A Guide to Sustainable Tea & Five Sustainable Tea Brands to try

If you’re an avid tea drinker like me, your daily tea is a great place to make a difference in your sustainable habits. I enjoy iced matcha tea lattes in the mornings and usually prefer herbal or mint tea in the evenings to unwind. The way most people cherish their coffee breaks is how I savor my cups of tea. When I found out how problematic the tea industry can be I knew I needed to find brands that share the same values for people and the planet.

As the second most consumed beverage in the world and increasing commercialization due to demand, the tea industry has become filled with unsustainable practices like wasteful packaging, worker exploitation and environmental destruction. However, it doesn’t have to be this way and there are tea companies out there committed to a sustainable business model. To make it easier for my fellow tea and planet lovers, I did the research for you and put together a guide for what you need to know about sustainable tea consumption and some great companies to check out!  

image from The Tea Spot

What makes tea sustainable?

There are a lot of opportunities to make tea consumption more sustainable from the way tea leaves are grown and sourced to how they’re packaged. Many industrial tea companies use heavy machinery when harvesting tea and destroy the surrounding land in the process. Tea from organic tea leaves, grown without the use of pesticides, direct relationships with farmers and thoughtful packaging will be easy ways you can recognize more sustainable tea companies.

image from The Tea Spot

What to look for when shopping for sustainable tea?

There are four key values to keep in mind as you make your tea shopping more sustainable. Just by having conscious consideration to the sourcing, packaging,resources and ingredients can make a big difference.

While sourcing the high quality tea, look for companies with close relationships with their farmers. Direct sourcing, or close to it, will help you avoid industrially cultivated tea and be more traceable with their supply. It will also guarantee that what is being advertised is what actually makes it into your tea and not just a strategically marketed product.

When looking at packaging, loose leaf tea decreases the carbon footprint considerably since it cuts out the production for tea bags and the need for individual product packaging. It also eliminates the need for string, staples, inks, and adhesives. Not to mention, loose leaf tea will be fresher and better quality. Look for tea packed in reusable and recyclable containers like tins or backyard compostable packaging.

The resources used to produce the tea like solar power, energy efficient buildings and carbon emission offset policies are all feasible ways companies can make their production more sustainable. Conscious companies will ensure the resources used to produce the tea do not destroy the environment in the process or pollute the nearby communities.

For the actual tea ingredients you want to look for loose leaf tea that is organic and fair trade. This will ensure your tea is made from high-quality ingredients and harvested by workers being paid a fair wage in a safe work environment. Choosing organic is important with tea because if any pesticides or herbicides are sprayed on the tea plants, the first time the leaves ever get washed will be when you steep the leaves in your cup. Those chemicals are not what you want to be drinking with your delicious tea. If you do not see the organic or fair trade label on the packaging, not all is lost. These certifications are not the end all be all, especially in the tea industry. Any company that shares these values will be transparent and proudly share about their production on their website. Keep reading for a list of companies I already researched for you.

image from Rare Tea Co.

What are some sustainable tea brands?

1) The Tea Spot

Why this company is great: Founder Maria Uspenski used loose leaf tea as part of her cancer recovery and created The Tea Spot to provide high quality tea to others. It is a B Corp certified company and they donate 10% of all profits to cancer survivors and wellness programs. In addition to their loose leaf tea selections, they also have individually packaged pyramid sachets. However, they are made with plant-based, compostable and biodegradable materials. Not all teas are organic but they are labeled so you know which is certified organic.

Teas To Try: Organic Lights Out, Organic Meditative Mind, Organic Clouds and Mist

2) Arbor Teas

Why this company is great: As a small family-owned business, Arbor Teas is USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified while offering a wide selection of loose leaf teas. Their packaging is fully backyard compostable and they offset carbon emissions with CarbonFund.org. Their website is so comprehensive and transparent providing direct actions they take for sustainability from sourcing to shipment.

Teas To Try: Organic Dragon Well Green Tea, Organic Peach Rooibos, Organic Masala Chai Black Tea

3) Rare Tea

Why this company is great: Rare Tea is a small London-based company offering a variety of small-batched loose leaf teas that only works with fully sustainable farms. They pay the costs associated with having the tea checked for quality, which is usually the responsibility of the farm. This allows small farms that cannot afford or don’t have access to the organic or fair trade certification procedures the same opportunities as large industrialize farms Rare Tea even started their own Rare Charity, which re-invests a percentage of the revenue from Rare Tea sales into the education for young people connected to the Satemwa Tea Estate, a small farm in Malawi.

Teas To Try: Recovery Tea, Rare Nepalese Cherry Blossom, Chinese Iron Goddess Oolong

4) Rishi Tea

Why this company is great: Rishi Tea is an independently owned company that works directly with the farms they obtain their organic teas from. While they offer both loose leaf tea and tea in sachets, their sachets are plant-based and biodegradable making them more sustainable than most individually wrapped tea options.

Teas To Try: Chamomile Medley, Everyday Matcha, Earl Grey Supreme

5) Young Mountain Tea

Why this company is great: Young Mountain Tea works closely with Indian and Nepali communities to raise the quality of their tea. This empowers them to earn more and the formerly abandoned farms and unsafe fields are becoming areas with 90% women farmers achieving financial independence. Additionally, the packaging is high quality so it can be reused and repurposed to reduce waste. Most of their tea is organic certified.

Teas To Try: Organic Darjeeling Ruby Oolong, Organic Kumaon White, Organic Darjeeling First Flush

How can I make preparing my tea more sustainable?

