It’s hard to go even a week without hearing news about climate change and its effects on life as we know it. It’s also hard to go a week without hearing about sustainable, eco-friendly products that have been introduced to help combat climate change.
Not only do these products play their part in helping to preserve our future, they’re also in high demand from buyers who understand how important they are. For this reason, selling environmentally friendly products can be a win-win: helping the world while running a profitable business.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the top sustainable products you can start selling today, in niches such as tech, pets, fashion, and personal care.
What are eco-friendly products?
Eco-friendly products are items that adhere to strict standards regarding how their production, packaging, transportation, usage, and disposal impact the environment. Third-party organizations often certify these products to validate their sustainability claims.
“Eco-friendly” and “sustainable” are interchangeable terms that denote a brand or product’s minimal negative effects on humans, animals, and the planet. These products typically exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
- Use of natural, organic, or plant-based ingredients
- Investment in carbon removal initiatives
- Fair trade practices or fair treatment and wages of workers
- Ethical manufacturing processes
- Low-impact shipping materials and methods
- Donation of proceeds to charitable organizations and causes
- Incorporation of recycled or reclaimed materials
- Offering zero-waste alternatives to conventional products
- Possession of B Corp certification or other sustainable certifications
Best eco-friendly products to sell in 2024
1. Sustainable apparel
“Fast fashion” is a buzzword that haunts the most environmentally responsible fashionistas. The fashion industry has been known to use unethical and unsustainable practices to quickly produce cheap, low-quality clothing.
But “slow fashion” is here to combat that. You can source your entire supply chain with more mindful materials and practices that go farther than just using organic cotton. For example, you can source products locally, or use vegan alternatives like replacement leather.
As a certified B corp, clothing brand Pact uses organic, carbon neutral, and fair trade practices to produce its products.
2. Earth-friendly home goods
Look around you: there are plenty of opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint in your home, including items like:
- Reusable paper towels
- Upcycled toilet paper
- Bamboo cutlery and dishes
- Biodegradable utensils
- Stainless steel straws
- Laundry detergent sheets
- Food waste reducers like composters
Made Trade focuses on decking out homes with items like these, using production practices and methods such as recycled and upcycled, fair trade, handcrafted, locally made, and vegan. It’s also been Climate Neutral Certified.
3. Tech products and accessories
Sustainable tech and accessories are the way of the future. If you have a killer new product idea, it might be worth the effort to invest in all the research and development to get it up and running.
But if you’d like a faster route, you can try white labeling or dropshipping pre-manufactured items like rechargeable batteries, compostable phone cases, wooden speakers, or cork desk mats.
Ethical tech company EcoFlow does just that, retailing clean generators, portable solar panels, and power chargers that use renewable energy. These products keep devices running and reduce environmental impact.
4. Clean personal care items
Personal care goes beyond what products we’re using and extends io the items that are going on and in our bodies. For example, lotions are absorbed by the skin, so it makes consumers ask questions about what exactly is inside those products.
Clean personal care items are a one-two punch when it comes to preserving the Earth while preserving ourselves. There’s a ton of demand for products that avoid harsh chemicals and byproducts that are known to cause health issues.
Personal care brand Everist embodies this shift toward sustainability. It offers a waterless liquid shampoo that reduces the need for excessive water and packaging. Such products minimize environmental impact and cater to consumers looking for cleaner, more natural personal care items.
5. Eco-friendly beauty products
The beauty world goes hand in hand with the world of personal care, and beauty brands have long been having the conversation about ethics and sustainability, whether that involves using natural materials like coconut oil, creating reusable makeup remover pads, or packing items in recycled plastic.
Axiology is on a mission to end plastic waste in the beauty industry, focusing exclusively on lip care products like lipsticks and balms. It implements and promotes practices like plastic-free products, multi-use products, refillable products, and conscious recycling.
6. Eco-friendly foods
Food is one of the few guaranteed, permanent products that every single person is going to buy forever. This means there’s a huge market in making a food brand with sustainable products, looking after the planet as well as the people eating it. These tactics might include:
- Upcycling or recycling food materials
- Recycled plastic or plastic-free packaging
- Focusing on seasonal items
- Preparing food with sustainable equipment
Spudsy is a great example of a food brand working to reduce food waste by using upcycled ingredients: in this case, sweet potatoes. The brand creates puffs and fries out of some of the 150 million pounds of sweet potatoes that end up in landfills every year.
7. Sustainable supplies for kitchen
For those passionate about promoting a sustainable lifestyle, selling eco-friendly kitchen products offers a great opportunity. Consumers are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint, and kitchen items that minimize waste are in high demand.
