6 Tips for Properly Cleaning and Caring For Faux Leather

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People used to depend on every part of an animal to survive, but modern technologies reduce the need for animal product dependency. Many consumers opt for products like faux leather to avoid funding animal cruelty.

This article explains everything you need to know about faux leather, including tips about cleaning and caring for your new wardrobe additions. You’ll wear and wash your clothes confidently because you’ll understand what the material needs for longevity.

What Is Faux Leather?

Leather traditionally comes from cows but can also come from animals like goats or crocodiles. Faux leather doesn’t involve any animals — instead, people make it with synthetic ingredients that create the same look and feel.

It’s also one of the more popular materials for products like clothing and furniture. The global synthetic leather market had a $33.7 billion value in 2021 and the same research indicates a continued 8% growth through 2030.

Why Do People Prefer Faux Leather?

There are numerous reasons why people choose to buy artificial leather products. First, they might prefer avoiding anything made with animal products if they live a vegan lifestyle. They may also generally avoid any products that involve animal cruelty.

Additionally, authentic leather is often more costly than its alternatives. The companies manufacturing it have to pay for a more complicated manufacturing process, including the breeding and management of animals. Faux leather products only need artificial ingredients.

What Is Faux Leather Made Of?

Faux leather production companies have numerous ingredient options. Many opt for plastic chemical compounds derived from crude oil. It’s readily available due to the global oil production industry, but some consumers take issue with the ingredient.

When artificial leather products end up in landfills, the crude-oil ingredients don’t naturally break down. Environmentalists aim to change that by making fungi-based leather that’s biodegradable. Time will show if the mass production of mushrooms for leather products takes hold of the industry.

Your choice of faux leather ingredients will depend on your preferences and beliefs. Either way, there are options for you to choose from when you’re ready to expand your wardrobe.

Examples of Faux Leather Clothing

Faux leather can do more than create purses and backpacks — it’s also a popular material for clothing and other accessories. While you’re shopping, keep an eye out for faux leather products like:

Jackets
Boots
Dress shoes
Pants
Dresses

You’ll quickly find these products made with artificial leather that look real. The only differences will be the positive impact on your wallet and beliefs.

Tips for Faux Leather Cleaning and Caring

You might hesitate to wear faux leather because you don’t know how to clean and care for it. Use these tips to understand how to maintain your new clothes so you can wear whatever materials you want.

Try Warm Water First

Never doubt the power of warm water against stains and dirt. The gentle heat coaxes impurities out of fabrics by lifting them away. Although you might have a few favorite laundry products that you use every day, it’s best to stick with warm water only when cleaning faux leather.

Artificial leather is sensitive to cleaning solutions. It’s even highly affected by hot water, which often melts the material and changes its structure. It might be too tight after going through your washer and dryer or become more likely to stain because the leather loses its outer coating.

When you own your first piece of faux leather clothing and need to clean it, grab a microfiber cloth and dab the stained area. The fabric should be damp with warm water but not soaked to the point of dripping.

Apply light pressure to the dirty area until it’s thoroughly wet and squeeze the water out. Repeat as necessary until the garment is to your liking.

If you decide to use detergents or stain removers, they should have a gentle formula without abrasive chemicals. Ensure you avoid mixing them to prevent chemical reactions that harm you or your artificial leather. Faux leather is more sensitive than standard fabrics like cotton or denim, so your choice of cleaning product is vital to its maintenance.

2. Wash It by Hand

Buying faux leather clothing is a commitment. The material is extra sensitive to factors like water temperature and friction, which rules out most washing machine cycles. Your machine could leave your leather clothing worn in certain places, discolored or torn.

It’s always best to wash faux leather by hand. Even if you add a jacket to your sustainable winter clothes, it should stay out of the laundry machine whenever possible.

Hand washing your artificial leather clothing won’t take much of your time. Place it under cool or slightly warm water and dab at the soiled areas with a microfiber towel. The water will lift any dirt, just like your washing machine.

Afterward, gently ring your faux leather until it’s damp and hang it up to dry. Intense heat from water or your dryer will warp the material. Shrinking is also possible. Let your artificial leather air dry until it’s ready to wear again.

Worried about wrinkles? Place a steamer within arms-length of the faux leather clothing. The heat and moisture will ease any wrinkles without harming the material. Avoid pressing the steamer onto the artificial leather or close to it, so the fabric doesn’t melt.

3. Stick With Gentle Cycles

Check the tag on your newly purchased faux leather clothes because products sometimes include cleaning instructions that permit washers and dryers. Abiding by those directions will extend the life of your clothes by treating the material with the exact care it requires.

