carrageenan

  • Gums (Guar gum, Xanthan gum, etc.)

  • Lecithin

Now, Our Top 8 Favorite Sustainable Plant-Based Milk Brands:

1) Joi 

Price: Varies

Joi is an awesome sustainable non-dairy milk brand that sells plant milk concentrates.

You simply mix with water at home to create your non-dairy milk.

They have almond, cashew, oat, and hazelnut milk concentrates available.

Joi’s products are certified non-GMO, and organic, with no added ingredients. 


2) Three Trees

Price: $7.99 

Three Trees produces some of the healthiest, creamiest, vegan milk around. Here you’ll find almond milk (unsweetened or naturally sweetened vanilla), sesame milk, oat milk, and pistachio milk. You won’t find any added ingredients or sweeteners and each milk comes in a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic. 


3) Califia Farms

Price: $5.99-$6.49 

Califia Farms has produced sustainable vegan milk for years but they just launched a line of certified organic oat milk and almond milk with just 3 ingredients.

The organic line contains no additives and a creamy texture.

Califia Farms publishes an annual sustainability report so you can easily ensure this brand aligns with your values. 


4) Malk

Price: $5.99

Malk makes certified organic glyphosate-free oat and almond milk available with unsweetened or sweetened vanilla and chocolate.

With only 3-5 natural ingredients, at Malk, you’ll never find added oils, fillers, or gums.

Each bottle is also recyclable. 


5) Forager

Price: $6.49 

At Forager you’ll find a large selection of non-dairy products including cashew and oat milk.

Both kinds of vegan milk are certified organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free, with no added gums, fillers, or ingredients.

They use ethically sourced, hand-harvested cashews to produce their ultra-creamy vegan milk. 


6) Elmhurst

Price: Varies

Elmhurst used to be a large family-owned dairy company but remade itself into a sustainable vegan milk producer. Here you’ll find almond, cashew, oat, walnut, and hazelnut milk.

All of their non-dairy products are non-GMO verified and don’t contain artificial flavors, gluten, or carrageenan. Plus, you can purchase variety packs or bundled options and each shelf-stable milk comes in recyclable packaging. 


7) Eden Soy

Price: $3.91+ 

If you’re a soy milk lover, check out Eden Soy.

Their non-GMO, organic soy milk has been around for decades. You won’t find any artificial sugar or ingredients at Eden Soy. Their sustainably sourced soy milk comes in recyclable cartons, is shelf stable, and affordable. 


8) New Barn Organics Almond Milk

Price: $59 per 6 pack

New Barn Organics uses organic almonds sustainably produced in small batches to make their certified organic almond milk. Non-GMO verified, their unsweetened or sweetened almond milk doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients. They also produce organic coconut milk, using fair labor production, but it does contain organic sunflower lecithin. 


About the Author

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.


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These are the 6 Best Ways to Sustainably Exfoliate Your Body
 

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

How to Sustainably Exfoliate Your Skin

We all love having smooth, bump-free skin and exfoliating is one of the best ways to achieve that. However, traditional exfoliators aren’t always the best for our skin or the environment, thanks to plastic and harmful ingredients. Thankfully, exfoliating your body sustainably has never been easier. This article will cover our favorite eco-friendly ways to exfoliate from sustainable scrubs to compostable loofahs. 

Are Exfoliators Bad For People and the Environment? 

Traditional exfoliating scrubs and exfoliators can be harmful to the environment for several reasons. Exfoliators like loofahs are made from plastic, which contributes to plastic waste and microplastic pollution. 

Traditional exfoliating scrubs often contain synthetic ingredients and plastic beads, which go directly into our water system when we use them. Not to mention, scrubs generally come in plastic packaging, are produced in an unsustainable way, and contain harmful chemicals that we should avoid putting on our skin as well as our water supply. 

How to Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally and Sustainably: 

Thankfully, there are numerous ways to exfoliate your body (and your face) sustainably. The best natural exfoliator for you will depend on what method of exfoliation you prefer to use. There are numerous plastic-free, eco-friendly alternatives to most exfoliators such as loofahs, exfoliating scrubs, and gloves. 