By choosing loose leaf tea, you eliminate a lot of packaging waste. Also, be mindful of water use by only heating the amount of water needed for your pot or cup of tea helps to conserve water. Keep your tea in an air-tight container away from light and heat to prolong freshness and quality. Re-steeping your tea leaves is a great way to make your tea last longer and many tea makers believe tea is best after the second or third steep. While the world of teaware is filled with beautifully handcrafted pottery and tea pots, the mug you already have works just as well! However, if you need a few accessories to make your steeping easier, here are some reusable items that are helpful for your sustainable tea enjoyment!

Rare Tea Glass Teapot

The clear glass allows you to view the tea as it brews and includes a strainer to catch most tea leaves as you pour.

Rare Tea Overcup Strainer

To help catch tea leaves while pouring fresh brewed tea.

Everest Tea Tumbler

For taking your loose leaf tea on the go!

Tea Infuser

If you prefer to steep your loose leaf tea right in your cup without straining

Japanese Washi Tea Tin

For storing your teas, these air-tight containers are beautiful and functional.

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About the Author

Karmen Flores is a creative entrepreneur based in Michigan. Karmen shares all about plant-based and sustainable, intentional living on her blog Karmen Collective. From recommendations for all things plant-based to tips for living more sustainably, Karmen makes living with intention less intimidating and more accessible. You can connect with Karmen on Instagram @karmencollective and at www.karmencollective.com

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9 Brands making Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Baskets

Storage is something we always need in our homes whether it is a place to put your kid’s toys, bills, collectables, books, blankets or more. When buying household storage many people think of Target, Amazon, Ikea or another big-name brand first. What you might not realize is you can get beautiful, practical storage from many sustainable fair-trade businesses that support women artisans and local economies. Let us introduce you to some great brands for baskets that will beautify your home while doing good.

What Types of Materials and Certifications To Look For

Baskets can be made from just about anything from plastic to fabric to grasses. Look for materials such as those that are sourced locally where the baskets are made, are organic, naturally sustainable like bamboo, use no to few pesticides, are biodegradable, use natural dyes, or are recycled. Palm leaves, banana leaves, and local grasses like sisal are really common in baskets. If they are sourced locally, handmade, and grown without heavy pesticide use these materials are a highly sustainable option. Definitely avoid plastic that is not recycled, mass produced palm baskets, and non-organic cotton.

Transparency of the production process and treatment of the artisans making your home storage is a very important factor to consider when shopping for baskets. Many baskets might look like they are authentically made by artisans from other countries, when in fact they are produced using cheap labor in not so great working conditions. Fair Trade certifications help ensure the beauty in what you are buying is also creating a beautiful life for someone else. A brand sharing specifics about their artisans, production processes and labor practices is also a good sign of humane treatment. All of the brands featured here carry at least some Fair Trade made baskets.

Now, our top picks for sustainable baskets:

1) Obakki

Types of baskets: A couple dozen storage and decorative baskets that are versatile enough to use for anything from laundry to planters

Common Materials: Sisal, palm leaves, wicker, banana leaves, and natural dyes

Obakki’s baskets make me think of versatility – style and colors that would complement nearly every home.

I would love one of their bowls on my kitchen table filled with fruit.

Obakki’s model is different as they purchase products directly from their artisan partners at above market prices and reinvest profits into their partner’s businesses and communities through their foundation. Their items are made in small batches using only local materials to reduce waste and the environmental impact of production. They provide information on the artisans for each product, ensuring transparency.

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2) Ten Thousand Villages

Types of baskets: Over 50 choices in everything from storage, to décor, to bowls, to hamper baskets, to kids storage, to bread baskets, and even a bike basket.

Common Materials: Recycled cotton, palm leaves, wire and thread, grass, banana stalks, and natural dyes

Ten Thousand Villages has an abundance of basket selections with a variety of price points to suit nearly every home. No matter your need, you should be able to find a basket or two (or more) you love on their site.

Ten Thousand Villages is a pioneer of Fair Trade, and of the maker‑to‑market movement that breaks the cycle of generational poverty. They have the most transparent and educational information on fair trade practices I have seen. They focus on the use of locally sourced, recycled and renewable materials in their products. Most baskets are handmade, which reduces waste. They even hold workshops on how to creatively re-use products and minimize waste in the supply chain.

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3) Made Trade

Types of baskets: Around 50 baskets for everything from storage, laundry, round bowls, décor, hampers, planters, and even a bassinet.

Materials: Seagrass, jute, locally sourced, handmade, recycled cotton, recycled thread, grass, recycled plastic, and food safe dyes

Made Trade has classic neutral baskets, as well as some unique patterns and colors sure to be showcase pieces in any home. Made Trade is a woman owned, family run company right here in my area – Portland Oregon.

Shopping is easy as they have options to shop by Fair Trade, sustainability, women owned, POC owned, Made in USA and more. Made Trade’s products are sourced locally, and they provide transparent information about each brand and how their artisans are treated. Nice bonus, Made Trade is certified climate neutral due to carbon emission offsets and conservation projects to which they contribute.

use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for $20 off your first order of $150+

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4) The Citizenry

Types of baskets: Over a dozen baskets of various sizes for storage, décor and laundry

Materials: Hand woven palm leaves, chocolatillo, paja tetera, and leather handles

The Citizenry has some of the most elegant baskets I have seen, elevating them beyond function to statement decor. I would call the style luxurious boho.

The baskets come individually or in sets, making it easy to mix and match. All the baskets have handles and some come with lids.

Their baskets are almost all handwoven and Fair Trade certified, with artisan information provided for each product. The baskets are made in small batches, reducing the chance of waste. The Citizenry travel to each country where their products are produced and build relationships with their artisans – how cool is that.

