Last updated on March 7th, 2024 at 05:37 am
Online shopping is everyone’s pastime now, during this pandemic. It’s also been such a lifeline in these unique circumstances when it’s safest for us to sit tight at home. However – and we all know this – Amazon, despite being the biggest player by far out there, has some serious issues with their business model. It’s very successful for them, of course, but at what cost to the environment? To workers’ rights and dignity? This post deals with some of Amazon’s shortcomings, and lists out several (74!) sustainable Amazon alternatives for more thoughtful shopping. With Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and the holiday season in general happening right now, it may be helpful to know that there are better ways to buy the same items online.
[Psst, read our comprehensive post of how to recycle Amazon packaging. We know you may have it at home, despite wanting to avoid Amazon altogether…]
- The Problems with Amazon
- Should We Continue to Use Amazon?
- How to Minimize the Effects of Your Amazon Orders
- Sustainable Amazon Alternatives: In the Spotlight
- 1 // Uncommon Goods | USA
- 2 // Itemerie | USA
- 3 // Plastic Freedom | UK
- 4 // Hive | UK
- 5 // The Kind Store | UK
- 6 // Sam & Lance | Canada
- 7 // Buy Me Once | USA
- 8 // Manufactum | Germany
- 9 // Biome | Australia
- 10 // Objects of Use | UK
- 11 // A Drop in the Ocean | USA
- 12 // Public Goods | USA
- 13 // Market Wagon | USA
- SUSTAINABLE AMAZON ALTERNATIVES: The Long List
The Problems with Amazon
Of course, online shopping by itself can be a double-edged sword, but with Amazon being such a big player, their behavior has a huge impact on the world – and particularly in social and environmental aspects. While Amazon Prime is convenient, it is terrible for the environment. And while packing and shipping can be made less wasteful, Amazon’s focus on speed and efficiency means a lot of waste gets created (Have you ever had a single order of three packs of protein powder reach you in three separate boxes on three different days? They were presumably from different suppliers, but it goes to show the holes in Amazon’s system.)
Amazon & Their Employees
Adding to that is their callous treatment of their employees, which has been bad throughout their existence (see this old but insightful article on the human cost of Amazon’s success), but has been brought into sharp focus during this pandemic. Their famed fulfillment centers certainly make the customers’ lives easier, but at a brutal cost to the workers. And Amazon’s attitude throughout has been ruthless and that of a bully, only making concessions where it is legally unavoidable and never truly with the workers’ welfare at heart (or the environment’s).
Speaking of workers and delivery personnel: Luckily, a whole lot of us could sit safely at home while others took the risk of delivering things to us. The wonderful frontline medical professionals and healthcare providers kept things moving despite experiencing unprecedented stress, but credit must also go to other frontline workers - the drivers, delivery people, the restaurant industry workers, the emergency service workers. Basically everyone who had to leave the comfort and safety of their homes in order to serve society at large and keep our civilization’s wheels grinding. The rest of us - definitely me and possibly you - seemed to be pretty useless during the pandemic, but I guess we help by spending money and keeping the economy chugging along. I’m so grateful we have them to hold the fort. A big, big thank you to all the essential workers. You are amazing!
Here’s the truth, though: the sheer scale of Amazon is such that there can never be a sustainable version of Amazon. To be able to deliver so many items to so many people across so many locations – within a short duration – would automatically make it an environmentally unsustainable business model at its core. What it is, though, is extremely convenient for all of us, and financially sustainable for Amazon themselves – which is why it continues to do so well and will continue to exist.
And this is the business that created the richest man in the world. Who continues to get richer, casting nary a concerned glance at the slogging foot soldiers who made his obscene wealth possible.
Should We Continue to Use Amazon?