Some artificial leather clothes will have consumer instructions to place the soiled clothing in a machine set to the delicate cycle. Alternatively, you could adjust the settings to allow only cold water and a no-spin cycle.

Next, add gentle detergent. Organic or all-natural detergents are the primary choice for people with faux leather clothes — they won’t contain abrasive or strong chemicals that might damage the material. You could also seek detergent specifically made for faux leather, although that may be more challenging to find in standard stores due to the product’s specific nature.

After turning your clothing inside out to protect the leather and letting it go through your washing machine, read the drying instructions. The tag may require air drying or allow a delicate cycle in a standard dryer. Gentle wash settings are great for cleaning satin belongings or knitted clothes because they don’t involve hot water or rough spin cycles.

If the tag permits a dryer, it’s best to choose a low-heat setting for a quick cycle. The faux leather product should emerge from your dryer still damp. Air drying will complete its cleaning cycle.

4. Keep It Away From Sunlight

Sunlight can damage your faux leather product due to its heat and intensity. Natural light dries out traditional leather and replicates the challenge with artificial alternatives. The faux material is sensitive to external factors, so avoid hanging your synthetic leather in sunny spots around your home.

Coat hooks or a closet with windows might not be the most optimal storage location. Consider a dark corner in your closet or a drawer to make your faux leather clothes last longer. Sunlight won’t be able to shrink or melt the material.

5. Finish With Melted Coconut Oil

Genuine leather was once skin, which dries easily. Like human skin, it requires moisturizer in the form of leather oils. The ingredients lead to drying and peeling when you wear the clothing in warm weather, direct sunlight or dry it on the wrong heat setting. Although faux leather never involves animals, it still benefits from occasional conditioning.

All-natural leather conditioners might be the first tool that comes to mind, but you can also use melted coconut oil. It’s organic and gentle, so it’s perfect for artificial leather. Melt the oil and let it cool until it’s slightly warm or at room temperature. Gently rub it into your clean leather with a sponge or microfiber cloth and remove any excess oil with a rag. The clothing should be easier to work with and have its original shine back.

6. Never Use Bleach

Some stains are apparent to the eye, which might make you consider bleaching them out of the artificial leather. Although that might work with other materials, faux leather breaks apart when washed with bleach because the synthetic ingredients are more sensitive.

Bleach is also a drying product, so it changes the structure of faux leather. After using it, you might notice discoloration in addition to rigid material. The affected artificial leather may also become more prone to staining due to the changed, drier structure.

Organic or all-natural stain removers made for faux leather will help lift stains away while you hand wash your clothing. A mixture of equal parts vinegar and water may also help fight tougher stains that have had more time to settle into the material.

Apply the stain-fighting solution, dab at the affected area and rinse immediately. Soaking may allow the product to damage your faux leather. Use cold or slightly warm water to clean the area and continue with your preferred washing method when the stain disappears.

Expand Your Wardrobe Today

Anyone can use these tips for properly cleaning and caring for faux leather. You should add whatever you want to your wardrobe, especially clothes that align with your sustainable or vegan values. Keep these steps in mind as you explore the world of faux leather clothing to discover if the material is what your style needs.

If you prefer to stay clear of plastic-derived materials please check out this vegan leather & fabric alternative post here, as well as this post featuring 11 for more vegan leather alternatives.

About the Author:

Mia Barnes is a health and beauty writer with a passion for sustainable living and wellness. Mia is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine, an online publication that covers healthy and eco-friendly living. Follow Mia and Body+Mind on Twitter and LinkedIn!

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The Best Sustainable Plant-Based & Vegan Milks

Most of us now know that drinking plant-based milk is generally more sustainable than dairy milk. However, with so many different options available, it’s important to know what to look for in plant-based milk. Not all plant-based milk is good for us or the planet, thanks to additives, artificial ingredients, unsustainable sourcing, or plastic packaging. Below we’ll cover how to find healthy and sustainable plant-based milk, as well as some of the best plant-based milk brands.

Is Plant-Based Milk Sustainable?

All plant-based milk is more sustainable than dairy. One liter of cow’s milk uses significantly more water, and land, as well as produces more greenhouse gas than one liter of plant-based milk.

While plant-based milk is more sustainable, just how sustainable will greatly depend on the ingredients and the production methods used. Some non-dairy milk uses very little water, while others emit less greenhouse gas or are easier to ethically source.

Is Plant-Based Milk Good for you?

