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Zero-waste online stores are retailers that offer products designed to minimize waste, using sustainable materials, plastic-free packaging, and reusable or compostable alternatives.
They're perfect for consumers who want the convenience and cost saving of online shopping, but prefer to buy from retailers that prioritize eco-friendly sourcing, ethical production, and circular economy principles.
Online shopping is great for choice and convenience, but until your product arrives, you don't know whether it's going to be reusable or biodegradable, or just how much plastic packaging it will come in.
This list of the best zero-waste stores online features retailers selling a wide range of genuinely sustainable fashion, beauty products, and home goods at prices you can afford.
They Say: Each product on our site is hand-selected by us for its ability to reduce waste without sacrificing convenience. Before listing a product on our site, we consider practical usability, lifetime value, shipping requirements, competitive affordability, and end-of-life disposal scenarios. We ship orders using minimal, zero waste packaging.
We Say: With a name like Zero Waste Outlet, this was the perfect place to start my zero waste review.
They carry a wide range of products, including some very nice zero-waste kits for your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room.
Every product sold by Zero Waste Outlet has had its eco-credentials checked, checked, and checked again. Only the best sustainable products make the cut.
All orders are shipping plastic-free in a combination of the following zero-waste materials (not a single plastic air bag or Styrofoam peanut to be found):
100% Recyclable Packing Materials
100% Compostable Packing Materials
All orders are shipped plastic-free in the U.S. using USPS. Free shipping is available on all orders over $50.
They Say: Everything on our planet is intricately interconnected, and the environment that we depend on to survive is impacted by each one of us and every action (and inaction) we take. Conventional consumer products are creating an unsustainable amount of waste and exacerbate the environmental problems that potentially threaten life on the planet as we know it. We can’t afford to ignore the bigger problem at hand with consumerism any longer.
We Say: This is another store with a name that tells you to expect some serious zero waste credentials. And it most definitely lives up to its name.
The range of products on offer is extensive. Zero Waste Store thoroughly audits all before going on sale to ensure no greenwashing. So you just get a genuine zero waste product range at a fair price.
Free U.S. shipping is available on all orders over $50.
All orders are shipped carbon neutral, zero waste, and plastic free.
Zero Waste Store is also a member of 1% For The Planet so your purchase will also help to fund environmentally friendly causes.
They Say: Our small business was founded in Aspen, Colorado. We started EcoRoots, an eco-conscious and minimalist brand, to inform people on the reality of single-use plastic consumption and the impact it has on future generations.
We Say: EcoRoots is an online zero-waste shop I’ve been shopping from for some time.
All orders are shipped in plastic-free packaging using USPS. Delivery takes 2-6 business days.
Free U.S. shipping is available on all orders over $45.
Returned products generate over 4 billion pounds of U.S. landfill waste every year, so EcoRoots do not accept returns. I love this approach as it makes the consumer shop mindfully.
EcoRoots is a member of 1% For The Planet.
They Say: SUSTAINABLE INGREDIENTS: We're cautious of our ingredient selection and do our best to use the most effective and eco-friendly ones available. CRUELTY-FREE: We don't test on animals, and make sure any supplier we're teaming up with is on the same page.EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE: We've been developing eco-friendly products for multiple years now, so you can have everything you need in one spot.
We Say: Etee stands for "Everything Touches Everything Else", which is an excellent phrase to remind us to be mindful of our decisions as a consumer.
Free U.S. shipping is available on all orders over $60, and all packaging materials are plastic-free and either reusable, recyclable, and/or compostable.
What I love about Etee, besides the kick-ass zero waste products, is its commitment to giving back. In the past, they’ve donated to:
They Say: At Jungle Culture, we are always looking for ways to reduce waste. That's why our orders are dispatched with only recyclable and biodegradable packaging. Our envelopes are stuffed with paper, and our packages are padded using old newspaper. The only plastic we use is tape to seal larger orders. But we are working on a solution to that as well!
We Say: Jungle Culture is a store I was unaware of until I ate breakfast from their coconut bowls when visiting family back in the UK. Then I was hooked!
When I'm out and about, I now keep a bamboo cutlery set on me at all times for sustainable eating on the go, and Jungle Culture natural dish brushes make quick work of cleaning our pots, pans, and dinnerware.
Mrs. M has also added the Lime & Sea Salt Natural Soap Bar to her skincare regime.
Jungle Culture is based in the UK but ships to the U.S.
Shipping internationally is not the most eco-friendly option. However, you can always purchase carbon offsets to cover the environmental impact of your order.
Jungle Culture packaging is almost plastic-free (they do use plastic tape for strength reasons on bigger boxes).
However, I respect that they’re honest and upfront about this small plastic-free shipping failure and actively seek an alternative.
Jungle Culture is a member of 1% For The Planet.
They Say: Common Good was created because we were alarmed at the amount of plastic packaging we were using. We thought, isn't it better to keep that bottle and refill it over and over? Flash forward ten years to a world where refilling and low-waste are the new normal. Common Good refill stations can be found across the US and in many other countries, or if you don't live near a refill station, you can order refills online.
We Say: Refilling bottles of cleaning products, etc. saves plastic going to landfill unnecessarily.
Common Good had been championing the joy of refilling for over ten years.
Their refill pouches use 86% less plastic than a standard plastic bottle.
I tested their All-Purpose Cleaner for an eco-friendly cleaning products article. I loved the combination of formidable cleaning power and a scent that’s not overpowering.
