It’s not easy shopping consciously during the holiday season — especially during Cyber Week. It’s a time of year notorious for overconsumption, impulse buys, and purchases that are bound for the landfill just months (or even days) later.
But I also don’t believe that sustainable living just looks ONE way. These sustainable and ethical Black Friday discounts can be a way to access better products for more affordable prices. And a great way to support small businesses over big box stores during what is often the most important time for businesses.
Here are some things to keep in mind to engage with Cyber Week and Black Friday more sustainably!
1. A “deal” isn’t a “deal” if we’re buying things we won’t actually use and enjoy long-term (it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of a deal and buy something that we totally wouldn’t have bought otherwise — been there, done that!)
2. Our whole platform is about challenging overconsumption, but if we want to intentionally purchase some ethical clothing or eco-friendly gifts, these sale days can be a great opportunity to support conscious brands more affordably.
3. It’s worth asking some additional questions and taking some extra time to make these purchasing decisions because the dopamine hit of a good deal can skew our decision-making abilities!
4. If the whole Cyber Week affair stresses you out or you’re feeling pressured to buy more than you originally intended, know that you can step out at any time. Turn off your notifications and get outside and/or spend time with loved ones! You do not need to buy ALL (or any) of your holiday gifts during this week.
But if you’re ready to make a mindful investment in something for yourself, or have a long list of gifts and you want some support in shopping small and consciously, check out this list of the best sustainable and ethical Black Friday and Cyber Week deals going on. Plus, we featured some companies opting out of deals and doing donations instead.
Transparency note: we only feature brands that meet high standards for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning if you purchase via these links we may earn a commission, which helps us continue this site. Thanks for your support!
Here Are Our Top Picks for This Season:
1. Passion Lilie
With elevated womenswear and menswear that pop in prints and weaves, this woman-owned brand champions artisanal techniques like hand block printing and hand weaving to create the most flattering styles that’ll withstand trends.
The brand carefully creates its pieces to make sure they are biodegradable at the end of their lifecycle by using natural fibers like recycled cotton and organic cotton that are treated with organic dyes. Since artisanal craft plays such an important role in their design ethos, Passion Lilie ensures all producer groups they employ are either Fair Trade certified or employ its core practices.
Sale Details: 30% off site-wide with free shipping over $125. Use coupon code BFCM2025. Valid November 26 – December 3
2. Mightly
Founded by four mothers who wanted to create comfortable, long-lasting clothing for active children – minus the toxic chemicals – Mightly is setting the standard for consciously crafted kidswear that takes fun designs just as seriously. Don’t just take our word for it, scroll their site to find Mightly’s delightfully colorful collection of clothing for babies, toddlers, and kids in prints that’ll add a spring in your little one’s step.
Every piece is made using Global Organic Textile Standard certified organic cotton and is sewn at Fair Trade certified factories, ensuring every step of production is responsible.
Sale Details: Tiered discount available sitewide November 25 – December 1.
- 15% off orders of $75+
- 20% off orders of $150+
- 30% off orders of $250+
3. MasayaCo
If you’re seeking artisanal furniture that’ll breathe some character into any space, then look no further. MasayaCo creates a range of handcrafted pieces from reforested teak wood that supports artisans and has an enduring quality. You’ll find versatile pieces to suit nearly every room of your home — and even something for outdoor settings that’ll withstand the elements owing to their naturally water-resistant teak.
MasayaCo has built a restorative model where they grow and manage their own forests, harvesting mature trees for furniture while 30-40% of the reforested land is preserved as a native forest.
Sale Details: 20% off all items and up to 40% off on select items November 19 – December 4. All discounts auto-applied at checkout.
4. Medley
For those who prefer plush, elevated furniture with an inviting appeal, Medley will make you feel right at home with their pieces. Ready to insert a mid-century modern touch into any home, they use time-honored building techniques to offer lasting furniture that ages beautifully.
