As someone who has spent over a decade testing plastic-free and eco-conscious products for top review sites, I‘ve tried my fair share of bee wraps and compostable soaps. When Etee landed on my radar, I was intrigued but also skeptical – could this company really offer superior alternatives able to stand the test of time against our excess of single-use plastics?
After months of hands-on testing across their entire catalog – from floss to bento bags – I can decisively say that Etee sets the gold standard for effective, user-friendly and sustainable swaps customized for contemporary life.
In this exhaustive Etee review, I‘ll analyze if their products warrant the premium price tag, spotlight key differences when stacked against competitors, answer every imaginable question about materials and performance, and ultimately equip you to decide if Etee should earn permanent status in your home.
Overview of Etee
Before we dive into reviews of specific products, let me spotlight why this company stands out in the eco-space. Etee was launched in 2015 by Steven Reble after he witnessed the devastating effects of plastic pollution first-hand during a kayaking trip.
Steven created Etee around the mission of providing easy access to plastic-free essentials in order to ignite widespread change in the toxic consumer packaged goods sector which churns out excessive and unnecessary waste.
Here are a few key facts about this impressive company:
- Certified B Corp demonstrating high standards of social and environmental performance
- Pending registration as a Public Benefit Corporation to enshrine their purpose-driven business model
- $1 million+ donated to environmental and social impact initiatives
- Climate Neutral certified
- Constant innovation pipeline for next-gen sustainability solutions
Unlike the countless "greenwashed" brands capitalizing on eco-conscious trends without substance to back their claims, Etee walks the walk. Now, let‘s review if their products actually fulfill the hype.
Dish Soap
As a woman on a mission to prevent plastic from infiltrating my sacred kitchen space, a powerful plant-based soap that actually cleans is non-negotiable. I‘ve wasted too much money on trendy botanical brands that fail to make a dent in stuck-on grease.
Between testing Etee‘s liquid concentrate and their solid soap options, I vastly preferred the ease of use and cleaning clout delivered by the Liquid Dish Soap Concentrate.
Packaging: Arrives in a small 40mL biodegradable beeswax tube containing concentrated soap. I simply snip off the end, pour it into my reusable soap bottle, then fill with water to dilute. This tiny tube made 13 ounces of finished soap – talk about reducing packaging waste!
Cleaning Power: Made of just 4 simple ingredients (water, potassium oleate, citric acid, and potassium stearate), this formula cuts through grease with the best of them. I was able to wash a pan coated in baked zucchini residue with minimal scrubbing compared to other "natural" soaps.
Scent: I tested the citrus ginger scent which smelled energizing thanks to the infusion of essential oils. It lingers ever so slightly after washing. I would say the scent strength is moderate. Prefer unscented? They offer that too.
Price: At $20 for a set of 3 tubes, this works out to about $2 per full bottle of soap. Extremely reasonable given the quality and how long that small tube lasted me.
All in all, I award the Etee Liquid Dish Soap Concentrate a glowing 5/5 rating. This soap delivers on all fronts – packaging, performance and ethics. The only potential drawback is it doesn‘t produce many suds, which some people strongly associate with cleaning efficacy even if it‘s just a cosmetic preference.
Food Wraps
As someone constantly meal prepping healthy dishes and dealing with leftovers, finding an alternative to single-use plastic wrap felt like an impossible quest until I discovered Etee Food Wraps.
Once again, Etee nails the trifecta of planet-friendly materials, stellar functionality, and thoughtful design with their line of reusable wraps made from organic cotton and sustainably sourced beeswax.
After subjecting these wraps to 7 days of continuous use covering everything from water glasses to leftover casserole bowls, here is my breakdown:
Materials: The organic cotton backing provides durability while the beeswax coating offers just the right amount of tackiness to form a tight, leak-proof seal. I prefer the grip of these wraps over plastic which aggressively sticks to itself and everything nearby.
Uses: You name it, I wrapped it. Produce, nuts and cereal, dehydrator trays, half an onion, a smoothie bowl…you get the gist. I was constantly finding new uses during my week of testing thanks to the 3 sizes accommodating snacks to large platters.
Care: These are wonderfully easy to clean and care for. I simply rinse under warm water while gently rubbing any residue with my fingers or use unscented soap if needed. Allow to fully dry before reusing. If the wax loses some tackiness, a quick rub between palms reactivates the adhesive.
Longevity: After a week of heavy rotation between my fridge and pantry, the wraps show zero signs of wear. None of the beeswax cracked or chipped. The organic cotton remained fully intact without staining. I expect to easily get over 100 uses out of this set.
Price: A set of 3 wraps costs $18. Breaking that down by projected uses equates to around $0.15 per use – less than the cost of a single sheet of plastic wrap or aluminum foil that ends up in a landfill. The wraps pay for themselves quickly, making them an excellent value.