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5) Shades of Green

Types of baskets: Storage, waste baskets, and laundry hampers

Common Materials: Biodegradable palm fiber, grass, and natural dyes

Shades of Green’s baskets are beautiful and classic styles that will compliment nearly every home. I love the two-tone style of their baskets in particular. Shades of Green not only specializes in high quality products for homes and workplaces, they also offer design consultation services.

All of their products are put through a 5-tier evaluation scale ensuring you know the quality and sustainability of your selections. Shopping is easy too, as you can shop by material, price range and color. I appreciate that Shades of Green is transparent about their production processes and treatment of the artisans they partner with.

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6) Goodee World

Types of baskets: Around 30 baskets for storage, laundry, decoration, and bikes.

Common Materials: Grass, leather handles, straw, palm fibers

Goodee World has some of the most unique baskets I have found, amongst the already uniqueness you find in the fair trade market. Their unstructured type baskets from the Baba Tree brand are one of my favorites. They also have many classic style baskets that would fit most homes.

Goodee is a BIPOC owned company and B Corp certified, meeting the highest standards of benefiting people and the planet. They require all of their brand partners to report on the materials used, supply chain, labor standards, ecological footprint and business practices ensuring transparency and alignment to their values.

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7) Serrv International

Types of baskets: Over 50 baskets including a large selection of decorative baskets, storage, planters and even a vase.

Common materials: Banana fibers, rafia, elephant grass, rope, leaves, jute, and leather wrapped handles

Serrv’s baskets are really colorful and designed to authentically reflect the culture of their artisan partners, which makes them even more eye-catching. They will be statement pieces in your house.

Serrv is one of the first fair trade organizations in the world. They have worked with over 8,000 artisans from around the world to ensure fair trade practices for their products since 1949. When shopping for products on their site they share stories and pictures about the artisans that make the products. Serrv ensures their artisans have regular orders and advanced payment so their uses of resources are reliable and little is wasted. Finally, they clearly outline the causes each purchase supports.

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8) Indego Africa

Types of baskets: Approximately a dozen storage and tote baskets

Common Materials: Sweetgrass, palm leaf, bolga straw, elephant swamp grass, banana leaf, organic yarn, and dyes from flowers, fruit and vegetable material.

If you are looking for adorable baskets with handles to easily tote around, Indego Africa is the place for you.

They are neutral colors with cute details like shells and colored handles.

Indego Africa partners with women artisans from Rwanda and Ghana to create locally sourced handmade baskets that keep true to the history and beautiful craftsmanship of traditional African artistry. They further support their artisans by investing profits into their education. Indego Africa also focuses on sustainability through using recycled and upcycled materials, repurposed fabric scraps, and other salvaged textiles. Finally, I love that Indego Africa has a very diverse executive team.

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9) Aziz Life

Types of baskets: Approximately 20 choices for storage, planters, dividers, serving trays, and a tote

Common Materials: Banana leaves, sisal, papyrus, natural dyes, and woven tassels

Aziz Life’s divider baskets and storage sets are so versatile because you can mix and match your storage needs.

The base of each basket are neutral colors with some flair in the pattern.

They have cute tassels that you can purchase separately and add to most of the baskets so you can change up the style to suit your mood. Many of the baskets come with a detailed story of who made the basket, how long it takes to make and how it is made. Aziz partners with over 30 rural artisan groups in Rwanda to ensure economic security, traditional designs, humane conditions and even honoring of their spiritual beliefs. They have a handful of impact projects they focus on supporting with their sales and you can read about each one on their site.

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About the Contributor: Mindy Redburn-Smoak has enjoyed a 20+ year career in corporate learning as a consultant, designer, and manager. She is passionate about sustainable living, family, travel, and dog rescue. She has been on a mission to live more sustainably for several years, and loves the journey of learning and trying new things in this space. She is on another journey pursuing her dream of writing about things she is passionate about and that can make a difference in the world. The best way to connect with Mindy is via email at mredsmoak@gmail.com.

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A GUIDE TO COMMUNITY SOLAR

One of the most dramatic steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint is to power our homes with clean energy. Unfortunately, because the question of what counts as “clean” energy is such a contentious and complex issue, figuring out how to make the best choice for the planet, as well as for your home and budget, can be an overwhelming task. Researching the options, it can feel like there isn’t a perfect or totally “green” solution, but there are certainly some types of energy that are better for the environment than others.

Solar technology, for example, has been going through some big innovations recently; one major development in recent years is that it’s now becoming more commonly available, even to people who can’t install solar panels on their homes. A new report from the Energy Department suggests that while solar energy currently provides 3% of US electricity, it could provide 40% by 2035, and, combined with wind energy, meet 90% of US electricity needs by 2050. For that to happen, though, the solar energy capabilities (as in, the number of panels installed nation-wide) of the US would need to increase substantially.

What are the most sustainable options for home energy?

Renewable energy, sometimes referred to as green or clean energy, comes from renewable sources; unlike finite natural resources like oil, coal, and other carbon-based fossil fuels that aren’t naturally renewed quickly enough to meet human demand, renewable resources don’t deplete the earth’s supply and also don’t add to climate change because they don’t emit carbon dioxide. In 2020, carbon-emitting non-renewable fossil fuels accounted for approximately 79 per cent of the total primary energy production of the USA. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gas emissions in the USA in 2019 were 13 percent below their 2005 levels; we’re slowly seeing a shift in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go.