You can lounge easy on Medley’s pieces knowing that right from the filling to the upholstery, and wood, the materials they use are tested by certifying bodies like OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, CertiPUR-US®, and GREENGUARD Gold, to name a few, which indicate the materials have been tested to be free of harmful substances and meet the most stringent standards for low chemical emissions.
Sale Details: TBA | November 28 – December 2
5. Sabai
Nothing adds life to a living room quite like a cozy and inviting sofa. And at Sabai, you’re bound to find a cushy one that’ll serve itself as a centerpiece for the heart of your home. Sabai is on a mission to make sustainable furniture that’s affordable, repairable, and circular.
The company has a range of sofas and loveseats made from recycled and upcycled materials in non-toxic finishes that are completely modular, so they can accommodate and adapt to your changing needs. All of their pieces are created on a made-to-order basis with the option to order up to six swatches free of charge for the discerning decorators.
Sale Details: TBA
The following Black Friday and Cyber Week sales from sustainable brands are sorted by category!
Sustainable Homewares & Furniture Sales
Avocado
Non-toxic brand with low-waste manufacturing offering your bedroom a sustainable upheaval with organic mattresses and bedding
Discount: TBA
Urban Natural
Sustainable home decor and furniture retailer with top brands like Copeland, Cisco Home and East Fork
Discount: TBA
Boll & Branch
Fair trade and organic-certified bedding and bath products
Discount: TBA
The Citizenry
Artisan-made home goods and furniture
Discount: TBA
Coyuchi
Sustainable bedding, bath, home goods, and pajamas made with GOTS-certified organic cotton or regeneratively-sourced fibers
Discount: TBA
My Green Mattress
Non-toxic organic mattresses, bed frames, and accessories
Discount: TBA
Saatva
Eco-friendly memory foam mattresses and organic bedding
Discount: TBA
Savvy Rest
Organic mattress and non-toxic furniture retailer using sustainable natural materials
Discount: TBA
SOL Organics
GOTS-certified organic cotton bedding
Discount: TBA
Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Holiday Sales
Christy Dawn
Slow fashion brand with dreamy dresses and other clothing made responsibly from deadstock fabric, organic cotton, or regenerative cotton grown by Oshadi in India
Discount: TBA
Kotn
Responsible clothing brand offering everyday essentials made from natural fibers with a traceable origin
Discount: TBA
Mate The Label
Loungewear and basics made with non-toxic and organic materials
Discount: TBA
Monica Vinader
Jewelry made from 100% recycled gold vermeil and 100% recycled sterling silver
Discount: TBA
Organic Basics
Eco fashion brand with intimates, basics, activewear and lounge apparel made with earth-minded fabrics
Discount: TBA
PACT
Organic cotton basics and loungewear plus home textiles made in Fair Trade Certified factories
Discount: TBA
Tradlands
Nap dresses, balloon pants, and all things cozy, crafted in sumptuous natural fibers and deadstock materials
Discount: TBA
The RealReal
Luxury fashion consignment site for finding pre-loved designer apparel and accessories
Discount: TBA
The Knotty Ones
Timeless and stylish hand-knitted knitwear made with biodegradable yarns crafted by female artisans living in rural Lithuania.
Discount: TBA
Thesus
Ethical footwear brand with vegan boots and sneakers made from sustainable, traceable materials, including large percentage of recycled materials
Discount: TBA
Vestiaire Collective
Luxury fashion resale site
Discount: TBA
tentree
Eco-minded clothing and accessories brand that plants 10 trees with every order
Discount: TBA
ThredUp
Online secondhand marketplace
Discount: TBA
Subset
Organic cotton underwear and bralettes
Discount: TBA
Brook There
Comfy organic cotton undergarments: underwear, bralettes, and nightgowns cut and sewn in the U.S.
