14 Brands to Shop If You Want to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

As a girl on a budget, the number one thing I look at when purchasing anything is its price tag. But with the impact of climate change all over the news, I've also started to really pay attention to what I put in my cart, beyond just the price tag. From reducing the amount of single-use plastics we use to looking for "new" finds at consignment shops, there's so much we can do to reduce our impact on the environment (without having to spend tons of cash). There are also tons of wellness companies out there that have begun to build their brand around creating more eco-friendly products, making our jobs just a tad bit easier. From plastic-free kitchenware to sustainable workout leggings, here are some of our favorite eco-friendly brands to shop if you want to reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Bee's Wrap

Plastic wrap may be one of the most wasteful kitchen products out there. You use it once, throw it away, and it's difficult to reuse. The founder of Bees Wrap wanted to make a more sustainable version and discovered that using ingredients like beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin could create a washable, compostable, reusable plastic wrap. Bonus: With tons of colors and patterns, they're so much more fun to use.

2. Girlfriend Collective

If you, like us, live in your workout leggings, it's time for you to invest in a more sustainable pair. Not only does Girlfriend Collective create activewear from ocean plastic, but the prices aren't any more expensive than most brands—good for your wallet and the planet.

3. Raw Elements

Not only is this sunscreen made with all-natural ingredients, but it also comes in a plastic-free, reusable tin, and is gentle enough to use on your face and body.

4. Stasher Bag

Plastic bags, but make them sustainable. Stasher Bags have quickly become a fan favorite due to its eco-friendly packaging made of pure platinum silicone. They're also washable, reusable, dishwasher-safe, and fridge-friendly!

5. Cora

Can we take a second to give a moment of gratitude for all the women's health brands that have finally paid attention to what's in our tampons? Cora makes tampons with organic cotton (aka free of pesticides and GMOs), and the final product is biodegradable and compostable. Plus, the subscription makes it easy to never run out of period products again.

6. Prana

The yoga-wear company (which also sells more than just workout clothes!) prides itself on selling sustainable activewear using recycled materials and organic ingredients. We especially love that you can filter by "recycled content," "organic," "hemp," "responsible down standard," and more for a simple shopping experience. The brand is also fair trade–certified, so you can ensure your activewear was ethically made.

7. OrganiCup

Once seen as a bit granola, period cups have become more and more mainstream the past few years as women have sought ways to reduce the amount of waste that comes with their period. OrganiCup is made of 100% medical-grade silicone, with no latex, BPA, or dyes, so you can feel good about what's going inside your body and what it's doing for the earth.

8. By Humankind

Remember that viral commercial that talked about why you should recycle your shampoo bottles? I don't know about you, but it made me stop and think about ways to cut down. by Humankind is unique because it doesn't just provide recyclable shampoo bottles; it also gets rid of the need to recycle anything at all. These all-natural shampoo bars come in luscious scents like lemon-lavender and thyme, are made with vegan and gluten-free ingredients, and are ethically made.

9. Youth to the People

Sure, we're obsessed with clean beauty already, but Youth to the People takes it one step further by using recycable packaging and vegan ingredients (including superfoods like kale, spinach, and spirulina). The company doesn't test on animals, and leaves our skin looking (and feeling) amazing—win-win.

10. Modibodi

If you really want to make your period waste-free, Modibodi is a great eco-friendly alternative. The period-proof underwear has a top layer of soft bamboo, a merino wool middle layer, and a bottom layer for waterproof protection. The brand has features options for different absorbencies, from super light to maxi 24-hour protection. Modibodi is also committed to ending period poverty all over the world, and date it's donated over 23,000 pairs.

11. Blueland

Think about how many cleaning product bottles you throw away each year, or maybe even in your lifetime. Yikes! Blueland is on a mission to reduce plastic waste by offering cleaning products in reusable bottles. The packaging is minimal, too, the soap and cleaners come in tablet and powder form. Plus, all the products are Leaping Bunny certified.

12. Saalt

Another great sustainable period care brand, Saalt is best known for its menstrual cups. And it's also expanded its offerings to include period underwear, with one piece of Saalt wear consisting of three recycled plastic water bottles. The brand is a certified B corp, and since launching in 2018, it's diverted 2.8 million period waste products from landfills.

13. Coyuchi

Coyuchi's bedding is made of 100% cotton that is certified GOTS. The brand has also partnered with the Chetna Coalition, which is a supply chain network that supports sustainable farming communities in India. They also have a cool 2nd Home Take Back program, which lets consumers send back their old Coyuchi linens for 15% off their next order. Coyuchi then cleans, mends, and resells the products.

14. Athleta

Sure, Athleta is part of a huge corporation, but that doesn't mean the brand is committed to sustainability. It's a certified B corp and has set ambitious goals to benefit women and the planet. Right now, 71% of Athleta's materials are made with sustainable fibers, 3% of its products are made using water-saving techniques, and 74% of waste from shipping packaging has been diverted from landfills.

Next: I Tried to Reduce My Trash by 50%—Here's What Happened

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated