Whether you’re looking for eco-friendly fashion, chemical-free skincare, or sustainable cleaning solutions, there are countless opportunities to support companies that are committed to reducing waste and minimizing their environmental impact. On World Cleanup Day, we're highlighting our top picks for eco-friendly brands and our favorite products they offer, making it easier for you to lead a greener lifestyle. Plus, we’ll show how you can participate in World Cleanup Day by choosing sustainable options for your home and wardrobe.
Why Choosing Green Brands in 2024 Matters
The planet is still fighting to survive—from climate change to plastic pollution—and individual consumer choices make a real difference. When we opt for eco-friendly products, we are voting with our dollars, supporting companies that prioritize the well-being of the environment.
Companies must lead the way in ethical business practices. This involves everything from sourcing natural, non-toxic materials to ensuring that the production process minimizes carbon emissions.
How Eco-Friendly Brands Help Reduce Waste
Waste reduction is one of the primary goals of eco-friendly companies. By focusing on zero-waste packaging, biodegradable materials, and sustainable supply chains, these brands are working to reduce the environmental footprint of their products. When you choose an eco-friendly brand, you’re not just buying a product—you’re contributing to a global movement that prioritizes the health of our planet.
The Role of Consumers in the Sustainability Movement
While brands are making significant strides in creating more sustainable products, consumers also have an essential role to play. Every time you choose an eco-friendly option, you’re encouraging more companies to adopt sustainable practices. You're also helping to reduce the demand for products that contribute to pollution, waste, and resource depletion.
By supporting sustainable companies, you’re directly impacting the future of the planet and setting a positive example for others to follow. As more people make conscious decisions, the demand for eco-friendly products will continue to rise, driving innovation and encouraging industries to prioritize green alternatives.
The Top and Best Eco-Friendly Products and Brands to Watch in 2024
These companies are some of our favorites and are setting the standard for sustainable practices across industries, offering everything from eco-friendly fashion to household cleaning solutions.
1. Branch Basics: Natural, Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Branch Basics is a leading name in eco-friendly cleaning products. Their philosophy centers around creating safe, non-toxic solutions for households that care about both their health and the planet. Unlike conventional cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals, Branch Basics’ formulas are plant-based and biodegradable, making them a perfect choice for anyone looking to reduce the toxic load in their home.
Their products come in refillable packaging, which helps minimize waste and encourages consumers to reduce their plastic consumption. The company also provides educational resources on how to create a non-toxic home, emphasizing the importance of healthy living and sustainability. By choosing eco-friendly products like those from Branch Basics, you’re making a long-term investment in the health of your family and the environment.
2. Nellie’s Cleaning Products: Sustainable, Zero-Waste Alternatives
Nellie’s is another brand leading the charge in the world of sustainable cleaning. Known for its eco-friendly laundry and household products, Nellie’s uses ingredients that are biodegradable and non-toxic, ensuring that your home stays clean without compromising the environment. One of the standout features of this brand is its zero-waste packaging, which reduces the amount of plastic waste typically associated with household products.
Their laundry soda, for example, is concentrated and highly effective, meaning that less product is required to get the job done. This not only reduces waste but also lowers the carbon footprint associated with shipping and manufacturing. For those looking to transition to a green household, Nellie’s provides some of the best eco-friendly products on the market.
3. Mrs. Meyers Soap: Plant-Based, Chemical-Free Clean
Meijer’s Soap is another stellar example of an eco-friendly brand committed to sustainability. Their line of plant-based soaps is free from harmful chemicals, making them a safe choice for sensitive skin. What sets Meijer’s apart is its dedication to using natural ingredients sourced responsibly and packaged in environmentally friendly materials.
For anyone looking to reduce their use of synthetic chemicals in skincare, Meijer’s is a great option. The brand prioritizes eco-friendly packaging and sustainable production methods, ensuring that each bar of soap contributes positively to the environment. In addition, Meijer’s focuses on reducing waste in its supply chain, aligning its business practices with the growing demand for eco-conscious products.
