Sustainable gift giving isn’t just about what you give, but also how you give.
It’s easy to think that buying a gift made in an eco friendly way is all you need to do, however there are important things to keep in mind and ways to give presents sustainably regardless of the item.
This post is in partnership with EarthHero which is an amazing one-stop shop for all kinds of sustainable products and an easy place to get your gift shopping done. They have everything including clothing, kitchen and home goods, zero waste items, decor, baby and kids stuff, eco friendly pet products, green beauty lines and more.
So let’s jump into my tips of how to make your gifts more sustainable and also some great conscious gift examples from EarthHero!
1. Ensure it’s a Gift that Will Get Used
I think this is the most important one: a gift that the person doesn’t want and won’t actually use and enjoy is always going to be wasteful.52% of Americans admit to getting at least 1 unwanted gift over the holidays – that’s billions of dollars and time wasted, as well as all the unnecessary energy and resources used to make the items (plus wrapping and packaging).
An easy way to solve this is simply to ask the person what they need or could use! Or if you don’t want to ask them directly, do some sleuthing and ask close family members, partners, friends etc. Or see if there’s anything they use regularly that could use an update or replacement.
Here are some ideas of items that most people use regularly which make good, practical gifts:
Something that really needs a shift is the idea that “more is better” when it comes to gifts. The reality is excessive consumption is not only incredibly harmful to our planet and people but holiday gift shopping also creates a lot of unnecessary debt, stress and pressure.
Focusing on quality over quantity not only allows you to give items that will last and won’t be trashed. It also means you can invest in responsible brands and something you know the receiver will get good use from.
3. Research
This isn’t just for gifts, any product you buy you should try to research. Choose things that are well made and ideally from brands that align with your sustainable and ethical values.
It can be tough to research every company though, so marketplaces like EarthHero are helpful because they curate products and also give you filters of sustainability features. They use icons so you can easily identify features such as plastic-free, Fair Trade, recycled, Black Owned businesses, compostable, vegan, climate neutral, and much more.
4. Support Small Businesses
Amazon and all the mega-corporations don’t need your money, meanwhile holiday purchases can be crucial for small businesses to keep the lights on. Small businesses not only offer more unique products but also create stronger communities and are important for advancing the sustainability movement.
Here are just a few of my favorite small brands you can find on EarthHero:
Gifts that will be used up are fantastic for anyone who doesn’t want or need more “stuff”. You can give a gift without the lasting clutter or waste!
Homemade baking, sauces, snacks or cooking mixes are great consumable gifts and also budget-friendly. Favorite coffees, teas, beer/wine, jam, or chocolate also are good go-tos.
When we think consumable we typically think of food. However there’s also non-food “consumable” gifts such as:
Another way to cut down on the impact of gifts is to look for reusable or biodegradable, materials and packaging. So at the item’s end-of-life it won’t go in the landfill. Try to avoid plastic products and packaging as much as you can; sometimes it’s unavoidable but we can try our best. 🙂
Also remember that most wrapping paper comes from new resources and often isn’t recyclable so stick to sustainable gift wrap – ideally recycled or reusable options, and make sure they don’t go in the trash!
7. Gifts that Give Back
Many conscious brands also give back to great causes, so you can multiply your gift giving! It can be especially meaningful if it’s both a gift they’ll appreciate and a cause they care about.
Here are some great brands on EarthHero that give back:
Conscious Step – each pair of organic socks gives back $1 with many causes and organizations to choose from
Tentree – clothing brand where every item plants 10 trees
Terra Thread – each bag donates meals through Feeding America
Scoria – their cork yoga products give back to Right to Play which works with Indigenous youth in Canada
8. Give Experiences
I’ve said this many times before, but it’s always good to repeat – experiences make amazing, memorable gifts and can also be a fantastic sustainable gift!
Here are some enjoyable experience gifts depending on the receiver’s interests:
Meal at a favourite restaurant
Tickets to a concert or sports game
Membership to a museum or gallery
Spa or massage service
Admission to an amusement park
National park pass
Classes for something they want to learn
Getaway or camping trip
Happy Holidays and if you have any other tips you’d add to this list, please share them!
Looking for new bedding? Sustainable fabrics are not only better for the environment, but natural and eco friendly sheets are also more breathable, absorbent, and comfortable – so better for your sleep too!
Here’s a guide to help you first decide what material might be the best choice for you and also a list of some great sustainable bedding brands to check out.
And before we jump into it, lets quickly clear up the thread count myth – a higher thread count does not automatically mean better quality or more comfortable. What is much more important is the type and quality of fibre used, how it’s processed, and how it’s woven! So it’s best to ignore thread counts and instead look for brands that focus on making high quality sheets.
What’s the best material for sheets? Which is the most environmentally friendly bedding?
Cotton Sheets
The most common and easy to find sheet material.
Pros
Breathable & absorbent
Often more affordable
Large variety of styles, colours, and patterns
Cons
Cotton can have high pesticide use (look for Organic)
Generally requires more resources to grow
Wrinkles with use
Large range in quality
Linen Sheets
The original bedding materials and why they’re often called “linens”.
Pros
Breathable & absorbent
Durable and long-lasting
Linen is more sustainably grown than cotton (less pesticides and water required)
Cons
Wrinkles easily (although that can be a pro too if you like the look)
Can take a while to soften
Typically more expensive than other sheets
Limited style options
Tencel (Lyocell) Sheets
Tencel is a cellulose fabric derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp. It often has a more silky feel but can come in a variety of finishes.
Pros
Tencel™ is closed loop and sustainably made (however generic lyocell might not be)
Less prone to wrinkling
Good “vegan silk” or “natural satin” alternative
Can feel cooler and be a good choice for hot sleepers
Cons
While it’s technically a natural material, lyocell is highly processed – ensure it is Tencel™ which is made in a sustainable closed loop process.
Typically less durable
Some Tencel sheets may require delicate washing
Some people don’t like the feeling
Overall the best type of material will depend on you personal preferences, style, and budget. Each have different pros and cons so ultimately it’s about which you’ll most use and enjoy.
Personally, I’m a big fan of linen sheets, I love the feeling, casual look, and sustainability. But I also know they’re not for everyone so below are a variety of options, materials, and brands to check out.
When shopping for sheets something else that is important to me is being able to buy pieces separately. We don’t use a top sheet so I hate having to get set that includes one, and my partner and I also use separate duvets and have different pillow sizes so sets never fit our needs and end up being a waste of both money and materials. So if the sets also don’t work for you, I’ve also noted who sells pieces separately.
My linen sheets from Magic Linen
Where to Find Sustainable Sheets
The best organic sheets and sustainable bedding brands.
(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)
Price Guide (based on a Queen Set) $ – Under 200 $$ – 200 – 250 $$$ – 251 – 300 $$$$ – 301+
Magic Linen’s products are made in-house in Lithuania from Oeko-Tex certified linen made from European flax. They cater to international customer and offer many sizing options.
Magic Linen Review
We have full bedding from Magic Linen and it’s been great! I love their colour options and as mentioned above I’m a huge fan of the fact that they sell the pieces both individually and as sets.
I really like the wrinkly linen look however of the linen sheets I’ve tried these have a thicker yarn and are more casual/rustic than some finer woven linen sheets. So they are definitely for those who love that “linen look”.
Boll & Branch makes classic bedding from organic cotton. They have a variety of yarn quality and weaves for different feels and finishes. They also sell both sets and separates.
Their bedding is 100% organic cotton, they pay fair wages to cotton farmers, and their production is Fair Trade Certified.
One of our fave Canadian clothing brands – Kotn’s new home collection includes classic, neutral bedding. Their sheet sets are sold with the flat sheet separately which I appreciate! They also have cotton and linen blend sheets if you want the benefits of both fibres.
While Kotn’s cotton is not organic, they do have a unique direct-trade model where they work directly with cotton farmers and ensure quality, transparency, and fair wages at all stages of their supply chain. Kotn is also in the process of helping their farmers get organic certification. Kotn is a B Corp and uses a portion of profits to build schools in their cotton farming communities.
Hessnatur has a huge selection of organic cotton and organic linen bedding – especially good to check out if you’re looking for bright colours and prints! They have percale, sateen, jersey, and brushed options.
Their bedding is GOTS certified and made in the EU. *Flat sheets aren’t very common in Europe so they don’t include them.
