10 Best Ethical Marketplaces for Ultimate Feel-Good Eco Shopping Online (2025)

a mother and toddler online shopping for eco-friendly products from sustainable stores

Looking for a seamless way to shop sustainably without bouncing between dozens of websites? These sustainable and ethical online marketplaces make conscious shopping easier than ever. Whether you're in search of eco-friendly fashion, clean beauty, home goods, or thoughtful gifts, these one-stop shops curate everything under one (digital) roof. With a strong commitment to transparency, fair labor, and the planet, each marketplace on this list helps you align your purchases with your values—without sacrificing style or convenience.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only feature brands that align with our values and contribute to a better world. Thank you for supporting these brands - and us!

What Is a Sustainable Marketplace?

A sustainable online marketplace is a curated platform that brings together brands and products that prioritize ethical production, eco-friendly materials, and low-impact practices. These marketplaces make it easier for conscious consumers to shop in alignment with their values—without the overwhelm.

Let’s face it: shopping sustainably can be time-consuming. You need to know what a product is made of, how it’s sourced, who made it, and what happens to it at the end of its life. That’s a lot to research. Thankfully, ethical online marketplaces do the work for you by vetting every product and brand they carry.

Many offer a wide range of sustainable products across multiple categories, including fashion, beauty, home goods, and gifts. Others focus on specific niches, like zero-waste living, clean food, or eco-friendly baby essentials. Either way, these platforms provide a one-stop-shop experience that saves time and supports more responsible consumption.

Why Support Sustainable and Ethical Online Marketplaces?

Supporting sustainable marketplaces does more than help the environment—it supports small businesses and independent retailers that are committed to ethical sourcing, transparency, and fair labor practices.

Unlike massive online retailers, these platforms are mission-driven. They carefully select brands that use organic, recycled, or non-toxic materials, pay workers fairly, and minimize environmental impact. By choosing to shop from an ethical marketplace, you're voting with your dollars for a better future—one that values people and the planet.

Shopping from these platforms means investing in quality over quantity, reducing waste, and supporting a global shift toward more sustainable and ethical commerce.

Our Top Picks for Sustainable Marketplaces Online:

1. Etsy

Good For: Home Decor, Furniture, Kitchen, Clothing, Beauty

Etsy is a global online marketplace known for its unique, handmade, and vintage items, making it a go-to platform for supporting small businesses and independent creators. Many Etsy sellers prioritize sustainable practices, using eco-friendly materials, recycled packaging, and made-to-order production to reduce waste. From upcycled fashion and zero-waste home goods to natural skincare and ethically sourced jewelry, Etsy offers a wide variety of sustainable products. Shoppers can also filter by eco-conscious features or search for specific values like “plastic-free” or “organic.” Supporting Etsy means backing small, often local, businesses committed to thoughtful, planet-friendly craftsmanship. Image: Mood & Mantle

Shop Etsy

clean beauty products from sustainable online marketplace The Detox Market

2. The Detox Market

Good For: Skincare, Makeup, Haircare, Wellness

The Detox Market is a leading online sustainable marketplace for clean beauty and sustainable wellness products, featuring a curated selection of non-toxic, cruelty-free, and eco-conscious brands. Many of the products come from small, independent businesses that prioritize ethical sourcing, organic ingredients, and low-waste packaging. From skincare and makeup to supplements and home essentials, every item is thoroughly vetted for safety and sustainability. The Detox Market is also a Certified B Corp, reinforcing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Shopping here means supporting small businesses that are redefining beauty through transparency, integrity, and a passion for planetary well-being.

Shop The Detox Market

sustainable kitchen goods from ethical online marketplace EarthHero

3. EarthHero

Good For: Home & Kitchen, Cleaning, Bathroom, Beauty, Kids & Pets

Few online sustainable marketplaces curate eco-friendly products as thoroughly as EarthHero. This one-stop shop offers a wide and thoughtfully selected range of sustainable goods—from clothing and personal care to home essentials, tech accessories, and more. Every product is vetted for its environmental impact, so you can shop confidently knowing your purchases support ethical practices and low-waste living. One standout feature? EarthHero’s dedicated zero-waste section, filled with practical swaps to help reduce your footprint. Whether you're just starting your sustainability journey or looking to level up your lifestyle, EarthHero makes it easy to shop with purpose.