When it comes to choosing an eco-friendly body exfoliator, consider the following before purchasing: 

  • Does it contain plastic or synthetic materials? 

  • Are there any artificial fragrances?

  • Is it made from natural, plant-based ingredients and materials?

  • Do they ethically source their materials? 

  • Are there harmful chemicals or unrecognizable ingredients? 

  • Is it either reusable or recyclable, biodegradable, and/or compostable? 

If it’s plastic-free, made from natural materials, and can naturally decompose, then chances are you’re choosing a sustainable exfoliator. Below, we’ll cover the best eco-friendly exfoliators for your body including some of our favorite sustainable brands. 

Now, Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Ways to Exfoliate For Your Body: 

Sustainable Exfoliating Scrubs

One of the easiest ways to exfoliate your body is with a good body scrub. There are so many benefits to exfoliating scrubs such as cleaner pores, and softer, more hydrated skin. Plus, if you have sensitive skin, a natural scrub is a more gentle exfoliating option. Thankfully, you no longer need to choose exfoliating scrubs with plastic beads or harmful chemicals thanks to the numerous sustainable scrubs available today. 

Some of our favorite eco-friendly skincare brands have created fantastic ready-to-go exfoliators. One of our favorites is Cocokind’s Scrubbing Clay, made with red clay and upcycled coffee beans. Osea also has a fantastic line of vegan exfoliators including a complete body scrub kit. 

In general, look for scrubs made from natural, biodegradable ingredients and free from plastic packaging. 

Zero Waste DIY Exfoliators

If you’re willing to get a little bit crafty, you can create your own zero-waste body scrub at home. One benefit to making your own body scrub is that you can combine ingredients that are specifically tailored to your skin needs. There are numerous exfoliating scrub recipes available that use ingredients many of us have at home or that are readily available at your local zero-waste store. Making your own scrub is also a great way to upcycle food waste or prevent additional waste. 

A simple firming and moisturizing at-home body scrub involves just coffee grounds, honey, and oil. Mix 3 tablespoon leftover coffee grounds with 5 tablespoons honey and 5 tablespoons olive oil (or another nourishing oil of your choice) until thick. 

If your skin is sensitive, try this reparative sugar exfoliating scrub. Mix ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup sea salt with ½ cup of your preferred oil, and 2 tablespoons honey. You can even add your favorite essential oil. Add lavender for a soothing, relaxing scrub, or choose rosemary to help reduce inflammation. 

Exfoliating Cloths

If you’d prefer to pair your scrub with an exfoliating tool, exfoliating cloths make an excellent plastic-free exfoliator. Unlike shower cloths made from synthetic materials, eco-friendly exfoliating cloths are often biodegradable and made from plant-based materials. 

Earthharbor makes a wonderful cleansing cloth from agave leaves. It’s naturally anti-microbial, mold-resistant, and will break down after 3-5 months. In general, look for a plastic-free cloth that’s made from natural and organic materials like bamboo or organic cotton. Exfoliating cloths made from muslin fabric are often gentle enough to use on your face and can double as a makeup remover

Sustainable Dry Brush

If you’re looking for eco-friendly alternatives to loofahs, consider dry brushing. Dry brushing helps unclog pores and increase circulation and lymphatic drainage. Plus, it’s easy to do any time of day, since you don’t dry brush in the shower or with any added scrubs. We love dry brushing first thing in the morning since it has an energizing effect. 

There are several sustainable, plastic-free dry brushes available like this biodegradable and vegan one from Osea. It’s made from beechwood and cotton with sisal bristles. In general, look for dry brushes that are made from sustainably sourced wood or bamboo. Eco-friendly dry brushes will also use natural, plastic-free materials for their bristles. 

Eco-friendly Exfoliating Mitts 

If you’re looking for an easy way to exfoliate your body, consider sustainable exfoliating gloves. These hand-shaped mitts fit your hands perfectly so you can effortlessly exfoliate your body without a mess. 