Discount: TBA
EILEEN FISHER
Timeless, high quality slow fashion brand with circularity programs
Discount: TBA
HYER GOODS
Wallets, bags, and other accessories made from upcycled materials
Discount: TBA
Whimsy + Row
Eco-friendly Los Angeles-based clothing label with effortless pieces
Discount: TBA
Toad&Co
Eco-friendly men’s and women’s outerwear and casual clothing
Discount: TBA
Reformation
Sustainably-minded apparel brand actively working towards 100% circularity and building a Climate Positive business
Discount: TBA
Clean and Low Waste Beauty
100% Pure
Fruit-pigmented makeup and plant-based non-toxic skincare
Discount: TBA
Activist Skincare
Woman-owned brand creating high-performing vegan skincare that comes in plastic-free and refillable packaging
Discount: TBA
ILIA
Clean makeup brand — personally I love their Limitless Lash and Super Serum Skin Tint
Discount: TBA
Detox Market
Clean beauty and wellness retailer
Discounts: TBA
Henry Rose
Fine fragrances with 100% ingredient transparency; EWG Verified and Cradle to Cradle Certified
Discount: TBA
Kjaer Weis
Natural makeup brand with low-waste refillable packaging
Discount: TBA
Sustainable Cookware, Cleaning & Daily Essentials
360 Cookware
Non-toxic stainless steel cookware crafted in Wisconsin in the U.S.
Discount: TBA
Blueland
Eco-friendly cleaning supplies, including dish soap and laundry detergent
Discount: TBA
Our Place
Non-toxic non-stick pans made in ethical factories; WOC-owned
Discount: TBA
Enviroscent
Non-toxic, cruelty-free refillable home scents
Discount: TBA
XTREMA
Non-toxic ceramic cookware
Discount: TBA
Dropps
Biodegradable laundry and dishwashing pods
Discount: TBA
We’re continuing to update this post so be sure to bookmark it for later!
In the meantime, check out our gift guide: 30 Sustainable and Ethical Gift Ideas for Everyone On Your List
The post Our Picks for the Top Black Friday and Cyber Week Sales From Sustainable Brands appeared first on .
Our Picks for the Top Black Friday and Cyber Week Sales From Sustainable Brands
This week’s quote is a Somali proverb: “Be a mountain or lean on one.”
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click to get a larger image.
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https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-be-a-mountain/
Ballet flats have long been a staple in my wardrobe, but in the past few years have experienced a significant resurgence — and for good reason. The right pair can be practical, versatile, and oh so chic through days at work, with family, or out for the evening. But finding that “just right” set that’s well-crafted and sustainably made can be a whole other story. That’s why this sustainable flats guide exists.
Comfort, style, sustainability, and longevity are a lot to ask in a shoe, but I don’t believe it’s too much. It just takes some extra digging. And thankfully, I’ve done that digging for you. Because I get it! I want a flat that looks beautiful. I want a flat that’s made responsibly in line with my values. I want a shoe I can actually wear for my life. And I want that shoe to be worth the investment — it has to last. That’s why I vetted through dozens of brands to create this curated list of flats.
What Makes a Flat More Sustainable?
Material Sourcing
Footwear is a tricky category when it comes to sustainable fashion because we ask a lot of our shoes. We wear them in rain or sunshine, paved paths and cobblestone, day in and day out for years. And through it all, they have to remain beautiful. Because when they’re unwearable, there’s not much left to do with them: there is no viable footwear recycling today. Anywhere that calls it “shoe recycling” is really repurposing that footwear. But once it can no longer be worn, it’s simply trash.
In other words, our shoes need to be incredibly durable, even though the most durable materials don’t always come with the lightest footprint. In footwear, when we talk about durability, we usually rely on leather or high-performance synthetic materials. Leather can hold up with many years of wear, getting more beautiful with wear, and is easy to repair when needed. Synthetic materials are also durable, particularly for withstanding the elements like snow and rain.
But sourcing these materials conventionally is highly polluting — so how can we source these materials better?
For synthetics, we have recycled options. Today, that’s largely recycling from plastic bottles, which isn’t without it’s controversies, but there is much innovation happening in the industry around true textile-to-textile recycling.
