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Best Companies for Sustainable, Earth-Friendly Products

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSD chapter.

Earth Week is upon us this week, and while Earth Day should be everyday, this is a special time to have more awareness of climate change and habits that we as people living on this planet need to be mindful of going foward. Living in this pandemic is strange and scary but necessary for the pandemic and the issues at hand that we’re fighting. Aside from social distancing to flatten the curve, science has shown that staying inside is impacting the climate pretty positively. And while that may change as the world gets up and running again, maybe this is the time to be more mindful of our actions and specifically, our purchases to help us in the long run. Also, since this quarantine might be a dangerous time for online shopping, you might as well put your online shopping towards companies that are more sustainable and will save you money in the long run and the environment. But don’t worry, I did the research for you. I found a few companies that make everyday products that are sustainable or implement practices that prevent wasteful spending. 

Package Free Shop

If you’re like me and you enjoy liking pictures of sustainable products and plants on social media, then you might have seen an ad for this company. The Package Free Shop is a great company that sells products for beauty, travel, cooking, gardening, and a variety of other categories with products that promote Zero Waste and less packaging. This New York based company sources their products “from individuals and brands with missions to create a positive environmental impact.” Who doesn’t love that? This is a great site to just browse to find products that can contribute to more waste free lifestyle. 

Net Zero Company

Similarly to the Package Free Shop, the Net Zero Company was another company I discovered with products that are super eco-friendly. With every order, the packaging is biodegradeable and a tree is planted for every order to reverse deforestation. From reusable produce sacks to sustainable bathroom kits with bamboo toothbrushes and konjac sponges, this company is another great company to browse and find more fun eco-friendly products. 

Biossance

If you’re a skincare junkie, you’ve probably heard of this brand called Biossance. Biossance is a skincare company with products that support sustainability and use ingredients that do not harm the environment. The main ingredient being squalane which is a super skin-loving ingredient that was originally sourced through sharks. However, they’ve found a way to source it through plants saving two million sharks per year. They’ve also implemented other sustainable initiatives including carbon-neutral shipping and the banning of 2000+ ingredients that are toxic to our skin and the environment. I’m currently using their Squalane and Antioxidant Cleansing Oil, Squalane and Tea Tree Detox Mask, and the Squalane and Probiotic Gel Moisturizer. Their products are good for any skin type, so I highly suggest checking them out. 

Thred Up

We’ve gone over the cosmetics and everyday product companies, but what about clothing? Since the quarantine isn’t over and shops aren’t open, rather than splurging on low quality clothes that are having huge sales because of quarantine, how about going online thrift shopping? Thred Up is the largest online thrift store similar to Poshmark or Depop but with a huge selection. Clothes are a fraction of the price, and you have the option to sell your clothing as well. So don’t go and buy that expensive denim jacket from a regular full line store and just go on Thred Up and save some money.

E-Commerce companies have been extremely tempting recently since every store is advertising sales since no one is out shopping. Trust me, I have almost fallen into the trap of browsing a cheapy online clothing brand just because it was an extra fifty-five percent off or twenty-percent off. And while the sales are great, I think it’s time to rethink our spending. If you’re going to make a purchase, support the companies that are supporting you and the world. The options are there. You just have to be open-minded. The action of making a purchase towards a greener future is a small step towards a bigger impact later. So delete everything in your shopping carts and spend your money wisely. Happy Earth Day 2020! May we all stay safe, healthy, and happy!

Loralyn Narvaez is a California Native who previously attended UWB. Although she currently lives back in California, she served as Head Writer for the chapter publishing articles and writing her own. She recently graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and a Business minor and was Campus Correspondent for HC UCSD. She is currently attending CSU Fullerton pursuing her Master's Degree in Communications. Her interests include cosmetics, fashion, food, literature, linguistics, and Asian culture.