Eco-friendly exfoliator gloves will typically be made from plastic-free, natural materials such as bamboo or sisal. You can use them like a loofah by applying your scrub to the glove while in the shower. Exfoliating gloves are often gentle enough to use on the entire body, including thin-skinned areas like the groin. 

Some wonderful sustainable exfoliating mitts we love are the anti-bacterial bamboo gloves from Handmade Naturals or this GOTS Certified Organic Cotton mitt from Organic Stories. 

Sustainable Loofah

Last but not least, if you’re a die-hard loofah fan, don’t worry, there are eco-friendly options available. Loofahs, or shower poofs, are very popular items but they are traditionally made from plastic and synthetic materials. One of the best natural loofahs is from Ecoroots. It’s made from plant fibers, is plastic-free, and biodegradable. Plus, you can use this loofah as a sponge as well, perfect for cleaning dishes or the bathroom. 

Another favorite of ours is konjac sponges, which make a great eco-friendly alternative to a shower puff. With a similar texture to shower poofs, konjac sponges are soft, fully compostable, and made from the konjac plant. 

A great konjac sponge is this one from Everist. It makes your skin feel amazing and can be composted after 2-3 months of use. All you need to do is add water to make the sponge soft, then squeeze a small amount of your favorite soap for an exfoliating clean. 


About the Author

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.


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How to Shop Sustainably While Traveling: Your Guide to Shopping Locally
 

How to Shop Sustainably When You Travel

One of the best things about traveling is getting to see and experience things you don't normally have at home. This might explain why so many of us love to go shopping on vacation. If you're trying to be a sustainable traveler, an easy (and fun!) way to do so is to make a conscious effort to shop sustainably while traveling. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about how to shop locally and sustainably on vacation, including how to find eco-friendly stores abroad. 

Why Should You Shop Sustainably While on Vacation? 

Most of us love to travel and look forward to our vacations every year. However, it's important to note that travel isn't always sustainable. Many popular destinations struggle with overtourism, resulting in gentrification, rising prices, and a negative impact on the local environment. 

It's also important to note that tourism doesn't always benefit the locals. Most of our tourism dollars go to the government and then whatever we spend our money on. Unfortunately, many tourists spend their money on accommodation, restaurants, and tours that aren't locally owned and don't support the local economy without realizing it. 

One great way to combat this is to be conscious of how we spend our money on vacations. When we choose to support local and sustainable businesses while traveling, we can help minimize our negative impact on the places we go. 

Shopping locally is one of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure that our tourism dollars are benefiting the local economy and that we're being more sustainable on vacation

What Does it Mean to Shop Sustainably? 

First, let's break down what it means to shop sustainably. Shopping sustainably typically means shopping from businesses or brands that produce their goods in a way that has minimal impact on people and places. This may look different depending on where you are, but the following are examples of sustainable shopping:

  • Buying from locally owned stores and vendors

  • Prioritizing locally sourced goods

  • Looking up fair paying, sustainably run, and/or eco-friendly brands

  • Supporting local (especially women) artisans 

  • Choosing to invest in thoughtful items you need vs. plastic, gimmicky souvenirs

If the way you're shopping while on vacation fits any of the above criteria, then you're most likely shopping sustainably. We'll break down each sustainable way to shop below so you can easily do so while traveling. 

Additionally, it's also important to know what's not a sustainable way to shop while traveling. Choosing to support international, chain, and fast fashion brands that don't use eco-friendly business practices is not a sustainable choice. It can be tempting to check out stores you're familiar with while traveling, especially if you're abroad, but try to avoid this as much as you can.  

How to Find Sustainable Shops Abroad: 

It may feel a little tricky to find sustainable shops while traveling internationally, but we've got you covered. The following are great ways to find sustainable stores while in a different country: 

  1. Use Google Maps or Tripadvisor: A lot of smaller, eco-friendly businesses abroad don't have websites or a strong online presence. They will usually come up on Google Maps or Tripadvisor, however. Some excellent search terms to use to find them are sustainable clothing, secondhand store, eco-friendly, natural goods, refill shop, or zero waste store. Consider leaving a review once you've visited to further support small businesses.

