Resources: Product Suppliers

BULK

To find physical shops that sell packaging-free products (for example, stores that offer products in bulk bins and allow you to use your own cloth bags or reusable containers), try the BULK mobile site from The Zero Waste Home. You don’t have to register to search the database, but if you do register, you can add new locations and help others.

bulk

Plastic-Free Products

Below is an ongoing list of businesses providing products that can help us live with less plastic. What are your favorites? Want to suggest something that is not listed?  Please leave a comment at the bottom of this page.

Note: If you purchase products through any links on this site, My Plastic-Free Life may some compensation to keep the site going.

74 Responses to “Resources: Product Suppliers”

  1. Hi Beth, Great service to the planet – so well done you!

    Sailing the oceans really brought it all home to me and I got me into plastic-free big style about 10 years ago!

    I get my plastic free personal care items, you know shampoos, soaps and lotions, all from a 100% plastic-free store online towards the East coast called https://thesolidbarcompanyusa.com/collections/body-care they are the partner company of the UK-parent company https://thesolidbarcompany.com/. I got introduced to them a while back when my husband was based over there, now I’m back on US soil so it’s great to know they have an outlet here too.

    Worth a look as the products have many other green/eco credentials.

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  4. Have been a supporter of Who Gives a Crap for awhile. Love their mission and they are ‘cheeky’ advertisers!

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  6. Who Gives a Crap ships toilet paper made from sustainable bamboo with no plastic wrapping and no plastic shipping materials. The toilet paper is great. Plus, WGAC donates 50% of profits to build toilets around the world in communities that lack adequate toilets.

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    • Thank you for catching my oversight. I posted a review of Who Gives A Crap back a couple of years ago and forgot to add the company to this list. I have now added it.

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  7. It’s a little thing, but Pocono Cream of Buckwheat Cereal comes in a cardboard box with no plastic. It’s organic and gluten free, too.

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  10. Thank you for the comprehensive list!

    What’s your suggestion for buying berries, especially something like raspberries? Leave the plastic at the checkout to make a point?
    Is there an easy to carry or suggested storage for berries?

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    • Hi, Alex. Berries are so delicate and go bad fairly quickly in the refrigerator. Personally, if I can’t eat them before they will go bad, I freeze them in an airtight container like this or this and take them out and wash and eat as needed. (Frozen berries are great for smoothies.) Don’t wash them before you freeze them or you’ll end up with a berry ice block.

      Also, here’s an article about buying and storing all kinds of produce without plastic: https://myplasticfreelife.com/2010/05/how-to-store-produce-without-plastic/

      As for buying berries, that can be tricky. If you can get them at a farmers market, you can pour the berries into your own bag or container and hand the plastic basket back to the farmer to reuse. That doesn’t work in the grocery store — the basket will not get reused. Look for berries in molded paper baskets like these: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/1-pint-green-molded-pulp-berry-produce-basket-case/4341632.html. If plastic is your only option, consider choosing a different fruit. Handing the basket to the cashier will not make a point because fresh raspberries and blackberries are packed in the fields into their final containers. (Reference) You would need to communicate with and/or send them back to the berry producer rather than the store.

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  12. Fantastic info many thanks. I seem to be one of a very few men passionate about or even interested in living plastic free. I live in Thailand where the problem is extreme – my wife and I join with “Trash Heroes” cleaning up the beach – it’s amazing what we find. I’m looking into developing an online business offering plastic free products – I have experience in online distribution in another field selling on Amazon and off Amazon in the US and Europe.
    Do you know of any reliable wholesalers offering a range of plastic free eco friendly products?? This could be a great resource at least in the early stages.

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  15. Hi Beth, I’ve looked through your product list and read your book and there is a product category I don’t see mentioned and that is foam rollers. While searching online I found what looks like a really good plastic-free alternative made by Lanna Rollers. They are carved from mango wood, covered with natural rubber and then fabric. I have no association with the seller. I just wanted to let you know in case you’d also be interested in sharing this information with your readers. Regards, Sarah

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  16. buzzmiel.com Natural Deodorant is a company that strives to use glass in their packaging. They also recycle their boxes and paper/filler for shipping, so products arrive to customers in recycled boxes. They started out using plastic but have changed their lineup for certain products. The deodorant works better than any natural deodorant on the market and no itchy skin or yellowing of clothing. They started out for kids.