4. Keen Footwear: Chemical-Free Adventure Gear
For eco-conscious adventurers, Keen Footwear offers a fantastic alternative to conventional outdoor gear. Known for their durable, chemical-free boots, Keen is committed to creating products that last while minimizing environmental impact. Their footwear is designed for comfort and performance without using harmful chemicals that are often found in other products.
Keen is also dedicated to reducing waste throughout its manufacturing process. The company uses sustainable materials and recycled content wherever possible, ensuring that each pair of boots aligns with eco-friendly principles. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or simply spending time outdoors, Keen’s chemical-free footwear allows you to enjoy nature without harming it.
5. TenTree: Clothing That Plants Trees
TenTree is a sustainable clothing brand that plants ten trees for every product sold. This unique model not only contributes to reforestation efforts but also raises awareness about the importance of trees in combating climate change. Their clothing is made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel, making it one of the top eco-friendly fashion brands to support in 2024. Not to mention, it's super comfy too!
TenTree is also dedicated to transparency and ethical manufacturing. The company’s website features detailed information about their supply chain, environmental impact, and tree-planting initiatives. By choosing TenTree, you’re not only investing in high-quality clothing but also supporting a company that prioritizes sustainable practices.
6. Watson Gloves: Eco-Friendly Outdoor Work Gear
Watson Gloves are a must-have for eco-conscious gardeners and outdoor workers. These gloves are made from sustainable materials and designed to withstand tough conditions, making them one of the best eco-friendly products for 2024. The company has a long-standing commitment to reducing waste and ensuring that its production processes are environmentally friendly.
Watson Gloves offers a wide range of options for different types of outdoor work, from gardening to construction. By choosing Watson Gloves, you’re supporting a company that values durability, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. The gloves are not only long-lasting but also provide a green alternative to traditional work gear.
Moss Walls from The Urban Botanist: A Sustainable Product and Indoor Solution
In addition to sustainable products for your wardrobe and home, consider bringing nature indoors with moss walls from The Urban Botanist. These moss walls are made from sustainably sourced Scandinavian reindeer moss, which is not only beautiful but also incredibly low-maintenance. The moss never dies, molds, or decays, making it a zero-waste option for eco-conscious homeowners.
Moss walls provide a natural, sustainable solution for indoor spaces, helping to purify the air and bring a touch of the outdoors inside. Best of all, they require no watering, sunlight, or trimming, making them an effortless addition to any home or office. Whether you’re looking to reduce your environmental footprint or simply add some greenery to your space, these moss walls are a perfect example of how to incorporate eco-friendly products into your daily life.
How to Support Sustainable Companies on World Cleanup Day
World Cleanup Day is a powerful global initiative aimed at tackling pollution and reducing waste. It brings together millions of people across the globe to take direct action in cleaning up their local communities, coastlines, and urban areas. While the day itself focuses on physical cleanup, it’s also a moment to reflect on the long-term changes we can make to reduce waste and minimize our environmental footprint. One of the most effective ways to contribute is by supporting sustainable companies that are actively working to protect the planet through ethical and eco-conscious practices.
When you choose to buy from eco-friendly brands, you’re doing more than just purchasing a product—you’re casting a vote for a more sustainable future. Brands like Branch Basics, Keen, and The Urban Botanist are leading the way by offering eco-friendly products that prioritize sustainability at every step, from sourcing materials to the final packaging. By supporting companies like these, you’re reducing demand for environmentally harmful products, promoting ethical production methods, and helping to protect natural resources.
Other Ways to Participate in World Cleanup Day
How else can you support our planet today, or every day?
1. Organize or Join a Local Cleanup Effort
One of the most popular ways to participate in World Cleanup Day is by joining or organizing a community cleanup. These events bring people together to collect trash from parks, beaches, streets, and other public spaces. You can connect with local organizations or simply gather a group of friends, family, or colleagues to clean up your neighborhood. If you're unable to find an organized event near you, consider starting one yourself by inviting people in your community to help clean a local park, trail, or riverbank.