  2. Search in the local language: If you're visiting a place that speaks a different language, try searching for the things you're looking for in the local language. You'll find more results on Google Maps when you do this. 

  3. Utilize Social Media: As mentioned above, many small sustainable businesses abroad don't have a website, but they often have an active Instagram or Facebook. Use tags to find them or browse their social media to get a better idea of their brand. 

  4. Ask for local recommendations: Locals always know best. Ask your accommodation host or hotel for local recommendations, post in local Facebook groups, and check out local online publications to find eco-friendly shops anywhere you go.  

5 Sustainable Ways to Shop While on Vacation 

If you want to shop sustainably while traveling, the following are a few wonderful ways to do so.

Support Local Shops 

Supporting local stores is one of the best ways to sustainably shop. Look for businesses that state they are locally owned, or do a little bit of research to verify that they are. Locally run stores are generally a sustainable choice, but if they also sell goods that are made in a sustainable way or goods that are native to the place, even better. 

One thing to keep in mind is that depending on where you are, many businesses, especially artisans or small vendors, won't have clear branding or marketing that says they are sustainable. Try to do some research before you go somewhere to understand what's produced locally and native to the area. In general, items that are handmade, or made by artisans, will most likely be sustainable. 

Check out Local Sustainable Brands

One of the best parts about traveling is that you get to find new, awesome sustainable brands to shop from. Seek out local and sustainable businesses in the area. I love finding local sustainable fashion brands and learning about the different eco-friendly materials they use. It's a fun way to get to know the place you're visiting while also making eco-friendly shopping choices. 

If you're traveling internationally, note that some countries may not have the same certifications or labels you may be used to at home. Many certifications are only available in certain locations and also come at a premium cost, making them largely inaccessible to small businesses. Do your research to understand how goods are sustainably made so that you can easily vet sustainable brands around the world and avoid greenwashing

Visit Artisan Markets 

Another wonderful way to shop sustainably while on vacation is to visit local markets. The type of markets available will depend on where you're visiting, but most markets consist of local, artisan vendors. This is one of the best ways to support local vendors, find unique items, and learn about the culture of the place you're visiting. Support women artisans and Indigenous artisans when possible. 

Some great examples of sustainable markets to search for are farmer's markets, artisan markets, flea markets, craft markets, or eco markets. 

Look for Vintage or Thrift Stores

Most places in the world have some type of vintage, thrift, or secondhand store. If you want to shop sustainably on vacation, buying used clothing and goods is always a great idea. You can find fantastic and hard-to-find items secondhand that you wouldn't be able to get at home. 

Plus, if you're looking for high-quality items that are truly reflective of the place you're visiting, vintage or secondhand pieces are a much better choice than trendyfast-fashion items. 

Choose Local Goodies as Souvenirs or Gifts

Most of us love to buy a souvenir or two while on vacation. Souvenirs make wonderful gifts and serve as a way to remember our trip. However, if you want to purchase sustainable souvenirs, look for items that are made locally and from local materials. When possible, try to choose products that are plastic free. 

If you want to get gifts while on vacation, local, edible goodies make wonderful zero-waste gifts. Choose products that are grown or produced locally like Yerba mate from Argentina, mezcal from Mexico, or port wine from Portugal. 


At the end of the day, when it comes to shopping sustainably on vacation, the best choice you can make is the local one. Shopping locally will look different everywhere you go, ranging in price and products, but it's a great way to shop as a sustainable traveler. 


About the Author:

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.


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WANT to find SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

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5 Sustainable Brands Making Transparency Easy for Consumers to Understand
 

Image: Nisolo

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the fashion industry a better place!