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  18. Hi Beth
    Thanks for sharing this amazing resource of suppliers who use less or no plastic at all which is very important for for climate and future generation. Well after reading your story and blog i got really inspired . Like how just one image and the article could inspire and change and a persons life. Thats so amazing. really admired by you.
    So keep uo the good work. Anyways i also know a clothing store from Nepal which does the same thing, reducing the use of plastic. The store name is Kathmandu Clothing. They sell eco friendly clothes and products which are made in Nepal by ethnic underprivileged Nepalese women. So i guess i should definitely mention that store because they are doing the good work and we should help those people who helps to keep environment and climate clean

    So again keep up the good work beth. Best of Luck

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    • I’d like them to disclose exactly what materials are used in the floss picks. I’d also like them to be certified compostable. It’s hard to assess their claims when they provide so little information on their website.

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  20. Hi, My daughter Daniella who is 24 years old was diagnosed with an allergy to plastics after wearing a plastic retainer with ruined her immune system. Since then, life has been hard, as you can imagine. We have discovered a wonderful music summer camp for our very musical family where the kitchen staff is actually willing to try to go plastic free – at least in increments. I have no idea where to find chemical free trash bags (In the past they have actually been mixing all the salads and many other foods in trash bags – so toxic) and other commercial kitchen sized buckets and mixing bowels and storage containers, that would be free of petroleum based plastic products – currently all food is stored in plastic buckets, etc. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Your help with this matter is most appreciated.

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  21. Hello,
    I am trying to live a plastic free life, but now I am looking for plastic free hair accessories and I can’t find any. Would you happen to know a shop that sells wooden hair grips and clips?
    Many thanks in advance,
    Nicole

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  22. TIDY TIDE supporting WaterAid:

    I am selling 100% plastic free stainless steel and bamboo lid bottles to reduce plastic pollution, raise awareness through my website http://www.free-water.org and raise funds for WaterAid.
    This is a non-profit personal initiative I am running in my spare time.

    If you would include the TidyTide bottle in your brand list you’d help make a difference,

    Many thanks

    Meike

    http://free-water.org/TidyTide.html

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  23. Do you know any place that sells natural artist quality erasers? I’m in art school and I try to be environmentally conscious by going to the SCRAP store and recycling older fabric but I haven’t been able to find a good solution for my eraser problem.

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  24. Have you heard of the company S.W. Basics?
    I recently bought some of their Eco Cotton Rounds (100% Organic), and anyways I noticed that a lot of their products come in glass jars with metal lids & they have some tinned vegan lip balms & non-vegan lip balm in a tin & plastic free bags. They have only one product in plastic, a different lip balm.

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  25. I own a small Organic grocery and do as much bulk as possible. I am about to add grab and go food and would prefer that everyone bring their own container but know not everyone is there yet. Does anyone know where I can find truly compostable carry out containers?

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  30. ValeraChilders One possibility — Victoria Footwear from Spain offers simple canvas sneakers (similar to Keds); they are made from a cotton canvas upper and a natural rubber sole. They aren’t the cheapest shoe (of course) and I’m not sure whether they would stand up to the rigors of all-day walking. I bought a pair for my daughter and they have held up well under light use. We opt for more “barefoot” style shoes and so these fit the bill nicely since they are lightweight and flexible.

    Another company to check out is Otz shoes. They use a supportive natural cork footbed (similar to Birkenstocks) but have a number of athletic shoe options.

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  31. I found that Everlane.com is a great source of plastic-free clothing. They have been getting a lot of publicity for their approach to clothing manufacturing (no designer “labels”, ethical production, cutting out the middleman and selling directly which enables a quality product at a reasonable price), but I’ve been really pleased to find that they package and ship their clothing with NO plastic. The clothes aren’t in plastic bags, there are no tags or plastic hangtags, there is no plastic tape on the package – nothing! They don’t publicize this so it may not apply to every single product they sell, but I’ve placed multiple orders over the past couple of years and still haven’t received any plastic in an order.
    I love their basic $15 cotton T-shirts (I’m picky about quality and can never find items like this second hand). They posted a great photo essay showing the factory in LA where the shirts are made and all the steps in the process of making one, here: https://www.everlane.com/factories
    Like most things, they aren’t perfect. The cotton isn’t organic and I imagine the thread used to sew the clothing is a typical poly blend. Still, it’s nice to see a company making progress in this area!

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  32. Hi There! I just love your website! Thanks for all the valuable information – so hard to go totally plastic free but I am making it a challenge and a priority for the good of the planet! Does anyone have any reputable sources for organic cotton bedding/duvets/comforters? Thank you!