Shop EarthHero

a woman in a bright orange dress holding clean skincare product from sustainable online marketplace Credo

4. Credo Beauty

Good For: Skincare, Makeup, Haircare, Fragrance, Gifts

Credo is a top destination for clean, ethical, and sustainable beauty, offering a curated collection of non-toxic skincare, makeup, haircare, and wellness products. With over 130+ brands, many of them small, independent, and women-owned, Credo is committed to ingredient transparency, cruelty-free standards, and sustainable packaging. Their Credo Clean Standard ensures every product is free from harmful chemicals and ethically sourced. The sustainable marketplace also prioritizes plastic reduction and offers a recycling program to help close the loop on beauty waste. Shopping at Credo supports a cleaner, safer beauty industry—one that puts both people and the planet first.

Shop Credo Beauty

organic food from sustainable online marketplace Thrive

5. Thrive Market

Good For: Food, Wine, Personal Care, Health, Kids & Pets

If you’re a foodie who cares about what goes into your body and the planet, you’ll love Thrive Market. This online marketplace specializes in healthy, ethically sourced food and household products made with real, clean ingredients. Every item is curated to be non-toxic, eco-friendly, and affordable—without compromising on quality or taste. Whether you follow a specific diet or simply want better pantry staples, Thrive makes conscious eating convenient. Plus, for every paid membership, Thrive Market donates one to a family in need, making healthy living more accessible for all. It’s thoughtful shopping that truly gives back.

Shop Thrive Market

sustainable bath goods from ethical online marketplace ten thousand villages

6. Ten Thousand Villages

Good For: Home, Kitchen, Bath, Wellness, Jewelry, Accessories

For over 70 years, Ten Thousand Villages has been a pioneer in ethical and fair trade shopping, putting people and the planet at the heart of everything they do. You may have even stepped into one of their charming brick-and-mortar shops! More than just a store, this marketplace is a global movement—connecting you with talented artisans from around the world. Each handcrafted product honors cultural traditions and supports sustainable livelihoods, ensuring that neither craftsmanship nor the environment is ever compromised. When you shop with Ten Thousand Villages, you're investing in stories, sustainability, and true global impact.

Shop Ten Thousand Villages

a computer and phone showing an ethical alternative to amazon called Simple Switch

7. Simple Switch

Good For: Gifts, Clothing, Accessories, Home, Kids

Simple Switch is on a mission to make ethical and sustainable shopping easy and accessible for everyone—even those just beginning their conscious consumer journey. This thoughtful online marketplace lets you shop with purpose by filtering products based on values that matter to you, such as Fair Trade certification, environmental impact, or support for education and women-owned businesses. Every purchase creates measurable change, making it simple to align your spending with your values. If you're looking for a shopping experience that gives back and feels good, Simple Switch just might be your new favorite destination.

Shop Simple Switch

pretty butterfly paper weights from sustainable online marketplace uncommon goods

8. Uncommon Goods

Good For: Gifts, Kitchen & Bar, Home & Garden, Jewelry, Men & Women's Clothing, Kids, Experiences

Uncommon Goods is a creative online marketplace known for its unique, artisan-made gifts—but it’s also a strong supporter of sustainability and small businesses. From handcrafted home décor to eco-friendly gifts and personalized treasures, many of their products are made using recycled, upcycled, or responsibly sourced materials. The brand is a Certified B Corp, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices, fair wages, and minimizing environmental impact. Uncommon Goods also gives back through its Better to Give program, donating a portion of each purchase to non-profits. It’s the perfect place to find thoughtful, one-of-a-kind items that do good, too.

Shop Uncommon Goods

an illustration of a refurbished iPhone from ethical online marketplace Back Market

9. Back Market

Good For: Refurbished Electronics

Back Market is revolutionizing the way we shop for tech by offering expertly refurbished electronics that are better for both your wallet and the planet. From smartphones and laptops to kitchen appliances and headphones, every item is carefully restored to like-new condition and backed by warranty. By choosing refurbished, you're helping reduce e-waste, conserve resources, and extend the life of high-quality devices. Back Market partners with certified repair technicians and holds strong standards for quality, so you can shop with confidence. It’s a smart, sustainable alternative to buying new—without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Shop Back Market

sustainable household cleaning products from ethical online marketplace Goodee

10. Goodee

Good For: Gifts, Garden, Home Decor, Dining, Furniture

Goodee is a beautifully curated online marketplace where sustainable design meets social impact. Every product—whether it's home décor, lifestyle accessories, or gifts—is thoughtfully selected for its ethical sourcing, eco-conscious materials, and positive community impact. Goodee partners with global artisans and purpose-driven brands that prioritize transparency, fair trade, and circular practices. As a Certified B Corp, Goodee is committed to using business as a force for good, making it easy for conscious consumers to discover goods that are both stylish and meaningful. If you value good design and even better values, Goodee is a must-know destination.

Shop Goodee

pinterest image for the best sustainable online marketplaces

WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

Search the Sustainable Directory

Who are the women behind our clothes, and where are they?