Transparency & Sustainable Brands

Sustainable fashion has officially become mainstream, much to my delight. Unfortunately, the increased demand for sustainable brands also increases greenwashing and differing levels of sustainability. Not all brands are sustainable, and not all sustainable brands are equally sustainable. So how do we, as consumers, really know if a brand can be trusted? By brands prioritizing transparency and education. In this article, I highlight five sustainable brands that make transparency easy for consumers to understand and set new sustainability standards.

Why is Transparency in the Fashion Industry Important? 

In order to know if a brand is sustainable or ethical, there needs to be transparency. Anyone can say they are sustainable but if they aren’t transparent about how, consumers can’t validate their claims. 

When brands publicly disclose crucial details like how and where they make their products, and the materials they use, we can begin to understand what makes this brand sustainable. There are also a variety of third party certifications and audits that help bring more transparency to the specific business practices and methods used. 

As consumers, we only know what we are told. So when brands decide to be transparent and tell us exactly who they are, we can then build real trust with that company. 

Why Is Consumer Education on Sustainability Important? 

While it’s important for a business to be transparent, transparency doesn’t mean as much if we don’t understand what they are talking about. In order to know if a business is using sustainable materials, ethical production methods, or making a positive impact, we need to have basic sustainability knowledge. 

Great sustainable brands are the ones that are not only transparent, but provide clear, easy to understand information and education to their consumers. Once we understand why something is sustainable or ethical, we as consumers can make informed choices.

What to Look For From Sustainable Brands:

A truly transparent sustainable brand should make the following clear: 

  • Who owns the company? 

  • What materials do they use and why?

  • Where do they source their materials?

  • Where do they manufacture?

  • How much do they pay their workers? 

  • How are the workers treated? 

  • What production methods do they use? 

  • Do they offset their carbon emissions? How? 

  • Do they give back to any organizations? 

  • What are they working to improve on? Do they have future sustainability goals?

The five brands below are great examples of what to look for in a sustainable brand. I chose these brands because they are taking it one step further than most. Each of these businesses have found new ways to be as transparent as possible. They also provide clear, easy to understand information so consumers can make educated choices. 

Now, Our Top Picks for Sustainable Brands Setting New Standards for Transparency and Education:

1) Nisolo

Nisolo is another great sustainable brand that is focused on continually improving. They are a certified B Corp and Carbon Neutral company known for making ethical shoes

Nisolo has been leading the way when it comes to paying living wages and creating an ethical work environment. They publish their wages and are very transparent about who makes their products and where. 

Lately, they’ve made huge strides in both sustainability and transparency. At the end of 2021, they launched their sustainability facts label. They want to bring a new level of transparency to the fashion industry. They worked with sustainability experts, certifications, and organizations over the last few years to create a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand label. The label is meant to make it easier for brands to evaluate their products and for consumers to make sustainable choices. 

Their sustainability facts label is the first of its kind. It takes into account the impact of each product on people and the planet. Every Nisolo product now has this sustainability label available. 

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC20 for 20% off your entire purchase

2) Cocokind

Cocokind is a sustainable skincare brand that has made considerable strides in sustainability and transparency since it launched five years ago. They are passionate about helping consumers understand what they are buying and creating more transparency within the beauty industry. 

Cocokind uses Instagram to showcase real, unfiltered skin from their team and customers. However, where Cocokind truly shines is in making it easy for consumers to understand exactly what they are using and why they should use it. 

On social media, you can expect to see Cocokind regularly break down what trendy ingredients, like retinol and hyaluronic acid, really are and how or why to use them. They also show sample beauty routines, making it easy to understand what products you should use for each skin type.

They take transparency one step further on their packaging and website. Each product has its own label, which includes the formulation and sustainability facts. These labels explain what’s in the product and why, its carbon footprint, and recycling instructions. In addition, their website states the PH level, smell, feel, use instructions and consumer experience stats for each product. 

While Cocokind is way ahead of most “clean” beauty brands, they clearly state that they are working toward much more. Cocokind states that they are only in Phase 1 out of 3 of their sustainability goals.

3) Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective’s goal is to be as transparent as possible, and they are on the right path. Girlfriend Collective has created a popular line of sustainable activewear made primarily from recycled polyester (RPET), ECONYL, and cupro. 

