As someone striving to make more eco-friendly swaps in recent years, I‘m always on the hunt for green companies that balance sustainability and convenience. In my experience testing various "sustainable" brands, not all live up to their ambitious claims.
When I first discovered the mission-driven marketplace EarthHero, I felt hopeful yet skeptical. Could this B Corp certified company meet my high expectations for authentic sustainability? After multiple orders over several months, I‘m ready to share my genuine insight into this rising retailer.
Overview: The EarthHero Ethos
EarthHero launched in 2016 as an online platform for eco-conscious consumers struggling to find legitimately green brands all in one place. Founder Ryan Lewis left his job, moved into a friend‘s basement, and pursued his passion for bridging the gap between environmentalism and convenience.
The Colorado-based company seeks to make sustainable consumption mainstream through their digital marketplace of strictly vetted suppliers. From plastic-free laundry detergent to solar-powered gadgets, EarthHero carries a wide range of eco-friendly products spanning many categories.
But what sets them apart from other green retailers?
Key Sustainability Commitments
- B Corp Certified – Legally committed to environmental and social good
- 1% For the Planet – Donates 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits
- Carbonfree® Partner – Offsets all carbon emissions from operations
- Green Business Bureau – Recognized as eco-conscious company
On top of their impressive green certifications, I personally vet each brand before purchasing to ensure legitimacy. So far, every product has matched expectations coming from rigorously analyzed suppliers.
Next, let‘s analyze some of their bestselling items.
Reviewing 5 Bestselling EarthHero Products
Based on over 50 top-rated products, EarthHero shoppers award an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Having tested many items myself, I believe this marketplace sources quality, eco-friendly goods that make sustainability more convenient.
Here is an in-depth review of 5 top products I recommend:
1. If You Care Unpaper Towels
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I‘ve relied on paper towels for quick cleanups my whole life. While convenient, research shows Americans throw away over 13 billion pounds of paper towels annually!
That‘s why I‘m hooked on these reusable and biodegradable "unpaper" towels from If You Care. Crafted from non-GMO cellulose and cotton, they absorb liquids lightning fast just like traditional paper towels.
However, when dirty, you can toss these in the compost or washing machine rather than the trash. Over 50 washes, they continue soaking up spills like new. I keep one by my kitchen sink and one by my pet‘s food bowls for quick daily cleanup.
The bottom line: These reusable towels helped me cut my household paper towel waste by 75% so far. I wish I had switched sooner!
2. FinalStraw Stainless Steel Straw
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I‘ll admit, I‘ve relied on plastic straws out of convenience for years. And rarely needing one daily made it easy to ignore the waste…until now.
Did you know Americans use over 500 million plastic straws daily? After learning that, I felt convicted to make a switch. But finding a portable reusable straw that actually holds up is tough.
Enter: the FinalStraw stainless steel straw. This straw conveniently folds down small to attach to my keyring or backpack when not in use. Crafted from tough stainless steel and silicone, it‘s built to handle daily wear and tear.
Over the past 3 months, this straw has held up perfectly with near daily use. It makes skipping wasteful straws a total breeze whether out at restaurants or making smoothies at home.
The bottom line: This is absolutely the best reusable straw money can buy for convenience and durability. I‘ll never look back!
3. Stasher Reusable Storage Bags
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Like most folks, I relied on Ziplock plastic baggies for storing leftovers and snacks. Yet throwing out multitudes of single-use bags monthly felt so wrong. I experimented with cheap reusable baggies with little satisfaction before finding Stasher.
These self-sealing silicone bags are total gamechangers! No need for wasteful baggies ever again. With a simple pinch-lock seal, they keep ingredients fresh for days and are safe for boiling, freezing, microwaving. I‘ve switched to relying on Stasher bags rather than Tupperware for most leftovers and food prep.
My only complaints are the bag openings could be bigger, and the price is steep at $12 apiece. However for a product I‘ll use daily for years on end, I believe the investment in these reusable bags pays dividends.
The bottom line: These are hands down the highest quality reusable storage bags if you can afford them. I‘m slowly building my collection!
4. Pela Phone Case
My Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I‘ll admit, I held onto my old plastic phone case for too long. Once cracked and yellowed with age, I cringed throwing it out knowing it may end up polluting oceans and harming wildlife. There had to be a better way…
Enter: Pela phone cases. Made completely from biodegradeable bioplastic derived from plants, they provide slick protection without plastic waste. My Flax Straw Pela case has shielded my phone from several hard drops over 6 months without a single crack. Impressive!