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  33. Looking for new walking/tennis/cross-trainer shoes. It’s REALLY hard to find good ones that don’t have some kind of plastic. I’m going to need at least two pair because I’m walking from San Diego, CA to San Francisco, CA. Any suggestions?

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  34. Hi Beth!
    Can I recommend my own company: Eco Maniac Company? I often use your blog and book to find new ideas for plastic free living products. We offer reusable bags, straws, bamboo utensil sets, snack and sandwich bags and more. We even carry your book! Our website is http://www.EcoManiacCompany.com and we have a physical location in Virginia Beach, VA as well. Thanks for your consideration. Thank you for the wonderful work you do!
    Christina

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  36. Hi Beth,
    I’m hoping you might be willing to issue a challenge to your readers – I used to live in Monrovia, Liberia, where a good friend was helping a group of young Liberians to start a fruit juice and smoothie business (http://goo.gl/UsXBXu). I like to take some credit for the fact that they were trying to go plastic-free – they sterilized 11-oz glass bottles for single servings; invested in 1-liter bottles for bulk orders; stocked up on glass straws for customers. All local fruit, locally processed, unlike anything else available.
    The business is now seeking to expand into selling dried fruit (the fruit selection is amazing, but seasons are short – mangoes for example are ripe February, March, maybe April, and then gone the rest of the year), and they are really struggling for plastic-free packing ideas that will keep out pests and dust, and not encourage mold (Liberia is really humid).
    Do you think your readers could help brainstorm packaging options? They are really constrained on cost, so importing fancy bees wax bags that cost $0.50 each is not an option; they need costs to be below $0.05 per sandwich bag-size portion for it to be feasible.
    Current options include:
    – sterilizing drinking water bags and re-using if they can work out how to seal them back up
    – wax paper bags that can be sealed with glue
    – importing plastic bags that can be heat sealed

    Thank you!
    -Amanda

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    • What about a natural bee’s wax lined fabric bag, like what abeego makes? https://abeego.com/ I know they’re mission is to more or less replace plastic bags, but I bet someone makes some sort of small bag like that which you guys could use. Just throwing it out there!

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  38. 2 physical stores I must recommend are:
    Whole Earth Center in Princeton, NJ. They’ve been selling bulk products since they opened (70s or 80s). They have dried fruits, muslis and granolas, flours, grains, beans, pastas, seaweed, candies, oils, honey, agave, laundry and dish soaps, and lots more. They are very good with taking tare weights and sell ball jars and cloth bags.
    The other is Integral Yoga in NYC. This is the store that Colin Beaven went to for bulk during his project, and I went there when I was looking for fair trade bulk chocolate chips – WEC had both kinds, but not the combination. They also have dish soaps and lots of other stuff, but I didn’t look at everything I didn’t need from there. they also had a fair trade cocoa powder that was abouot $18/lb – too much for me.

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  40. Dear Beth,
    Your blog has been an inspiration to me in starting my business, Glassery. After reading about the health dangers of plastic and the Great Ocean Garbage Patches, I started to look around for healthy, plastic-free products. After spending many more hours than I would have liked on fruitless searches, I decided to start a store that offered only 100% plastic-free products. I am proud to announce that I have opened my doors for business.
    Glassery is an online retail store with the goal of helping people find alternatives to plastic in the kitchen. At Glassery, you’ll find glass containers, water bottles, teapots, condiment jars, straws and cookware by gifted designers and manufacturers from all over the world. What you won’t find are plastic lids or plastic seals. Glassery products use only stainless steel, sustainable wood, cork, and silicone as secondary materials. Whenever I can’t find plastic-free products, I design them.
    Please visit us at https://www.glassery.com/, and if you like what you see please tell your friends about us. Please write to us with your comments and suggestions on how we can improve.
    Yours for healthy people and a healthy planet,
    Laurel Kenner
    Founder, Glassery

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    • Hi. Sorry your comment didn’t appear right away — Livefyre thought it was spam. But I went ahead and approved it.
      I have a question — I see you carry glass teapots. Can these tea pots be heated on the stove? And can they break? I have been looking for one and reading comments on Amazon, and I have yet to find one that didn’t have at least a few comments saying they broke when heated on the stove… even teapots that are borosilicate glass and not supposed to break.

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  41. Hey, thanks for enlisting different plastic free companies around the world. I am sure your list will help abundant of people who all visit your blog and are looking for plastic free companies.

