I think it’s fair to say that there’s no “best zero waste stores”. If your shop is zero waste you’re already top of the pops in our book.
Online shopping is growing every day and most online stores generate reams of waste that could be avoided. That’s why we recommend buying from zero waste stores.
A zero waste store generates as little waste (or the equivalent of no waste at all) as possible.
Best Zero Waste Stores
The Package Free Shop
Probably the biggest name in zero waste stores is the Package Free Shop.
They stock a wide range of personal and home items and on top of that, they also offer a subscription service if you enjoy getting a nice bundle of surprises every month.
Their “trash is for tossers” motto is a surprisingly effective way to frame the whole issue of excess waste too. Check out our full review of Package Free Shop here.
The Wild Minimalist
The Wild Minimalist is one of our favorite zero waste stores and again they carry a broad range of products and in particular their bath and beauty products take some beating.
Their bag range is also great if you want to eliminate waste in the rest of your life.
Say goodbye to sad, wilted greens. They’re also quite affordable.
Check out our full review of the Wild Minimalist here.
Zerovana
From the big players to a much smaller one. Zerovana is a Dallas-based family business that wants to help us all move to a waste-free life.
They use 100% recycled packaging which contains absolutely no plastic and they work with their suppliers to eliminate their excess packaging too.
We really like their self-care gift sets and the compostable bandages are a superb idea.
Earthlove
This may be the best of the waste-free subscription box services but there’s no doubt about it
Earthlove is firmly pitched at the luxury end of the market and you may find that they’re simply too expensive for your tastes.
If you can afford it their boxes are superb, they have been recommended by everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rolling Stone magazine.
They also tend to contain products that are substantially better quality than the average subscription service.
Tiny Yellow Bungalow
Jessie of Tiny Yellow Bungalow is a big believe in being kind to “Mama Earth” and her zero-waste shop has completely eliminated plastic in all their shipping materials.
We really like the fact that they have a range of unique vintage items that you can’t find anywhere else online.
There’s always an interesting discovery!
They also have their own Zero Waste Vegan Cookbook which allows you to take your commitment to zero waste into the kitchen!
Eco Girl Shop
Eco Girl is an all-female owned company which is completely waste and plastic free in its shipping supply chain.
One thing that caught our eye about Eco Girl is that they’ve decided to work with One Tree Planted and they promise that every time you order from them, you will fund the planting of at least one tree.
Their travel accessories are absolutely essential, and we also love their hair care range which is so kind to your scalp.
Well Earth Goods
Well Earth reminds us of settling in with one of those luxury catalogs of your parent’s era.
There are so many great products that you find yourself wrapped up in their site for hours at a time and it’s very easy to decide that you just want to buy everything you see.
We particularly liked the fact that they make it easy to donate to other good causes such as Wildfire Relief as you ship.
Don’t miss out on their toothpaste tablets which will keep your mouth feeling amazing!
Life Without Plastic
As the name says, this is all about eliminating plastic in every part of your life.
Life Without Plastic simply notes that the oil industry which sustains plastic manufacture is one of the worst polluters and causes of environmental harm.
They also want you to be aware of the impact that plastics can have on your health.
This is an amazing online store too – if there’s a product that’s made out of plastic that they don’t have an alternative for, we don’t know what it is.
This is an essential stop on every zero-waste shopper’s list.
EarthHero
EarthHero is a massive online store with just about every product imaginable for facilitating a sustainable lifestyle.
They are not just committed to zero waste in their packaging but they also boast that they have a zero waste policy in their office – everything they use must be reusable, recyclable or compostable or it doesn’t come in the building.
All packaging in EarthHero orders is eco-friendly and even the stickers on the box they come in will be fully compostable.
We love their tentree range because every time you buy something, they plant ten trees on your behalf!
Etee
Last, but by no means least, is Etee whose name means “everything touches everything else”.
They’re one of the best brands in the zero-waste space and were founded when the owner went to go kayaking and found the river overflowing with plastic waste and junk.
All their packaging is completely plastic free, and they make everything from natural materials that can be recycled or placed into a composter when you’re done with it.
One thing every home ought to have from their lineup is the reusable beeswax food wraps which make lunches a brighter occasion without harming the taste of your sandwiches.
Last Word on Zero Waste Stores
Most zero waste stores are sustainable social enterprises with a mission to make the world a better place.
By buying your goods from these places rather than from mega-corporations like Amazon, you can make the world a better place for you and for future generations.
Additional Zero Waste Resources:
7 Zero Waste TED Talks That Will Change Your Life
9 Best Sustainable Apps For Eco-Friendly, Zero-Waste Living