Price: $
Based in: Germany, ships to most countries in Europe
Sijo makes both Tencel™ and linen bedding. Looking for something silky and cool? Tencel is a sustainable fabric to try! They sell sets with and without a flat sheet in a range of colours to choose from.
Their bedding is Oeko-Tex certified and their duvets also include corner snaps which pair with their duvet inserts to make changing the bedding easier.
Naturepedic is primarily a mattress company (and makes excellent organic mattresses!) however they also have a small and simple bedding collection. Their sheets come in natural or white and are 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.
They also have GreenGuard and other certifications, Naturepedic would be my top pick for babies or anyone with very sensitive skin or who has issues with dyes!
Pact is primarily known as a clothing brand but recently added a home collection as well. They have options in 2 materials, their “favorite tee jersey” bedding and “room service sateen”.
Pact’s sheets and bedding are 100% organic cotton and made in a Fair Trade Certified factory in India.
Coyuchi has a variety of organic cotton and linen sheets. Their cotton options include crinkled percale, flannel, jersey, and sateen, and they have different densities depending if you’re looking for something more relaxed or crisp.
Coyuchi’s bedding is GOTS and their organic cotton is also Fair Trade Certified. They also have a take-back recycling program for used linens.
Maison Tess makes linen, cotton, cotton/Tencel blend and cotton/linen blend sheets in variety of colours. So they’re great if you’re looking to combine the benefit of different fibres.
They do not use organic cotton, but their bedding is Oeko-Tex certified. They also have very little info about their cotton sourcing, so personally I would only recommend their linen options or if you’re looking for the benefits of a blended fabric.
We’ve collected the best small business and sustainable gifts so you can not only give thoughtful and useful presents, but also have a lighter impact on the environment. With eco friendly gifts for variety of budgets you’re sure to find something perfect for everyone on your list.
(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)
Eco-Friendly Gifts Under $100
Libro.fm Audiobook Credits
Image credit: Libro.fm
Libro.fm audiobook credits are our favorite gift to both give and receive — it’s sustainable, supports small businesses, and customizable to everyone’s interests. This digital gift is especially excellent for book lovers, new parents, kids/teens, minimalists, family or friends living in other places, and hard-to-shop-for people.
Libro.fm is unique because they partner and share profits with local independent bookstores. They have a huge selection of audiobook titles, bestsellers, and curated collections. The best part is the receiver can choose whatever book they want!
They offer gift credit bundles (1 credit = 1 audiobook) ranging from 2 to 24 so there’s options for all price points.
Location: International
Image credit: Unbelts
Comfortable & Versatile Belt
I don’t say this lightly: Unbelts are game-changing! My husband frequently claims the Intrepid belt is the best belt he’s ever worn and he’s never going back to regular belts, and I love their belts for wearing over dresses. The recycled elastic makes them super comfortable and versatile. They also have great options for kids and helping pants fit as they grow.
In addition to their fit and comfort, the bulk-free buckle also doesn’t look lumpy under shirts or when using to tuck/faux-crop sweaters.
Unbelts are ethically made with a variety of sustainability initiatives. They’re also a B Corp, and give back to community programs and organizations.
Whether puzzles are a holiday tradition, enjoyed pastime, or new hobby, I think we can all agree that there are far too many landscapes and not enough cool and unique puzzles!
Goodfit started with a mission to solve that exact problem and do it sustainably.
Goodfit’s puzzles are exclusive and designed in collaboration with artists. Plus each puzzle is sustainably made from 100% recycled cardboard and donates 10% to an organization or charity of the artist’s choosing.
They have many different designs to suit different styles and personalities. We recently finished Celebration Day – the art is not only really cool but also makes for a challenging puzzle plus it gives back to the Rainforest Action Network which works to fight deforestation and climate change.
Location: USA, ships international
Handcrafted Watercolor & Paint Palettes
Image credit: Beam Paints
Stunning handmade paints – a special gift for artists, hobby painters, or kids!
Beam Paints is an Indigenous-owned brand created from a multi-generational history of paint-making. Their high quality paints are made from lightfast pigments, tree sap, gum arabic, and Manitoulin honey. Everything is plastic free and their reclaimed wooden palette sets make truly gorgeous gifts. They also ethically source their mica which is something I have not found from any other paint!
All their paints have been tested for safety, but for children they have a special Tisgeh’dah palette which has been third party tested to meet and exceed children’s paint safety standards.
Experiences not only make great eco friendly gifts but are also perfect for minimalists and those who don’t want more stuff.
Tinggly makes it easy to give experiences and getaways all over the world. You simply select one of their packages and the recipient can choose what they’d like to do. They have everything from culinary experiences, tours, and adrenaline adventures, to weekend getaways and hotel stays.
Tinggly gives you the option of an e-voucher or a gift box including a voucher and brochure all made from recycled materials. Tinggly also carbon offsets each experience by 200% — making them a more sustainable (and often more affordable) way to purchase travel and experience gifts!
Location: International
Organic Character or Matching Family PJs
Image credit: Hanna Andersson
Know a Star Wars, Pokemon, Marvel, Harry Potter, or Disney fan? Or love matching family holiday pajamas? These high quality, organic and super comfy ones from Hanna Andersson are perfect!
One question I often get is if there’s a sustainable way to get franchise character merchandise and I always recommend Hanna Andersson, who licenses the designs to use on their clothing.
Hanna Andersson makes pajamas for adults, children and babies in a wide variety of prints including popular characters and matching family sets. We’re huge fans over here and their pjs are my daughter’s favorite.
Location: USA, ships international
Image credit: Oh My Bag
Half-Moon Coin Purse
A minimal, practical, and stylish way to keep cards and cash organized.
This little semicircle coin purse is thoughtfully designed with 5 pockets and card slots and comes in both vegan apple leather (pictured) and vegetable-tanned leather options.
O My Bag is a bag and accessory brand with many sustainability and ethical manufacturing initiatives. They have a strong focus on conscious sourcing, fair manufacturing, and now have a vegan, apple-leather collection.
In the US, shop through wearwell (a fantastic marketplace for slow fashion and ethical goods).
In the EU, shop directly through O My Bag (ships international).
Image credit: EarthHero
Zero Waste Starter Kit
Everthing you need to kick off a more eco friendly or zero waste lifestyle.
EarthHero’s Zero Waste Gift Box contains sustainable staples and beloved must-haves to easily reduce your waste. The box is curated with popular products – a Stasher Bag (one of my faves), bamboo toothbrush, reusable produce bags, and on-the-go cutlery and straw.
EarthHero is also a fantastic marketplace for all kinds of sustainable products and an easy place to do all your gift shopping. Plus they are a B Corp, give back, and carbon offset their business footprint and all shipping.
Bring back those summer camp vibes with sustainable AND fair trade DIY tee kit! The Good Tee’s tie-dye and fabric painting kits are great for both kids and beginners as well as those experienced with natural dyeing and fabric painting
The kit includes an organic white tee (you can choose youth, toddler, or adult sizes) and they have kits with natural dyes, fabric paint, or fabric markers.
A unique gift for creative teens, DIY queens or a fun couple/family project – you add additional blank tees to the kit for 50% off.
Location: Canada, ships international
Image credit: Caraway
Non-Toxic Bakeware
Anyone who enjoys cooking and baking is sure to appreciate some new bakeware. Caraway has both individual items and baking sets in a variety of color options.
Caraway’s products have a non-stick ceramic coating and are free of Teflon and other PFAS (forever chemicals). Caraway uses certified factories with strong ethical standards and works to reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing.
Location: USA, ships international to some countries
Image credit: Click & Grow
Hassle Free Indoor Garden
Grow veggies and herbs right in the kitchen! You not only get organic plants at peak freshness but also save all that grocery store packaging and plastic.
We love Click & Grow indoor gardens because they are so easy to use. Unlike other systems which require nutrient management, with Click & Grow you just need to occasionally add water. It’s a perfect “set it and forget it” system. Plus the minimalist design makes them a stylish addition to any kitchen.
The 3 plant garden is under $100 USD and perfect for countertops. It come with a few basil plant pods to get started with.
Curated toys for all stages of development, Lovevery’s play kits make it so easy for parents to have engaging and skill-building toys as the child grows.
We appreciate the hand-me-down quality and sustainable materials used in Lovevery’s toys and that the play kits are so thoughtfully designed and selected to help babies and kids up to 4 years old learn through play.
My daughter had a few play kits from Lovevery and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I recommend them to all new parents, especially those interested in Montessori.
