As residents of the one and only planet Earth, we know eco-conscious living is key. And we love a brand that feels the same. We asked some of the environmentally thoughtful brands from our Responsible Shop about how they’re impacting the planet for good, how their sourcing supports sustainability and which causes hit closest to home. See how they’re taking steps to reduce their footprint and get inspired to shop a little greener.

What is your brand’s mission?

For over thirty years we have adhered to a fiercely independent approach to skin care, marked by an unwavering commitment to quality—aiming to create products of premium efficacy and sensory pleasure through solid science, delivered in uncomplicated packaging and a touch of humor. While Aesop has always sought to tread lightly on the environment (for example eschewing outer packaging of individual products where not legally required), we are now on a more deliberate journey towards having a positive effect on the environment by becoming a fully regenerative company. As the business grows, our approach to design continues to evolve along with our ethical and sustainable sourcing of materials and our adoption of circular principles.

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

Among other ongoing initiatives and accolades, Aesop is a Certified B Corporation®. The globally-recognized credential publicly endorses businesses as making an impact beyond profit by building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. As a Certified B Corporation®, we meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Part of our journey to reducing our footprint includes our commitment to climate action. We aim to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2030.

What materials are your products made of?

We deliver our products through assiduous science in uncomplicated packaging. We investigate widely to source plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients and have never wavered from our intent to use only those with a proven record of safety and efficacy. Accordingly, all ingredients utilized in Aesop formulations are extensively researched in this regard: this is standard procedure for every ingredient under consideration, regardless of type. This procedure also verifies that ingredients are of vegan origin. We are proud to be Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny approved and to be included on PETA's cruelty-free and vegan lists.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

What cause is your brand most passionate about and why?

For us, sustainability is key. We want to invest in the future, and in order to do so, we need to make sure we are thoughtful throughout every part of the making of our denim. The smallest of details make a difference, from using recycled paper for our product labels, to implementing biodegradable polybags, to using Indigo technology to dye the denim and significantly reducing water, chemical and energy usage. We realize there is always an opportunity to do more, and we are devoted to continuing to research and discover new ways to do just that.

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

Consumerism leaves a substantial footprint on our environment, and we find it to be our responsibility as designers to be thoughtful in the way we produce our denim across the entire manufacturing process. For many years, we’ve been utilizing advanced, innovative technology to process our denim products and have invested a great deal to practice positive steps in creating a better environment. A few of those methods include laser technology, ozone wash machines, and high-efficiency dye and washing machines. We also control our production with a very tight distribution and make our products cut-to-order to minimize waste and avoid over-production entirely.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your brand?

We want to shout about how all of AGOLDE’s product development is done out of our vertically owned facilities in Los Angeles and Turkey – a huge rarity in the denim world! We process the collections within our own walls from the design/conception stage until they are shipped out to customers from our warehouse. For us, it’s a luxury to be able to have all your resources at your fingertips in one place from our sample sewing room, denim laundry and design loft.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

How do you want people to feel while using your products?

We want people to feel that our products look and feel sophisticated and elegant, as well as knowing that our products were responsibly sourced.

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

Bérard is committed to responsible wood sourcing. We want to protect and conserve this vital natural resource by using wood obtained from known, legal and well-managed timber sources. Bérard works with its vendors to set targets, improve practices and increase usage of wood from certified sources. Berard wood products are NSF and Forest Stewardship Council certified.

What materials are your products made of?

Our products are made primarily from olive wood and walnut wood.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

To us, sustainability starts with the people who work with and are part of CARIUMA’s ecosystem. We put people at the center of everything we do. It’s our belief that sustainable practices begin with sustainable respect and work conditions for every single person who works with our brand. This is why we maintain ethical factories and employ a strict code of conduct in our day-to-day operations. Beyond that, we believe that true sustainability stems from creating a longer-lasting product with premium natural materials. We also use better environmental materials, like our natural rubber soles, organic cotton canvas, sugar cane, and our work with bamboo (a carbon-negative material).

What cause is your brand most passionate about and why?

We are here to spread positivity and help to reshape our industry through the best possible sustainable products while helping recover the environment. We were born in different cities in Brazil, between the ocean and the rainforest. We have a very special relationship with nature, and we believe that good things take time. Everything we do must have a clear reason, and every product we launch must have a clear “Why?” All products we launch must be a better alternative than the ones available in the market, both for the people and for the planet. If the product is not there yet, we won’t launch it. They must be more comfortable, more sustainable, have a lower footprint, higher quality and a longer lifespan. They must be made ethical and have an accessible price point so more people can make better choices. And of course…they have to look cool!

Is there anything else you would like to share about your brand?

Even though we are not perfect, we strive to get better every day. Not only better than the competition, but better than we were one day before. In 2020, CARIUMA launched its own reforestation program in the Brazilian rainforest and is on track to become a certified B-Corp. For every pair of sneakers we sell, we plant a pair of trees in the Brazilian rainforest. Our reforestation effort involves planting trees of varying species to mimic the Brazilian rainforest’s natural diversity. These new trees naturally protect 60% of Brazil’s endangered species of animals and plants. The brand is particularly proud that it will soon kick off its new reforestation project in the Amazon forest in collaboration with the Indigenous peoples, which directly relates to David family’s origins.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

We’re a family-owned company that’s been in the denim business for three decades. Our eco-friendly mill is one of the world’s largest textile manufacturers, which means we can create high-quality denim that’s good for you, the planet, and your wallet. A traditional pair of jeans takes 1,500 gallons of water to make, but a pair of DL’s requires less than 10.

How do you want people to feel while wearing your products?

We want consumers to not only feel the difference in the fabric and fit but also understand the difference that our jeans make for the environment.

What cause is your brand most passionate about and why?