Around the world, it’s estimated that 74 million people work creating textiles and garments. Of these people, about 80% of them are women of color. Women of color – especially Black women – are often at the forefront of fashion when it comes to the evolution of style, and often this is not acknowledged by the industry or society. Fashion frequently overlooks the critical intersections of feminism and racism, especially in terms of the treatment of women who produce our clothing.

Most garments around the world are made in China, Bangladesh and India. While the exploitation of garment workers can and does take place across the globe, the intensity of production in these places – and the impact of capitalism and colonialism on them – puts women in these places at a higher risk.

What problems do the women who make our clothes face?

Many garment workers today create clothing in what are considered ‘modern-day slavery conditions’. Modern-day slavery looks different from slavery experienced in recent history, but it is slavery all the same. It is the severe exploitation of other people for personal or commercial gain and normally occurs hidden from the world’s view. Today, a shocking 1 in 200 people face modern slavery, with women and girls making up 71% of these people. More than half of these people endure forced labor, often producing our clothes.

In 2013, a building in Bangladesh called Rana Plaza collapsed, killing 1,134 people and injuring 2,600 more. Inside this building, workers sewing clothes for fast fashion brands sold in the global west voiced their fears for their lives due to the loud creaking of the walls and evident lack of building safety. Despite this, employers insisted that they keep working to generate profits for the big brands.

This event brought a largely hidden issue into the global view, with news coverage from all across the world. However, almost a decade later, similar problems still persist. These include:

Unsafe Work Conditions

Despite the supposed wake-up call of Rana Plaza, too many women make our clothes in unsafe conditions.

For example, people create distressed denim by using high-pressure hoses filled with sand to blast the jeans. This sand can cause serious respiratory issues for workers. Similarly, workers who iron clothes before they are shipped off to America, Europe and Australia have reported doing so in windowless, unventilated rooms that are so hot and steam-filled, it causes them to faint. Other reports have even shown women – including pregnant women – who demand safety gear in sweatshops to be sacked just for asking for their basic safety.

Poverty Payment

Did you know that just 2% of garment workers around the world are paid a fair, living wage? This leaves the other 98% being paid what’s called a ‘poverty wage’ – a wage which cannot sustain a person’s basic needs like housing, food, and other essentials – keeping them in poverty.

Gender-Based Violence

Women working to make our clothes are denied maternity leave and even fired for becoming pregnant. In Cambodia, another hotspot for cheap clothing production, 1 in 3 women working in the garment industry experience sexual assault, harassment and violence. In Bangladesh, 28% of garment workers face this. This is unacceptable.

What’s more, while women make up the majority of the garment industry’s workforce, they are far less likely to ever be in a managerial position or a higher-paying leadership role. This contributes to gendered power imbalances, which perpetuate sexism and violence.

What can brands do to support the women who make our clothes?

Fashion is inherently anti-feminist and racist if it relies on the exploitation of poorer women of colour to exist. For brands to stand in solidarity with the women who make their clothes, they need to pay them living wages, ensure they have their human rights, and a safe place to work.

However, this is the bare minimum. While it’s, unfortunately, the case when most of the fashion industry is so exploitative, a brand being ethical should not be something to celebrate – it should be the expected norm.

While this cycle of poverty and harm persists, some brands are working even harder to change how this system operates, building their entire brand around empowering women in the fashion industry.

Let’s take a look at some of them!

Ethical & Sustainable Brands that Empower Women:

1. PAKA

Did you know that one in three Peruvian children under the age of 5 has chronic malnutrition?

With women in developing countries reinvesting 90% of their income back into the family and community, PAKA aims to change this by multiplying each weaver's daily income by 8x. This will make a huge difference in each woman's ability to make decisions, feed her children, and bring them to the hospital when necessary! Plus, the women weavers are able to use their skills and preserve their heritage and Inca culture.

Besides being a brand who empowers women, PAKA has created a natural, sustainable clothing line for those who love the outdoors.

They believe using eco-friendly materials like their super soft Royal Alpaca that can connect consumers more to nature and sustainably support small communities.

Their products allow consumers to trace each item back to its fiber source, and each product features a QR code that shows the farm where the fiber was harvested.

Shop Paka

2. Daughters of India

Daughters of India is an inspiring woman-owned brand dedicated to empowering female artisans in rural India by promoting beautiful and sustainable fashion. They specialize in crafting charming hand-printed dresses that reflect the skills and creativity of local artisans.

When you purchase from Daughters of India, you’re not just buying a dress; you’re helping to provide fair wages, safe working conditions, and a path toward economic independence for these talented women. This brand empowers women by actively preserving traditional textile techniques, enabling them to support their families and keep their cultural heritage alive.