Location: USA, ships international to some countries
Image credit: Skwalwen Botanicals
Wildcrafted Skincare
For those who deserve some pampering, some luxurious and consciously made bath and body products make a lovely gift.
Sḵwálwen Botanicals is a Canadian Indigenous brand making small batch skincare using cultural plant knowledge and showcasing ingredients responsibly foraged on the pacific coast. Their products are a beautiful way to give some indulgence, skin nourishment, and self-care – and they made my favourite facial oil.
Sḵwálwen Botanicals makes great gifts from stocking stuffers like lip balm and salves, to skincare sets, and masks, bath products, and oils. Their gift sets are already curated for easy sustainable gift giving.
Location: Canada, ships to Canada and US
Sprouting Jar & Seeds
Image credit: West Coast Seeds
A thoughtful gift for cooks or anyone who would love easy, fresh sprouts in their kitchen. Also a great gift for kids to learn about seeds and quickly grow something they can eat!
West Coast Seed’s sprouting kit includes a jar, screen lid, 4 easy-to-grow seed varieties, and an instruction booklet to get you started.
We love West Coast Seeds‘ commitment to high-quality, non-GMO seeds and sustainable agriculture. We’ve been using West Coast Seeds in our garden the last couple years and have had amazing harvests and produce.
Location: Canada, ships to Canada and USA
Reusable Cloth Wraps / Furoshiki Gift Wrap
Image credit: Wrappr
We know wrapping paper is incredibly wasteful as it can’t be recycled. Wrappr offers a great solution if you still want to give beautiful gifts with an unwrapping experience. Inspired by Japanese Furoshiki, wrapping cloths can be tied in a variety of ways to fit different shapes and create lovely zero waste gifts.
Wrappr collaborates with artists to create a wide range of designs and styles, and offers eco-friendly materials including organic cotton and recycled polyester.
Arguably the best part is a Wrappr cloth is a gift itself! Not only can it be reused time and time again for gift wrapping, but they can also be used as hair or bag accessories, bandanas, or the larger ones can be used as scarves, tied into bags, scarf tops, and more.
Location: USA, ships to Canada and USA
Cards that Support a Great Cause
Image credit: David Suzuki Foundation
Many environmental organizations offer various ways to support them during the holidays, from donations to gifts available for purchase.
We love the work the David Suzuki Foundation does and they sell beautiful cards as a way to support their conservation and activism projects.
Their cards are made in collaboration with local artists, feature animals and nature pictures, and are made with 100% recycled paper.
Location: Canada, ships within Canada
Sustainable Gifts Under $200
Cozy Bamboo Fleece Winter Leggings
Image credit: Anne Mulaire
After trying Anne Mulaire’s winter leggings for the first time last year, these fleecy, high-waist leggings have become a wardrobe-must-have and a second pair is on my wish-list for this year.
Anne Mulaire is a sustainable, size inclusive brand and their winter bamboo and organic cotton blend leggings are specifically designed to keep you cozy during cold winters.
They have both solid and printed styles, as well as a new pocket style. To get a great fit, Anne Mulaire also does custom inseams for petite and tall customers.
So squishy and comfy, Bearaby’s new body pillow “The Cuddler” is a much-welcome addition to their line of sleep and sensory aids.
I wish this pillow had existed during my pregnancy, but it’s also amazing for everyone and the extra support can help with body aches, tension, comfort and sleep.
The Cuddler pillow is made from a natural rubber foam and includes an organic cotton cover. They also have additional covers available in their core colors or recycled velvet.
Location: USA, they have both a US store and Canadian store.
Vegan Candle or Candle Subscription
Image credit: Mala the Brand
Mala the Brand went viral last year with their deliciously fruity ‘Cereal’ candle, but this sustainable, small business has a lot more to offer. Their collection includes a beautiful selection of core favourites as well as limited seasonal scents. They even offer a monthly subscription service for candle lovers.
Their candles are handmade locally in Vancouver from a coconut and soy wax blend, with crackly wooden wicks or lead-free cotton, and scented with essential oils and phthalate-free fragrance.
Gift a single candle, or a Candle Subscription which includes a full-size candle, box of matches, sample tea lights, and a surprise small gift, sent every month for 3, 6, or 12 months.
Location: Canada, ships international
Image credit: Click & Grow
Hassle Free Indoor Garden
Grow veggies and herbs right in the kitchen! You not only get organic plants at peak freshness but also save all that grocery store packaging and plastic.
We love Click & Grow indoor gardens because they are so easy to use. Unlike other systems which require nutrient management, with Click & Grow you just need to occasionally add water. It’s a perfect “set it and forget it” system. Plus the minimalist design makes them a stylish addition to any kitchen.
The 3 and 9 gardens are perfect for countertops and they come with plant pods to get started.
A comfy cozy resting spot for beloved furry friends. This pet bed from Naturepedic is made from organic cotton and stuffed with squishy natural latex (also organic certified!). So it’s non-toxic – there’s no off-gassing, no plastic, and no microfibres. Additionally it’s also Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emission.
It comes with a washable and durable cotton cover and in sizes from X-Small to XX-Large for all sizes of cats and dogs.
All my family’s mattresses and pillows are from Naturepedic because we appreciate their commitment to natural and non-toxic materials so I love that they have an option for our furry friends as well!
Location: USA, they have both a US and Canadian store
Image credit: Elvis & Kresse
Recycled Firehose Laptop/Tablet Cases
What’s more durable than a fire hose? Elvis & Kresse upcycles this unique material into bags, wallets, cases and other accessories.
Classic styles are given a sustainable update with reclaimed and highly durable materials, including decommissioned British fire-hoses, reclaimed printing blankets, and military-grade parachute silk lining. Elvis & Kresse is a B Corp, Living Wage Employer, and gives back 50% or profits to charity.
Our pick for a useful and classic gift is their laptop or tablet case – great for travellers, commuters, or anyone looking to protect their tech.
Location: UK, ships international
Image credit: Hernest Project
Cozy Organic Fleece Sweats
100% organic cotton and super cute and cozy joggers? These brushed fleece joggers or cardigan from Hernest Project make a great wardrobe staple and gift.
Hernest Project‘s sustainable collection of natural fibre lounge and sleepwear is perfect for helping you relax and also cute enough to incorportae into athleisure looks.
Their pieces are all ethically made in Portugal from carefully selected plant-based, Oeko-Tex certified fabrics with both sustainability and ultimate coziness in mind.
Location: Canada, ships international
“Give Experiences, Not Stuff” Experience Voucher
Image credit: Tinggly
Experiences not only make a great eco friendly gift but are also perfect for minimalists and those who don’t want more stuff.
Tinggly makes it easy to give experiences and getaways all over the world. You simply select one of their packages and the recipient can choose what they’d like to do. They have everything from culinary experiences, tours, and adrenaline adventures, to weekend getaways and hotel stays.
Tinggly gives you the option of an e-voucher or a gift box including a voucher and brochure all made from recycled materials. Tinggly also carbon offsets each experience by 200% — making them a more sustainable (and often more affordable) way to purchase travel and experience gifts!
Location: International
Image credit: Son de flor
Linen Apron
A lovely gift for anyone who loves cooking or baking, although Son de flor’s gorgeous aprons are not just for the kitchen, they can also be worn over a dress for a cute pinafore look!
We especially love their gorgeous linen fabrics, romantic style, and focus on heirloom quality pieces.
Son de flor is one of our favourite brands for timeless, dreamy dresses and clothing (I own 4 of their gorgeous pieces!) Their garments and home linens are all ethically made in Lithuania from Oeko-Tex certified linen.
Location: EU, ships international
Top Quality & Luxury Sustainable Gifts ($250+)
Image credit: Steamery
Iron Steamer Hybrid
Good clothing care is important for your wardrobe’s longevity and sustainability. This innovative Iron Steamer from Steamery not only makes getting rid of wrinkles super easy but a steamer can also freshen up clothes and get rid of odors between washing.
The Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer is compact and great for traveling and also the most beautifully designed steamer we’ve ever seen! A lovely gift for anyone who prioritizing clothing care or has special pieces, like vintage, silk, or embellished garments that require extra care.
Location: USA, ships to US and Canada and also has distributors in Europe and Asia
Recycled Ocean Plastic Backpack
My GOT Bag on our recent vacation
Close the loop with a recycled GOT Bag. They have a minimalist, functional style which makes a perfect gift for students, campers, travellers, hikers, commuters, or anyone who could use a sustainable bag to carry their stuff.
