It’s no secret that climate change is a legitimate and serious issue plaguing the world as we speak. It’s also no secret that consumerism is on the rise, with people across the globe continuing to purchase products to help them live and enjoy their everyday lives. While saving the environment won’t come from simply purchasing eco-friendly and sustainable products, it certainly is a start to getting on the right track. So, to help you contribute to protecting our environment, here are some great brands to shop this back to school season that are the perfect combination of trendy, comfy, and sustainable.
Nothing says hello to a new school year like some new clothes, especially loungewear, given the fact that most of us are pretty much stuck at home. Here are some great brands you can get comfy with while you bounce from one Zoom class to another.
Alternative Apparel is great for the basics such as t-shirts, cozy sweatshirts, and sweatpants. They have lines for both men and women, making it a one-stop-shop for anyone in your fam! Their clothing is made from materials such as heavyweight recycled cotton, 100% recycled polyester, and other organic ingredients that are “a better choice for your skin and for the environment”. PLUS: get 20% off your first purchase when you shop online!
Pact is another brand that boasts its sustainable trends. Not only is everything they sell made with organic cotton, but their products are also fair trade, meaning the company’s business practices support putting an end to injustices such as poverty in third world countries and environmental degradation. Pact sells everything from leggings to bedding, all at an affordable price, so you will be sure to find something that fits your wants. PLUS: Free shipping on orders over $50, and your first order is 20% off.
Even if you’re attending classes from home, a new pair of shoes will go a long way in terms of making you feel like you are fully put together and ready to tackle your day. Plus, having a comfortable pair of sneaks or slip-ons on your feet is key for when you take your breaks to get outside, walk around your house, or stretch your legs!
With the motto “Made from nature, for nature”, Allbirds is proud to sell shoes that emit almost half as much CO2e as the average shoe, and they are even on their way to reducing their carbon footprint to ZERO. That’s right, zero! Allbirds have definitely been on the rise in terms of popularity recently, which makes sense considering they truly have a shoe for everyone. While they are situated at a higher price point, these shoes will quickly become your go-to for lounging around the house, strolling outside, and even exercising.
Toms is a great company to purchase from for the full package: not only are they sustainable, but they pride themselves in giving back to the community. They are the original One for One company, having given almost 100 million shoes to people in need. Toms is best-known for its Earthwise collection of slip-ons and sneakers, which are all made with recycled and recyclable materials. What’s great about Toms is that once you’ve worn out your current pair, you can take them to one of the Toms’ reclaim centers to be recycled into another product, ensuring the loop goes on! Check them out their Earthwise collection here.
If you’re tired of wasting hundreds and hundreds of pages of paper on class notes and study guides, the Rocketbook notebook is for you. It’s an “infinitely reusable” notebook that comes in 8 different colors and easily connects to all of your devices through the Cloud so you can sync your notes to your other devices with just a few taps. What’s great about this type of notebook is that it still allows you to write out your notes (it’s been proven that your brain absorbs information better when it’s written rather than typed) but then you can easily access them on your device later on.
These reusable storage bags by Rezip are the perfect Ziploc bag alternative. They come in a pack of three (one 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz), and are ideal for storing snacks, sandwiches, and more. According to their website, one rezip bag replaces up to 300 regular Ziploc plastic bags!
These bottles have been big for a while, and there’s a reason why. Not only are they reusable (contributing to people using less single-use plastic bottles), but they “bring style, innovation, and joy to sustainable living”. S’well offers bottles in dozens of colors, sizes, and patterns. PLUS, students get 20% off!
For all those times you’ve popped out for an iced coffee or made a smoothie at home only to settle for a single-use plastic straw - those times are over with U Konserve’s stainless steel straws. Plus, they come in a 2 pack, so you can keep one for yourself and gift one to a friend (or keep them both for yourself...don’t worry, we’re with you 😉 )
For Days is a zero-waste brand with the mission of ensuring that every single one of its products is 100% recyclable. They have several options for masks, all of which come in multi-packs so you don’t have to worry about forgetting yours in the washer or dryer. They also have a program called SWAP, where everything you send back gets recycled. Get 10% off your first order when you sign up with your email!
Christy Dawn masks are made using sustainable deadstock fabric and are both reusable and washable, which helps to avoid excess fabric from going into landfills. While their masks are on the expensive side, they are certainly a smart investment in comparison to purchasing single-use masks, and as a bonus, they are super cute!
As their website states, these phone cases are fully compostable without compromising on design. They are made out of linseed plants and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and also feature a customizable option.
Similar to the products on A Good Company, the phone cases offered by Pela are eco-friendly (100% compostable). In addition to offering the classic phone case, Pela also sells wallet cases and clear cases, both totally free of plastic.