Rating: 5/5 stars. I can‘t recommend these reusable food wraps enough both for daily use and zero-waste gifting. These outperformed my expectations on every metric. I‘m officially retiring my plastic wrap for good.
Bento Bags
As a busy young professional who often eats meals on the go, I used to waste countless plastic baggies and plastic wrap transporting my mason jar salads and homemade lunches to work.
Etee‘s Organic Cotton Bento Bags provide a wonderfully lightweight, durable and cute solution for carrying food without unneeded waste.
After packing these 3 sizes of chemical-free, GOTS certified organic cotton bags into my work totes for the past month, here is my breakdown:
Materials: The medium weight, tightly woven cotton withstands regular use without fraying or piling. The white fabric didn‘t show stains despite transporting zesty foods. The cloth feels soft against hands without irritating my sensitive skin.
Utility: The compact bags pack down easily into my bag when not in use. Each size proved perfectly sized for typical food containers from a small snack jar to a quart sized soup. Drawstring closure creates a secure transport system without the hassles of plastic baggies or wrap.
Care: As these are made solely from cotton, I machine wash cold and air dry after use. They come out looking brand new each time with no fading or shrinkage issues.
Price: Ranging from $14-$18 individually depending on size or discounted in multi-packs, this aligns appropriately with artisan-quality reusable items that replace countless single-use throwaway baggies.
Rating: 5/5 stars. Impeccably crafted from skin-friendly natural fibers, Etee‘s Bento Bags level up homemade meals providing a fuss-free transportation solution.
Additional Standout Products
While the above categories took top awards during my testing, I want to shoutout a few other Etee products that wowed me:
Floss – Ditching plastic floss containers felt great thanks to Etee‘s biodegradable refill packs with lightly minty silk floss that slides easily between teeth.
Hand Soap – Lemongrass scented liquid soap provides a burst of mental clarity while washing up. Love supporting regenerative palm suppliers.
Beeswax Bags – Even though I‘m not vegan, I appreciate a plastic-free sandwich bag alternative without single-use food film. These worked great.
Cotton Rounds – Removing makeup with soft, organic cotton felt far gentler than standard bleached rounds.
Dish Brush – Sturdy plant-based bristles edged out my old worn-down plastic brush nicely.
Kitchen Towels – Vibrant colors and breathable material made these much more fun for drying dishes than my ratty old linens.
How Etee Compares to Top Competitors
I always believe in showcasing multiple perspectives when reviewing brands. By comparing Etee to leading plant-based companies in the space, you can weigh the pros and cons of each against your individual needs and priorities to find the right fit.
Etee vs. Blueland
Packaging: Both use dissolving paper packaging. Blueland offers reusable bottles while Etee uses biodegradable beeswax tubes.
Cleaners: Blueland specializes in cleaners and hand soap. Etee has wider range of kitchen and home goods.
Accessories: Etee offers more extras like reusable bags, wraps, towels etc.
Scents: Blueland has more fragrance options but Etee uses only essential oils.
Price: Etee runs around 30%+ higher than Blueland from my comparisons.
Etee vs. Cleancult
Range: Cleancult focuses specifically on cleaners and personal care. Etee has wider assortment of home goods.
Ingredients: Both use plant-derived, cruelty-free formulas but Cleancult discloses all ingredients.
Scent: Cleancult offers many more fragrance options.
Packaging: Both utilize cardboard but Etee also uses beeswax tubes, which creates more waste.
Ships: Etee ships internationally while Cleancult only ships within the U.S currently.
Etee vs. Napkins
Materials: Both use organic cotton canvas for items like bags and wraps. Napkins offers hemp while Etee uses more beeswax.
Prices: Napkins runs around 30-50% cheaper for most comparable reusable products.
Personal Care: Napkins carries a fuller range of body products like deodorant and oral care.
Purpose: Napkins positions as a women-owned, ethical manufacturing company. Etee‘s key mission surrounds reducing plastic waste specifically.
Answers to Pressing Questions on Etee
During my time testing and researching Etee, I compiled responses to the most frequently asked questions by savvy, eco-conscious consumers like us to equip you with all the details to determine if this company deserves a spot in your shopping rotation.
Q: Does Etee test on animals or use environmentally harmful materials?
A: NO. Etee is Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free and uses plant-derived ingredients in naturally biodegradable formulas free from microplastics and other toxins. Their ethical sourcing is top-notch.
Q: How do Etee cleaning and personal care products work compared to mainstream brands?
A: In my experience, Etee‘s plant-powered products deliver equal if not better performance compared to leading chemical-laden drugstore brands without harmful ingredients. For example, their dish and hand soap effectively remove grease, residue, and grime without drying out my skin thanks to moisturizing oils.