The rolltop backpack is the world’s first backpack made of recycled ocean plastic; it is PVC-free, has 20-30L volume, is waterproof when rolled, and comes with a removable 15″ laptop case that can also be used as an inner pocket.
GOT Bag is on a mission to clean up the ocean – they work directly with fishermen in Indonesia to collect plastic which then is turned into their bags or properly recycled.
We have been using our GOT Bag for trips to the lake, biking, travel, and everyday use. It’s incredibly durable and I love the security of knowing it’s fully waterproof.
Location: They have both a US site and also a German store for those in Europe
Sustainable Stocking Stuffers & Gifts Under $20
Fair Trade, Organic & Regenerative Coffee
For all coffee lovers! A significant impact can be made if we switch our daily cup of coffee to more consciously sourced beans.
Shop Fair Trade and Organic certified coffee brands here:
Ethical Bean (Canada) (psst. use coupon code MYGREENCLOSET for 10% off!)
Plus, Grace Farm Foods (USA) has both organic and fair trade coffee and tea options.
We are also very excited to see the new ROC (Regenerative Organic Certified™) certification now available for coffee! Shop certified regenerative coffee beans from:
Socks are something everyone can use and there are so many great sustainable options from classic cuts and colours to wacky and fun patterns. Here are our tops picks for organic sock gifts:
Q for Quinn – Soft organic socks in cute and fun patterns for babies, kids, and adults. Our Pick: Q for Quinn’s matching socks for the whole family make a fun gift! (use coupon code MYGREENCLOSET for 10% off!) Location: Canada, ships international
Conscious Step– Comfortable organic and fair trade socks that give back to different causes. Our Pick: Select a cause the receiver cares about for a thoughtful and practical gift. Location: USA, ships international
Subset– Unisex socks in staple colours. Subset is our favorite underwear brand and we’re so excited for their new sock line. Our Pick: Classic white crew socks. These are both on-trend and staples for everyone’s closet. Location: USA, ships to US and Canada
Socks from Knickey
Kind Socks – Organic unisex crew and ankle socks in colourful patterns. Our Pick: For all the plant parents their Monstera socks make a great gift. Location: Sweden/EU, ships international
Friday Sock Co. – Women’s and men’s organic purposely “mismatched” socks in fun patterns. Our Pick: Friday Sock Co. is perfect for those with a sense of humor, with many silly and cheeky styles. Location: Canada, ships international
Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
Image credit: Wabanaki
The sweet delicious syrup we know and love but taken to a new sophisticated and complex level! A special gift for cooks, foodies, cocktail enthusiasts, or any maple lovers.
Wabanaki Maple makes maple syrup aged in toasted oak, whiskey, and bourbon barrels to develop unique complex flavours. Or if you just want to give a beautiful traditional maple syrup they have that too!
Wabanaki Maple is an Indigenous female-owned small business that carries on the history and tradition of maple syrup harvesting and refining. Their products are made locally in Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), New Brunswick.
Location: Canada
Image credit: EarthHero
Plantable Pencils & Pencil Crayons
These sustainably made pencils and pencil crayons are biodegradable and the stubs can be planted to grow herbs and flowers. A lovely gift for students, kids, and gardeners alike!
Sprout’s pencils are lead-free and non-toxic, made from FSC Certified wood with a natural clay and graphite core.
Shop them through EarthHero and while you’re there, EarthHero is also a fantastic marketplace to stock up on sustainable home essentials and a great place to find eco-friendly gifts.
Location: USA, can contact for international shipping
Mocktails, Cocktail Syrup & Charcuterie Preserves
Jams, pickles, syrups, and bitters all make amazing consumable gifts. Here are some of our tried-and-tested local picks, and if you’re not from Canada I highly encourage you to look for local small businesses making preserves and syrups near you!
Token Bitters – Their mocktails are delicious, especially the Saskatoon Earl Grey Lavender Teatotaller made from local Saskatoon berries. They can be enjoyed as is or you can also add alcohol for a lovely cocktail. (psst. use coupon code MYGREENCLOSET for 10% off!) Location: Edmonton, ships within Canada
Mojo Jojo Pickles – Not only does she make amazing pickles but we also love her fruit butters. The Salted Caramel Pear Butter and Gingerbread Apple Butter are perfect for the holidays. Location: Edmonton, ships within Canada through Good Goods Co.
Fruits of Sherbrooke – A wide variety of jellies, sauces and condiments made from a minimum of 60% local rescued fruit that would otherwise go to waste. Location: Edmonton, only ships within Alberta
Image credit: Meow Meow Tweet
Zero Waste Lip Balm
This cute lip balm in a compostable tube is the perfect sustainable stocking stuffer!
Meow Meow Tweet not only makes lovely vegan skincare products, but they also have adorable whimsical packaging with animal illustrations. They prioritize sustainability with both ingredient sourcing and packaging.
While you’re shopping there we also love their soaps (another great stocking stuffer) and deodorants!
Location: USA, ships international or shop in Canada through The Detox Market
Thank you for supporting small businesses and choosing sustainable gifts with a greater impact!
Autumn brings the coziness of chilly days, longer nights and a changing landscape around us. That means Halloween is just around the corner. Whether you have children or are a child at heart, the spookiest holiday of the year can be great fun. Unfortunately it often means a lot of waste, but it doesn’t have to be! In this post, we’ll cover options and opportunities to have a zero waste Halloween without sacrificing the best parts of the holiday.
Eco-Friendly Halloween Costumes
Dressing up for Halloween is a great joy for many and allows us to display our creativity and favourite characters. These days, seasonal shops and department stores tend to sell costumes that are flimsy, poor quality, polyester and plastic, and wear out quickly. While this trend is certainly disheartening, it does not mean that zero-waste costumes don’t exist. In fact, it is an opportunity for adults and children alike to use their creativity in crafting the perfect costume.
Take Inspiration from Disneybounding
Disneybounding is a form of self expression, typically worn by visitors at Disney theme parks, to resemble characters without wearing overt costumes or cosplay outfits. Colour schemes and accessories turn a regular outfit into one that is identifiable as a favourite character, and can be subtle or overt. This concept is not restricted to Disney characters and it allows people to utilize items they already have in their closets to create an outfit or costume in a fashionable way.
For Halloween, it’s recommended to take an overt approach to this, and find colour schemes and patterns that are clearly resembling the character one is trying to portray. Adding a couple of signature accessories completes the look without excess waste or full costumes that need to be stored during the rest of the year.
Utilize Thrift Stores
Some thrift stores have jumped on the trend of selling new fast fashion style Halloween costumes, but most still sell used costumes, along with regular inventory that could easily be used for a great costume. Try to buy used first before resorting to brand new pieces, and find creative ways to turn second hand clothing into an excellent costume. Look for pieces that can be worn year round, or if you plan to alter the item (i.e. tearing it up, covering it in fake blood, etc.), try to find items that are already stained, ripped or damaged.
Upcycle your Recycling
Use your recycling bin as inspiration! This is an especially great way to get children involved in creating their own costumes. Look for items that can be painted, coloured and cut up such as egg cartons, cardboard, tin cans, aluminum foil, bottles and caps, and other clean or easily cleaned recyclables. A classic is the ‘cereal killer’ which utilizes cardboard cereal boxes and a plastic weapon (as appropriate depending on age). Egg cartons could be painted green to represent a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle or other animals with shells. Shredded brown paper bags or packing paper would make perfect scarecrow hair and ‘stuffing’.
Make your Own
Making a costume yourself or for your children is another way to make your Halloween sustainable. Choose costumes and pieces that have longevity and diverse application. While a certain character or theme may be popular this year, it may no longer be relevant in a year or two. There are items that really never go out of style and can be applied to a variety of costumes, such as capes, black dresses, cloaks, vests, and hats. Some classic costumes that can be worn year after year include:
Witch
Vampire
Frankenstein’s monster
Werewolf
Clown
Scarecrow
Ghost/ghoul
Bride
Pirate
Devil
Zombie
Skeleton
Mummy
Animals
For children, make and choose items that have flexibility with sizing, can easily be taken in or out for height and weight changes, and can be used for multiple different iterations of a costume.
Some easy DIY classic costume ideas with minimal materials needed
Rent, Borrow, or Swap
Many cities have high quality, locally owned costume rental shops. By renting your Halloween costume, you are supporting a local business, avoiding wasteful plastic outfits, and your look will be both high quality and comfortable. Check what’s available in your area and inquire about sizes and options for both children and adults. In the same vein, you can borrow or swap costumes from friends and family members. This is a great way to circulate children’s costumes if other people’s children have outgrown them or don’t want to wear the same thing two years in a row.