There are various different renewable energy options out there, all with their pros and cons, including wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass, and solar energy. It’s important to note that renewable energy sources can have very serious downsides of their own; hydro-power dams and wind turbines can have a negative impact on local wildlife and ecosystems, for example. Some energy companies will claim they use renewable or sustainable energy because they use nuclear energy, which, while renewable, is arguably one of the most dangerous and environmentally harmful forms of energy there is because of the amount of toxic waste it creates, and the potential for large-scale accidents if there’s a fault or failure at a nuclear power plant.

The good news, however, is that there are some incredible innovations in clean energy happening around the world. One example is how communities in India are using biogas digesters to turn food waste into a source of energy for electricity; a stroke of genius that helps reduce landfill, cut waste disposal and energy costs, and reduce emissions. The biogas digesters are expensive, but have reportedly been installed in more than 75 locations across India.

Until innovations like this become more commonly available, solar energy is arguably one of the easiest forms of renewable energy to adopt, which is why the US government has been focusing on it so much in their plans to shift away from fossil fuels. 

There are a number of things that hold people back from embracing rooftop solar energy, perhaps the largest roadblock being that solar panels take up a lot of space, and need big batteries to store energy and provide a constant supply. Not everyone has enough (or any) viable roof space to make it work, and the fact that you need to have a good credit score to install solar panels, as well as needing to be a homeowner rather than a renter, means that generating your own solar energy is usually a luxury for the privileged few.

I’m lucky enough to live in a beautiful cottage in the UK that dates back several hundred years, and while I love the fact that it’s full of character and history, it unfortunately means that we can’t get permission from the local authorities to install solar panels on the roof because of the historical significance of our home (the intrusive appearance of solar panels are still one of the biggest downsides of solar energy for many people). Until recently, I thought this meant that we wouldn’t be able to use solar energy to provide our home’s electricity—that is, until I came across the concept of community solar.

image from Arcadia

What is community solar?

Community solar projects provide diverse local communities with solar energy, even if they can’t install solar panels at home. Community solar projects make it possible for people who don’t own a home, or don’t have a home with viable roof space, to fund a local solar energy farm that in turn provides them with clean energy for their home at a reduced price. 

There are various dedicated community solar projects around the US (and worldwide) you can subscribe to if you’re not able to install your own solar panels at home, and more and more mainstream energy companies are developing ways for their users to opt for solar energy these days, too. 

According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, as of 2020 about a third of states in the US had enabling policies for community solar in place to encourage and support the growth of community solar projects, so there’s reason to hope that projects like this will grow and become more readily available in the near future.

How does community solar work?

To power your home via community solar power, you have to first sign up to a local community power project and pay a monthly subscription for membership or shares in that solar farm. One community solar project can provide power for hundreds, even thousands, of homes in the local area.

As Joel Gamoran, Vice President & General Manager of Energy Services at Arcadia explains, “As a community solar program member, you subscribe to a number of solar panels in a solar garden that supplies energy to your community.” Your subscription helps fund the installation of the solar panels at the solar farm or “solar garden”, and then you pay your monthly utilities bill on top of that (generally very low) subscription fee. Essentially, your subscription helps crowdfund the solar panels, and gives you money off the clean energy that those panels produce.

Does subscribing to a community solar project save money or cost more?

According to Arcadia, signing up for a community solar project actually saves you money and reduces your monthly utilities bill. “Installing large solar gardens allows solar developers to achieve lower setup costs and a lower average cost per watt that they can ultimately pass down to community solar subscribers whose subscriptions help fund the upfront cost of the installation,” Joel Gamoran told Sustainably Chic. “Every single project we manage at Arcadia is at a 5-10% savings to the traditional local utility rate.”

Meanwhile, the Solar Energy Industries Association reports that utilities using solar energy have now reached a point where they are “competitive with all other forms of [energy] generation.”

Pros of community solar:

There are many benefits to using community solar as your home’s energy source:

• Solar power (energy derived from the sun) is renewable energy that doesn’t create carbon dioxide by-product as that energy is generated, although it’s important to remember that the materials for the technology has to be responsibly and sustainably mined and disposed of to be considered fully sustainable.

• Solar energy projects can be installed on land that needs to lie fallow before being used for crops, and won’t make permanent changes to the landscape or harm local wildlife while they’re there.

• One of the biggest benefits of community solar projects is that it makes solar energy accessible for people living in low income communities. “Not all households have access to clean energy,” Joel Gamoran points out. “In fact, two out of three renters, apartment dwellers and homeowners in the U.S. don't have access to or can't afford rooftop solar, including poor and BIPOC communities… Community solar will help democratize the transition to clean energy.” Anyone living in the locality of a community solar project can use this solar energy, regardless of their economic status or living situation—community solar projects mean that you don’t even need a roof to access solar energy anymore. 

• The developers at the solar farm are responsible for the installation and maintenance of the solar panels, and they guarantee that your electricity supply won’t cut out.

• Generally, once a community solar project starts generating energy, it also starts generating savings which you, as a subscriber, will see reflected in lower energy bills.

  Cons of community solar:

  So, what are the downsides to community solar (and solar energy more generally)? If you’re thinking this all sounds too good to be true, here are some potential cons to consider:

• Community solar projects are, by nature, very localized. This means that not everyone will have access to a community solar project if there aren’t any running in their local area. As the concept of community solar catches on and our awareness of the importance of clean energy grows, however, you can expect to find more options near you, so keep an eye out for new projects near you, and find out what community solar projects are available near you using Arcadia’s zip code checker.

• As a subscriber to a community solar project, you won’t get the tax benefits that owners of personal rooftop solar panels get. 

• Solar energy requires large amounts of space—big surface areas—for solar panels to collect and store the energy generated from sunlight in batteries. The best practice for large-scale solar energy projects is to find multiple ways to use the land, for example by positioning solar panels such that animals can be let out to graze underneath and in between panels.

