Retailer Alternatives: Small Brands for Sustainable & Ethical Essentials
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In honor of the economic blackout on February 28, 2025, this table presents a thoughtful selection of alternative shops for everyday essentials, steering you away from unethical big-box retailers.
Each row showcases a brand name and a quick snapshot of what it offers, inviting you to explore sustainably made or ethically sourced products. You'll discover eco-friendly household items, comforting personal care treats, and more, all crafted by smaller businesses committed to responsible practices.
If you're just opting out for a day or looking for long-term alternatives, these brands let you shop responsibly without giving up convenience or quality.
Share your favorite responsible brands in the comments, and we'll add them to the list!
| Category | Brand Name | Brand Description | URL |
| Baby/Kids | Lovevery | Montessori-inspired toys and play kits. | https://lovevery.com |
| Baby/Kids | Once Upon a Child | Children’s consignment chain for clothing, toys, and gear. | https://www.onceuponachild.com |
| Books | Bookshop.org | Supports indie bookstores with online book sales. | https://bookshop.org |
| Books | Libro.fm | Audiobook platform that partners with local bookstores. | https://libro.fm |
| Books (audio) | Libby | Free library app for borrowing audiobooks and ebooks. | https://www.libbyapp.com |
| Clothing | Allbirds | Sustainable sneakers and apparel made from natural materials. | https://www.allbirds.com |
| Clothing | Bombas | Ethically made socks and loungewear (donates to homeless shelters). | https://bombas.com |
| Clothing | Depop | Secondhand clothing marketplace. | https://www.depop.com |
| Clothing | Kotn | Sustainable basics made with Egyptian cotton. | https://kotn.com |
| Clothing | Onno | Sustainable, minimalist T-shirts and apparel. | https://wearonno.com |
| Clothing | Pact | Affordable organic cotton basics. | https://www.wearpact.com |
| Clothing | Patagonia | Ethically made outdoor & casual wear with a lifetime repair guarantee. | https://www.patagonia.com |
| Gifts | Here I Am | Curated self-care from women-owned small businesses | https://hereiambox.com |
| Gifts | The Little Market | Fair Trade home decor, jewelry, and accessories by artisans worldwide. | https://thelittlemarket.com |
| Gifts | Uncommon Goods | Curated unique, handmade gifts and creative kits. | https://www.uncommongoods.com |
| Groceries | Hungry Root | Personalized meal plans and groceries | https://www.hungryroot.com/ |
| Groceries | Imperfect Foods | Delivers "ugly" produce and groceries to reduce food waste. | https://www.imperfectfoods.com |
| Groceries | Local Harvest | Directory for finding local farmers’ markets and CSAs. | https://www.localharvest.org |
| Groceries | Thrive Market | Online marketplace for organic, non-GMO groceries delivered sustainably. | https://www.thrivemarket.com |
| Groceries (beverages) | Retreat Drinks | Adaptogenic beverages for relaxation. | https://retreatdrinks.com |
| Groceries (beverages) | Wild and Wise CSA | Organic teas and medicinal products from locally sourced herbs (CA) | https://www.wildandwisecsa.com/ |
| Groceries (chocolates) | Missionary Chocolates | Vegan truffles and chocolate treats. | https://missionary-chocolates.myshopify.com |
| Groceries (meat and seafood) | ButcherBox | Sustainably sourced meat and seafood subscription. | https://www.butcherbox.com |
| Groceries (meat and seafood) | Wild Pastures | Ethically sourced meat and seafood delivery. | https://wildpastures.com |
| Household Supplies | Blueland | Plastic-free cleaning supplies (tablets you mix with water). | https://www.blueland.com |
| Household Supplies | Grove Collaborative | Eco-friendly cleaning and household products. | https://www.grove.co |
| Household Supplies | Package Free Shop | Zero-waste household essentials. | https://packagefreeshop.com |
| Household Supplies | Earth Hero | Eco-friendly marketplace for sustainable everyday essentials. | https://earthhero.com/ |
| Household Supplies | Public Goods | Minimalist, sustainable toiletries and home goods. | https://www.publicgoods.com |
| Home Goods | The Noble Brand | Natural candles and scented products. | https://thenoblebrandco.com/ |
| Home Goods | Pure Plant Home | Plant-based coconut wax candles. | https://www.pureplanthome.com |
| Home Goods | Slow North | Natural candles and home goods. | https://www.slownorth.com/ |
| Home Goods | The Sill | Houseplants and planters delivered with care guides. | https://www.thesill.com |
| Home Goods | West Elm | Fair Trade-certified furniture and decor. | https://www.westelm.com |
| Personal Care | BLK+GRN | Marketplace of natural, non-toxic, Black-owned brands. | https://blkgrn.com/ |
| Personal Care | Ethique | Plastic-free shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars. | https://ethique.com |
| Personal Care | Hyssop Beauty Apothecary | Natural skincare and wellness items. | https://hyssopbeautyapothecary.com/ |
| Personal Care | Good Medicine Beauty Lab | Natural skincare and body care using desert botanicals. | https://goodmedicinebeautylab.com/ |
| Personal Care | KOA+ROY | Wellness cubes for sore muscles and inflamation | https://koaroy.com/ |
| Personal Care | LA Salt Co | Sea salt scrubs, bath soaks, and body care. | https://lasaltco.com/ |
| Personal Care | Meow Meow Tweet | Eco-friendly skincare and bath products in compostable packaging. | https://meowmeowtweet.com |
| Personal Care | Ollie Blossom | Eco-friendly bath and wellness products | https://ollieblossom.com/ |
| Personal Care | seedbloom | Herbal products for skincare and wellness. | https://seedbloomwellness.com |
| Persona Care | Simply Earth | Subscription box for essential oils | |
| Personal Care | Spinster Sisters Co | Plant-based skin, hair, and body care brand | https://spinstersistersco.com/ |
| Personal Care | Unearth Malee | Organic, Thai-inspired bath products. | https://unearthmalee.com |
| Personal Care | Urb Apothecary | Small-batch botanical skincare. | https://urbapothecary.com |
| Personal Care | Wildflower Rituals | Herbal bath and body items. | https://www.wildflowerritualsbath.com |
| Personal Care | withSimplicity | Clean beauty and skincare essentials. | https://withsimplicitybeauty.com/ |
| Pet Supplies | The Farmer’s Dog | Fresh, customized dog food delivery. | https://www.thefarmersdog.com |
| Pet Supplies | Only Natural Pet | Holistic, natural pet supplies made in the US. | https://www.onlynaturalpet.com/ |
| Pet Supplies | Wild One | Stylish, sustainable leashes, collars, and pet accessories. | https://www.wildone.com |
| Stationery & Office Supplies | Aya Paper Co. | Eco-friendly greeting cards and stationery. | https://ayapaper.co/ |
| Stationery & Office Supplies | Decomposition Books | Recycled notebooks and journals. | https://decomposition.com/ |
| Stationery & Office Supplies | EcoPenClub | Plastic-free pens and stationery. | https://eco-pens.com/ |
| Stationery & Office Supplies | Pen + Pillar | Stationery and prints, donations to refugee causes. | https://penandpillar.com |
| Stationery & Office Supplies | two hermanas | Eco-friendly greeting cards. | https://twohermanas.com/ |