Let makeup and accessories do the work
With an abundance of makeup tutorials available online, Halloween costumes can be as easy as a basic outfit and simple, reusable accessories plus a killer makeup look. You can never go wrong with black basics and eye-catching makeup or face paint. This applies to both adults and children (if your child is patient enough to wear it on their face all day or night).
Skip the seasonal store makeup, as it is often low quality, contains questionable materials, and is packaged in unnecessary plastic and cardboard. Use reliable, versatile products that are skin safe and easy to use, such as eyeshadow pallets and high quality bases. Ben Nye and Mehron are trusted brands used by makeup artists, but are not necessary for looks that could be completed with makeup you already own. A safe option for kids is Ecopiggy’s non-toxic face paint.
Accessories that can be used year after year or resold are another great way to try a Halloween look that may be more on trend or to zhuzh up a basic look.
Lots of costumes can be make with clothing you already own + makeup!
Sustainable Decorations
If you decide to decorate your home or work space for Halloween, look for long lasting items from quality materials. Consider your storage space, and how many decorations can be reasonably stored for eleven months of the year. Avoiding holiday waste also means only bringing things into your space that will not be thrown out or resold in a few weeks, and carefully curating the items that you want to bring out year after year. Ceramics, wood, glass, thick acrylic and high quality, thick plastic decorations will last a lifetime if cared for properly. They will be more expensive than dollar store decor, so be sure to wrap and store each item carefully in an organized container after Halloween.
This is also an opportunity to utilize recycling bin items for hands-on crafts and homemade decorations. Paper chains from orange and black craft paper are easy for children to make and can also be stored or recycled once the holiday ends. Clever ‘grave stones’ can be made from wood, cardboard, and high quality foam. Children will love painting these and it also provides a fun opportunity to think of silly phrases to put on them. Of course a bounty of pumpkins, gourds and hay make classic outdoor decor, and can be composted at the end of the season.
Decorations to avoid
It may be tempting to run into your local dollar store and pick up a basketful of Halloween decorations for very little money, but the plastic waste and toxic chemicals they contain are not worth it.
Avoid novelty plastic leaf bags that are designed to look like pumpkins and ghosts. Leaves can be left as they are, raked into a compost pile, or shredded onto your lawn to provide nutrients and contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Sending these leaf bags to the landfill at the end of their life contributes to unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions.
While they make a big scene, inflatable decorations use unnecessary electricity, can contribute to noise pollution, and if not stored properly, get holes in them which lead right to the landfill.
However minimally or excessively you like to decorate, choose each decoration intentionally and make a plant to either compost, recycle, or care for it over your lifetime.
Candy and Halloween Treats
Halloween and trick-or-treating go hand in hand for children. Sadly, a big byproduct of trick-or-treating is millions of tiny plastic candy wrappers. While it may not be possible to completely avoid this plastic waste depending on your situation and if you have children, there are some options to reduce the amount of plastic waste your family contributes to this Halloween.
Trick or Treat Alternatives
Soda cans and juice boxes provide some good variety for children and are recyclable. In my neighbourhood, houses that gave out soda cans were always a big hit, as trick-or-treating can be thirsty work. Foil wrapped candy like chocolate eyeballs or mini-pumpkins, and candy in small cardboard boxes provide a plastic free option. There is no guarantee that families will recycle them, but they may be a slightly less wasteful option.
Unless you have a very trusting neighbourhood where everyone knows each other, avoid giving out fruit, baked goods or bulk items to children you don’t know. They seem like a nice idea, but it’s very likely they will be thrown in the garbage if the parents don’t want to risk anything. However, if you have trusting relationships with families in your neighbourhood, check to see if they are comfortable giving and receiving homemade treats in lieu of plastic wrapped candy.
Set clear expectations with your children if you take them trick-or-treating. Having a conversation beforehand about how many houses you’ll visit or how full their bag will be when you are done for the night can make coming home with a reasonable amount of candy (and it’s corresponding waste) much easier. Talk to them about the plastic waste created from Halloween candy, and let them know that while you want them to enjoy trick-or-treating, you don’t want to bring more candy and wrappers into the house than necessary. Providing alternatives and compromises is a great way to avoid meltdowns when children want to get as much candy as possible from trick-or-treating. For example, “we’re only going to trick-or-treat on this block, but when we get home you can have a cupcake and watch your favourite Halloween movie”.
Ideas for Adults and Plastic Free Parties
If it is safe for you to host a Halloween party where you live, plastic-free treats are quite easy. Bulk stores often stock package-free chocolates and candies year round, and stores like Bulk Barn often bring in specialty holiday candy, making zero-waste Halloween treats like candy corn, gummy witches, and foil wrapped chocolate pumpkins a breeze.
Hosting
There are so many creative treats and savoury snacks you can make as a host, or ask guests to bring themed treats potluck style. Witches fingers, ghost cookies, caramel apples, and pumpkin pie are classics.
If a Halloween party is a yearly event for your household, invest in reusable cups and plates. If they are extravagantly decorated, that’s an extra special touch, but may be expensive – purchasing a set of orange and/or black cups, plates, napkins, and cutlery is a great option to keep on theme.
If cost and space is an issue, choose plates and napkins that are made of paper or other natural materials and provide a labelled compost receptacle. Avoid items that are labelled compostable but have linings, as they are typically meant to be commercially composted, and most waste facilities do not have the infrastructure to actually compost them. Be sure to provide reusable cups, or request that guests bring their own cups to avoid throwing away hundreds of plastic cups. For foil wrapped candies, provide a labelled bowl or container where guests can deposit the wrapper for recycling.
Attending events
If you are attending a party or sending your child to a Halloween gathering, bring your own cup (there are lots of reusable creepy goblets available at houseware stores this time of year) and if appropriate, a zero-waste host gift, like a jar of package free candy. For adult parties and Halloween events, stick to beverages served in bottles, cans and your own reusable cup – novelty drinks like test tube shots, syringe shots and jello shots are typically served in single use plastic that cannot be recycled.
This is the start of a new series, Behind the Brand. Together we will learn more about the “why” driving slow fashion brands and discover some of the independent designers and makers creating beautiful clothing with a conscience.
First we have Jess Sternberg owner of Free Label, a Vancouver-based clothing brand with a focus on inclusivity, comfort, sustainability and local manufacturing. Their collection includes high quality everyday pieces, comfy bra tops and loungewear, and seasonless wardrobe staples.
Not only do they make lovely clothes, but I especially wanted to interview Jess because Free Label does many things different from your average clothing brand. With both the industry challenges they’ve tackled and initiatives they’ve started, I think Free Label is a great example and leader in the slow fashion space. So let’s hear more from Jess…
Can you describe Free Label in a sentence or two?
Free Label is a community and ethics based clothing company. Our goal is to make clothing that people feel good IN and about wearing.
All your factories are within a short drive from you, what benefits and challenges come with manufacturing locally in Canada? What does “ethically made” mean to Free Label?
The benefit is we can pop into the factories any day and see progress, ensure the working conditions meet our standards, and build genuine relationships with the folks that make our garments. We’re really lucky to work with some amazing factory partners that have also become friends. The challenge is the Canadian garment industry is a dying industry: most of the workforce is older and closer to retiring. It’s hard to attract and train young people since cutting and sewing are highly skilled manual labour jobs.
Ethically made means the people who are making the clothing are paid fairly for their work, work in environments that are safe and pleasant, and are treated with respect. In my opinion, it’s the bare minimum of what a workplace should be, but sadly it’s rare these minimums are met in the garment industry.
Your customers are big fans and your drops sell out fast! You’ve mentioned before that even with the high demand you still want to keep production runs small, can you explain why this is important to you?
I believe in sustainable growth; when I see the demand grow, we make a bit more according to demand. Most companies make huge amounts of inventory to predict future demand and then do what it takes to sell it. I’d rather wait for the demand and then produce based on real needs instead of just projections. This ensures we don’t waste any goods and the pieces we make are always loved. I’m also self-funded without any investors, so every time we grow our inventory, it’s a big risk. So slow and sustainable growth is vital to our health as a small business.
I have written before about the many benefits of seasonless fashion and love that you have a core seasonless collection! Why did you decide to go this route vs traditional seasonal collections?