Within seconds of being on their website, you’ll learn what materials they use in their products and why. They have an extensive FAQ page, but they also provide the answers to most of these questions on their About page. 

They also provide a comprehensive overview of how the fashion industry operates as a whole, including how products are made and what common certifications and labor codes mean.

One of the great things Girlfriend Collective does is making it easy for consumers to understand exactly what they are buying. Underneath each product is a comprehensive description of what it’s made of. They also clearly and boldly list how many plastic bottles were used to make it, as well as the CO2 and water it saved. 

4) Able

ABLE is a sustainable fashion brand that is passionate about empowering women and providing ethical employment globally. ABLE works with women artisans around the world to create their products. ABLE provides extensive information on how the fashion industry operates as a whole and especially its exploitation of women. 

They published a living wage calculator to explain to consumers how they determine their wages. They were one of the first fashion brands to publish their lowest wages. 

Over the last few years, they’ve created their own evaluation tool called ACCOUNTABLE. It measures the safety, equality and wages of their manufacturers. This has made it possible for them, and others, to ensure transparency in their supply chain. 

ABLE is not just transparent when it comes to their employment and production. On their website, they’ve taken the time to break down each product they sell and explain the materials used, why they chose them and where and how they are sourced. 

5) Organic Basics

Organic Basics is a sustainable fashion brand focused on creating ethical intimates & everyday basic clothing. In addition, they are incredibly passionate about consumer education and transparency. 

One unique thing about Organic Basics is their low-impact website option. You can choose to shop on their standard website or their low-impact one. The low-impact version calculates the CO2 emissions you are reducing when you use it. 

Additionally, they have a very comprehensive and user-friendly breakdown of why the fashion industry is “dirty” and how they are working to change that. Organic Basics publishes each factory they manufacture it with a rating. They include details like where it’s located, if it’s family-run, what materials it produces, who works there and what type of wages and benefits they receive.

When it comes to their products, they provide an Impact Index that states the CO2, chemicals and waste prevented by each product.


About the Author

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.


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These 15 Sustainable Brands Offer the Chance to Buy Now, Pay Later
 

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Sustainable Clothing Brands With Payment Plans

Supporting sustainable brands and investing in high-quality wardrobe staples inevitably costs money. Yet sometimes we don’t always have room in the budget when it’s time to buy a necessary item of clothing. Payment plans, or “Buy now, Pay Later,” are a wonderful solution to this. Today, numerous sustainable brands accept buy now, pay later providers like Afterpay, making sustainable clothing more accessible. 

In this article, we cover some of our favorite sustainable clothing brands that offer payment plans so you can shop sustainably without breaking the bank. 

What is Buy Now, Pay Later? 

The option to “buy now, pay Later,” is a relatively new feature that is now widely available. When you go to check out, you can choose to pay using the available buy now, pay later provider. This allows you to split up the full price of your order into interest-free payments at no additional cost. 

You’ll be directed to pay through the third party and you can pick the payment installment that works best for you. Most buy now, pay later apps offer four fixed installments every two weeks for free. 

However, if that frame doesn’t work for you, you can choose to pay smaller amounts over a longer timeframe with additional interest. The smaller the amount and the longer the time frame, the more interest they will charge, but it will be considerably less than the interest most credit cards charge. 

Some common buy now, pay later companies your favorite brands may partner with are: 

Why Are Payment Installments Important?

There are numerous reasons why it’s great for sustainable brands to offer the option to buy now and pay later. 

Sustainable fashion can be more expensive than fast fashion and for a good reason. Fast fashion is only cheap because it involves both exploitative labor and environmentally exploitative business practices

Sustainably made items cost more because workers are paid a fair, living wage, and the materials used are of higher quality. Plus, sustainable brands often use eco-friendly business practices and packaging, which also adds to the total cost. 