For leather, I look for:
- Vegetable-tanned (rather than chromium tanned)
- Locally-sourced leather (more traceability), and/or
- Leather Working Group certified leather, which covers responsible management of water, energy, and waste; safe chemical management, traceability of the raw material, and occupational safety for workers.
Notably, there is no certification for animal welfare, so these are imperfect systems. But the alternative is footwear made from synthetic plastic materials or vegan leather alternatives that don’t yet meet the same durability standards as leather. Sustainability within today’s constraints requires trade-offs.
That said, there is always secondhand leather — by buying shoes secondhand you can access the quality of leather without adding further demand for the material.
Responsible Manufacturing
When considering responsible production practices, I look for first and foremost: transparency. Seeing what the brand shares about their material sourcing, their process, and who made their shoes where. And then I look at the details of that process: were the shoes made locally or within a geographic region? How are the workers paid and treated — and under which conditions do they work?
And, sometimes a brand employs an out-of-the-box approach to manufacturing entirely. There are a few slow fashion footwear brands challenging the traditional fashion system of ordering in mass quantities before demand is assessed —which inevitably leads to overproduction. These brands use an “on demand” model instead, producing their shoes only after they’ve been ordered. This reduces the risk of overproduction (i.e. producing more than what gets sold) while also encouraging more thoughtful consumption. You can’t impulse buy a pair of Mary Janes that you have to wait 8 weeks for.
Wearable and Beautiful
The most perfectly environmentally sustainable flat in the world is useless if no one wants to wear it. And as I mentioned earlier, footwear cannot be recycled into new footwear at the end of its life, so we want our shoes to last a really long time. That means they need to be design forward and comfortable, too.
My Top Picks for More Sustainable and Ethical Flats
Keeping all of that in mind, these more sustainable flats brands meet this criteria, albeit to various extents. Some err more on comfort while some more on style. Some have admirable levels of transparency and social impact, while other brands have more of a focus on their ecological impact. I’ve included descriptions alongside each brand as well as a summary of conscious qualities so you can find a brand that meets your priorities best. And, of course, a price range so you know what makes sense for your budget as well.
Some that this guide includes affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you shop through these links. As always, brands featured in shopping guides are brands that meet our strict sustainability criteria that we think you’ll love.
1. ALOHAS
Spanish brand ALOHAS flips the typical fashion production system on its head with its on-demand model.
Instead of overproducing thousands of shoes to later discount them, ALOHAS does the exact opposite. Its newest styles are available for pre-order at a discount of 30%, so the footwear brand can more accurately forecast demand. Then the shoes — like their flats — are primarily made by local artisans in Spain and Portugal. The brand regularly shows the behind the scenes of their production on their social media.
Conscious Qualities: On-Demand Production, Locally Made
Size Range: EU 35-42 (US 5-11)
Price Range: $195-$225
2. Rothy’s
If you’re looking for flats for all-day wear at work or running errands, Rothy’s is my recommendation with their cushy insoles. The brand makes their more sustainable flats from recycled plastic bottles, as well as materials like hemp and merino wool, but they still look sleek enough for the office.
While I might not wear Rothy’s flats to a fashion event (I prefer smooth leather for more elevated occasions), they are more than stylish enough to wear to most of my real-life scenarios. My favorite part about Rothy’s, though, is that they are machine washable.
Materials: Recycled & Natural Materials, Owns One Factory (undisclosed percentage of production)
Size Range: US 5-13
Price Range: $99-$165
3. Vivaia
Vivaia has the most adorable sustainable Mary Janes made from recycled plastic bottles. The adjustable straps and arch support make Vivaia’s Mary Janes suitable for all-day comfort, even if your feet are typically prone to slipping out of flats.
This vegan footwear brand also makes square-toe and pointed-toe flats for a more elevated look. And of the several recycled plastic bottle footwear brands on the market today, Vivaia tends to have the most elevated designs in my opinion.