Living in Vancouver, BC, we have fairly mild weather. I love the idea of keeping the majority of your closet year round and just putting away a small bin of summer or winter clothing for the off-season. This helps us to buy less when new seasons hit since we already have a fabulous seasonless base. When I look at my “core” seasonless closet, it’s almost all Free Label!
Free Label offers a great size range of XS – 4X, which is something we unfortunately don’t see from many slow fashion brands, and you can tell you put a lot of work into fit! Can you tell us more about why inclusive sizing and fit is a priority for Free Label?
I think if you want to be an ethical and sustainable business, that MUST include all bodies. We’re not there yet, but we’re working toward better inclusivity! The challenge is there are not a lot of resources available to designers and brands that want to offer more inclusive size ranges, so it requires a lot of self study and trial and error.
What has been your biggest challenge starting/running a sustainable clothing brand?
The constant pivoting. It really is exhausting always looking one step ahead, learning new platforms, growing and shifting with demand and changing consumer habits. As a small sustainable/ethical brand, you really do have to do your best at all times; there’s little room for error – which leaves very little time to relax and enjoy the journey. It’s something I’m working on 🙂
What is something you’re proud of having achieved with Free Label?
I’m really proud of a lot to be honest! I’m proud of our commitment to getting the best plus size fits in an e-commerce space. I’m proud of our production line and our special relationships with our production partners and fabric producers. I’m proud of our small but growing team that does really hard things with passion and excitement. I’m proud of our Empowerful Incubator program that helps to fund and grow BIPOC owned small businesses. I’m proud of the really kind and cool community we’ve built online (truly the nicest customers ever). There are a lot of hard days, but there are so many things to celebrate and be proud of!
Thanks so much Jess for giving us a peek behind Free Label! Check out their collection here. (Especially if you’re looking for a comfy and supporting bra/crop top, Free Label has amazing options, I wear mine all the time!)
I’ve talked about the many benefits and how to build a capsule wardrobe for children both here on the blog, and also did a podcast interview about it, so let’s jump right into this season’s capsule!
Special Considerations & Lessons from Last Season
As with any capsule, there are always lifestyle, seasonal, and personal factors that play a role. Plus every capsule is a learning opportunity that you can take into the next one. Here are some things that I took into account with planning this wardrobe:
Potty Training
My daughter is currently 2 and while she is mostly potty trained we are still not fully accident free, so having a couple extra pants/leggings was important.
Overalls, dresses, rompers, and any styles that are difficult to pull down or get in the way is also something I avoided, as well as pants with flys or waists that can’t be pulled down. We want to make potty independence as easy as possible!
Temperature
We live in a very old house with not the best insulation. Last winter she rarely wore her short sleeve tops, even under the layers so I’ve learned from that and this year only gone with long sleeve tops.
Comfort & Mobility
Children are active and all over the place! I want to make sure the clothes let her move, play, and explore without restriction. So looking for stretchy fabric and flexible cuts was a priority. This was especially important with pants – I avoided denim and stiff fabrics and went mostly with leggings and harem style pants.
Style & Colour
I have always leaned toward a more gender neutral capsule wardrobe for kids. For each capsule I plan a rough color palette based around what we already have and any key wardrobe items I want to include. While neutral colours make capsule planning easier, I also know that my daughter likes wearing colour so I incorporate a few bright colours and prints. Here is the colour palette I went with for this capsule:
My “key colors” were dark green, yellow, and coppery-orange and then I used grey for neutrals and some blue as a nice contrast colour.
Items in B’s Fall/Winter Capsule
As you can see, there are still a few items I’m waiting to arrive and I will update this post when they do. I may also add in one more layer in winter if we find shes wearing them a lot.
In order to have lots of mix and match options, I try to keep certain colours in certain areas. So in this capsule I kept the greens, greys, and neutrals more in the tops, and then went with the bright yellows, orange-y and red tones in the bottoms and layers. I love the contrasting combinations of yellow and orange with deep greens, blues, and greys!
Finally to round-out the full wardrobe, for outerwear and shoes we have:
1 fall jacket
1 snowsuit
pair of sneakers
pair of rain boots
pair of snow boots
I’d love to know if you also do a capsule wardrobe for your kids and how it works for you. 🙂
Also if you’d like to know what organic and sustainable kids brands I recommend, here are our favourites.
The air is crisp, there are pumpkins out on the porches and yellow leaf drifts in the garden. After an abnormally hot summer, I’m so ready for fall and all the coziness.
My goals for this capsule were to build a wardrobe that’s warm and very comfortable but without being too casual. I’m tired of the leggings and t-shirt default that I fell into this past year and a new season feels like a great opportunity to have some fun with outfits again!
It seems as though life is slowly returning to some form of normalcy. For many, this means working from home will soon come to an end. Whether you are splitting your time between home and the office or returning to the office full-time, there are things you can do to create a more eco-friendly workspace. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Reusable pens
How many pens do you have on your desk right now? It’s likely that your current writing instruments are not carbon-neutral, recyclable, or compostable. Luckily, there are a few companies that are now making eco-conscious pens to replace that pesky plastic. My favorite so far has been the Eco Pen Club. The Australia-based company sells writing products that are 100% recyclable and uses at least 50% less plastic than traditional pens. Additionally, Eco Pen Club partners with One Tree Planted to help with reforestation efforts for the Australian bushfires.
There are also helpful ways to dispose of your current plastic pens, such as TerraCycle and BIC’s recycling program. If you want to involve your coworkers, you can always offer to collect plastic pens around the office and donate them to a local recycling program.
2. Update your mailing list
If your office sends out direct mail, consider reevaluating your mailing list. Removing anyone who hasn’t done business with you in years can save you a lot of money and paper. If you really want to reduce your paper use, ask new customers to provide emails instead of physical addresses and move all mailing online. While you’re at it, remove yourself from any mailing lists that you’re still on but don’t plan on using or reading.
3. Bring your own reusable water bottle
Here’s an example of something small that you can start doing on your own! Most communal offices have a water station with paper or plastic cups to accommodate when employees are thirsty. Ditch the disposable cups by bringing your own reusable bottle to work.
My favorite has been Hydro Flask, which offers stainless steel bottles in different sizes and are meant to keep your drink cold (or hot) all day long.
4. Go digital when possible
Over the past year, I didn’t have a printer for at-home use. This means my eyes got very familiar with staring and reading on a computer screen. While this may not be optimal all the time, transitioning to digital platforms will greatly reduce paper waste. There are plenty of computer and mobile applications that can replace your need for a paper planner. Apps such as Calendly and Doodle can help keep track of meetings and appointments with ease and convenience. For scenarios where paper is needed, remember to print double-sided to downsize what is being used.
5. Install motion sensor lights
It’s a good idea to turn off the lights in an unused room to lessen your carbon footprint, save energy, and lower your electricity bill. I know it can get annoying to constantly turn on/off lights in your office, conference rooms, or bathrooms. That’s why I recommend installing motion sensor lights to do the job for you! You can program lights to turn off after a few seconds of no movement. This way, you can continue going about your business while seamlessly reducing the amount of energy your office uses.
For many, drinking coffee in the morning is essential to stay focused throughout the day. There are a few ways that you can ensure your coffee consumption is also eco-friendly. First off, always use reusable coffee mugs rather than a styrofoam or plastic cup. This is a quick and easy way to reduce your amount of waste. Also, try to avoid keurig coffee machines since most k-cups are made of nonrecyclable plastics. Instead, you should manually brew coffee whenever possible.
When choosing a coffee, you should also consider purchasing from fair trade brands.Fair trade coffeeis sourced following guidelines that ensure improved living conditions for the farmers and laborers who produce the coffee.
7. Hand dryers in the bathroom
The Climate Conservancy reports that for each use, paper towels can potentially cause up to 5 times more carbon emissions than using a high-efficiency hand dryer. Not to mention, installing hand dryers in shared bathrooms will also greatly decrease your office’s amount of garbage. If the price of hand dryers is not an option right now, then make sure you are using recyclable paper towels that do not come in plastic packaging. I recommend trying Reel for paper towels and toilet paper.
It doesn’t matter if you’re working from a personal office or communal workspace. These simple tips can help you and your coworkers to reduce waste and save energy!
As everyone says, they grow up so quickly! I can’t believe we already have a toddler, but that also means we’ve had the opportunity to test out and review many eco friendly and organic kid’s clothes. Here are our tried-and-tested picks for sustainable children’s clothing – our favorites for comfort, style, and quality of the products, as well as the brand’s values and practices.