With a focus on slow fashion, Daughters of India prioritizes the use of natural fibers and aims to create minimal waste. Each dress tells a story of empowerment and sustainability.

Shop Daughters of India

3. All the Wild Roses

All the Wild Roses is a fantastic brand run by women that actively uplifts female artisans in Vietnam. They focus on providing fair wages and safe working conditions, helping women gain economic independence. Specializing in beautiful, vintage-inspired bohemian dresses made from upcycled and sustainable fabrics, they ensure their fashion has a minimal impact on the environment.

By valuing artisan craftsmanship, All the Wild Roses empowers women to achieve financial stability and build brighter futures for their families. With a commitment to transparent sourcing and ethical production, they create a strong sense of community and support. When you purchase from this brand that empowers women, you’re not just buying a dress; you’re supporting women-owned cooperatives and contributing to positive change in the world.

Shop All the Wild Roses

4. The Tote Project

A beautiful brand created to give back!

Based on friendship & a shared dream, Fay Grant and Michelle Chavez started The Tote Project to support the recovery of victims of modern-day slavery.

With hope, they strive to empower survivors of human trafficking by providing them opportunities and helping show their worth & potential.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and there are currently over 20 million victims worldwide.

This brand that empowers women donates 10% of gross profits to Two Wings to support survivors of human trafficking in the US. Plus, they partner with factories that support women survivors.

Every tote is handmade by Oasis Bags in a sustainable factory in India from fair-trade certified cotton. The factories in Kolkata actively empower women by providing them with opportunities to work. Freeset, a fair trade business, employs these women who are escaping West Bengal’s sex trade to create pouches.

Shop The Tote Project

5. Outland Denim

This denim brand that empowers women (which offers a selection of jeans with vegan leather patches) uses traceable, sustainable organic cotton, and even uses some clay-dyed denim. Outland also creates other garments from organic cotton and linen, with a selection of skirts, dresses and shirts.

Outland actively champions the abolition of slavery, with freedom and liberty at the heart of the brand and its values.

The brand creates their clothing in Cambodia, where unjust practices are rife in the textile industry.

In opposition to this, the brand pays fair living wages and offers a safe, comfortable alternative for working women – often those previously working in dangerous sweatshop conditions.

Outland Denim labels include messages from the seamstresses who make the garments, and you can learn about the people behind their clothes on their website.

Shop Outland Denim

6. Minna

Minna collaborates with artisans in Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Uruguay, and Bolivia. In Uruguay, they work with the largest network of women-run co-ops in the country. These partnerships provide fair wages and safe working conditions for workers. Minna creates all of its handmade pieces through thoughtful production methods that emphasize sustainability. They use eco-friendly materials and collaborate with factories that prioritize small-batch production, ensuring the highest quality goods. Minna actively shares information about how they place orders sustainably and their payment process, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting their artisans.

They also honor the traditional techniques created from years of craft expertise and collaborate to create the designs.Their designs draw inspiration from Feminist art, the Bauhaus movement, traditional crafts, and vintage textiles. By utilizing organic, recycled, and conventional materials, all of their pieces are thoughtfully curated.

Shop Minna

7. Aday

Aday is changing the way women dress with stylish, minimalist clothing that makes life easier while being kind to the planet. Founded by two inspiring women, Aday focuses on creating versatile, long-lasting pieces that effortlessly fit into busy lifestyles—whether you’re at work, traveling, or just enjoying everyday moments. The brand is all about slow fashion, using innovative, eco-friendly fabrics that help reduce waste and protect the environment.

Aday also champions female entrepreneurship and leadership, showing that fashion can empower women while staying ethical. When you choose Aday, you're not just getting comfortable and confident clothing; you're also supporting a brand that's committed to conscious consumption.

Shop Aday

8. Aid Through Trade

Aid Through Trade is a trailblazer in fair-trade jewelry, dedicated to providing sustainable jobs for female artisans in Nepal. Founded by a visionary woman who believes in economic empowerment, the brand creates beautiful handcrafted Roll-On® Bracelets, lovingly made with care and cultural tradition.

By offering fair wages, safe working conditions, and educational opportunities, Aid Through Trade helps women support their families and gain financial independence. Their ethical approach nurtures self-sufficiency and confidence, showing that even small accessories can have a big impact. Each bracelet carries a story of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of ethical fashion.

Shop Aid Through Trade

9. Alterre

Alterre is a woman-owned brand that’s changing the footwear game with beautiful, interchangeable shoes that are good for the planet. With their innovative designs, women can easily switch up their look while also being mindful of waste.