Overseeing the entire process from fiber to finished garment, we pride ourselves on our leading fabric and sustainability technologies. Each jean is an example of state-of-the-art denim production. We continually strive to raise the bar not only for ourselves but for the denim industry at large.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

What materials are your products made of?

Plants! Our products are currently packaged in sugarcane plastic, a bioplastic that is derived from plants instead of petroleum. While sugarcane plastic is not a perfect solution—it's recyclable but not biodegradable—it produces none (as in 0%) of the carbon created by traditional plastics. We also encourage the reuse of these bottles with our popular refill program.

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

Public Goods creates products to coexist with our environment. We take sustainability seriously and are constantly on the look-out for better, greener alternatives to standard practices. Two of our proudest initiatives include reforestation (with Eden Reforestation Projects) and carbon offset shipping (in partnership with UPS and external investors). We are currently offsetting 100% of our shipping. As a next phase, we are working to offset our freight shipping.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your brand?

In addition to our sustainability efforts, our repurposing efforts are just as important to our company ethos. We give back in a few ways. We recycle and repurpose bottles with Clean the World. They either recycle the bottles or repurpose partially used personal care to create Hygiene Kits for homeless and veteran communities, and so far we’ve recycled 332lbs of plastic and repurposed our personal care products to create 664 Hygiene Kits. We also help fight food insecurity in partnership with Feeding America, providing meals to millions in need. We have partnered with Feeding America this past year, sponsoring over 25,000 meals to date. And we donate all of our near-expired and expired inventory to Community Food Bank and St. Mary's Food Bank (the first food bank in the US!).

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

How do you want people to feel while wearing your products?

We want people to feel empowered while wearing Tact & Stone; we want that feeling of giving back, of doing some good, of being a hero and a leader to emanate through our customers. Most people don’t equate their fashion consumption to some sort of impact, but every purchase we make has an impact, and we want our customers to feel like heros!

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

We made a commitment from the beginning to only source organic and recycled materials for our clothing, which means no conventional cotton (which is littered with pesticides and destroys our soil) and no virgin synthetics (like polyester or elastane). We want to think of innovative ways of creating high quality products with the lowest impact materials available to us. We were the first (that we know of) to include upcycled cotton yarn into a woven shirt. We track our environmental impact reduction through third party life cycle assessments so you can know the positive impact you have by buying one of our garments. Our hoodie saves 1,158 gallons of water! Additionally we are conscious of all of our packaging and shipping materials. We never ship plastic to our customers, and only use recycled packaging. Even our shipping labels are post consumer recycled! Lastly, we only work with certified ethical production partners. This means all of our partners pay fair wages and have safe and healthy working conditions in all of their facilities. We want to use our brand as a platform for a better planet!

What tips would you give to someone who wants to learn how to shop more responsibly?

We believe everyone's journey in shopping more responsibly is different, and that's okay! We believe the first step is understanding what's most important to you. Is it environmental impact, social justice, a give back program? From there start to discover brands that most align with your values. Take it one step at a time and don't put too much pressure on yourself; the last thing you want to do is get "sustainability fatigue" and give up all together. We suggest to shop from brands that have a real mission and are sticking to it. (Be careful of greenwashing.) If it means environmental sustainability, make sure you know the materials or ingredients they are using and the impacts that they have. If it's social sustainability, make sure they are transparent about their operations and supply chain, and that their production partners are certified. Whatever it is, just take it one step at a time and do what you think is best.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

What is your brand’s mission?

Our brand is built on an everyone-welcome philosophy. We are inclusive in every way, from production and price to sizing and design. At Warp + Weft, we create high-quality denim that is not only good for you and your wallet but the environment as well. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do, offering sizing in 0-24 for women. We’ve developed premium-quality fabrics that feature high retention, hold, and lift to give the best fitting jeans, all under $100.

What materials are your products made of?

Because our manufacturing operations are vertical, we oversee the whole process end to end. Controlling every step of how our denim is made allows us to achieve premium quality in the most efficient way possible — so we can give you the best value in the denim market. We believe sustainable processes are just as important as sustainable raw materials. Our raw materials include: 100% BCI cotton, recycled cotton and poly botanic fibers such as tencel, modal and hemp. In our processes we use: liquid dye for lowest environmental impact, a 100% wastewater treatment plant, self-sufficient energy including solar power, laser machines as an energy-efficient alternative to dry and wet processes and green certified low-impact chemicals in all laundering.

What tips would you give to someone who wants to learn how to shop more responsibly?

We highly recommend asking questions and challenging the people behind the brands, because those who actually understand what it takes to create sustainable denim will not make hyperbole statements and will be able to answer every question about their product that's thrown at them. They will also be equally quick to tell you where they are not sustainable and how they can improve.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips 

What is your brand’s mission?

Our brand is rooted in the idea of connection - to ourselves and our communities, to the earth, and to the people who touch our materials. WWAKE is inspired by the tradition of art breaking with convention and offers a new perspective on heirloom jewelry. With a thoughtful balance of tension and scale, we re-contextualize jewelry into unexpected arrangements and modern silhouettes. Our pieces deliver the experience of art through simple and valuable objects.

How is your brand making an impact on the planet?

We believe that our jewelry is a connection to the earth and every hand in between. This is represented by using materials that are sourced as sustainably as possible, which is a constant work in progress. We focus on recycled materials, in order to reduce our role in today’s commercial mining practices, as well as engaging in fair trade materials, which leave positive impacts on responsible mining communities.

What materials are your products made from?

WWAKE jewelry is made either from recycled metal or from Fairmined gold. We responsibly source stones from all around the world, and we specialize in tracing our materials from mine-to-market so that you are connected to the earth and every hand that they touch.

Discover More Clean Beauty Tips