This roundup include organic clothing for newborns, babies, toddlers, and children up to age 12-14. The brands are based in USA, Canada, and UK/Europe. Plus these brands also have a good selection of more gender neutral kids clothes if that’s something you’re also looking for!
Organic Baby & Kids Clothes
(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)
Quick Reference Symbols Price (based on the average price for a t-shirt) $ – 20 -29 $$ – 30-39 $$$ – 40+
Brand Features: Pure Colour Baby ‘s organic cotton clothing comes in adorable custom prints and a range of both classic and fun colours. Everything is made in-house in their Ontario studio.
Why We Love Them: Not only are the prints and colours lovely but their fabric is super soft! However the thing that I most love about Pure Colour Baby is their “grow-with-me” designs; we got a pullover from them in size 18m-3T which my daughter has been wearing for a year now and will definitely be able to yet another year of wear from. Definitely a worthwhile investment!
Brand Features: Large selection of products for babies to tweens. Hanna Andersson is one of the original sustainable brands and has been using organic cotton, recycled materials, and lower impact dyes since the 90s. They also have a circular/upcycling program. Hanna Andersson uses OEKO-TEX certified materials and are GOTS certified.
They are great for organic pajamas and even have adult ones if you’re looking for matching pjs for the family!
Why We Love Them: I appreciate their “hand-me-down” quality and have found some Hanna pieces in excellent condition secondhand; it’s also a well-known brand with great re-sale value.
Hanna Andersson is also a good brand to keep an eye on if your kids love certain characters, they often do Disney or other franchise licensing and are one of the few places you can get more sustainable licensed products.
Brand Features: Born out of a need to find socks that were gentle on her son’s eczema, Q for Quinn makes organic and OEKO-Tex-100 certified cotton socks, tights, underwear and and pjs with adorable prints. They are GOTS certified.
Their matching adult and children sock bundles make the fun and very practical gift!
Why We Love Them: Their socks are so soft and so cute! When my daughter was a baby and also suffering from eczema we loved their undyed “sensitive skin” socks. Now that she’s older she loves picking her Q for Quinn socks for the day and deciding between the fun colours and designs. We also have a couple pairs of their kids underwear which are also soft and well-made.
You can also use code MYGREENCLOSET for 10% off Q for Quinn!
Based In: Canada and also has a US webshop, ships international
Brand Features: Quality basics and wardrobe staples in a range of colours. Mini Mioche manufactures their clothing locally in Canada. They also don’t use any plastic packaging and give back to various organizations.
Why We Love Them: If you’re looking for solid colour staples MM is definitely a brand to check out! They have a great range of colors and their pieces are super versatile and easy to mix and match with. We love them for filling in wardrobe “gaps” – resulting in lots of outfit combos for a kids capsule wardrobe.
I’ve also heard from other mom’s how it can be hard to mix and match outfits when so many clothes are printed, but having some solid colour staples is the solution!
Brand Features: Bright, playful, and oh-so-cute styles! Frugi has a large range of products from everyday clothing to swimwear, accessories, outerwear and even natural rubber boots. The majority of their clothing is made from organic cotton and they also use recycled and other sustainable materials. They are GOTS certified and give back to various organizations.
Frugi also has a women’s collection including maternity and nursing-friendly clothing, and twinning styles!
Why We Love Them: There’s no way Frugi’s fun and cheery prints won’t delight children. Sustainable kids coats can be tough to find, so I was thrilled to discover Frugi had a great selection of outerwear. My daughter loves her new Frugi rain coat and boots so much she often tries to wear them around the house.
Brand Features: Organic AND naturally-dyed clothing. Sustain is committed to making fully biodegradable, plastic-free, organic and natural clothing, even down to their plant-based dyes! They have a collection of styles with beautiful hand-dyed patterns.
?- While not specifically designed as twinning pieces, Sustain has adult styles dyed with the same natural colours.
Why We Love Them: There’s so much I love about Sustain, you can check out this post to learn more about their natural dyeing. I already owned some of their pieces so was very excited when they launched a children’s collection. Knowing how passionate owner Kat is about organic, safe, and non-toxic clothing I knew their onesies were exactly what I wanted for my newborn’s sensitive skin.
Brand Features: Great brand for basics and especially organic pjs, socks, and underwear. Of the brands based in Europe we’ve tried, Living Crafts is great for a more affordable option! They are GOTS certified and part of Fair Wear.
Brand Features: While Beya Made uses durable, soft, and sustainable linen instead of organic cotton, I still wanted to include them because they are a lovely brand with beautiful products. Their linen is sourced as deadstock and their pieces are made locally in the US.
Why We Love Them: Beya Made has the cutest rompers/dungarees! They are heirloom quality pieces and the adjustable design mean your child can get extra wear from it.
Brand Features: Closet staples made from organic cotton in Fair Trade certified factories. Pact not only has clothes but also underwear and socks. Many of their products are sold in more affordable packs making it easier to stock up on essentials. They are GOTS certified and Fair Trade certified.
Why We Love Them: I own many Pact items myself and they are great staples. While I have had a few quality issues with Pact before the baby clothes we had from them didn’t any any issues, were super cute and fit well.
Brand Features: Nature inspired tees, hoodies, and sweats. tentree uses organic cotton, recycled polyester, and other sustainable materials like Tencel in their collection. In addition to planting 10 tree with every purchase they have a variety of sustainably and impact reduction initiatives.
Why We Love Them: Our whole family loves tentree! While they don’t have the largest selection of children’s clothes, they are fantastic for snuggly hoodies and sweatpants. My daughter can’t get enough of her “sunny hoodie”.
Brand Features: Looking for a good tee? You’re in the right place! The Good Tee is proud of their commitment to transparency and social responsibility and involved from seed to finished product. While they only have a small range of products they’re a great place to check out if you’re looking for t-shirts and tops for the family, or blank tees to customize.
Why We Love Them: I think it’s so cool that The Good Tee offers natural tie-dye kits. I love natural dyeing and made family tees this summer. My toddler was a little too young to get involved but I think an older child would love this activity!
They also offer adult tees or you can tie-dye matching tees!
Brand Features: Parade is best know for their cute pajamas and rompers, but they also offer baby and toddler clothes in soft organic cotton and sweet prints.
Why We Love Them: Parade’s ‘gown’ sleepers were my favourite item of clothing for an infant – they’re soft and snuggly and the open bottom makes them so easy for diaper changes. As my daughter got older we kept using and loving their clothing and pajamas (we’d often ask for a pair of pjs as gifts from friends and family).
Their harem pants are also wonderful if you’re clothing diapering and looking for pants with some extra room for the diaper.
Brand Features: Timeless, unisex, and high quality styles made in Europe from organic, fair trade cotton. Organic Zoo manages a perfect balance between sophisticated yet whimsical and cute designs. Their more earthy colour palette is perfect for those with a natural/minimalist aesthetic or anyone looking for an alternative to the very bright options from most children’s brands.
Why We Love Them: We were gifted a couple Organic Zoo baby pieces and they were not only beautifully soft and well made but also so adorable! They’ve been passed on and because of the quality and unisex styles I’m sure they will be worn by many little ones.
Brand Features:Under the Nile makes baby clothing as well as cute cotton toys, swaddles and other baby products from organic Egyptian cotton which is grown on biodynamic farms. They are GOTS certified and Fair Trade certified.
Why We Love Them: I got a variety of Under the Nile baby clothes, muslins, clothes, swaddles and toys from EarthHero when my daughter was born and they were all great products!
Under the Nile is also one of the few companies that makes organic cotton training underwear starting at size 12m – great for EC! Even though it’s not clothing, I especially appreciate that their stuffed toys are also stuffed with organic cotton (the majority of organic cotton toys are unfortunately stuffed with polyester).
Why We Love Them: These are the sweetest bonnets – not only nice to keep the sun off but also so cute! My daughter had 2 which she wore all summer (one shorter brim, one longer) and they also make lovely gifts.
Brand Features: Soft Soul makes baby and toddler soft sole slippers and shoes handmade from sustainable and vegan-friendly cork leather.
Why We Love Them: I found it incredibly challenging to find a more sustainable options for baby shoes, especially something that was lightweight and soft soled to aid with learning to walk. So I was thrilled to then discover Soft Soul and their vegan cork slippers – exactly what I had been searching for! My daughter wore her slippers almost everyday and we were very happy with the quality.