• Many people have concerns that solar panels are unsightly—though, they’re arguably less unsightly than a traditional electrical power plant. It can be hard to get permission to install solar panels on protected land or historical buildings.

• Solar panels (and other “eco” technologies, including electric cars) require batteries which have a limited life and have to be disposed of very carefully, because they contain materials and substances that are harmful for the environment. According to the Institute of Energy Research, batteries are expensive to recycle. The US doesn’t currently have systems in place to recycle this kind of technology on a large scale, meaning that as more people opt for solar energy, we also have to campaign for adequate local recycling facilities.

The most striking downside of solar energy in general does seem to be the tech waste that it produces, especially as newer and more effective models of solar panels are developed and people inevitably want to replace perfectly functional panels for the latest model. Some estimates suggest that there’ll be well over 70 million tons of solar panel waste worldwide by 2050. It’s not all bad news, though; Bloomberg reports that the market for used solar panels is growing fast, and that re-used solar panels are already powering communities in the developing world.

All in all, switching to clean energy via a community solar project is an easy and affordable positive step to take for the environment (as long as there’s one available in your area), and will dramatically reduce your household’s carbon footprint. As we work towards a carbon neutral world, supporting solar energy, and campaigning for more innovation and transparency in the clean energy industries, is one major way to live a more sustainable life.

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About the Author

Sophie Caldecott is a freelance writer living in a cottage on the edge of the moor in the South-West of England. She writes about grief, empathy, ethical fashion, and the things that connect us and make us human. You’ll most likely find her cozied up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate and a good book.

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The Best Sustainable Snack Foods For You to Try

Some people are “meh” about snacks, others are snack aficionados, and I happen to fall into the latter category. As I became more and more conscious of my consumer habits throughout my sustainability journey, however, I felt like I had to leave my love of snacking in the past; the majority of supermarket snacks are wrapped in difficult (if not impossible) to recycle plastic and most seem to have ingredient lists that go on for *way* too long. Of course, there’s the option to make your own low-waste snacks at home - like cucumber with homemade hummus - but sometimes you really just want a snack that’s easy to grab.

These snack brands are here to save the day with environmentally conscious products that put people and the planet first. Whether you’re craving sweet or salty or looking for a supermarket alternative to do all your shopping, this list can help you find what you’re looking for! 

So What Makes a Snack Sustainable?

A sustainable snack goes beyond just having packaging that can be responsibly disposed of (although that’s a great start!). If a candy bar comes in a compostable wrapper, but the farmers harvesting cacao seeds are being treated unfairly, that candy bar still has a lot of work to do. Putting people and the planet as priorities ensure that the product is sustainably-minded.

How Do I Know The Ingredients Are Sustainable?

Noticing labels and certifications like Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Organic, and Rain Forest Alliance are great places to start. This PDF is a great source for understanding different labels.

Companies that post sustainability reports and/or offer tons of transparent information about how they operate, where their ingredients come from, and how their products are made are paving the way for our future. The more we know, the more we can get behind a brand and support the work they’re doing!

Ok, So What Packaging Should I Look For?

To start, keep an eye out for backyard compostable packaging, post-consumer recycled materials like plastic or glass, or a company using a circular economy, like Loop, are great ways to narrow down the masses.

Backyard compostable packaging, specifically, means that the wrapping will decompose in a home compost pile; the other side of that coin is commercial compostable packaging, which *won’t* decompose in your backyard. For that option, you’ll actually need to send the packaging to a specific facility, or to Terracycle. 

While the majority of materials are not recycled in America, that doesn’t mean we should totally give up on the industry! If companies buy post-consumer recycled materials, that increases the demand for that material, which means that more effort goes toward actually recycling and reusing instead of that material being overlooked and sent to landfills. Post-consumer plastic only can be re-used a few times, but glass can be reused almost inifintley! Our purchasing power can cause a ripple effect that can shift the recycling industry.

If you’re living in an area that offers a circular economy, like Loop, then hop on that train my friend! This type of packaging uses a kind of “milk-man” mentality, with local deliveries and pick-ups of packaging that is industrially washed and then reused. This option is a lot more limited than the other two, but is a totally cool system for the future!

So without further ado, let’s eat!

Our Favorite Sustainable Snack Brands:

1) Askinosie

Askinosie Chocolate is a single origin craft chocolate company based in Missouri, sourcing all of their beans directly from the growers and ensuring fair wages.

They describe their values as being “fairness, sustainability, minimal environmental impact, and community enhancement”, and they back up this promise with a Transparency Report which details the “farm gate” price they’ve paid their farmers for their beans over the first decade of their business.

For their snacks they have delicious Malt Balls, Cocoa Nibs & Smore Bites.

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2) Alter Eco Chocolate

If you have a sweet tooth, Alter Eco is here for you! This chocolate company offers chocolate bars, chocolate truffles, chocolate nut butter bombs, and quinoa. Y’know, for balance.

In addition to having sweet products, they have some pretty sweet sustainable certifications, too! Alter Eco has been B-corp certified for over a decade and their products are Fair-trade, Gluten-free, and Organic certified.

Their company is also climate neutral, and each yummy treat is packaged in backyard compostable and/or recyclable materials.

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3) Sun and Swell Foods

Each Sun and Swell product uses organic, vegan ingredients without any added sugars.

They have cookies, pantry staples, dried fruits, nuts, and other home goods available in their online shop.

75% of their products are packaging in compostable materials, and for the other 25%, Sun & Swell offers a send back program to responsibly dispose of the material! All their products are shipped carbon-neutral in boxes that can be composted (even the tape!) Sun and Swell is also a 1% For The Planet partner and is B-corp certified.