Plant-based milk is generally good for you, as long as you pay attention to the ingredients. If you’re drinking plant-based milk to replace specific nutrients in dairy milk, you won’t be very successful.

The cleanest, organic plant-based milk only contains water and the primary ingredient, so it won’t be fortified with additional vitamins and minerals found in dairy milk. If you choose fortified plant milk, certain ingredients may block your body's ability to absorb those nutrients.

In general, it’s healthiest to choose plant-based milk with minimal ingredients and no artificial additives, and use other food or supplements to replace any nutrients naturally found in dairy.

What’s the Least and Most Sustainable Milk Alternative?

When determining which nut milk (or plant-based milk) is the most and least sustainable, there are a few different factors that need to be taken into consideration. Below we’ll break down the most common types of plant-based milk and how sustainable they are.

Oat Milk: Oat milk could be considered the most sustainable plant-based milk overall. It’s also become one of the most popular non-dairy milk options due to its creamy consistency and rich flavor. Oats are a nutritious, a low-input crop. That being said, oats are commonly mass-produced in an unsustainable way and contain a glyphosate-based herbicide that has been linked to cancer. Look for small brands that use certified glyphosate-free oats, as well as organic and non-GMO oats.

Almond Milk: Almond milk has long been one of the most popular kinds of nut milk, but it’s gotten a bad rap lately due to its water usage. Almond milk is not worse for the environment than dairy milk, and overall, it is a sustainable milk alternative. Almond milk has some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and requires very little land to grow. However, almond trees do require a significant amount of water and are mostly grown in California, a state prone to droughts. Local almond farmers have taken action over the last few years to reduce water usage, but it’s always best to look for organic almonds that are grown on sustainable farms in small batches.

Soy Milk: Soy milk is commonly considered one of the most sustainable, and cleanest plant-based milk options. Soy milk requires very little water to produce, though it does require a higher amount of emissions. That being said, soy milk is largely mass-produced in an unsustainable way. It’s harder to find non-GMO soy on the market, and its production has caused deforestation in the Amazon and throughout South America. If you want to drink soy milk, look for brands that don’t source their soy from South America and that use organic, non-GMO soybeans.

Rice Milk: As far as plant-based milk goes, rice milk isn’t the most sustainable or nutritious. Rice production has some of the highest, if not the highest, greenhouse gas emissions, and requires a large amount of water to grow. Rice is grown in water and those paddies contribute to water pollution and emit methane gas. Of all the non-dairy milk options, you may want to skip this one.

Coconut Milk: Coconut milk is another popular milk alternative, with high nutritional benefits. If you’re wondering if coconut milk is sustainable, it depends on where you get it from. Coconuts are in such high demand that coconut production now commonly involves exploitative labor including animal cruelty, where monkeys and other animals are forced to help harvest coconuts. Coconut farms contribute to deforestation in the rainforest, particularly in Indonesia. Look for small brands that are ideally Fair-trade certified or are transparent about how they source their coconuts.

Seed Milk: Seed milk, such as hemp, flax, and chia milk, has become more commonly available and offers higher nutritional benefits, like protein and fiber. These plants require very little water to grow and aren’t commonly mass-produced. Another sustainable seed milk that has recently become more widely available is sesame milk. This milk is a wonderful sustainable option, as sesame plants require very little water, are self-pollinating, drought-resistant, and don’t need pesticides.

Pea Milk: Pea milk is a popular choice for those looking for higher protein milk. It’s also a sustainable choice, as it has lower emissions, and uses less fertilizer and water to produce when compared to other plant-based milk. That being said, many pea milk options on the market today are filled with additional ingredients and additives that aren’t very good for us.

Additional Nut Milk Options: There are numerous nut milk options available today, with varying degrees of sustainability and different taste profiles.

Cashew Milk: Widely available, it requires less water than almond milk with a similar taste. Cashew production often involves exploitative labor, so look for cashews that are fair trade or were produced transparently and ethically.
Hazelnut Milk: This beloved nut makes a great milk alternative. It’s a very sustainable nut milk — produced in the Pacific Northwest, in a naturally moist environment, and it doesn’t require bees for pollination.
Pistachio Milk: Less common, but becoming more popular, pistachio milk is a relatively nutritious nut milk that uses less water than almonds. It has relatively low greenhouse gas emissions as well.
Macadamia Milk: Last but not least, macadamia milk is a creamy milk alternative that also requires less water than almonds. It’s important to choose organic, non-GMO options, however, as macadamia nuts are grown in areas that commonly experience water shortages.