While slim, these cases check the boxes for protection and sustainability. However at $40 apiece, the price deters me from replacing it more often to match outfit changes like other trendy cases. But choosing durable over disposable wins in my book.
The Bottom Line: If seeking an eco-friendly phone case built to last, Pela delivers excellent protection wrapped in sustainability.
5. If You Care Unbleached Parchment Paper
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐
Perhaps my biggest kitchen dilemma has been finding sustainable alternatives to single-use products like parchment paper. Most brands use chlorine and bleaching agents that leave behind environmental toxins.
I worried unbleached options would burn food or lack sturdiness. But If You Care parchment paper proved my doubts wrong! It creates the perfect crisp, non-stick baking surface just like traditional parchment without harsh processing.
I bake multiple batches of cookies weekly for my daughter‘s soccer team using this paper. Cleanup is a total breeze. And it even composts safely when worn out from high oven temps.
My only nitpick is having to buy small 75 ft rolls rather than a giant pack. But given this brand‘s ethical commitments I understand why. Either way, I‘m thrilled to bake waste-free!
The Bottom Line: When it comes to eco-friendly parchment paper, If You Care delivers professional quality without the bleaches. My new go-to!
Evaluating EarthHero‘s Commitment to Sustainability
Between my background researching green business trends and testing experience ordering from dozens of eco companies, I‘ve honed an eye for who lives up to ethical claims…and who doesn‘t.
As consumer demand for conscious companies grows, more organizations recognize sustainability as an opportunity to profit rather than arising from authentic commitment to better business practices.
- How can consumers tell the difference to ensure dollars support genuine good?*
I sat down with EarthHero‘s founder Ryan Lewis during a recent visit to Boulder to discuss.
Q: What motivated you to start EarthHero specifically?
Ryan: I grew up camping and hiking, developing a connection with nature from a young age. After college, I worked a corporate job in ecommerce and kept burning out. I dreamt of merging my business experience and my passion for sustainability.
Despite ongoing climate warnings, I saw little effort from corporations to offer conscious consumers earth-friendly options without sacrificing convenience and price. I founded EarthHero to fill this gap and bring forward-thinking green brands together in one trustworthy marketplace.
Our goal is making sustainable consumption mainstream through a values-aligned business model focused on social and environmental impact as much as profits.
Q: How do you select eco-friendly brands to feature on EarthHero? What is that process like?
Ryan: Every brand goes through a rigorous vetting process covering their sustainability claims, ethical business practices, and product life cycle.
We launched Green mercury, an arm dedicated to analyzing product composition, life cycle assessments, and supply chain ethics. If any concerns arise around greenwashing or exaggeration of environmental benefits, we pass on that supplier. Maintaining customer trust drives every business decision.
We also prioritize domestic manufacturers whenever possible to reduce carbon emissions from transport. I like being able to drive 30 minutes down the road to see how an area rug brand dyes textiles firsthand for example.
Q: What environmental initiatives is EarthHero involved in outside ecommerce sales?
Ryan: From supply chain transparency to policy lobbying, we stay actively engaged advancing environmental progress on multiple fronts.
For example, last year we connected customer donations to help the Surfrider Foundation install over 80 new water bottle refill stations in 16 communities. We also partnered with Save the Colorado to advocate for federal protections of over 400 miles of free-flowing river.
Additionally, our team volunteers quarterly with local nonprofits leading community cleanups and environmental education events in Boulder.
Q: What green business certifications back up your sustainability commitments?
Ryan: Here is a quick run down:
-
B Corp certified since 2021 – Legally required to consider social, environmental, and governance impacts of every business decision on par with profits. Recertifies every 3 years.
-
1% For the Planet member – Donates 1% of all sales to nonprofit partners monthly
-
Carbonfree® Partner – Offsets all carbon emissions from shipping and operations through eco-friendly projects
-
Green Business certified – All facilities and operations meet sustainable standards
We also have plans this year to pursue Fair Trade verification and other respected certifications guaranteeing our claims. I consider third party validation the gold standard, going far beyond vague promises.
Q: What goals do you have for improving sustainability moving forward?
Ryan: My vision is making the concept of "sustainability" obsolete by fundamentally shifting how consumers perceive conscious shopping. When buying green is the norm across every product category, not just a niche, we‘ve achieved an enormous collective reduction of environmental harm.