Alterre is dedicated to empowering women, partnering with organizations like Restore NYC to help survivors of trafficking rebuild their lives. Their commitment to ethical manufacturing means fair labor practices and a smaller environmental footprint. When you choose Alterre, you're not just getting a versatile, high-quality product; you’re also supporting meaningful causes that uplift and protect women.

Shop Alterre

10. Mata Traders

Mata Traders aims to ‘fashion a better world’ by creating designs that celebrate a woman’s originality and empower her to use her dollar for change. They partner with several Fair Trade organizations in India and Nepal that train and employ hundreds of artisans in marginalized communities. They are known for fun prints, patterns and colors. Their printed dresses made with handwoven cotton and tops with hand-embroidered designs are perfect for summer!

Mata means ‘mother’ in Hindi & is a tribute to Shakti - the female creative power in all of us.

Every time you purchase a piece from Mata Traders, you are preserving an art form, fighting gender equality, and empowering women in India & Nepal

Shop Mata Traders

11. Anchal

A non-profit social enterprise, Anchal is providing alternative careers in textiles to marginalized and exploited women in India.

It was created by sisters Colleen & Maggie Clines after they were inspired from a visit to Ajmer, India.

There, they learned of the extreme oppression many women faced as commercial sex workers in the region.

They also noticed the economic opportunity with the area’s textiles.

By merging contemporary designs and the traditional Kantha quilting techniques from North India they were able to change lives and support stronger sustainable communities. Anchal believes 'design thinking' is the creative approach to problem solving, and we couldn't agree more.

Anchal Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit and is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

Shop Anchal

12. Laude the Label

Designed by women, Made by women. LAUDE the Label supports women artisans in five countries — Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, India, and Peru. This brand understands the importance of investing in the people behind its products. All of their artisans are paid fair-trade wages on time! Fair wages are 2-3 times the minimum wage where they operate. These wages mean artisans can support themselves and their families. In addition, LAUDE the Label visits their manufacturers every year to make sure artisans are in healthy working conditions and never working more than 8 hours a day.

LAUDE the Label is a Certified B Corp Brand & a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

Shop Laude the Label

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How Fast Fashion Uses 'Crochet' (& why it's a problem)

Crochet is a centuries-old craft, traditionally made by hand with intricate stitches and hours of labor. But fast fashion brands have found a way to capitalize on its popularity—without the craftsmanship. Instead of actual crochet, many brands mass-produce "crochet-like" garments using machines and synthetic fibers like polyester and acrylic.

The Problem:

Not real crochet: True crochet cannot be done by machine; these garments are often just knit or lace fabrics made to look like crochet.
Synthetic fibers: Most fast fashion “crochet” pieces are made from plastic-based materials, shedding microplastics into the environment.
Unfair labor practices: When hand-crocheted pieces are sold at low prices, it often means the artisans who made them were paid unfair wages.

Fast fashion’s take on crochet is another example of greenwashing and exploitative practices. Instead of supporting mass-produced imitations, consider buying from artisan brands or even learning to crochet yourself for a truly slow fashion approach!

What is sustainable fashion?

Sustainable fashion is a catchy phrase, but people might need help understanding what it means. It’s a term that applies to any clothing or accessory made in ways that don’t harm the planet or people.

Research shows that the sustainable apparel market will reach a $27.2 million value by 2033, so there’s global demand for clothes that don’t harm the environment and take care of their workers. However, finding climate-friendly clothing requires a deeper understanding of the fashion industry’s production processes and how its clothes eventually reach your closet.

How the Fast Fashion Industry Contributes to Climate Change

When buying clothes at the mall or online, you’re likely not thinking about the many steps it took for that clothing to reach you. These are the ways fashion companies contribute to climate change while making their products.

1. It Uses Water for Textile Production

Consumers might think water only affects clothing when you need to throw it in your washing machine. However, it’s an essential part of producing textiles. The fibers need washing before, during and after the dyeing process. It’s why the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) concluded that it takes 3,781 liters of water to make a single pair of jeans.

It’s important to remember that water is a limited resource. Although the planet has tons of it in the oceans, freshwater is much harder to find. That’s the water companies use to wash textiles, so buying something like a sweater or a fine-knit pair of joggers harms the ecosystem.

2. It Relies on Crude Oil Production

Your favorite dress may not smell or feel like slimy crude oil, but it might still contain some. The fashion industry uses it to make two-thirds of its clothing with a mixture of synthetic fibers. These fibers can also contain synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT that disrupt the endocrine system regulating your hormone production.

Mining for oil destroys another limited natural resource. It disrupts natural habitats, leads to dangerous oil spills and creates additional carbon emissions with mining machinery. None of that lines up with a lifestyle driven by sustainable values.