What to Look for From Sustainable Non-Dairy Milk Brands:

Some ingredients to look for when choosing a sustainable plant-based milk are:

Minimal Ingredients/ No Artificial Ingredients
Organic Certified Ingredients
Ethical/Sustainable Sourcing
Recyclable and Plastic-free Packaging
Fair Trade Production

When it comes to our health, much of the plant-based milk available on the market today contains processed and artificial ingredients. While many of these ingredients are used as emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners, some have been linked to cancer, while others may impact our digestion and skin. Ultimately, we just don’t know how these additives will affect us in the long run.

If you’re looking for truly sustainable non-dairy milk, avoid the following ingredients:

Added sugar or artificial sweeteners
Added oils
Natural Flavors
Carrageenan
Gums (Guar gum, Xanthan gum, etc.)
Lecithin

Now, Our Top 8 Favorite Sustainable Plant-Based Milk Brands:

1) Joi

Price: Varies

Joi is an awesome sustainable non-dairy milk brand that sells plant milk concentrates.

You simply mix with water at home to create your non-dairy milk.

They have almond, cashew, oat, and hazelnut milk concentrates available.

Joi’s products are certified non-GMO, and organic, with no added ingredients.

2) Three Trees

Price: $7.99

Three Trees produces some of the healthiest, creamiest, vegan milk around. Here you’ll find almond milk (unsweetened or naturally sweetened vanilla), sesame milk, oat milk, and pistachio milk. You won’t find any added ingredients or sweeteners and each milk comes in a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic.

3) Califia Farms

Price: $5.99-$6.49

Califia Farms has produced sustainable vegan milk for years but they just launched a line of certified organic oat milk and almond milk with just 3 ingredients.

The organic line contains no additives and a creamy texture.

Califia Farms publishes an annual sustainability report so you can easily ensure this brand aligns with your values.

4) Malk

Price: $5.99

Malk makes certified organic glyphosate-free oat and almond milk available with unsweetened or sweetened vanilla and chocolate.

With only 3-5 natural ingredients, at Malk, you’ll never find added oils, fillers, or gums.

Each bottle is also recyclable.

5) Forager

Price: $6.49

At Forager you’ll find a large selection of non-dairy products including cashew and oat milk.

Both kinds of vegan milk are certified organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free, with no added gums, fillers, or ingredients.

They use ethically sourced, hand-harvested cashews to produce their ultra-creamy vegan milk.

6) Elmhurst

Price: Varies

Elmhurst used to be a large family-owned dairy company but remade itself into a sustainable vegan milk producer. Here you’ll find almond, cashew, oat, walnut, and hazelnut milk.

All of their non-dairy products are non-GMO verified and don’t contain artificial flavors, gluten, or carrageenan. Plus, you can purchase variety packs or bundled options and each shelf-stable milk comes in recyclable packaging.

7) Eden Soy

Price: $3.91+

If you’re a soy milk lover, check out Eden Soy.

Their non-GMO, organic soy milk has been around for decades. You won’t find any artificial sugar or ingredients at Eden Soy. Their sustainably sourced soy milk comes in recyclable cartons, is shelf stable, and affordable.

8) New Barn Organics Almond Milk

Price: $59 per 6 pack

New Barn Organics uses organic almonds sustainably produced in small batches to make their certified organic almond milk. Non-GMO verified, their unsweetened or sweetened almond milk doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients. They also produce organic coconut milk, using fair labor production, but it does contain organic sunflower lecithin.

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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How to Sustainably Exfoliate Your Skin

We all love having smooth, bump-free skin and exfoliating is one of the best ways to achieve that. However, traditional exfoliators aren’t always the best for our skin or the environment, thanks to plastic and harmful ingredients. Thankfully, exfoliating your body sustainably has never been easier. This article will cover our favorite eco-friendly ways to exfoliate from sustainable scrubs to compostable loofahs.

Are Exfoliators Bad For People and the Environment?

Traditional exfoliating scrubs and exfoliators can be harmful to the environment for several reasons. Exfoliators like loofahs are made from plastic, which contributes to plastic waste and microplastic pollution.

Traditional exfoliating scrubs often contain synthetic ingredients and plastic beads, which go directly into our water system when we use them. Not to mention, scrubs generally come in plastic packaging, are produced in an unsustainable way, and contain harmful chemicals that we should avoid putting on our skin as well as our water supply.

How to Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally and Sustainably:

Thankfully, there are numerous ways to exfoliate your body (and your face) sustainably. The best natural exfoliator for you will depend on what method of exfoliation you prefer to use. There are numerous plastic-free, eco-friendly alternatives to most exfoliators such as loofahs, exfoliating scrubs, and gloves.