For example, Flip & Tumble has created a reusable produce bag as an alternative to single-use plastic wrap. These bags are designed for multiple uses, helping to cut down on plastic waste. They also fit nicely into the pockets of the brand’s collapsible tote bags, making them easy to carry and use every day.
When offering these products, consider how they can be integrated into everyday routines. Highlighting the practicality and versatility of these eco-friendly alternatives can attract more customers who are eager to make sustainable choices in their daily lives.
8. Ethical pet products
The pet care industry is just as guilty of unsustainable practices as the plethora of human-focused industries. From pet food to accessories and toys, there are several opportunities to tap into the ethical, sustainable pet market.
In addition to the adorable name (the sound of a puppy’s howl), pet company Awoo uses low-impact materials that are shipped in environmentally friendly packaging, moving every day toward 100% sustainable practices.
The brand also partners with Muddy Paws Rescue, a non-profit that uses a fostering system to re-home dogs. This is a great example of using partnerships to work toward goals that align with your beliefs and ethics.
9. Products for kids
Toys are a huge opportunity to reduce plastic waste, as well as reduce the use of harmful materials. You can sell FSC wooden ride-on toys, plastic-free exploration kits, and simple products like recycled paper notebooks to generate revenue for your store.
Tender Leaf is a toy company that uses FSC certified plywood to handcraft its wooden toys. Additionally, the brand implements other ethical and sustainable practices like:
- Using reclaimed wood
- Replanting trees
- Hiring locally with equal opportunity practices
- Eliminating single-use plastic through the use of recycled cardboard and paper packaging
10. Earth-friendly fitness gear
When the pandemic forced gyms to close, the at-home fitness trend exploded. But even after things became normal, many fitness enthusiasts are sticking with their home workout routines.
With sustainability top of mind for so many, it’s no surprise that consumers are looking for earth-friendly fitness gear. Think yoga mats made from reusable bottles, sportswear crafted from plant-based fabrics, and sneakers made to last.
Sustainable brands like Five12 are stepping up to the plate by using recycled materials to create fitness products. Using recycled water bottles, recycled fishing nets, and even windshields, Five12 makes shirts and shorts that block UV rays and keep the wearer dry.
11. Eco-friendly fashion accessories
Getting into fashion might feel intimidating, especially with tons of competition out there, from cheap fast fashion to luxury brands. But if you put a fresh eco-friendly spin on something people already love, you can find your own spot.
Think about eco-friendly fashion accessories you can make and sell. For instance, you can design accessories like tote bags crafted from recycled plastic bottles, offering a durable and water-resistant option. Another idea is to create wallets from upcycled plastic bags, which are lightweight and unique in their colors and patterns.
For instance, check out Notabag. They make reusable bags that are highly functional and built to last. Their tote turns into a backpack, so you don’t need two bags. Plus, they give a chunk of their sales to Save the Children through 1% for the Planet.
Do your part in your entrepreneurship journey
If you want to run a successful ecommerce business but also want to feel like you’re doing your part to reduce our carbon footprint, you have plenty of options. There are loads of products out there that are made sustainably and responsibly, while also being in popular demand with certain groups of customers.
More and more businesses are taking ethics into their hands without compromising their entrepreneurial spirit. All that’s left is to take the next step and find the products that feel right for you.
Eco-friendly products FAQ
What can I sell that’s eco-friendly?
Almost every product has an eco-friendly version. You could start selling these through dropshipping or white labeling. Alternatively, you could create your own unique eco-friendly products.
The best eco-friendly products tackle environmental issues like cutting down waste or getting rid of single-use plastics. Consider everyday items. For example, instead of using conventional plastic bottles, toilet paper, or coffee cups, why not offer reusable straws? These small changes can make a big difference.
How popular are eco-friendly products?
Pick any product and it probably has an eco-friendly alternative. Many studies show that consumers are actively seeking out green products as they shop. And the shift is happening across all industries, from accessories and clothing to gadgets and smart appliances.
Do eco-friendly products sell better?
Yes, they often do because more and more consumers are looking for sustainable companies and products. While many factors influence sales, eco-friendly products attract environmentally conscious consumers. As more people focus on reducing their personal impact, companies that prioritize sustainability tend to have better longevity in the market.
Where can I sell eco-friendly products?
A Shopify store is the best place to sell eco-friendly products. Here’s why: The store allows you to own the audience that you build and control the look and feel of your brand. But you can also take a multichannel approach, where you sell simultaneously on marketplaces like eBay and Amazon while running your online store.
Is Shopify eco-friendly?
Shopify is carbon-neutral and funds programs to offset its impact and that of its merchants on the environment, including the Shopify Sustainability Fund, which donates $5 million annually to support sustainability and entrepreneurship.