How to Find Sustainable Brands & Eco-Friendly Products

As more of us recognize the environmental impact of our daily choices, the search for sustainable brands has become a top priority for the conscious consumer. Whether you're new to eco-friendly living or just looking to make better choices, finding brands that align with your values can sometimes feel overwhelming. Learn how to find sustainable brands with these key tips!

The Importance of Sustainable Brands

With so many companies in the fashion industry and beyond claiming to be sustainable, how do you tell the real deal from the greenwashing? Let’s take some easy steps to help you find genuinely sustainable brands. And if you don't have time to look, check out our sustainable brand directory, where we've found some sustainable brands for you. 

Consumers are motivated to find sustainable products that reduce their environmental impact. With increasing awareness about our environmental challenges, more people are actively seeking eco-friendly products, but it can get complicated. Many companies are eager to make greener claims, but figuring out whether they are sustainable or not is often a tough challenge. If you want to uncover whether or not a brand you support is making valid sustainable efforts, you’ve come to the right place!

Getting Started with Finding Sustainable Brands

Eco-friendly companies prioritize ethical practices, environmental responsibility, and social impact. However, with many options available, it can take time to identify the right sustainable brands for your needs. But how can you find these brands that align with your values? And how do you know that it's right for you? There are a few things to look at when selecting sustainable and ethical brands. 

The good news is you're not alone. 62% of consumers want businesses to take action by putting people and the planet before profit. If you're new to sustainable living, check out our article on How to Eat a More Sustainable Diet or The Food Sustainability Series to get started. Sign up for our sustainable shopping checklist to help you with simple reminders!

What Does It Mean to Be a Sustainable Brand?

A truly sustainable brand goes beyond surface-level promises. It incorporates ethical practices across its entire supply chain—whether it’s sustainable fashion brands using organic cotton or food companies reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainability touches every aspect of a brand’s business model, from sourcing natural materials to paying workers a living wage. It’s all about balancing environmental responsibility, social impact, and fair trade principles.

That said, sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all. In the same way that fast fashion companies might produce clothing in large quantities using eco-friendly materials like natural fibers, food brands can focus on sustainable packaging or reducing gallons of water used in production processes. Understand that every brand has its own priorities when it comes to sustainability.

Understand Sustainability Trade-offs

Sustainability has become a word associated with environmental consciousness and eco-friendly products. However, sustainability encompasses many different categories, like the source of the raw materials, fair wages and treatment for workers, and the overall ethics of the company. 

When exploring sustainable ways to shop or eat, it’s important to recognize that trade-offs are part of the game. For example, while some brands in the textile industry are known for using eco-friendly fabrics like organic materials, they may still require a lot of water during manufacturing. Similarly, certain fast fashion brands are cutting back on plastic bottles and ocean plastic waste but could still fall short on human rights and worker treatment. For food, a product that is great on carbon sequestration, like almonds, are also water-intensive crops. With anything considered sustainable in one criterion, another category discredits it. For example, while nuts are a great example of sequestering carbon from trees, they are incredibly water-intensive. Some farms may even take resources away from local communities for the benefit of higher productivity.

Some Action is Better than No Action

There is no silver bullet for sustainability, which is an important thing to understand. But some action is better than no action. 

Tradeoffs are why sustainability strategists focus on tackling one sustainability criterion at a time. At the very least, they focus on the criteria that can have the most impact. Think about what matters most to you when it comes to sustainability. Is it reducing waste, using renewable energy, or treating workers well? Knowing what you care about will help you find brands that share your values.

I grew up in a town that had chemical pollution in our waterways from a well-known company. I grew heavily invested in learning about what chemicals are safe to consume or use in your home and environmental preservation. Particularly because chemicals and waste streams can adversely affect the environment or even your health, this is particularly relevant in home cleaning, personal care, and food categories.

While this is important to me, other areas might be more relevant to you, such as reduced carbon emissions or better farming practices. Defining your criteria will help you narrow your search and find brands aligning with your values. Knowing your priorities helps you navigate these trade-offs. Do you care most about reducing toxic chemicals? Or are you more concerned with fair trade practices or reducing carbon emissions? This clarity can help you align with brands that reflect your personal values, whether it's eco-friendly clothing made from recycled fishing nets or a pair of jeans crafted with less water.