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4) Thrive Market

Thrive Market is an online supermarket that delivers a wide range of products (over 2,000+ organic!) to your door with carbon-neutral shipping.

For $5/month, their company cuts out the “middleman” of retailers, and the markups that ensue.

For each membership paid, Thrive donates a membership to someone in need, with a goal to raise $10 million in healthy groceries by 2025.

They carry pantry staples, sustainably sourced seafood, and meat, non-toxic cleaning supplies, and a TON of snacks.

Thrive is B-corp certified, and will be Zero Waste Certified by 2022, plastic neutral by 2023, and is working toward being carbon negative by 2025 - talk about setting goals! Since 2015, Thrive’s warehouses have diverted 90% of waste from landfills to recycling, composting, or re-use facilities.

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5) Hive

Hive is similar to Thrive in more than just name - they are also a sustainable grocery alternative.

Hive has five core values (their Hive Fives, love a pun). 1. Making sure ingredients are traceable and that sound practices are being used for harvesting. 2. Using recyclable packaging 3. Ensuring a low carbon footprint 4. Being dedicated to the social good 5. Making rave-worthy snacks, because sustainability doesn’t sacrifice taste - it enhances it!

Their website is very transparent, with tons of information about their company in the FAQ and even more in their blog.

Hive is carbon-neutral and 99% of packaging has a way to be responsibly disposed of, whether by composting, through TerraCycle, or recycling. In fact, they have a whole landing page dedicated to giving you the low-down on recycling their products, which is super helpful to the consumer!

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6) Misfits Market

Did you know, according to the USDA, “food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply” in the US alone, every year? Misfits Market is working to combat that by partnering with farms across the country and putting “ugly” produce that doesn’t fit grocery store standards, to use. Although they started out with the mission to reduce produce waste (and they have!), as they have grown they started saving more than just produce from landfills!

They take in pantry items that are surplus, or have out-of-date packaging, or are short-dated (meaning their “best by” sticker is within the next 6 weeks).

Cha-ching on discounted snacks that help cut down on food waste! Misfits Market currently delivers to nearly all 50 states, and is adding new delivery zones and zip codes frequently!

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7) This Saves Lives

This Saves Lives was created in 2013 by  Kristen Bell, Ryan Devlin, Todd Grinnell, and Ravi Patel to bring aid to people around the world suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a completely curable affliction. Each purchase acts as a one-for-one donation of a package of Plumpy’Nut, which is a Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), to someone suffering from severe acute malnutrition. This Bar Saves Lives partners with organizations like Action Against Hunger to distribute nutrition to those in need.

Since their founding, over 28 million packets of RUTF have been donated, saving over 184,000 lives.

In addition to doing good, these bars taste good, too! They are Gluten-free, Non-GMO certified, and kosher. Made with natural and vegan/vegetarian-friendly ingredients, they’re a delicious way to help others.

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8) Barnana

We love a brand that upcycles, and Barnana is all about it! Founded in 2012 to lessen banana waste in Latin America, this B-corp company sources bananas and plantains from small organic farms throughout the Amazon that typically are too remote or have too small of an operation (think, family-owned farms) to get their fruit to market. Barnana partners directly with these smaller farms and offers them steady incomes to rely on. These farms use regenerative farming efforts, which help carbon sequestration as well as encourage healthy soil. Barnana snacks are created using bananas deemed imperfect for mass markets or are surplus.

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9) Rind Dried Fruit

Fighting food waste is a trend we’re happy to hop on. In 2020, Rind diverted 120,000+ pounds of food waste from the landfills into bellies!

They’re all about eating the peels, which are great sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber - you name it!

Their program Love is Rind donates their healthy, nutrient-packed snacks to local school partners on the weekend, since that’s when access to food is harder for children struggling with hunger. More than 13,700 bags have been donated to schools across the country since the program’s foundation.

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10) Quinn Snacks

Quinn Snacks offers flavored popcorn and pretzels, so your movie night is ready to go!

Their “farm to bag” transparency puts a real emphasis on how they make their products and where they source ingredients from, showing a list of where each of their suppliers is, what they produce, and an overview of what they do.

They partner with farms that are using regenerative agriculture practicies. What is that, you ask? “Regenerative agriculture farming practices are proven to sequester Earth warming carbon from the atmosphere. These practices are rooted in improving the health of our soil.

Regenerative agriculture not only pulls carbon out of the atmosphere and puts it back into the soil where plants thrive on it, but it also improves crop yields, naturally reduces pests, and increases biodiversity. Pretty cool, huh?” This method is better for farmers, better for the planet, and better for consumers. Remember earlier when I was talking about putting people and the planet first :)

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11) Regrained

This company is making beer sustainable! Regrained takes waste created from making beer and makes it into crackers - Bazinga!

Two college guys who took up microbrewing as a hobby were using their “waste” grain to bake bread, to break even on their brewing business. But then they realize the potential.

In addition to the cool method of reducing waste, these crackers are also packed with nutrition.  Since the beer-making process eats up all the sugars in wheat, the stuff they’re using to make crackers is 0-sugar and packed with plant protein, prebiotic fibers, and micronutrients. Who knew?!

Their blog is super transparent and talks all about upcycling in your life, and Regrained’s journey to incorporate compostable packing.

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12) Nature’s Path

This family-owned business was founded in 1985 and was an innovative business in the 80s, offering organic granolas before they were popularized. Since then, they have achieved a Zero Waste certification at each of their manufacturing sites and redirect their wastewater to a biodigester to create energy. Nature’s Path donates at least $2 million each year to different organizations, and it working toward climate neutrality. Their granolas, oatmeals, chips, and more are organically grown and will be sold in compostable packaging by 2025. Nature’s Path partners with Loop, a circular shopping platform that deals with local deliveries and returns.