Common Good has nothing to hide. The ingredient lists for all products are readily available, and no harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates are used. EVER!
Free U.S. shipping is available on all orders over $49.
They Say: We all want clean, safe, and sustainable food, wellness, and home products that feel great and don't leave a lasting impact on our beautiful planet, but sometimes it's hard to know what is truly good for us and mama Earth. That’s why we created Earthlove: to support your journey toward positive change (without all the stress!). Live well. Love the Earth.
We Say: Earthlove is a subscription-based zero waste goodie box delivery service that Mrs. M ADORES!
Her sister initially bought it as a gift, but she now happily pays for her own box every quarter.
As she enthusiastically told me the other day, “when the box arrives, it's like Christmas morning…but four times a year!”.
A standard box costs $69.95 + shipping.
A deluxe box costs $94.95 and includes free shipping.
Both boxes are full of zero waste surprises delivered to your door every three months in sustainable plastic-free packaging.
Earthlove is a member of 1% For The Planet.
They Say: You want to do good. We make it easy. We’ve built a community of 250+ world-changing brands you can trust. Here, you can discover products for every step of your sustainability journey. Together we can create a positive impact!
We Say: I couldn’t write an article on zero waste shops without giving a shout-out to one of my all-time favorites.
If you’ve been reading my articles for a while, you'll know that I have a love of all things EarthHero.
They carry a STAGGERING range of eco-friendly products, all delivered to your door in plastic-free zero waste packaging.
Free carbon-neutral, plastic-free shipping is available on all U.S. orders over $60.
EarthHero is a member of 1% For The Planet, a Certified B Corporation, and Climate Neutral Certified…pretty much the holy trinity of eco-certifications for any self-respecting zero-waste store!
Want to give the gift of sustainability next holiday season? Maybe consider giving EarthHero gift cards and help your friends and family start their own zero waste journey.
They Say: Etsy is a global online marketplace where people come together to make, sell, buy and collect unique items. We’re also a community pushing for positive change for small businesses, people, and the planet.
We Say: My eldest daughter turned me onto Etsy a couple of years ago.
Since then, I’ve used/recommended many sustainable products from their dizzying range of suppliers and artisan producers.
You do sometimes have to be careful who you're shopping with. Not all Etsy sellers are of equal quality and ethics.
However, with some common sense (reading reviews, checking out the star rating, etc.), you can find some incredible zero waste products for sale.
I love that Etsy invests in climate solutions, such as electric trucks, and offsets the carbon emissions for every delivery.
I love passing my spare time online by scrolling through zero waste stores looking for my next sustainable purchase.
It beats staring at social media feeds!
When you shop online, there is often an unavoidable amount of packaging, a lot of it plastic (40% of all plastic produced is for packaging). Traditional online stores and retailers are certainly not zero waste!
Recycling packing is great but far from perfect.
Not all packaging can be recycled (only 9% of all plastic produced is recycled).
Even when it can be, it often takes enormous amounts of energy to make it usable again.
If we can ditch the packaging altogether (or at the very least reduce it dramatically), then that has to be a good thing.
Some packaging is needed when shipping goods to your home, but at least every zero-waste online shop above is doing all they can to reduce it wherever possible.
It's not just packaging either. These shops only stock items that have been manufactured and shipped in an ethical and sustainable way.
If zero-waste shopping in person is more your thing, then there are some quick and easy ways you can minimize waste:
Using the stores mentioned in this article will ensure that no unnecessary plastic is included in your order.
Zero waste kits containing a bundle of sustainable items are a great way to kickstart your new plastic-free habit.
Yes. Eco-friendly consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable and zero waste items. It’s a growing marketplace with plenty of profit to be made if the store has the proper credentials.
Just beware that some shops might try greenwashing tactics to get hold of your eco-dollar.
According to Bea Johnson, you should:
Check out our guide to zero-waste living to find some easy ways to get started.
Sure, if you have a good zero waste store close enough to walk to, that is the ultimate waste free shopping option.
However, if you have to drive to the nearest zero waste shop, it’s more than likely better for the planet (as well as being cheaper and far more convenient for you) if you shop zero waste products online instead.
A zero-waste online shop has all the advantages of a conventional shop but with the convenience and lower prices associated with online retail.
They’re always open, offer a wider range of products in many different categories, and will deliver the goods you need directly to your door.
The difference is a zero-waste shop will operate with a fully sustainable philosophy.
Being zero waste is not always about completely eliminating all waste. That’s not always possible.
According to the EPA, the Zero Waste International Alliance defines zero waste as “The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health”.
My personal view is that the whole point of zero-waste living is about being mindful of the waste created by your decisions as a consumer (the products we buy and the shops we buy them from) and actively making decisions that produce as little waste as possible.
Zero-waste products often cost more to purchase initially (glass is more expensive than plastic, for example), but they may last longer and save you money in the long run. Also, remember that buying online is cheaper and will offset part of the price difference, as will buying in bulk.
The ultimate zero-waste items are those you already own, so always think carefully before buying new stuff.
If the purchase really is necessary, then I hope you've found this review helpful in choosing the zero-waste online shops that sell the product you need online.
Where do you buy your zero-waste supplies? Have I missed your favorite online zero-waste shop? Or do you prefer to visit your favorite zero-waste shop in person? Do you have any sustainability tips you’d like to share? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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