Identify Your Sustainability Criteria

The first step towards finding a sustainable brand depends on what's important to you. The criteria for identifying sustainable brands will vary depending on the product, but it's all a matter of personal preference. While there are many different areas you can look at, pick one that resonates most with you. That can look like upcycled material, responsible resource management, or ethical sourcing. There's no right answer but look for brands that are actually putting in the effort to make their actions valuable.

That said, criteria might change depending on the type of product you're using. Sustainable fashion might prioritize brands that use sustainable materials or support ethical factories. For food, your focus may be on organic farming, responsible use of resources, or ensuring the company supports local artisans. Look for businesses that emphasize a conscious effort to reduce their environmental footprint through eco-friendly packaging, renewable materials, and sustainable garment production.

It's also important to consider transparency. Does the brand provide an impact report? Do they have a dedicated sustainability page? These details give you insights into their business practices, showing whether they adhere to the highest standards in terms of sustainability, such as being certified B-Corp or meeting the Global Organic Textile Standard.

Simple Search Tricks to Find Sustainable Brands

Once you've found a brand that piques your interest, do some research. Start by visiting the company's website. Many brands, whether in the food or fashion industry, proudly showcase their eco-friendly credentials on their sustainability page. Check if they mention their use of plant-based materials, sustainable packaging, or collaborations with ethical factories. Certifications like Fair Trade or the Global Organic Textile Standard are excellent indicators of a company’s commitment to sustainable practices.

Their websites often promote certifications or memberships to specific organizations. Look for logos or mentions of certifications that show the brand follows sustainable practices. However, there are over 400 eco-related labels, so ensure the claim is legitimate and impactful. You can use a platform like the Eco-Label Index to help you identify what these claims mean. Alignment with reputable eco-seals is an excellent way to ensure they're doing what they say.

Another research tip for discovering sustainable brands is to look for reviews on websites. Ask friends and family about their experience with the brand, too. User reviews and ratings offer insights into the credibility and authenticity of sustainable brands. Search for independent review websites or platforms where consumers share their experiences with different products and brands. These firsthand accounts can help you assess a brand's sustainability practices and overall quality. Keep checking the Made to Sustain website for reviews on sustainable products.

Look for Legal and Ethical Issues

Another way to gauge a company’s ethics is to research any legal issues they've faced. Some well-known companies have been caught in greenwashing scandals—like Nestlé’s connection to child labor or fast fashion companies exploiting low-cost labor. A simple search for “Company name + lawsuits” can reveal a lot about a company’s history. 

Brands with a history of unethical practices often can't hide forever, so doing your due diligence before making a purchase helps you support brands that are committed to positive change. 

How to Find Sustainable Brands: Start Small and Local to Support Sustainability

A great way to begin your sustainable journey is by supporting local, sustainable brands. Whether it’s food from a local farmer's market or sustainable clothing from a nearby craft fair, shopping small means you’re reducing your carbon footprint while supporting local artisans. Local businesses often focus on producing items in small batches, using eco-friendly fabrics and other sustainable materials, which can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

When you're at a market or small shop, don't hesitate to ask questions about the production process, sourcing of materials, or how the company supports social responsibility. Friendly alternatives like these not only reduce your impact but also help you connect with a conscious brand committed to ethical practices.

Find Ways to Give Your Products a Second Life

There are many raw materials involved in creating new products. From packaging to even using products in different ways than intended, sustainable products can be upcycled to new uses. For example, if you find a product with a glass jar, maybe you can reuse the jar to make a new candle. Or use your egg containers to make planters for seedlings. Small businesses do a great job finding ways to create new uses for their products. 

Use these Tips to Find Sustainable Brands Today!

Finding eco-friendly products and sustainable clothing brands is easier when you know what to look for. Whether you're searching for a classic t-shirt company that uses natural cotton or exploring food brands with ethical business practices, your choices matter. By taking small steps, from checking certifications to prioritizing local, sustainable options, you can make a conscious effort to support businesses making a positive change. Now that you know how to find sustainable brands, your impact can make a difference.

Together, we can encourage companies to follow the latest trends in sustainability while promoting fair trade, reducing waste, and fighting climate change. Happy shopping, and may you always find the best, most sustainable garments and products for your lifestyle!

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