3. It Burns Fuel for Shipping

Fashion companies have production facilities worldwide, and they rely on planes, trucks, trains and cargo ships to get their products to consumers. The various shipping methods are why the apparel industry generates 8%-10% of global carbon emissions annually.

Although you can research fashion brands that reduce their carbon footprints, buying clothing that requires shipping still contributes to this environmental issue. Shipping companies must jump to transportation fueled by green energy. Until then, placing orders for apparel and buying manufactured clothes in stores will still fund an industry that burns fossil fuels daily.

4. It Adds to Landfills

Imagine clothing companies using natural resources and burning fossil fuels to give consumers the latest styles. Now picture their marketing efforts to convince people to buy new clothes more frequently. You’ve likely seen these campaigns pop up in social media ads or advertisement emails. Although seeing what’s newly available with your favorite brands might be fun, the practice is the heart of fast fashion and its environmental impact.

Fast fashion companies seek to maximize their profit by churning out new clothes daily, weekly or monthly. Consumers get to constantly add budget-friendly clothing to their wardrobes, which means manufacturers use natural resources even faster than before. It also leads to 92 million tons of apparel ending up in landfills annually.

5. It Releases Plastic Into the Ocean

You might not picture plastic when you think of clothing, but they’re closely linked. Production facilities wash textiles during manufacturing, and the water that swirls down the drains becomes the primary source of microplastics in the ocean. Synthetic fibers release microplastics when cleaned. It hurts the environment during production and every time consumers wash their clothes at home.

a woman with a big spool of yarn starting a crochet project

How to Crochet for Sustainable Fashion

You can take control of your wardrobe by crocheting to promote sustainable fashion. These are a few ways crocheting can help the planet while becoming your new favorite hobby.

1. Find Eco-Friendly Yarn

You could walk into most craft stores and find shelves full of colorful yarn skeins. Although they might be on sale or feel super soft, sustainable crocheters might recommend looking elsewhere.

Yarn can include the same synthetic fibers that add plastic to the oceans. Natural resources might also be used to create it. Instead, research the yarn you want for your next crocheting project. You could find brands that use organic or recycled materials without removing limited natural resources from the environment. Etsy is a great place to look for Organic & Natural yarns.

Finding out how your yarn came to be could reduce anxiety symptoms related to climate change. You’ll be able to trust that your money didn’t fund the planet’s destruction.

If you don’t have time to research companies, you could also make old T-shirts into yarn to upcycle clothing you don’t wear anymore. You’d keep the old clothes out of landfills and avoid using yarn that contains crude oil or limited resources.

2. Dye Your Clothes at Home

Crocheting could become a way to create a reusable wardrobe that’s perfect for fall or winter outfits. Limited items you wear every week prevent accumulating pieces that become landfill waste due to neglect. You’ll also have more control over the materials you wear because each outfit uses carefully made or selected clothing.

One of the best ways to make your clothing promote sustainable fashion is by dyeing your crochet yarn. Pick one or more colors you want for your project and select matching vegetables like spinach or red cabbage. You can also use turmeric. Follow yarn-dyeing steps to give the dye enough time to work and you’ll have the material you need for your new clothes.

3. Buy From Local Businesses

You can also consider buying yarn from local businesses. They may spin or dye their own, which removes the need for production facilities that create excessive carbon emissions. They will also know their manufacturing process intimately, so you can ask detailed questions and get the answers to make an educated purchase.

It’s also critical to recognize that yarn isn’t the only crocheting supply that could disrupt your eco-friendly lifestyle. Crochet hooks, stitch counters and darning needles also contain unsustainable ingredients like synthetic materials. Search for eco-friendly alternatives made with bamboo so your ongoing hobby doesn’t harm the planet.

Ordering crocheting supplies online might be your only option if you live in a rural area. Don’t worry if that’s the case. You can connect with friends or family members who also need craft supplies to place a bulk order and reduce your deliveries. They can pick up their purchases from your home or the next time you meet for a social gathering.

4. Crochet Your Clothes

Crocheting helps promote sustainable fashion in numerous ways. You can hand-pick eco-friendly yarn, dyes and supplies so every project begins with earth-friendly materials. You can also crochet your clothing for long-term use, which is much better than wearing store-bought clothes for a season before throwing them out and replacing them.

Begin with patterns made for beginners to explore your options. You could start by crocheting a new sweater and replicating the design in various colors. After gaining more confidence, you might make a tank top, T-shirt, dress or pajama pants. There are many ways to turn crochet stitches into a wardrobe that lasts for years.

We LOVE Wool & The Gang for beginner-intermediate crochet kits.