Should we continue to use it? Or should we boycott Amazon? Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer, especially in the middle of a devastating pandemic that is restricting our ability to shop in physical stores. Amazon does, after all, provide a very useful service to the vast majority of their customers, often offering essential products that they otherwise would not be able to procure. Plus, with so much economic woe, can you afford to miss out on Amazon Prime Day deals this year? Or on Black Friday sales? There are also several admirable brands that are eco-friendly that sell via Amazon.
Who would we be hurting by boycotting Amazon? Certainly not Jeff Bezos, but probably Amazon’s lower-rung employees and the customers who depend on reliable home delivery. Truthfully speaking, Amazon seems way too big now to be affected by boycotts. This is not your neighborhood cake shop that decided not to cater to LGBT customers. Amazon is a global behemoth that’s growing bigger by each acquisition, and therefore any strategy to counter them should include more powerful methods of opposition aside from, yes, supporting other businesses – such as lobbying the government to tax them adequately and fairly (Amazon pays very low taxes because they are able to legally get away with paying low taxes), educating people about Amazon’s malpractices, and – well – some other methods that I can’t really talk about publicly, hehe.
How to Minimize the Effects of Your Amazon Orders
The best thing to do, for now, is to – first – minimize all your purchases to only the essentials. Second, try to buy whatever you need from sustainable alternative marketplaces (which are conveniently listed out below!). Third, don’t beat yourself up if all you are capable of doing right now is ordering from Amazon. If Amazon’s your only option, obviously do not boycott them. They’ve made it easy, so easy, and they deliver almost everywhere. Just be mindful about your purchases, order in bulk (and once a month) to minimize packaging, and support small businesses on Amazon as far as possible. Here are some ways to cut the carbon footprint on your Amazon orders.
For those who can buy from alternate marketplaces, here’s a comprehensive list of online stores in various categories.
Sustainable Amazon Alternatives: In the Spotlight
These 12 marketplaces seemed extra interesting for various reasons, so I’ve highlighted them in this section. Try them out and let us know how they were!
(The longer, full list comes after this – keep scrolling!)
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.
1 // Uncommon Goods | USA
Remarkable, curated designs by independent makers, with a positive impact on both people and our planet.
2 // Itemerie | USA
Sustainable and ethically-made products by small businesses and independent makers.
3 // Plastic Freedom | UK
4 // Hive | UK
Supporting independent bookshops.
5 // The Kind Store | UK
A curated selection of vegan, natural and sustainable essentials to live a cruelty-free lifestyle.
6 // Sam & Lance | Canada
Ethical marketplace supporting women-owned small businesses.
7 // Buy Me Once | USA
“Environmentally conscious shopping is as simple as buying long-lasting products.” Heck, yes!
8 // Manufactum | Germany
Long-lasting. Responsible. Hand-picked. Tangible.
9 // Biome | Australia
A marketplace for hundreds of ethical suppliers, most of which are small Australian businesses.
10 // Objects of Use | UK
Unique selection of everyday household tools, conscientiously sourced from around the globe.
11 // A Drop in the Ocean | USA
Online boutique providing bulk purchases and online refills.
12 // Public Goods | USA
Healthy, sustainable goods at direct-to-consumer prices.
13 // Market Wagon | USA
Shop and buy direct from all local farmer and artisan offerings.
SUSTAINABLE AMAZON ALTERNATIVES: The Long List
I was surprised that there were so many sustainable alternatives to Amazon. This is easier than I thought!;) Below is a list of marketplaces that sell sustainable, eco-friendly products, do their best to minimize packaging and carbon emissions, and adhere to fair trade practices in their supply chain (and support brands that do all of these things). Many of these marketplaces sell secondhand products (or “pre-loved” if you prefer), which is my favorite way to shop especially for electronics. They all sell products that are more eco-friendly and low-waste than the majority of brand new items in the market, and many are also small businesses that are supporting even smaller businesses.
This list is roughly segregated by category, in order to mimic Amazon’s marketplace and therefore offer effective alternatives. Some marketplaces may sell products in several categories, but I haven’t repeated any names in more than one category. Please take your time to explore the options and make the best choices for yourself and your loved ones:)
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.