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  42. I just tried to purchase the make-up, only to find after getting to the delivery information and facts web page that the organization doesn’t send to Canada! I sent them an e-mail to recommend that they really should condition that up-front. I misused lots of your energy and energy. Justfriends, that appears to be excellent. Will you get in touch with me after you obtain the TP and let me know exactly how it was packed in the box? Always looking for excellent resources of plastic-free products.

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  43. I found a place that sells German made horsehair broom heads. All natural, no plastic – that’s what I want.

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  44. Please add these organic cotton produce & bulk bags to the list…they work great! (Even for flour)
    http//www.organicgreensbag.com

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  45. Hey Beth,
    I love love Badger Balm. Their products are mostly organic and mostly plastic free. The only plastic in the tins is a safety wrap/ring. They have oils in glass bottles but with a plastic pump and lid. Their sunscreen is the best (great ratings from the EWG) and the container at least contains some recycled plastic.
    I’m really excited because they are planning on coming out with a deodorant next year and they said it will be plastic free.
    So, great products, great ingredients, and the company strives to use Eco friendly packaging.

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    • Eve, that’s interesting. What I wonder is what the eraser is made from. It’s latex-free, so I’m assuming it’s made from plastic. I emailed the company to find out.

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  47. I just tried to order the toilet paper, only to discover after getting to the shipping info page that the company doesn’t ship to Canada! I sent them an e-mail to suggest that they really should state that up-front. I wasted a lot of time!

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  48. Follow-up on the TP packaging from Restockit: I’m so pleased to report that the ONLY plastic on or in the whole 5 cu ft box was the little plastic envelope containing the packing slip – no tape even! At a cost of 62 cents per 500 sheet roll, it beat out the big box stores. And, it’s decent TP too, which is a good thing, since I now have enough to last me two years! — — Eve

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  49. Wheeeeeeeee!!! I’ve found an online source for toilet paper that has NO plastic in the wrapping – AND it’s made from 100% recycled materials AND no bleach!!! AND it’s not exxpensive. Green Heritage by Atlas Paper Co. has about 12 different green varieties. It i ‘s a tad confusing – I mean have you ever measured your squares of toilet paper??? I’ve ordered a case – yes 96 rolls! I just hope the shipping box has minimal plastic/tape – but it’s still way better than that plastic wrapping on every doggone package. Check out – http://www.restockit.com

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  50. Jane and Lynnel, Eco Vision is the company that makes the cardboard tubes and containers. They are owned by the same people as Organic Essence. Contact them! http://eco-vision.com/index.html Contact them to find out how you can buy tubes/containers. I have no idea how much they cost. The prices are not on the web site.

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  52. Thank you. I am looking for the empty tubes and other eco friendly packaging to use for products at shoppe.

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  53. YES! Jane and Lynnel. In fact, right here on this page. Organic Essence sells lip balm in cardboard tubes. I wrote “plastic-free” but I should have specified that the tubes are actually cardboard.

    Jane, I’ll check out SmallBones.ca and add them.

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  55. http://www.smallbones.ca website & physical shop makes/sells many green products: soaps & shampoo bars, beeswax candles, organic cotton bags, hand-woven baskets, toiletries for women & men, etc. Most packaging is non-plastic (some lids are plastic & still searching for alternative lip balm tubes). Located in southern Ontario, Canada.

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  56. I’d suggest you add OB People’s Co-op [http://obpeoplesfood.coop/] to the list of physical stores. They really encourage you to bring your own bags and containers. There are the cloth bags available for purchase right next to the bulk bin (in case you forget your own). They sell the stainless steel water bottles along with all sorts of bulk goodies (maple syrup, grains, candies, oil, shampoo, soap, spices) that you can bring your own container in. I get zero friction from the staff when I bring my own bags, containers, jars, etc. They work with me when I ask for plastic free alternatives. Can’t say enough good things about them. And, and! Their prices are lower than Whole Foods. Totally worth a visit!

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  57. I live in New Zealand and I like to buy organic foods like flour and oats but am having trouble sourcing large non-plastic containers in which to keep them. Have I just not found the right sites yet? Any suggestions?

    Kate

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  58. Just FYI, the stainless steel wine glasses from Green Boat Stuff come with plastic bottoms. I guess there is a “stemless” wine glass that is totally stainless, but that might not be so useful after a lot of wine tasting…

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  59. We make every single bar of soap so you can luxuriosly shampoo, shower shave and bathe. We have been making soap for almost 20 years and have been “green product” long before it was considered one of our responsiblities to do so.
    Our labels and packaging are simple – recycled paper.
    Would love to have you list us as a link to your site if possible.
    You have a great site. Thank you!
    Lynnel Camling

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