Make sure to prepare with eco-friendly supplies, such as reusable gloves and bags, to minimize waste during the cleanup. Consider reaching out to local government agencies or businesses for support, and raise awareness in your community by promoting your event on social media or local bulletin boards.
2. Reduce Single-Use Plastic and Waste
World Cleanup Day is the perfect time to reassess your daily habits and make a commitment to reducing your reliance on single-use plastics. Plastic waste is one of the most significant environmental threats - it takes hundreds of years to break down and often ends up in oceans, harming marine life!
Here are some small changes you can adopt on World Cleanup Day and beyond:
- Switch to reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and straws.
- Use glass or metal containers instead of plastic for food storage.
- Choose products with minimal or zero-waste packaging.
- Avoid disposable cutlery and opt for reusable alternatives.
By reducing your plastic use, you’ll be contributing to the long-term reduction of plastic pollution in our environment.
3. Practice Responsible Recycling
While recycling is an important part of waste management, not all materials can be recycled easily. On World Cleanup Day, take some time to educate yourself on proper recycling practices in your area. Each community has different guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled, and following these rules is essential for ensuring that recyclables are processed correctly.
Here are a few tips:
- Rinse and clean items before placing them in the recycling bin.
- Learn which plastics are accepted by your local recycling program.
- Avoid "wishcycling," which is placing non-recyclable items in the recycling bin in hopes that they’ll be processed. This can actually contaminate recycling loads.
Responsible recycling helps divert waste from landfills and ensures that valuable materials are reused instead of discarded.
4. Plant Trees and Native Vegetation
Plant trees or native plants. Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, improving air quality, and providing habitats for wildlife. If you’re unable to participate in a cleanup, consider planting a tree in your yard or organizing a tree-planting event in your community.
If planting trees isn’t possible, consider planting native vegetation, which supports local ecosystems and provides food and shelter for wildlife. Native plants are also more resilient and typically require less water and maintenance than non-native species, making them a more sustainable choice for your garden.
5. Participate in a Digital Cleanup
World Cleanup Day isn’t just about physical spaces—it’s also a great opportunity to clean up your digital life. You may not realize it, but digital pollution contributes to energy consumption and electronic waste. Data centers require significant amounts of energy to store emails, files, and data that we often leave unchecked. On World Cleanup Day, take a few hours to organize and clean up your digital world by:
- Deleting old, unnecessary emails, especially those with large attachments.
- Clearing out unused apps and files from your phone, computer, and cloud storage.
- Unsubscribing from spam and promotional emails you no longer want to receive.
- Properly disposing of old electronic devices like phones, laptops, and tablets by taking them to e-waste recycling facilities.
Not only will this help reduce digital clutter, but it can also lower your carbon footprint by decreasing the energy used to store unnecessary data.
6. Support Sustainable Businesses
If you can’t physically participate in a cleanup, consider supporting businesses and organizations that are dedicated to sustainability. As highlighted in this blog, companies like Branch Basics, Keen, TenTree, and The Urban Botanist prioritize eco-friendly practices. Shopping from eco-friendly brands is a direct way to reduce waste, encourage sustainable business practices, and contribute to a greener future.
Join the Eco-Friendly Movement in 2024
Supporting eco-friendly brands is more important than ever. The companies featured in this guide are leading the way in sustainable practices, offering a wide range of products that make it easy to live a green lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for sustainable clothing, chemical-free cleaning supplies, or innovative decor solutions like moss walls, these brands offer some of the best eco-friendly products on the market.
By choosing eco-friendly alternatives, you’re helping to reduce waste, minimize your carbon footprint, and support companies that are working towards a more sustainable future. Let 2024 be the year you fully embrace a green lifestyle, starting with the top eco-friendly brands in this guide.