5. Make Accessories

The fashion industry makes typical clothes like T-shirts and pants, but don’t forget your accessories. They’re essential to making your outfits pop. Instead of making a wardrobe with some homemade items and other pieces that require limited natural resources, practice making extras to transform your closet into a greener collection.

Numerous crochet patterns are available for free or at affordable prices. Check online and in-person at craft stores to see if you prefer the instructions on paper or your computer.

Next, consider which accessories you’d like to start making. You could create the typical hats and mittens expected of crocheters if it’s winter, but there are many other things to consider. Your crochet hook could transform yarn into market bags, purses, socks, headbands and hair scrunchies. It all depends on what you enjoy wearing.

Promote Sustainable Fashion with Crocheting

Anyone can learn to crochet and promote sustainable fashion with their daily outfits. It’s essential to recognize how the fashion industry contributes to environmental destruction to better understand how your handmade wardrobe can protect the planet. Carefully select yarn skeins, dyes and supplies to start making clothes that better align with your sustainable values and give you unique items you’ll be proud to wear.

About the Author:

Mia Barnes is a health and beauty writer with a passion for sustainable living and wellness. Mia is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine, an online publication that covers healthy and eco-friendly living. Follow Mia and Body+Mind on Twitter and LinkedIn!

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What are synthetic fibers?

Synthetic fibers, often called manmade or artificial fibers, are textiles made through chemical processes rather than from natural sources.

Manufacturers produce these fibers using polymers derived from petrochemicals or other raw materials. Commonly found synthetic fibers include polyester, nylon, acrylic, and Spandex. Human-made fibers originate from complex manufacturing processes, allowing engineers to design them with specific qualities in mind.

While natural fibers such as cotton or linen have a history spanning hundreds of years, synthetic fibers are a much more recent feature of our lives.Nylon emerged in 1927 when the company E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. developed it, and the market saw its release in 1939.

Given their consumer-friendly characteristics, these fibers have become widespread in several industries, including fashion, automotive manufacturing, and home furnishings. According to the non-profit organization Textile Exchange, in 2021, these fibers comprised 64 percent of the global fiber market, with 72 million tonnes of synthetic fibers produced that same year.

a pile of used clothing in a landfill mostly made of synthetic fabrics

What is the production of synthetic fabrics a problem for the environment?

Despite their characteristics making them appetible to manufacturers and their consequential popularity in the market, synthetic fibers also have significant environmental drawbacks.

The use of virgin fossil-fuel-derived fibers supports the fossil fuel industry. According to the Intergovernmental organization, the International Energy Agency (IEA), synthetic textiles make up the second-largest end-use segment of global plastic demand, with the sector's estimated consumption of plastic amounting to 15 percent.

These numbers indicate that manufacturers use 1.35 percent of the total oil to produce synthetic fibers. So, while fossil-fuel-derived fibers are not conflict materials, they are products of an industry with a heavy social impact.

Synthetic fibers are not biodegradable and have been contributing to environmental pollution. Washing clothes made from fossil-fuel-derived fibers releases microplastics.

Fast fashion significantly contributes to the release of minuscule bits of plastic, especially during the first few washes. This widespread presence of fast fashion in people's closets plays a key role in this phenomenon.

About fourteen million tonnes of microplastics are on the Earth's ocean floor. Synthetic fibers have been contributing heavily to this issue. Researchers estimate that synthetic textiles contribute between sixteen to thirty-five percent of the global microplastics released into oceans.

Types of Synthetic Fabrics

Polyester

Polyester, created by mixing ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid, stands out as the most common type of synthetic fiber used today. Its widespread use in the fashion industry and beyond makes it the most prevalent fiber overall.

You can find polyester in the textile composition of anything from blouses and trousers to waterproof clothing and backpacks. In 2021, polyester had a market share of over 54 percent of the world's fiber production, with an annual output of about 61 million tonnes.

Polyester fibers create resilient, pest-resistant, stain-resistant, and wrinkle-resistant fabrics. However, they lack breathability, which makes them a poor choice for clothing intended for hot weather.

The production of this petroleum-based fiber is energy-intensive. A 2021 study by a team from Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM) in the Netherlands has highlighted how polyester requires 125 MJ of energy per kilogram produced, resulting in the emission of twenty-seven-point-two kilograms of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of woven polyester fabric.

Nylon

Thermoplastic polymers commonly go by the name nylon. DuPont constructed the first facility to produce this fiber, and in 1940, they launched the first pairs of nylon stockings in the US, selling 800,000 pairs within the first few days in stores.

According to the Textile Exchange's 2022 Preferred Fiber Materials Market Report, this fiber took up about 5 percent of global fiber production in the examined year. Nylon plays a crucial role in the design of activewear, swimwear, stockings, and performance apparel.