Conscious Qualities: Vegan, Recycled Materials
Size Range: US 5-11
Price: $97 – $116
4. The RealReal
The RealReal is an authenticated luxury resale platform with contemporary, designer, and high-end luxury brands. Depending on your priorities you can find shoes in anywhere from pristine condition (but higher priced)) to “fair” or even “as is” for the largest discount from full price.
You don’t always have as many options aesthetically when shopping more sustainably, so I like to go to The RealReal when I’m looking for specific styles. I was recently looking for Mary Janes with feminine detailing and came across Larroude Flats on The RealReal, where I purchased a pair of neutral scalloped accent flats. (Pictured here!)
Conscious Qualities: Secondhand
Size Range: US 3.5-14
Price Range: $9+
5. ESSĒN
ESSĒN elegant, minimalist footwear is artisan handcrafted from Leather Working Group-certified leather in solar-powered facilities in Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Each shoe also comes with a product passport where you can view the step-by-step journey that product took through the brand’s supply chain from raw material to manufacturing to packaging and distribution.
Beyond transparency and responsible manufacturing, ESSĒN’s slow fashion business model prevents overproduction by operating on a made to order basis. Meaning while sizes and styles are predefined, the shoes are only produced after they’ve been ordered.
Conscious Qualities: LWG Certified, Supply Chain Transparency, On Demand Production
Size Range: EU 35-44 (US 4-13)
Price Range: $295-$450
6. Allbirds
Another comfort-first footwear option besides Rothy’s is Allbirds. The brand creates lightweight, super smooth and breathable flats from tree fibers, aptly called “Tree Breezers”. The (washable) shoes are also soft enough to wear without socks.
The Allbirds Tree Breezers are far more comfortable than typical flats, though I find that the Rothy’s are slightly comfier.
Conscious Qualities: Natural materials (FSC-Certified eucalyptus, castor mean oil, sugarcane EVA)
Size Range: US 5-11
Price Range: $105-$125
7. Darzah
Fair trade certified by Fair Trade Federation, Darzah’s ethical flats are entirely hand-embroidered and handcrafted in Palestine from locally sourced leather.
The tatreez flats from this nonprofit are embroidered by refugee and low-income women artisans in the West Bank with this traditional Palestinian techniques.
Conscious Qualities: Sustains Heritage Crafts, Fair Trade Certified
Size Range: EU 36-41 (US 6-10)
Price Range: $199 – $209
8. Nisolo
If you’re seeking a quality pair of classic leather flats ideal for your capsule wardrobe, Nisolo is a strong pick. Nisolo’s flats are handcrafted by artisans using leather sourced from a Leather Working Group certified tannery.
I’ve been wearing my Nisolo shoes for many years and can attest to their quality and durability.
That said, the brand has recently turned over to new ownership and now has significantly less information about their sustainability and ethics in their supply chain. I will be keeping a close eye on this brand to see if it continues to uphold the values Nisolo has long held.
Conscious Qualities: LWG-Certified, Artisan Handcrafted
Size Range: US 5-11
Price: $138 – $198
For More Slow Fashion Content:
You May Also Want to Check Out:
The Best Affordable Ethical Fashion Brands
Responsibly Made Vegan Shoe Brands
15 Brands with Ethical Boots to Rock this Fall (and Beyond)
The post 8 Best Ethical & Sustainable Flats That Are Effortlessly Chic appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
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Today’s quote is from writer, businessman, and conservationist Simon M. Lamb. In his book, Junglenomics: Nature’s Solutions to the World Environment Crisis, he suggests that nature provides solutions to help us reform our environmentally destructive economic practices.
Lamb writes, “As in nature, so in economics — what provides survives.”
Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.
Editor’s Note: This poster was originally published on March 27, 2020.
The post Earth911 Inspiration: What Provides Survives — Simon M. Lamb appeared first on Earth911.
https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-what-provides-survives-simon-m-lamb/
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