When it comes to choosing an eco-friendly body exfoliator, consider the following before purchasing:

Does it contain plastic or synthetic materials?
Are there any artificial fragrances?
Is it made from natural, plant-based ingredients and materials?
Do they ethically source their materials?
Are there harmful chemicals or unrecognizable ingredients?
Is it either reusable or recyclable, biodegradable, and/or compostable?

If it’s plastic-free, made from natural materials, and can naturally decompose, then chances are you’re choosing a sustainable exfoliator. Below, we’ll cover the best eco-friendly exfoliators for your body including some of our favorite sustainable brands.

Now, Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Ways to Exfoliate For Your Body:

Sustainable Exfoliating Scrubs

One of the easiest ways to exfoliate your body is with a good body scrub. There are so many benefits to exfoliating scrubs such as cleaner pores, and softer, more hydrated skin. Plus, if you have sensitive skin, a natural scrub is a more gentle exfoliating option. Thankfully, you no longer need to choose exfoliating scrubs with plastic beads or harmful chemicals thanks to the numerous sustainable scrubs available today.

Some of our favorite eco-friendly skincare brands have created fantastic ready-to-go exfoliators. One of our favorites is Cocokind’s Scrubbing Clay, made with red clay and upcycled coffee beans. Osea also has a fantastic line of vegan exfoliators including a complete body scrub kit.

In general, look for scrubs made from natural, biodegradable ingredients and free from plastic packaging.

Zero Waste DIY Exfoliators

If you’re willing to get a little bit crafty, you can create your own zero-waste body scrub at home. One benefit to making your own body scrub is that you can combine ingredients that are specifically tailored to your skin needs. There are numerous exfoliating scrub recipes available that use ingredients many of us have at home or that are readily available at your local zero-waste store. Making your own scrub is also a great way to upcycle food waste or prevent additional waste.

A simple firming and moisturizing at-home body scrub involves just coffee grounds, honey, and oil. Mix 3 tablespoon leftover coffee grounds with 5 tablespoons honey and 5 tablespoons olive oil (or another nourishing oil of your choice) until thick.

If your skin is sensitive, try this reparative sugar exfoliating scrub. Mix ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup sea salt with ½ cup of your preferred oil, and 2 tablespoons honey. You can even add your favorite essential oil. Add lavender for a soothing, relaxing scrub, or choose rosemary to help reduce inflammation.

Exfoliating Cloths

If you’d prefer to pair your scrub with an exfoliating tool, exfoliating cloths make an excellent plastic-free exfoliator. Unlike shower cloths made from synthetic materials, eco-friendly exfoliating cloths are often biodegradable and made from plant-based materials.

Earthharbor makes a wonderful cleansing cloth from agave leaves. It’s naturally anti-microbial, mold-resistant, and will break down after 3-5 months. In general, look for a plastic-free cloth that’s made from natural and organic materials like bamboo or organic cotton. Exfoliating cloths made from muslin fabric are often gentle enough to use on your face and can double as a makeup remover.

Sustainable Dry Brush

If you’re looking for eco-friendly alternatives to loofahs, consider dry brushing. Dry brushing helps unclog pores and increase circulation and lymphatic drainage. Plus, it’s easy to do any time of day, since you don’t dry brush in the shower or with any added scrubs. We love dry brushing first thing in the morning since it has an energizing effect.

There are several sustainable, plastic-free dry brushes available like this biodegradable and vegan one from Osea. It’s made from beechwood and cotton with sisal bristles. In general, look for dry brushes that are made from sustainably sourced wood or bamboo. Eco-friendly dry brushes will also use natural, plastic-free materials for their bristles.

Eco-friendly Exfoliating Mitts

If you’re looking for an easy way to exfoliate your body, consider sustainable exfoliating gloves. These hand-shaped mitts fit your hands perfectly so you can effortlessly exfoliate your body without a mess.

Eco-friendly exfoliator gloves will typically be made from plastic-free, natural materials such as bamboo or sisal. You can use them like a loofah by applying your scrub to the glove while in the shower. Exfoliating gloves are often gentle enough to use on the entire body, including thin-skinned areas like the groin.

Some wonderful sustainable exfoliating mitts we love are the anti-bacterial bamboo gloves from Handmade Naturals or this GOTS Certified Organic Cotton mitt from Organic Stories.