Spandex

Spandex, known as elastane or Lycra outside the US, is a synthetic fiber that manufacturers create using polymers. This fiber adds stretchiness to garments, making them more comfortable and fitted.

This characteristic makes Spandex a common feature in various clothing typologies, ranging from loungewear, denim, and dresses to underwear and shapewear, which add elasticity to the fiber mix. Hence, it's used chiefly in fiber blends.

In 2021, elastane had about 1 percent market share of the global fiber market, with global elastane fiber production of one point three million tonnes in the same year.

Acrylic

This fiber, made from a polymer, is most commonly used to manufacture knitted fabrics that compose sweaters, scarves, and hats.

In 2021, acrylic's share of the global fiber market was 1.5 percent, with about 1.7 million tonnes of acrylic fibers produced worldwide.

What are synthetic blends?

As mentioned earlier, synthetic fibers can make a textile material alone, but manufacturers can mix them with other synthetic or natural fibers.

Elastene can be mixed with anything from nylon to create shapewear and stockings to cotton in dresses, blouses, and trousers. In knitwear, manufacturers can mix acrylic with other knit-friendly fibers.

These blends are created to compensate for the technical disadvantages that one or more used fibers bring and mix their advantages. Synthetic blends present post-consumer management challenges, as garments made with these textile materials can be harder to recycle.

Semi Synthetics

Semi-synthetic fibers are a third group of fibers that have characteristics found in both natural and synthetic fibers.

Also known as manmade natural fibers, these are fibers with a naturally occurring raw material created through a complex manufacturing process that heavily relies on chemicals. Popular semi-synthetic fabrics are rayon, modal and lyocell.

Rayon

Rayon, also called viscose, is an artificial cellulosic fiber and semi-synthetic. With a production volume of about 5.8 million tonnes in 2021, viscose has the largest market share of all manmade cellulosic fibers.

Rayon is used chiefly in woven fabrics, and it's derived from wood pulp. This semi-synthetic fiber presents several issues along its life cycle, from the origin of the wood pulp to the chemicals used in the fiber's production.

Recycled Synthetic Fabrics

In addition to virgin synthetic, consumers can also find their recycled equivalent on the market. For example, of the total global polyester production, 14.83 percent comprises recycled polyester, mostly made from post-consumer PET plastic bottles.

Recycled nylon, elastane, and acrylics can also be found, but their share of the overall fiber's global protection is much lower than that of recycled polyester.

The Global Recycled Standard (GRS), the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), and SCS Recycled Content Standards are some of the most known certifications for recycled textiles.

washing machine with a laundry sitting in a guppy bag for synthetic clothing to be washed properly and avoid microplastics — Image: Guppyfriend

How to take care of synthetic fibers you already own:

Clothes made of synthetic fibers have many of the same needs as those made of natural fibers. To take good care of them, we should do our best to wash them only when needed and follow the washing instructions. Avoiding the dryer and preferring air drying always saves much energy and is kinder on the fabrics.

But unlike those made of natural fiber and natural fiber blends, clothes made of synthetic fibers shed microplastics when washed. Then, these microplastics can make their way from our homes to waterways.

While tackling the issue of microplastics on a bigger scale will require action from governments and industries, we can still enact individual chances and avoid releasing microplastics from our homes into the oceans when we do our laundry. For example, we can use the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag when washing synthetic clothing in the washing machine and the GUPPYFRIEND Sink Filter when hand-washing them instead.

How to recycle clothing made of synthetic fabrics:

Unfortunately, clothes get recycled less than we would want them to. According to the EPA, the recycling rate for textiles in 2018 was just 14.7 percent.

If you have garments you can't sell, pass down, reuse, or upcycle and want them to get recycled; you should avoid chucking them straight into the trash can. Instead, check out the solutions offered by local programs such as the Re-Clothe NY Coalition or use services like For Days Take Back Bag.

Better alternatives to regular synthetic fabrics:

Luckily, there are some fantastic alternatives that are both sustainable and biodegradable! Organic cotton is a great choice since it's grown without harmful pesticides and uses less water than regular cotton. Hemp fabric is another eco-friendly option. It resists pests naturally and needs very little water to thrive. Linen, made from flax plants, is not only durable and breathable but also fully biodegradable. TENCEL™ (Lyocell) is created from responsibly sourced wood pulp and is produced using a closed-loop process, which is better for the environment. Choosing any of these materials is a step towards a more non-toxic and sustainable wardrobe.

About the Author

Roberta Fabbrocino is a journalist specialized in climate change and sustainability-related topics. Her articles have been published in several international eco-publications. Roberta also works as a content writer for sustainable companies.