Bonus points: they have a link to their sustainability report on their website.

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13) One Degree Organic Foods

One Degree means business when it comes to transparency.

Consumers are able to trace every single ingredient in their products, from cereals to granolas to loaves of bread.

Slice me off some of that! Each product has a 6 digit code you can type into their site and trace - it acts as a kind of virtual, larger-scale farmer’s market where you can get to know who grew the product, where it’s coming from, and what’s in it.

One Degree partners with small-scale organic farmers, and even offers Gluten-free snacks!

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About the Author

Paige Annelayne is a freelance writer and digital media specialist currently based in Alabama, who loves to cook, learn about intersectional sustainability, and read a lot of books. Her cat, Gnocchi, her plants, and a good cup of matcha bring her joy. You can connect with Paige on Instagram @vitality.blog and at www.vtltyblog.com

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Sustainable Yoga Mats, Clothing & Gear

Traditional yoga mats are typically not sustainable, with chemicals and plastics that are both hazardous to you and the environment. Whether you’re a devoted yogi or simply just looking for something to stretch out on at home, if you’re interested in choosing a sustainable yoga mat and gear to match, then you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ve compiled a list of the best eco-friendly yoga mats out there, as well as ethically and sustainably made yoga gear and apparel. 

These brands are changing the yoga industry by making mats from natural, eco-friendly materials, as well as ensuring a fair-paying, ethical supply chain. Supporting any of these brands is a great way to practice yoga with true peace of mind, on and off the mat.

Why Aren’t Traditional Yoga Mats Sustainable?

Yoga mats are typically made using PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to make them grippy and easy to clean. Unfortunately, PVC is an incredibly toxic type of plastic. Not only is this something we shouldn’t be inhaling during our daily yoga practice, but it’s also harmful to the environment. Since yoga mats are made from plastic, they aren’t biodegradable and take years to break down. This further contributes to pollution and makes it impossible to dispose of your yoga mat safely.

To make sure our mats are flexible, cushy, and suitable for yoga, most manufacturers add a variety of plasticizers whose toxins we then absorb during our practice. Additionally, leading brands may not produce their products ethically. There’s often a lack of transparency when it comes to where their materials are sourced and if their supply chain involves fair-wage employment and safe working conditions. 

This is especially true when it comes to what we wear during our yoga practice. Many mainstream yoga apparel brands produce their clothes in sweatshops, using exploitative labor and synthetic materials. These materials break down into microplastics which are one of the biggest sources of plastic pollution in our oceans.

Choosing eco-friendly yoga mats, gear, and sustainably made yoga apparel is a great way to protect both the environment and your own health.

What Are Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats and Yoga Gear?

As sustainable fashion rises in popularity, many brands resort to greenwashing to appear sustainable when they are not. Many “eco-friendly” yoga mats are made from PER (polymer environmental resin) and TPE (thermoplastic elastomers). These materials should be avoided when possible. 

PER is essentially a less toxic form of PVC and research is still needed to know how safe PER is. TPE on the other hand can be recycled but is made from a variety of synthetic materials that are often not listed by the manufacturer. Therefore, we don’t necessarily know what the mat is truly made of and can't verify its safety if the manufacturer isn’t fully transparent.

When searching for eco-friendly yoga mats and sustainable apparel, look for companies that clearly state what their mats are made from. It’s best to choose mats that are made from natural, biodegradable materials like GOTS certified cotton, cork, or grass fiber. If they are using recycled materials, check to see if their materials are certified. 

Another thing to look for when deciding if a brand is sustainable is whether or not they are transparent about their supply chain practices. If they aren’t clear about where their products are made, who makes them, or if it’s fair-trade, this is usually a red flag and the brand is most likely not sustainable. 

Now, Our 11 Favorite Brands Creating Affordable Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats & Gear: 

1) Wolven

Made In: USA, China

Product Range: Yoga Apparel

Price: $40-$150

Wolven is an LA-Based, carbon-neutral company that makes some of the cutest, sustainable yoga apparel out there. Wolven makes their eco-friendly activewear from OEKO-TEX Certified recycled P.E.T. Each item is quick-drying and anti-bacterial so you can wear their designs as both yoga wear and swimwear.

I have so many pieces of theirs and can attest that they are of wonderful quality. Wolven also sells a microfiber washing bag so you can safely wash your apparel without further contributing to the microplastic pollution.

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2) Om Matters

Made In: USA

Product Range: Yoga Apparel, Yoga Accessories, Yoga App

Price: $25-$98

OM Matters has a great selection of yoga gear and accessories including meditation candles, crystals, yoga cards, and even a yoga app.

They also have a small, affordable line of yoga apparel for women, made from sustainable cotton and biodegradable Lenzing Modal. 

Based in the US, everything is produced locally. All of their products are created using eco-friendly and biodegradable, synthetic-free materials. They even use recycled materials to package and ship their products. Additionally, 10% of all sales goes to funding yoga for at-risk youth.

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3) Manduka 

Made In: Germany, China

Product Range: Yoga Mats, Yoga Gear, Yoga Accessories, Yoga Apparel

Price: $45-$120

Manduka is one of the most established yoga brands today.

They have extensive and high-quality options at a wide range of accessible prices.

They are, however, still growing when it comes to sustainability, and more transparency is needed. 

Their traditional mats are made with OEKO-TEX certified “non-harmful” PVC and natural rubber, which can’t be considered sustainable. However, Manduka’s EKOseries line is fully sustainable. These mats are made from natural rubber, with no PVC, toxic dyes, or plasticizers. They are also fully biodegradable and 99% latex-free.