Sustainable Loofah

Last but not least, if you’re a die-hard loofah fan, don’t worry, there are eco-friendly options available. Loofahs, or shower poofs, are very popular items but they are traditionally made from plastic and synthetic materials. One of the best natural loofahs is from Ecoroots. It’s made from plant fibers, is plastic-free, and biodegradable. Plus, you can use this loofah as a sponge as well, perfect for cleaning dishes or the bathroom.

Another favorite of ours is konjac sponges, which make a great eco-friendly alternative to a shower puff. With a similar texture to shower poofs, konjac sponges are soft, fully compostable, and made from the konjac plant.

A great konjac sponge is this one from Everist. It makes your skin feel amazing and can be composted after 2-3 months of use. All you need to do is add water to make the sponge soft, then squeeze a small amount of your favorite soap for an exfoliating clean.

About the Author

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What is Sustainable Wall Art?

There are many ways in which a piece of art can be sustainable (or not). For example, a painting could have an eco-friendly frame, but paint that’s toxic to the environment. Or, a photo could be printed on repurposed canvas, but packaged in large amounts of plastic.

Sustainability in art is important because the industry is booming. Online art sales doubled between 2019 and 2020, and the industry only continues to grow, according to Artland Magazine. Despite the increase in sales—which correlates with a boost in consumption—digital artworks occupy an increasing portion of profits. Meanwhile, industry leaders have become more concerned with topics like sustainable travel, as well as the ecological impact of art festivals and events.

The bottom line? It’ll be hard to find a piece of art that meets every standard for sustainability. Here’s a look at what criteria to consider when buying art for your home, and how to decide which eco-friendly factors matter most to you.

Art Materials

Companies committed to manufacturing sustainable wall art will pursue standards that verify their materials and mediums. For example, Opposite Wall is a wall art, wallpaper, and frame vendor committed to producing forest-friendly materials. Their posters are printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), and their wooden frames are also certified. Another certification to watch for comes from the Sustainable Forest Initiative, or SFI. Art with this label has been verified by the SFI as using sustainably-harvested materials (primarily wood fibers) that foster conservation and promote smart climate solutions.

Art production companies can also have their own, more localized sustainability initiatives. Artifact Uprising, a photo printing company based in Colorado, uses wood reclaimed from trees that have fallen due to beetle infestation. Clearing this wood for reuse allows new trees to grow and prevents healthy trees from being cut down for materials. Artifact Uprising uses the wood for creative wall art, including wood calendars and wood blocks as photo displays. They also use 100% post-consumer recycled paper in all of their photo prints. These reused materials also have unique character, such as blue streaks in the beetle pine, ensuring a truly unique, customized, and sustainable piece of wall art for your home.

Giving Back Initiatives

Aside from using eco-friendly materials, some art vendors go the extra mile by donating back to forestry and other climate initiatives. This is the case with Photowall. In addition to making every mural to order, this photo printing and mural company donates proceeds to Vi Agroforestry after every purchase. These donations support the planting of 5,000 trees and crops in South Africa. These efforts not only improve local climates through carbon capture, but also help local residents access healthy food while improving the quality of their lives through sustainable agriculture.

Another way to give back through your art purchase is with Andy okay. This organization lets buyers choose which organizations they’d like to support with their purchase, including earth-friendly causes like PangeaSeed Foundation and World Wildlife Foundation. Not to mention the additional sustainability efforts of Andy okay, which include climate-neutral printing facilities and local production at your nearest facility (which cuts down the carbon footprint of distribution). Andy okay also utilizes corporate social responsibility practices at each facility, which includes LED lighting, recycling programs for ink, and other aspects of daily operations.

Additionally, if you’re looking for wall art beyond a painting or print, consider the Artist Plate Project by Artaware. This organization supports the Coalition for the Homeless, the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness. These limited-edition dinner plates are designed by over 40 world-renowned artists and provide food, housing, and other critical services to those in need through The Coalition for The Homeless.

Ethical Production Practices

It can be difficult to see behind the scenes of an art company’s production facility, but one way to ensure sustainable practices is to find something that’s made-to-order. This means that the artist doesn’t produce or print the piece until it’s been purchased, which cuts down on excess inventory (which usually winds up as landfill waste).

Photo Innovation Lab makes high-quality made-to-order prints on sustainable papers and fabrics. Some of their materials are made on tree bark substrates; others, such as their cotton, are made in facilities that run 100% on wind energy. They also leverage water-based paints and pigments in their prints and avoid plastic in their production, which ensures less toxicity and enables the product to be recycled post-use. Note: many photo papers are coated in resin polymers or use other brightening agents, which, while adding shine, make it so the prints cannot be recycled.