ARTS & CRAFT
So, this is a tough category to find sustainable marketplaces in. I know of several eco-friendly art supply brands, but have not yet come across a marketplace that aggregates them on one platform. So, while I look for that, here are some general art supplies marketplaces. You will find eco-friendly brands in these sites, so that should work!:)
14 / Artist & Craftsman Supply
15 / Blick
16 / Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff
17 / Curry’s
18 / Jerry’s Artarama
BABY PRODUCTS
Baby product brands that are toxin-free and eco-friendly are numerous, but these marketplaces offer several brands, both secondhand as well as brand new. If this list isn’t enough for you, here are some adorable organic baby clothing brands and 18 eco-friendly toy brands to explore some more.
19 / Baby Center Community Swaps
20 / Good Buy Gear
21 / Kidizen
22 / Pottery Barn Kids
23 / Project Nursery
24 / Wee Pea
BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE
These platforms sell clean beauty products from various sustainable brands.
25 / BLK + GRN
26 / Credo Beauty
27 / Earth Hero
28 / Flora & Fauna
29 / Habitat Botanicals
30 / The Detox Market
31 / GreenBeauty Market
32 / Wearth London
AMAZON ALTERNATIVES for BOOKS
How ironic that Amazon began as a bookstore that was hailed as a game-changer for book lovers. Well, Amazon became a game-changer alright…
Here are some alternatives to Amazon for books.
33 / Alibris
34 / Biblio
35 / Better World Books
36 / Overdrive
37 / ThriftBooks
Alternatives to Amazon for ELECTRONICS
These three marketplaces are for pre-loved or secondhand electronic products. You can also look for refurbished electronics at the respective brand websites.
38 / Back Market
39 / Newegg
40 / Swappie
FASHION
There are loads of standalone sustainable clothing brands, but these are some marketplaces that sell several brands, secondhand and new.
41 / Novica
42 / thredUP
43 / REI
44 / We Dress Fair
<<< Want ethical alternatives to Amazon for shopping secondhand fashion? >>>
HEALTH & HOUSEHOLD
Healthy food products for a zero waste kitchen, eco-friendly household goods, low-waste bulk items – find them all here.
45 / Azure Standard
46 / Blueland
47 / Grove Collaborative
48 / Kazidomi
49 / Life Without Plastic
50 / Misfit Market
51 / Mighty Nest
52 / Package Free Shop
53 / The Ultimate Green Store
54 / Thrive Market
55 / Unpacked Living
56 / Wild Minimalist
HOME & KITCHEN
As you build your sustainable, eco-friendly home, shop at these places for suitable products.
57 / DoneGood
58 / Made Trade
59 / Society B
60 / The Bare Home
61 / The Little Market
62 / Ten Thousand Villages
63 / Urbanara
64 / Viva Terra
65 / World Finds
PET SUPPLIES
Dogs and cats (and other companion animals) will be catered to at these marketplaces.
66 / Chewy
67 / Dog.com
68 / Only Natural Pet
69 / The Bark
MISCELLANEOUS
Everyone already knows about these websites and community-based marketplaces, but I’m still listing them here for when you’re unable to find specific items elsewhere! Are they more sustainable than Amazon? Well, some are and some definitely aren’t. Etsy, for one, is the first major online shopping destination to offset 100% of carbon emissions from delivery. So Etsy is cool – and a highly recommended place to shop at for many other reasons as well. But at this point in the list, you’re probably desperate for whatever it is you’re searching, so go ahead and check out the other options too.
70 / Craigslist
71 / eBay
72 / Etsy
73 / Facebook Marketplace
74 / Nextdoor
Phew! That is a long list! I will add to it as and when I come to know of other sustainable marketplaces. Meanwhile, if you enjoyed the post, please share it on your social media. Thank you!
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THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.
NOTE: All brand photographs belong to the respective brands/businesses.
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