Sustainable products are more expensive to make and in turn cost us more to buy. You can read more about the true cost of sustainable manufacturing here

Having the option to pay in installments makes sustainable clothing more accessible. It makes it possible to invest in sustainably made, high-quality items even if you’re on a budget.

It’s important to note that we don’t encourage using payment plans as an excuse to buy more. It’s not sustainable to go into debt to purchase new clothing or to buy things that aren’t necessary. Paying through installments will hopefully prevent you from going into debt and allow you to support sustainable brands that may not be affordable upfront.  

Our Top 15 Sustainable Brands that Accept Payment Plans:

1) Pact

Price Range: $-$$

Categories: Intimates, Clothing, Activewear, Home

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Afterpay

Pact is most known for their sustainable underwear made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. However, they now have a wide selection of sustainably made apparel for all genders. At Pact you can find most wardrobe staples from athleisure, intimates, and apparel basics including skirts and outerwear.

They even have options for kids and babies

Pact is a carbon-neutral company and they produce their clothing in Fair Trade-certified factories.


2) tentree

Price Range: $-$$

Categories: Clothing, Activewear, Intimates, Accessories

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Klarna

tentree is a wonderful brand to find sustainably made apparel basics and accessories for all genders.

tentree is a B Corp and climate-neutral company that gets its name from their pledge to plant ten trees for every purchase. 

They make their clothing from sustainable natural and recycled materials like hemp and Tencel. Many of their products are affordably priced, but you can also use Klarna to purchase with a payment plan. 


3) Made Trade

Price Range: $-$$$

Categories: Home, Clothing, Accessories, Furniture, Shoes

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Shop Pay

If you’re looking for a wide variety of apparel and products, look no further than Made Trade. This family-run, woman-owned sustainable marketplace makes it easy to support eco-friendly brands both small and large. At Made Trade you’ll find inclusive sizing and you can even shop by the values that are most important to you such as veganBIPOC-Owned or handcrafted.

Every brand available on Made Trade meets their sustainable standards such as fair-wage employment, sustainable materials, and eco-friendly production methods. 

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150+


4) Nisolo

Price Range: $$-$$$

Categories: Shoes, Accessories

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Shop Pay

Leather is one of the oldest natural materials used to produce clothing but it’s since become a largely unsustainable material that often involves animal abuse. Nisolo works to combat this, creating ethically made leather shoes and accessories like purses from materials that would’ve ended up in landfills.

Not only does this B Corp produce some of the cutest boots and shoes, designed to last a lifetime, but they are also incredibly transparent

Nisolo is passionate about fair wage employment and sustainable production. Each product has its own “Sustainability Facts” label so consumers can easily understand the impact of their purchase. 

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC20 for 20% off your purchase


5) Able

Price Range: $$-$$$

Categories: Clothing, Accessories, Shoes

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Afterpay

ABLE is a wonderful women’s sustainable clothing brand that produces high-quality, investment pieces meant to last a lifetime. What’s unique about ABLE is that they partner with female artisans throughout the world to design ethically made clothing. They are passionate about ending female exploitation in the fashion industry. 

ABLE uses a variety of sustainable, natural materials and has a lifetime guarantee on their products so you can purchase with confidence. 


6) Girlfriend Collective

Price Range: $-$$

Categories: Activewear, Clothing, Swimwear, Intimates, Accessories

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Afterpay

Girlfriend Collective is a fantastic one-stop shop for your wardrobe basics. They are most known for their sustainable activewear, inclusive sizing, and sustainability efforts. Girlfriend Collective uses recycled plastic bottles to produce their clothing and lists exactly how many bottles were used to make each item.

Their sustainability report also lists how much water was saved and the carbon emissions prevented by your purchase. 

Girlfriend Collective has sustainable clothing options for all genders at an affordable price, even more so thanks to the option to use Afterpay.


7) Poppy Barley

Price Range: $$-$$$

Categories: Shoes, Handbags, Accessories

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Affirm

Poppy Barley is a Canadian brand and B-Corporation founded by two sisters in Edmonton, AB. Their company is committed to rethinking every step to create sustainably made, fairly-priced products designed to be worn on repeat. They make insanely comfortable footwear and well-designed accessories with inclusive sizing 5-12 and in medium and wide widths.