Earth-Friendly Distribution

Shipping is another factor to consider when sharing wall art. The Gallery Climate Coalition is an international community of arts organizations who work together to help reduce the overall impact of the arts sector. This goal is achieved through a variety of initiatives, such as providing industry-specific guidance on sustainability, lobbying for systemic change, and fundraising for core environmental initiatives. To support the gallery climate coalition and its efforts, you can visit their members page, to see which organizations are working alongside them to make the creation, selling, and displaying of art more sustainable.

Another sustainable art vendor is Kincaid Galleries, which takes 100% of responsibility for maintaining eco-friendly practices throughout its photography production line. Owned by photographer John Kincaid, this gallery offers a range of sustainable, fine art photo prints with tropical, vacation and travel themes. Their sustainable practices include using handmade frames with wood sourced from reforestation projects. When shipping, they also use biodegradable packing peanuts and 100% recyclable cardboard boxes, ensuring a low-waste art production cycle.

Artisan Support

You can also make a difference with your art by choosing organizations that give back to local artists and communities. For example, ART FOR CHANGE provides support for contemporary artists by selling their hand-signed work at manageable prices. ART FOR CHANGE allows collectors to discover new and emerging artists and become their patrons through the platform. They also seek to make art buying more accessible, helping both the artist and the buyer.

The Little Market is another great place to find wall art that supports local artisans. From woven baskets to macrame wall hangings, each purchase offers information from the artists who made the piece. For example, The Little Market works with The Jute Works to empower women in Bangladeshi communities through handicraft production, job training, and leadership skills. The Little Market has other ethically-made home accessories to compliment your wall art collection, such as throws and candles.

Local Art

Lastly, look to your community for ways to support local artists near you. One idea is to research open studios near you, which is a time when local artists will allow an open tour of their workspaces. These artists will usually have art for sale; additionally, it’s a great chance to learn about their process and projects, and follow their newsletter to stay up-to-date on sales and events where you can buy their art. Similarly, local art fairs are a great way to support artists in your community. Many cities and towns host art fairs year-round; furthermore, online art fairs allow you to discover artists in other towns, or even around the world.

These are also great methods to use when you’re traveling, as a way to give back to the artists in the communities you visit.

Whether you’re just looking to decorate your home sustainably, or you want a more eco-friendly way to collect and curate art, there are many ways to be more conscious when browsing and buying wall art. Just be sure to find out which issues matter most to you, whether supporting local artisans or using reclaimed wood, and look for those requirements in the art you buy. For more inspiration on sustainable home decor, checkout our roundup of brands that support ethically-styled living.

About the Author:

Michelle Polizzi is an independent writer and storyteller with 7 years of experience creating content online. Her writing has appeared in leading publications like Bitch, WELL+GOOD, Insider, and Healthline, and she covers topics like sustainable living, mental health, and intersectional feminism. Currently, she's pursuing an MFA in creative writing.

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How to Shop Sustainably When You Travel

One of the best things about traveling is getting to see and experience things you don't normally have at home. This might explain why so many of us love to go shopping on vacation. If you're trying to be a sustainable traveler, an easy (and fun!) way to do so is to make a conscious effort to shop sustainably while traveling. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about how to shop locally and sustainably on vacation, including how to find eco-friendly stores abroad.

Why Should You Shop Sustainably While on Vacation?

Most of us love to travel and look forward to our vacations every year. However, it's important to note that travel isn't always sustainable. Many popular destinations struggle with overtourism, resulting in gentrification, rising prices, and a negative impact on the local environment.

It's also important to note that tourism doesn't always benefit the locals. Most of our tourism dollars go to the government and then whatever we spend our money on. Unfortunately, many tourists spend their money on accommodation, restaurants, and tours that aren't locally owned and don't support the local economy without realizing it.

One great way to combat this is to be conscious of how we spend our money on vacations. When we choose to support local and sustainable businesses while traveling, we can help minimize our negative impact on the places we go.

Shopping locally is one of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure that our tourism dollars are benefiting the local economy and that we're being more sustainable on vacation.

What Does it Mean to Shop Sustainably?

First, let's break down what it means to shop sustainably. Shopping sustainably typically means shopping from businesses or brands that produce their goods in a way that has minimal impact on people and places. This may look different depending on where you are, but the following are examples of sustainable shopping:

Buying from locally owned stores and vendors
Prioritizing locally sourced goods
Looking up fair paying, sustainably run, and/or eco-friendly brands
Supporting local (especially women) artisans
Choosing to invest in thoughtful items you need vs. plastic, gimmicky souvenirs

If the way you're shopping while on vacation fits any of the above criteria, then you're most likely shopping sustainably. We'll break down each sustainable way to shop below so you can easily do so while traveling.

