Today marks 50 years of Earth Day and what better way to celebrate Mother Earth other than donating to environmental nonprofit organizations? Thousands of charitable companies donate portions, or sometimes all, profits generated from purchases to charitable causes that work to keep our planet clean, allow animals to live safely, and work to make Earth greener. That said, here are ten companies that give back to the environment and endangered species.
- Pura Vida
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Founded in Costa Rica, Pura Vida Bracelets makes handcrafted, trendy bracelets and accessories such as necklaces, stickers, anklets, earrings, rings, bags and more. Each purchase made helps provide artisans worldwide and their charity collection donates 10% of proceeds to a variety of causes. Giving back has always been the most important aspect to them which is why they created the Charity Collection. Over the past few years, they partnered with more than 175 charities from around the world and donated approximately $2.2 million to environmental causes, animal awareness, education and children foundations, cancer awareness, women’s causes, service and military, and memorial causes. Pura Vida products make perfect gifts for friends, family, teachers, and anyone! With the affordable bracelets specifically, ranging from $5-$15, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
You can view their online store here.
- Ivory Ella
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Did you know that according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are thought to be around 415,000 African elephants left in the wild? These numbers are quickly decreasing which makes the future of the species questionable, especially considering 90% of African elephants were hunted and killed in the past century. Ivory Ella’s mission is to protect elephants and save them from extinction. To do this, they sell elephant themed shirts, bottoms, sleepwear, accessories, and surprise boxes and donate 10% of profits to organizations like Save the Elephants. Since starting the company in 2015, they donated $1.8 million to Save the Elephants and other charitable organizations, tracked over 400 elephants across Africa using GPS collar technology, and employ over 65 employees on board to help save the elephants.
You can view their online store here.
- Shelly Cove
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Were you aware that seven different species of sea turtles grace our ocean waters and that six of these species are threatened or endangered? Kemp’s Ridley is the most endangered of all sea turtles with only approximately 7,000 to 9,000 left worldwide. As stated on Shelly Cove mission page, “These magnificent creatures share the seas and sandy shores with us, and sadly, we are perhaps their greatest threat. Turtles are in danger of poaching, illness caused by pollution, damaged shells and flippers from boats, injury from consuming plastic, and disruption of their nesting sites. We are here to make a difference”. Shelly Cove offers trendy, eye-catching shirts and for each order, they donate 10% of profits to The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and the Rehabilitation Center located in Surf City, North Carolina. With every Shelly Cove order, customers receive a unique Turtle Tracking code where you can see which Sea Turtle Hospital patient you are assigned.
You can view their online store here.
- Papergang
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Are you obsessed with everything stationary like me? If so, this one is definitely for you. Papergang by Ohh Deer is a monthly letterbox subscription that varies each month but typically includes items such as greeting cards, notebooks, pens, pencils, desk accessories, and art prints. No box gets repeated and each month is designed by an artist and will have a theme, so all of the components complement each other. Each box helps plant trees and so far, they planted over 36,000 and counting. Their charity partner, Tree Aid, works with communities in the drylands of Africa to protect the environment. This also helps villagers grow nutritious food needed all year long. As someone that bought two subscription boxes in the past, I have never been disappointed with what I received and thought all the products were adorable. Plus, knowing that the trees they plant from each purchase helps provide food and income to those in need, I will continue to wait impatiently each month for my upcoming boxes.
You can sign up to get your first box here.
- Hand in Hand
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Hand in Hand follows one simple rule: buy a bar, give a bar. The founders, Bill Glaab and Courtney Apple, work to provide soap and clean water to children to those in need. Every purchase of a Hand in Hand product, they donate a bar of soap and give fresh water for a month to children that need it. In 2013, they launched their clean water program with the opening of their water well in Onaville, Haiti. Today, they have donated an astonishing 1 million soap bars and built and repaired 4 wells that provide clean water to thousands. You can find their products in Whole Foods, Wegmans, Kroger, and Ulta.
You can check out their online store here.
- Hydro Flask
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Founded in 2009, Hydro Flask is one of the most popular insulated product lines that everyone praises, especially VSCO girls. Not only do they have high-performance insulated beverage and food flasks, but they also possess a charitable giving program: Parks For All. This program, as stated on their site, “supports the development, maintenance, and accessibility of public green spaces so people everywhere can live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives”. So far, they have given grants to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Ocean Wise Conservation Association, National Park Trust and many more.
You can visit their online store here.
- 4ocean
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Born on a plastic-covered beach in Bali, Indonesia, 4ocean aims to clean the ocean and coastlines while working to stop the inflow of plastic by changing consumption habits. The founders, Alex and Andrew, kickstarted this business when they originally went to Bali for a surf trip but was taken back by the amount of garbage that was washing up on shore from the water. From here, they vowed to take the necessary steps to minimize this problem. They are not a nonprofit and do not accept donations, their ocean cleanup and advocacy is strictly funded by our 4ocean product purchases. For each product we purchase, 4ocean will pull one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines.
You can visit their online store here.
- Conscious Step
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Each pair of socks purchased from Conscious Step means an equal donation to charity. Each sock design is created to provide water to somewhere in need, ending poverty, planting trees, delivering books to low-income families, and more. These socks create a positive impact on the world and make it a better place. So far, these socks have resulted in 82,920 meals provided to families, 439,970 rainforest trees protected, 78,823 days of HIV and AIDS treatment, 52,193 books provided, 836,982 months of clean water, and 406,114 trees planted.
You can visit their online store here.
- Project 7
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Based in Orange County, California, this specialty candy brand’s name, Project 7, was created with the 7 nonprofits that they support. These nonprofits support areas of basic humanitarian needs both domestically and abroad. They help the environment, provide water to those in need, house the homeless, feed the hungry, work for peace and provide the necessary education. Your Project 7 purchase is more than just chewing gum since you are helping thousands of people and environments worldwide. You can find their products at Target, Starbucks, and Dollar General.
You can buy packs of chewing gum, bags of unique gummies, or fruity lollipops here.
- Sand Cloud
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Sand Cloud is a company that sells colorful beach towels, clothing, and accessories. As stated on their website, their mission is to save marine life. To accomplish this, 10% of profits are donated to non-profits that have the same mission as they do. They previously donated and continue to support The Marine Conservation Institute, The Surfrider Foundation, The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, San Diego Coastkeeper, and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund.
You can view their online store here.