Brand Features: Warm, chunky, children’s and baby wool hats knit by locally grannies! Myssyfarmi‘s wool is organic and sourced locally from responsibly managed farms.
Their main focus is on adult hats and accessories meaning the whole family can get matching Myssy hats!
Why We Love Them: There is nothing more quintessentially winter than a knit hat! Myssyfarmi’s hats not only are nice and cozy but also so cute and I love the brand’s ethos. Their kids hats are very stretchy and you can fold them up so your child should be able to wear them for a long time!
Native’s “Robbie” shoe in my daughters capsule wardrobe
Brand Features: Vegan shoes which can be recycled through their take-back program and turned into other products. Their “Sugarlite” collection is lower impact then their regular EVA shoes, and they also have shoes using Bloom which is proprietary algae-derived foam.
Why We Love Them: Honestly, kids shoes have been tricky. While I don’t love buying shoes essentially made of plastic Native does have some good sustainability initiatives like their recycling program and we have been impressed with the durability of their shoes – after a whole summer of wear they still look almost brand new and can easily be handed-down to other children!
A fantastic marketplace for all kinds of sustainable products and they have a great selection of baby and children’s items from clothing and accessories to toys, dishes and more.
A boutique of lovely, high quality, and sustainable children’s clothing and products. Mini-Cycle has a circular model and buys back all their products for resale or upcycling. It’s also a great place to get quality brands at more affordable secondhand prices.
As temperatures drop we want to stay comfy and cozy, so many of us reach for warm woolen sweaters and cardigans. Wool offers great insulating and breathable properties and is wonderful in winter. However it comes from animals, so questions about animal welfare and animal cruelty are very important.
Can Wool be an Ethical Material?
Unlike many other animals products, fibre animals do not need to be killed to obtain wool and many fibre animals actually need to shed to their fleece or be shorn yearly to stay healthy and comfortable. Wool falls into more of a grey area regarding ethical considerations and many people, including vegans, have different thoughts on if wool can actually be cruelty-free.
Wool has been used and farmed for centuries and still plays an important role in many cultures. When fibre animals are not over-bred and farmed on mass-scale, it can also play a very important role within carbon farming and a regenerative agriculture system.
In my opinion wool can be cruelty-free, but very much depending on the circumstances. If sheep, alpacas, and goats are farmed, shorn, bred, and cared for in a healthy, respectful, and humane way then I believe wool can be a responsible purchase.
I’ve have been fortunate to visit and speak with many farmers/ranchers. I’ve seen how fibre animals can be raised in a way where there is a respectful, symbiotic relationship between animals, humans, and the ecosystem. However it’s very important to note that the average wool sweater found in stores unfortunately doesn’t represent these values, likely has zero traceability, and can definitely come from very cruel and inhumane practices.
Factory Farming vs Regenerative and Indigenous Wool Farming
Like other things in the fashion industry, many of the ethical issues stem from a high demand for cheaper clothing which has created the factory farming of fibre animals. Wool that comes from intensive farming focused on maximizing profits is harmful to animals and the environment, and the animals are seen and treated solely as commodities instead of living beings.
Factory farming also seeks to maximize wool output by shearing animals multiple times a year, outside of their natural cycle (getting rid of their winter coats for spring and summer), and keeping as many animals as possible in small spaces.
Whereas Indigenous and regenerative farming takes a more holistic approach. It supports the long-term health of our environment, understanding the synergistic role animals play in agriculture and the respect and well-being they deserve.
So is wool ethical? It’s complicated.And like with most things in the fashion industry, we need to know where our clothing comes from and look for brands that are transparent about their wool and fibre sourcing and animal welfare standards.
Why not avoid all wool to be safe?
Sadly anywhere animals are involved there is the possibility of animal abuse and cruelty. If you want to try your best to ensure no animals were harmed then avoiding all animal products can be a good solution.
Unfortunately though the alternatives aren’t great and many have their own issues as well. Wool is a natural, highly functional, biodegradable, and durable clothing material that can’t be replicated with synthetic alternatives, and fibre farming can have many benefits as part of a climate positive clothing production cycle.
I see a lot of value in wool as a material and in supporting brands who prioritize the treatment and care of animals and improving the environment, but this decision will be different for each person based on your values.
Recycled Wool
Recycled wool can be a “best of both worlds” compromise for some – you get the benefits of natural wool fibres but sourced as a reclaimed waste product. If you’re interested in recycled wool, here are some brands that use it.
Types of Wool and Animal Fibres and What to Look Out For
🐑 Wool
Wool comes from sheep and has been used since the Stone Age to clothe and protect humans. As a fiber it contains many wonderful properties:
Wool is very durable and has natural elasticity – wool garments can last more than a lifetime.
It is antimicrobial and antibacterial. Meaning it does not need to be washed as often as other materials and doesn’t easily get smelly.
Wool has great thermoregulating properties. The unique structure can keep you both warm or also help with cooling. Wool can draw up to a third of it’s weight in moisture from the skin before feeling wet so you’ll be toasty warm without overheating or feeling sweaty or clammy.
Wool is also naturally stain and fire resistant.
There are a variety of types of wool from different breeds of sheep and some are more suited to certain types of clothing because of things like texture and itchiness. Depending on the garment, for example hiking clothing vs outerwear vs an everyday sweater, certain wool qualities (such as softness) will be more or less important.
Ethical Considerations: There devastatingly is no shortage of accounts of animal abuse in the wool industry. So when shopping for any wool product traceability and transparency is vitally important.
Look for: Brands that have comprehensive animal welfare and sustainable farming standards and policies. Ideally brands work directly with small-scale family farms, have visited/audited the farms, and know exactly where their materials come from and can answer questions you have.
You can also keep an eye out for Climate Beneficial™ wool meaning the wool was farmed within a regenerative agriculture system. It’s still a small certification, but hopefully will keep growing!
Merino Wool
I want to single out merino wool because this is a very common type of wool in apparel. It is a crimpy softer fiber and in high demand for it’s light weight and wicking properties as well as for comfort.
Ethical Considerations: Merino wool in particular has certain ethical issues to be aware of. Because it is in such high demand, merino wool can be over-bred and factory farmed, resulting in both environmental and animal cruelty issues. There is also a horrible practice called mulesing done to merino sheep which involves cutting away chunks of skin.
Look for: Brands that make it clear their wool is non-mulesed, have comprehensive animal welfare standards, and sustainable farming practices. Brands should be able to answer questions you have.
ZQ certified wool – This is a certification that includes animal welfare, environmental, and social components and is also working to help farmer implement more regenerative practices.
🦙 Alpaca
Alpaca is a wonderful material for sweaters and knitwear worn against the skin. It is fine, light, wonderfully soft and doesn’t contain lanolin – the oil most people who have wool allergies react to, so it’s naturally hypoallergenic and not irritating.
Ethical Considerations: Alpaca wool mainly comes from South America and the Peruvian highlands where animals live in their natural habitats and are farmed using indigenous and traditional methods. Alpacas can also live in rocky areas which are unsuitable for crops or other animals. Of all the animal fibres available, alpacas are most likely to be raised in a traditional and sustainable way. However there are also alpaca ranchers around the world with different practices.
It’s also important to note that “baby alpaca” does not mean it’s from the babies but rather refers to the finest grading of alpaca fibres.
Look for: Brands that are transparent and can trace their alpaca sourcing. Ideally brands that work directly with small, sustainable family farms and can answer questions you have.
🐐 Cashmere
Cashmere is the soft undercoat of the Kashmir goat. It is lighter and softer than wool and great for thinner, luxurious knits.
Ethical Considerations: Unlike sheep and alpaca, cashmere fibre is not shorn from the animals but combed out during their seasonal molting, many view this as a better option as it reduces the chance of cutting the animals (although a well-trained shearer should never cut the animals). However due to the high demand for cashmere some goat herds are intensively farmed and shorn instead of combed to cut costs (which also results in a poorer quality fibre).
Look for: Cashmere from the goats’ natural habitats in Asia and brands which sourced from farms with traditional and sustainable practices. Cashmere has also been a big contributor towards desertification so brands that care about responsible and restorative land management is also important. Brands should be able to answer questions you have.
Wool is a fascinating fibre and I feel like there is still so much to learn about it and regenerative fiber farming. If you are interested in learning more I recommend checking out Fibershed.
I’d love to know your thoughts on wool and the ethical dilemmas that come along with it.