The majority of Manduka’s other products are eco-friendly like their cork and recycled foam yoga blocks, and their unisex yoga apparel line that is made primarily from recycled polyester and organic cotton.

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4) Abhinehkrafts

Made In: India

Product Range: Yoga Mats, Kids Mats, Yoga Props, Yoga Apparel

Price: $60-$115

Based in India, Abhinehkrafts makes some of the most artisan, creative eco-friendly yoga mats and gear. Everything is handcrafted using natural fibers by women artisans.

Most of their products are made using GOTS certified organic cotton and natural dyes. 

They have a variety of yoga mats to choose from, all from different materials. Abhinehkrafts mats use local, responsibly sourced natural or recycled cotton, grass fiber, jute fiber, and wool. Each mat is handwoven with traditional designs and varying degrees of thickness. They also have a wonderful, sustainable line of yoga gear and props, all affordably priced.

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5) Inhala Soulwear

Made In: Lima, Bali, Milan

Product Range: Yoga Apparel, Yoga Mats

Price: $36-$130

Inhala Soulwear is a Peruvian company committed to conscious production from the supply chain to the materials used. They produce a super cute line of sustainable women’s yoga apparel, with some options for men. They also have a small selection of non-toxic yoga mats made from vegan suede and recycled rubber. 

Their apparel is made using eco-friendly supplies such as regenerated nylon and fair-trade organic cotton. Every item produced follows their zero-waste and plastic-free commitment, including their compostable garment bags. They also take measures to ensure they have a fully traceable, fair-paying supply chain.

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6) Yogasana

Made In: India

Product Range: Yoga Mats

Price: $99-$119

Yogasana makes beautiful, vibrant GOTS-certified cotton yoga mats in India.

The cotton is grown and harvested by fair-wage local farmers who are part of the Better Cotton Initiative and doesn’t involve any child labor.  

Each mat is handmade by local weavers with a 15-year guarantee.

Their small collection is accessibly priced with a variety of colors and sizes to suit most needs.  Additionally, $5 from each purchase goes to paying for school supplies for the children of the local farmers with the option to donate more.

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7) Urbivore

Made In: Canada

Product Range: Yoga Mats, Yoga Accessories

Price: $21-$118

Urbivore produces cute, vegan, non-toxic yoga mats made from cork.

Cork is naturally antimicrobial, non-slip, and self-cleaning. Urbivore doesn’t use any PVC or toxic chemicals in their products.

They sustainably harvest the cork from oak bark using fair-paying, local labor.

Urbivore sells a variety of mats, sustainable mat straps including an adorable macrame option, mala bracelets, cork massage balls, and mat cleaners. For every purchase you make they plant a tree around the world.

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8) Jade Yoga

Made In: USA, India, Nepal

Product Range: Yoga Mats, Travel Mats, Yoga Props, Yoga Gear

Price: $15-$179

Jade Yoga is incredibly established in the yoga community as they have been making eco-friendly yoga mats for over twenty years now. I bought my Jade mat almost ten years ago and still use it today. The majority of their yoga mats are sourced and produced in the United States and are made from natural rubber with no PVC or toxic chemicals.

They have a special organic cotton yoga mat line, handmade by artisans in India, as well as a recycled cotton line handmade by women in Nepal.

Jade sells a wide range of sustainable yoga gear such as organic cotton canvas mat bags, plant-based mat wash, and recycled cotton blankets. They guarantee fair-paying, ethical employment and distribute worldwide.

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9) Yoloha

Made In: USA

Product Range: Yoga Mats, Yoga Gear, Yoga Accessories

Price: $25-$179

If you’re curious about trying cork-based products, Yoloha should be your first stop. This brand uses sustainable cork in all of their handmade products. The cork is sustainably harvested from cork oak trees every 8-9 years and doesn’t require cutting down a single tree, since the bark is stripped by hand.

Their yoga mats are 100% vegan made from natural cork and recycled rubber with no PVCs or latex. Each mat is not only grippy, but anti-microbial, and quick drying. What makes Yoloha stand out is their beautiful, hand-painted artisan designs and the sheer quantity and range of yoga gear.

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10)  42 Birds

Made In: Spain, Portugal

Product Range: Yoga mats, Yoga Gear

Price Range: $32-$134 

42 Birds is a brother and sister team that produces yoga mats and gear made from 100% cork in a zero-waste manufacturing process.

They’ve also partnered with 1% For the Planet and donate the proceeds to environmental organizations such as the Cork Forest Alliance and the National Audobon Society.   

Their non-slip, eco-friendly yoga mats come with a complimentary cotton mat carrier strap. They also sell cork bundles that include a mat and yoga props at an affordable price.

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11)  Bennd Yoga

Made In: India

Product Range: Yoga mats, Yoga Gear

Price Range: $160-$195 

Bennd Yoga is an “Ayurvedic Yoga Mat Company” that produces medicinally dyed products.  Everything is hand-made and hand-loomed by artisans in India. Their yoga mats and meditation cushions are made from 100% ethically sourced raw cotton which is then hand-dyed. Bennd’s dyes are made from specific natural Ayurvedic herbs.

Each yoga collection is then designed to assist a different ailment like digestion or circulation depending on the herb used to produce it. Each cotton mat also comes in a complimentary cotton travel bag with an eco-friendly mat cleaner. 

Bennd’s products are natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable, including their packaging. Any leftover textiles are recycled and reused while the extra dyes and organic materials are composted in their gardens. Their products are colorful, beautiful and one of a kind.

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About the Author:

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel tips and guides.

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

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