8) Boody

Price Range: $-$$

Categories: Intimates, Clothing, Activewear, Accessories

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Afterpay

Boody produces some of the softest sustainable intimates around, available for all genders. They use primarily organic bamboo fabric that’s sustainably produced in a closed-loop system.

Here you’ll find a large selection of underwear, bras, and socks.

Boody also offers babywear as well as a small collection of loungewear, basic apparel, and accessories like scarves. 


9) Earthhero

Price Range: $-$$

Categories: Home, Beauty, Accessories 

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Shop Pay

Another wonderful ethical online marketplace is Earthhero.

Similar to Made Trade, you can shop by your value to easily find products and brands that meet your standards.

Earthhero is a certified B Corp, Climate-neutral, and a 1% for the planet partner. 

Here you’ll find most things you could need such as home goods, apparel, beauty products, travel necessities, tech accessories, and even sustainable items for your pet. 


10) Kotn

Price Range: $$-$$$

Categories: Intimates, Clothing, Accessories, Home

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Sezzle

Kotn designs stylish, minimalist apparel and accessories that make it easy to build an entire wardrobe. Kotn primarily uses sustainably sourced Egyptian cotton as well as a variety of natural and recycled materials. 

At Kotn, you’ll find numerous apparel options for all genders as well as sustainably made home goods, primarily bedding and bath items.

Everything is made on family-run, fair-paying farms. 

use code KOTNCHIC10 for 10% off your purchase


12) Dazey LA

Price Range: $$-$$$

Categories: Clothing, Swimwear, Activewear, Accessories, Home

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Afterpay, Zip

Dazey LA is one of the best sustainable clothing brands for dopamine dressing. From funky accessories to graphic tees and printed swimwear, Dazey LA has what you need to spice up your wardrobe.

Everything is designed by the founder, Dani Dazey, and made to order locally in LA. 

Dazey LA releases four sustainably made collections a year and offers inclusive sizing and unisex options. Dazey LA also has a new, wonderful selection of sustainable home decor. Afterpay and Zip make their items more accessible, as do their yearly sales. 


13) Outland Denim

Price Range: $$$

Categories: Clothing

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Klarna, Afterpay

One of our favorite brands for sustainable denim is Outland Denim.

They offer denim options for all genders and a small collection of other apparel basics like shirts and dresses.

Everything is vegan and made from organic cotton. 

Outland is transparent about their supply chain and produces their apparel in a fair-paying factory in Cambodia. They primarily employ women to help provide ethical, fair-wage jobs to empower women


14) B. Yellowtail

Price Range: $$-$$$

Categories: Clothing, Accessories

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Shop Pay

If you’re looking for gorgeous accessories like timeless jewelry and statement pieces, B. Yellowtail is a fantastic sustainable clothing brand. B.Yellowtail is Indigenous owned and led and features artisan-made accessories and apparel made by Indigenous creators including the founding designer.

They have a great range of options for all genders with inclusive sizing available. 

B.Yellowtail releases small collections made from natural materials several times a year. They don’t offer discounts on the majority of their products, so Shop Pay is a great option to support them even if you’re on a budget. 


15) United by Blue

Price Range: $-$$$

Categories: Clothing, Accessories, Shoes, Activewear, Home

Buy Now, Pay Later Option: Shop Pay

United by Blue has a large variety of outdoor apparel for all genders as well as travel gear and basic kitchen and living ware. Whether you’re looking for travel-friendly reusables, a denim jacket, or a sustainably made duffel bag, chances are United by Blue will have it. 

They use various sustainable materials but what makes them great is their commitment to the environment. United by Blue removes a pound of trash for every item purchased and regularly hosts trash cleanups. They are also climate-neutral and B Corp certified. 


About the Author

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.


MAKE SURE TO PIN THE PHOTO BELOW TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!


WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.


RELATED READING YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: