By Vanessa Hu
Shopping is easier than ever. With just a few simple clicks, you can have a laptop delivered to your doorstep within a day. Now that everyone is in quarantine at home, more and more people are relying on online shopping instead of going out to buy their groceries and other necessities. However, we should consider the ethical and sustainable aspects of the websites that we buy from. Certain businesses, such as Amazon, have large carbon footprints due to the sheer amount of fuel it takes to transport all of their deliveries. Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change and to extreme weather events such as the wildfires California has been having this year. Here are a few brands that are good ethical and sustainable alternatives to companies like Amazon and Walmart.
1. eBay
eBay is an e-commerce website that allows anyone to sell their products online, letting shoppers choose from a variety of second-hand items. Purchasing used products is much better for the environment because it takes fewer resources to ship a used product than it does to produce a brand new one. eBay has a diverse array of goods, ranging from household appliances to electric guitars, and these products are usually cheaper than their prices on other e-commerce websites like Amazon. However, there are a few things that consumers should consider when buying second-hand items. Make sure to always check the product description and the seller’s history and reviews, and don’t buy a product that seems too good to be true. For example, if someone is selling a Nintendo Switch for $30, it’s probably a good idea not to buy it.
2. Poshmark
Another place to shop for second-hand products is Poshmark. This marketplace is like an online thrift store for clothes and home goods. Most of the items on Poshmark have discounted prices, allowing the consumer to save their money while preventing clothes from going into a landfill. As always, remember to check the seller’s reviews and the product descriptions when buying these second-hand products.
3. Veja
Next up is Veja, a company that sells shoes made with eco-friendly materials such as cotton and leather. Using these types of materials benefits the environment because they don’t require the use of hazardous chemicals to produce. Additionally, the company has an ethical workplace because they treat their employees fairly by providing them with a liveable wage and by consistently checking for workplace safety. Veja is a certified B corporation, meaning that they meet social and environmental performance requirements.
4. Package Free
Another good alternative is Package Free, which is a business that sells household, personal care, and travel products from eco-friendly vendors who use ethically sourced materials. They also have zero-waste kits, which are bundles of various reusable items tailored for different parts of people’s daily routine. Some examples of their zero-waste kits are their lunch kits, which include reusable utensils and containers, and their first aid kits, which have biodegradable bandages, cotton rounds, salve, a calming balm, and a spray used for bites or burns. All of their products are reusable and packaged with 100% compostable materials.
5. Verishop’s Responsible Shop
Last but not least, Verishop’s Responsible Shop is an online marketplace that sells clothing, accessories, and cosmetics. This store allows customers to buy their products by brand or by specific ethical or sustainable concerns, making their products more organized and convenient for the consumer. Furthermore, Verishop is planting one tree for every product bought on their Responsible Shop until Earth Day 2021, which means that you will directly contribute to conserving the environment with each purchase.
These are just a few of the many ethical and sustainable e-commerce websites to buy from. By making more environmentally conscious choices when we consume products and supporting these businesses, we can have a positive impact on society and the environment.