Introduction – “Ethical Alternatives”?
Amazon.com is one of the most popular online shopping websites. At the same time, their labor and business practices may persuade you to look at alternatives. There’s great interest in “ethical” alternatives to Amazon USA. Whether or not you believe in Amazon being ethical, at the very least you should know about alternatives for getting a better deal or to support stores which pursue a mission that you personally believe in.
Another reason you might look for alternatives is that you think Amazon is an unsustainable company that has a massive energy footprint. Scattershot reports suggest that Amazon has a higher carbon intensity per dollar revenue compared to one of its largest competitors, Walmart. The reported figure for Amazon is 39 tons of carbon per $1 million revenue, whereas for Walmart it’s 25% lower at 29 tons of carbon per $1 million revenue. Sure, we think carbon estimates are notoriously hard to pin down so take this with a grain of salt.
If you do decide to switch away from Amazon, then also be aware there’s no guarantee the labor practices or carbon footprint is better with the alternative! Only careful digging and analysis will uncover that. Nevertheless, in the name of promoting competitive behavior between retailers, we suggest you take a look at the following list in case one day you want to try out an Amazon alternative.
Certifications Or Curated Collections To Keep In Mind
Rather than focus on any specific alternative, consider using certifications and curated collections to guide your choices. We introduce you to three of them here. These certifications and platforms can help guide shoppers toward brands and companies that prioritize ethical practices, sustainability, and fair labor policies.
B-Corporation Certification: B-Corp certification is awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. By looking for B-Corp certified brands, consumers can trust that they are supporting businesses that prioritize ethical practices and sustainability. Some examples of B-Corp certified retailers include Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and Allbirds.
DoneGood: DoneGood is an online platform that curates products from socially responsible and environmentally friendly companies. By using DoneGood as a resource, consumers can easily discover brands that focus on ethical labor practices, sustainable materials, and giving back to the community. DoneGood partners with various brands, from fashion and home goods to beauty products and food, making it simple for consumers to find ethical alternatives to Amazon across multiple categories.
Fair Trade Certification: Fair Trade certification ensures that products (not just food) are made under fair labor conditions and that farmers and workers are paid fair prices. By seeking out Fair Trade certified retailers, consumers can support companies that prioritize equitable business practices and contribute to a more just global economy. Examples of Fair Trade certified retailers include Ten Thousand Villages, Fair Indigo, and Pact Apparel.
10 Ethical Alternatives To Amazon USA
If you prefer to know up front what are ethical alternatives to Amazon USA rather than looking at certifications and curated shops, then here are our top 10 list.
1. Public Goods
Public Goods is a mixed goods online store created to be more sustainable and provide quality, eco-friendly products at an affordable price. Public Goods sells a wide variety of items such as bathroom essentials, home essentials, kitchen essentials, and many other things.
Public Goods also offers a subscription service to receive new products every month. Public Goods is committed to being more sustainable, and they use recycled materials whenever possible. Public Goods is also transparent about its supply chain, and they only work with suppliers that meet its strict standards. Public Good is a great option for people looking for an alternative to Amazon USA.
2. Wearwell
Wearwell is an online clothing retailer committed to being one of the alternatives to Amazon USA. They are a carbon-neutral company that plants a tree for every order they receive. In addition, they use recycled materials for their packaging and offer a discount to customers who recycle their packaging.
Wearwell is also an active supporter of fair trade practices and works with suppliers who share their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. As a result, Wearwell is a great option for those looking for an eco-friendly and socially responsible alternative to Amazon USA.
3. Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace known for its handmade, vintage, and unique items, providing a personal shopping experience by allowing you to directly interact with individual artisans. The platform offers a wide variety of eco-friendly and sustainable products, from vintage clothing to wooden toys.
However, as Etsy grows, it’s becoming harder for small businesses to compete. Buyers have reported issues with shipping and return policies, as each seller sets their own. Despite these challenges, Etsy remains a vibrant platform where you can support small businesses and find unique items.
4. eBay Refurbished
eBay Refurbished is an online marketplace that sells refurbished electronics, partnering with certified refurbishers who follow strict guidelines to list items. The company also offers a money-back guarantee, providing customers with added confidence in their purchases.
However, some consumers have reported issues with the quality and functionality of purchased items. While eBay provides guarantees, the refund and replacement process can be time-consuming. Regardless, for those willing to navigate these potential issues, eBay Refurbished presents an environmentally friendly and often cheaper alternative to buying new electronics.
5. All Natural Collection
All Natural Collection is an eco-friendly beauty retailer. They have a huge range of products that are all-natural and eco-friendly. All of their products are made from sustainable materials, and they use recycled packaging.
They offer free shipping on all orders over $50, and they have a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee. All Natural Collection is a great choice for anyone looking for an eco-friendly alternative to amazon USA.
6. Food52
Food52 is an online food community that connects people who love to cook with their favorite chefs, cookbook authors, food brands, and cooking experts. Food52 offers a wide range of seasonal recipes, how-to videos, product recommendations, and cooking tips and techniques from our team of experts.
They also offer a line of sustainable kitchen products and weekly host competitions encouraging users to share their recipes and cooks with the Food52 community. In addition to their website, Food52 is also available on iOS and Android, as well as through their weekly newsletter and social media channels.
The mission is to inspire everyone to cook more often, eat more broadly, and entertain more frequently. By celebrating the joys of food and cooking, Food52 hopes to make the world a better place, one meal at a time.
7. EarthHero
EarthHero is a really interesting alternative to Amazon out there. They carry a wide range of sustainable, environmentally friendly products across all different categories. Plus, they offset 100% of their carbon emissions and have a team of experts who help vet products to ensure they meet EarthHero’s sustainability criteria.
So whether you’re looking for reusable straws, recycled notebooks, or any other eco-friendly product, EarthHero is sure to have what you’re looking for! Plus, they offer free shipping on orders over $99 and have a rewards program where you can earn points towards future purchases.
8. Urbankissed
Urbankissed is a fashion, clothing type retailer. They use no harmful chemicals or pesticides on its products. Urbankissed only uses all-natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly ingredients. Urbankissed is also committed to using only fair-trade ingredients.
Urbankissed does not test its products on animals. Urbankissed only uses sustainable packaging materials. Urbankissed is a carbon-neutral company. Urbankissed offsets its carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy projects. Urbankissed also plants trees to offset their carbon emissions. Urbankissed is one of the most eco-friendly companies in the world.
9. Grove
Grove is an online household and personal care store selling all-natural and eco-friendly household products. Grove offers various products ranging from food and drink to cleaning supplies and personal care items. Grove also commits to social responsibility.
They donate a portion of their profits to different charities each month and offer a free membership to any military family. Grove is also committed to being environmentally friendly. All of their products are shipped in recyclable packaging, and they offset their carbon emissions by planting trees. Grove is a great alternative to amazon for anyone looking for an eco-friendly option.
10. ThriveMarket
ThriveMarket is an online grocery store that focuses on natural and organic products, with a mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone. The company is a Certified B Corporation, meeting rigorous social and environmental performance standards. They offer a membership program for access to exclusive deals and discounts.
However, some customers have critiqued the required membership fee for shopping, making it less accessible to some consumers. Additionally, while ThriveMarket offers a wide range of products, they might not carry specific brands or items that some consumers prefer. Still, if you’re focused on organic and natural products and willing to pay the membership fee, ThriveMarket could be a viable alternative to Amazon.
Wrapping Up – Ethical Alternatives To Amazon USA
In conclusion, there are many great alternatives to Amazon. If you are looking for an alternative, consider shopping with one of these companies to explore the spectrum of corporate commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