Additionally, it's also important to know what's not a sustainable way to shop while traveling. Choosing to support international, chain, and fast fashion brands that don't use eco-friendly business practices is not a sustainable choice. It can be tempting to check out stores you're familiar with while traveling, especially if you're abroad, but try to avoid this as much as you can.

How to Find Sustainable Shops Abroad:

It may feel a little tricky to find sustainable shops while traveling internationally, but we've got you covered. The following are great ways to find sustainable stores while in a different country:

Use Google Maps or Tripadvisor: A lot of smaller, eco-friendly businesses abroad don't have websites or a strong online presence. They will usually come up on Google Maps or Tripadvisor, however. Some excellent search terms to use to find them are sustainable clothing, secondhand store, eco-friendly, natural goods, refill shop, or zero waste store. Consider leaving a review once you've visited to further support small businesses.
Search in the local language: If you're visiting a place that speaks a different language, try searching for the things you're looking for in the local language. You'll find more results on Google Maps when you do this.
Utilize Social Media: As mentioned above, many small sustainable businesses abroad don't have a website, but they often have an active Instagram or Facebook. Use tags to find them or browse their social media to get a better idea of their brand.
Ask for local recommendations: Locals always know best. Ask your accommodation host or hotel for local recommendations, post in local Facebook groups, and check out local online publications to find eco-friendly shops anywhere you go.

5 Sustainable Ways to Shop While on Vacation

If you want to shop sustainably while traveling, the following are a few wonderful ways to do so.

Support Local Shops

Supporting local stores is one of the best ways to sustainably shop. Look for businesses that state they are locally owned, or do a little bit of research to verify that they are. Locally run stores are generally a sustainable choice, but if they also sell goods that are made in a sustainable way or goods that are native to the place, even better.

One thing to keep in mind is that depending on where you are, many businesses, especially artisans or small vendors, won't have clear branding or marketing that says they are sustainable. Try to do some research before you go somewhere to understand what's produced locally and native to the area. In general, items that are handmade, or made by artisans, will most likely be sustainable.

Check out Local Sustainable Brands

One of the best parts about traveling is that you get to find new, awesome sustainable brands to shop from. Seek out local and sustainable businesses in the area. I love finding local sustainable fashion brands and learning about the different eco-friendly materials they use. It's a fun way to get to know the place you're visiting while also making eco-friendly shopping choices.

If you're traveling internationally, note that some countries may not have the same certifications or labels you may be used to at home. Many certifications are only available in certain locations and also come at a premium cost, making them largely inaccessible to small businesses. Do your research to understand how goods are sustainably made so that you can easily vet sustainable brands around the world and avoid greenwashing.

Visit Artisan Markets

Another wonderful way to shop sustainably while on vacation is to visit local markets. The type of markets available will depend on where you're visiting, but most markets consist of local, artisan vendors. This is one of the best ways to support local vendors, find unique items, and learn about the culture of the place you're visiting. Support women artisans and Indigenous artisans when possible.

Some great examples of sustainable markets to search for are farmer's markets, artisan markets, flea markets, craft markets, or eco markets.

Look for Vintage or Thrift Stores

Most places in the world have some type of vintage, thrift, or secondhand store. If you want to shop sustainably on vacation, buying used clothing and goods is always a great idea. You can find fantastic and hard-to-find items secondhand that you wouldn't be able to get at home.

Plus, if you're looking for high-quality items that are truly reflective of the place you're visiting, vintage or secondhand pieces are a much better choice than trendy, fast-fashion items.

Choose Local Goodies as Souvenirs or Gifts

Most of us love to buy a souvenir or two while on vacation. Souvenirs make wonderful gifts and serve as a way to remember our trip. However, if you want to purchase sustainable souvenirs, look for items that are made locally and from local materials. When possible, try to choose products that are plastic free.

If you want to get gifts while on vacation, local, edible goodies make wonderful zero-waste gifts. Choose products that are grown or produced locally like Yerba mate from Argentina, mezcal from Mexico, or port wine from Portugal.

At the end of the day, when it comes to shopping sustainably on vacation, the best choice you can make is the local one. Shopping locally will look different everywhere you go, ranging in price and products, but it's a great way to shop as a sustainable traveler.