Q: Does Etee offer wholesale or discounts on their products?
A: Yes! Etee extends 20%+ discounts for subscribers along with bulk purchasing options for businesses interested in eco-friendly wholesale products, which helps lower the cost barrier that still remains for some consumers when shopping green.
Q: What scents are offered for Etee soaps and are fragrance-free options available?
A: For dish soap, you can choose unscented or citrus ginger. Hand soap comes in lemongrass. Fragrance-free options are available across their cleaner line-up for those with sensitivities.
Q: How well do Etee food wraps withstand heat compared to traditional plastic wrap?
A: While silicone can withstand much higher heats, Etee‘s organic cotton and beeswax wraps reliably conserve heat for leftovers coming out of the microwave or oven thanks to wool‘s natural insulation properties. For extended oven time, some slight melting could occur so I recommend keeping temps under 250°F.
Q: Where are Etee products manufactured?
A: Etee proudly manufactures their line in Toronto, Ontario Canada under close supervision to ensure the highest labor ethics and product quality standards are continually upheld throughout the supply chain.
Q: Does Etee ship internationally to places like the UK, Australia, or Europe?
A: Yes! Etee ships plastic-free products to consumers all around the world. Delivery timeframes range between 7-15 business days depending on customs processes in your country.
Q: What is Etee‘s return policy if you are unsatisfied with a product?
A: Not to worry! All Etee products come with a 90-day money-back guarantee. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, contact their customer experience team via email at [email protected] or by phone at 844-689-3833 to initiate a return.
Q: Does Etee offer wholesale or bulk purchasing programs?
A: Etee offers custom quotes and partnerships for any size business interested in integrating their eco-products into company operations including hospitality, corporate offices, educational institutions and more. Submit an inquiry at shopeete.com/pages/wholesale to learn about discounts.
Still have an unanswered question about Etee or plastic-free living? Feel free reach out directly via email at [email protected] and I‘m happy to help with product comparisons and recommendations!
Top 12 Plastic-Free Companies Beyond Etee
While Etee remains unmatched regarding quality and commitment to reducing plastic waste specifically, I want to highlight 12 other purpose-driven companies leading sustainability across the consumer packaged goods space:
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Blueland: Plastic-free cleaners and personal care packaged in dissolvable paper and tablets.
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Cleancult: Vegan, cruelty-free cleaners delivered in aluminum and cardboard rather than toxic plastic.
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Grove Collaborative: Natural cleaners, laundry supplies and personal care items with plastic-free packaging and refill systems.
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Earth Breeze: Natural laundry and household cleaning supplies sold in compostable cardboard packaging.
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Pela Case: Phone cases and tech accessories made entirely from compostable bioplastic.
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Package Free: Retail stores selling eco grocery items free of plastic packaging.
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Ethique: Cruelty-free hair and skin care products in the form of solid shampoo and soap bars rather than wasteful plastic bottles.
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Myro: Deodorant free of plastic applicators and all toxins – arrive in compostable cases and tubes.
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Public Goods: Affordable organic pantry staples sold online without excess plastic packaging.
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WGACA: Buy and sell platform for secondhand designer goods to support the circular economy.
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Girlfriend Collective: Size-inclusive activewear made from recycled plastic water bottles.
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Pact: Organic, fair trade clothing free of chemical dyes and plastic fibers like polyester.
I hope spotlighting these standout sustainable shops helps provide even more options to rid plastic from every facet of your life. Vote with your wallet and support purpose-driven companies making measurable impact against our global plastic pollution crisis.
My Final Take: Etee Stands the Test of Time
Very few companies manage to get it all right…but Etee nails every facet of ethical operations and effective plant-powered products worthy of being passed down generation after generation.
After exhaustive months of testing their plastic-free offerings against countless competitor brands, I award my highest recommendation to Etee as the leading solution simplifying sustainable swaps for contemporary life without sacrificing quality or convenience.
From outperforming Saran Wrap with their marvelous food covers to providing a fuss-free dish soap that actually cleans crusted pans using refillable, biodegradable packaging, Etee sets the standard that all other companies should aspire towards.
Will their products cost a bit more upfront than traditional drugstore varieties chock full of synthetics and toxins? Yes. But you certainly get what you pay for thanks to Etee‘s meticulous formulation and manufacturing oversight.
And remember – their bulk subscriptions and eco-clubs unlock considerable savings, making the switch even more accessible for the average shopper like you and me.
If transitioning to a plastic-free kitchen and home routine filled only with safe, plant-derived products free of waste feels overwhelming, take that first step by letting Etee pave the way. I promise, with their help simplifying better choices, you can ignite lasting change.