To progress toward this vision over the next 5 years, I aim for EarthHero to:
- Expand our catalogue to beyond 10,000 sustainable products across all lifestyle categories
- Engage over 100,000 active customers choosing greener essentials
- Establish a nonprofit foundation funded by a percentage of profits to advance environmental and social impact campaigns
- Help 500 eco-friendly makers scale production through guaranteed sales channels
- Build a team of over 50 sustainability experts guiding innovation
- Launch international to extend our mission globally
We have lofty goals motivated by a sense of urgency around climate change. I‘m hopeful EarthHero can drive the tangible, scalable impact needed in time.
Compare and Contrast: How EarthHero Compares to Other Green Retailers
In recent years, EarthHero stands out through their impressive mission-driven model and rigorous standards. But how exactly do they stack up to competitors?
I compared their policies, catalog range, carbon offsets, and transparency practices to 5 top eco retailers. Here is an overview:
| Company | B Corp Certified? | Climate Neutral Certified? | Categories | Brand Vetting Process? | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthHero | Yes | Through Carbonfund | 8+ | Yes | Mid |
| Package Free Shop | No | No | 6 | Some | Mid-High |
| The Detox Market | No | Yes | 1 – Beauty | No | High |
| Grove Collaborative | Yes | No | 3 – Home, Beauty, Baby | No | Mid |
| Public Goods | No | Yes | 5+ | No | Low |
| Walmart | No | Partial | Many (spotty sustainably) | Little | Low-High |
The key advantage I‘ve noticed from EarthHero is their verification practices by category. Rather than making vague sustainability claims as many competitors do even as certified B-Corps, this company thoroughly vets potential brands to minimize greenwashing slipping through the cracks.
No retailer is perfect, but EarthHero leads among green marketplaces in product sustainability requirements from my analysis. Their Carbonfund® partnership enables climate neutral shopping – a feature most competitors lack.
However some cons I‘ve noticed are pricing running 10-20% higher than Amazon for similar items in some cases. And their current catalog still has gaps in product categories like clothing, cleaning, and pets compared to mass retailers. Though their offerings expand daily.
The bottom line: EarthHero sets the gold standard for green online marketplaces through unparalleled transparency practices and catalog curation. They make eco-friendly living refreshingly convenient.
Tips for Beginners Seeking a More Sustainable Lifestyle
Transitioning to greener essentials often feels daunting without guidance. But Small changes make a world of difference!
Here are my top 6 rookie tips for painless sustainable swaps:
1. Stock up on reusable bags – for groceries, produce, freezing food, and carrying daily items. Sites like EarthHero offer washable bags for every purpose so you ditch single-use plastic and paper.
2. Say no to straws – Simply refusing straws when dining out cuts waste without any effort. For smoothies and such on the run, stash a collapsible stainless steel straw in your bag.
3. Change a habit at a time – No need to transform your lifestyle overnight! Just by swapping daily paper towels for reusable ones this month, or ditches bottled lotion for ethically sourced bars next month, you chip away beneficial habits.
4. Seek durability – Rather than buying cheaper goods that wear out quickly to later clog landfills, invest wisely in products crafted to last years with some maintenance. High quality pays dividends.
5. Verify certifications – With "greenwashing" running rampant lately, check labels for respected third party certifications like Fair Trade, USDA Organic, or SOCARbonFree when available. These back sustainability claims.
6. Offset monthly emissions – Even the most diligent among us inevitably indirectly produces some environmental harm through daily power usage, commuting, flights, and so on. Mitigate unavoidable impacts by purchasing verified carbon offsets. Many sites like Carbonfund.org make this affordable.
Final Verdict: Who I Recommend EarthHero To
Over the past year testing products from EarthHero and closely vetting their commitments, I confidently recommend this B Corp eco marketplace to:
1. Conscious Consumers Seeking Hassle-Free Sustainability: With rigorous standards for sourcing green goods not found elsewhere, EarthHero makes ethical living refreshingly convenient rather than a lofty chore.
2. Green Living Newbies Unsure Where to Start: Their blog and product education guides make environmentally-friendly swaps approachable. Unparalleled transparency aidsconverted newcomers.
3. Mission-Driven Shoppers Seeking Values Alignment: From carbon neutral operations to nonprofit partnerships, EarthHero runs on radical transparency rather than profits alone – a business model we must demand more of.
4. Anti-Greenwashing Skeptics Seeking Proof: As a self-proclaimed skeptic questioning every sustainability claim, I‘m impressed with multi-level accountability for social and environmental good guaranteed here. No shortcuts taken.
Overall, EarthHero makes conscious consumption uncomplicated and trustworthy. I‘m thrilled supporting their efforts steering the eComm industry toward sustainable norms with every purchase.
Ready to make the switch? Browse their catalog here to upgrade your essentials today!
