Got Black Friday shopping plans? Are you looking for pre-Black Friday sales already? In the past, we participated in the yearly spending tradition by showing up at retail stores or continuously refreshing our page before the clock struck midnight. Retailers such as Best Buy, Nike, and Walmart have been notorious for their jaw-dropping sales during Black Friday, but popular brands are often also known for their unethical practices.
But what if I told you that there are eco-friendly brands that are also affordable, and hold Black Friday sales at incredible prices? Because there are—they are just lesser-known! If you want to switch to a more sustainable Black Friday season this year, you are in the right place, at the right time, as I reveal the top 10 environmentally-friendly brands that you can shop from, this Black Friday season.
- PACT
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PACT is an everyday apparel brand known for its usage of only organic cotton created in Fair Trade Certified factories. All of their products are created by using natural farming chemicals with no toxic mixtures involved. Plus, PACT even offers you the option to offset your shipment’s carbon footprint to be extra eco-friendly.
PACT’s products include sweatshirts, go-to leggings, and reusable face masks. Not to mention, the brand marked down select apparel for up to 70% off last year.
- Alice + Whittles
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Alice + Whittles creates products with natural fair-trade rubber, reclaimed ocean plastics, recycled PET, and vegan, water-based glue. All of their footwear is virgin plastic-free, and its rubber is sustainably sourced from managed forests. As an ethical company, Alice + Whittles sells products that are almost 100% sustainable and traceable.
Alice + Whittles sells comfortable outdoor footwear and accessories such as classic riding rain boots, minimalist luxa sneakers, recycled laces set, and ankle rain boots. In collaboration with Well Beings, the company will donate 100% of the proceeds from the limited edition recycled laces set to protect the Amazon. It’s a win-win!
- Starfish Project
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Starfish Project is a jewelry brand with a Holistic Care Program for women escaping exploitation and human trafficking in Asia. By offering long-time employment and shelter, Starfish Project is committed to helping women and girls build an independent life with the resources necessary. Each of its fashion jewelry is hand-made, and 100% of the proceeds are used to support its social mission to restore hope in the lives of disenfranchised women and girls.
Starfish Project’s line includes gold pendant necklaces, turquoise earrings, stone bracelets, and silver crown rings. Heads up, the company discounted its jewelry for up to 90% off last year!
- Sand Cloud
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Sand Cloud is a mission-driven company to #savethefishies. From its profits, Sand Cloud has donated about $100,000 to nonprofit organizations such as the Marine Conservation Institute, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and the Surfrider Foundation.
Known for its 100% Turkish cotton towels, Sand Cloud offers eco-friendly accessories, clothing made from recycled materials, reef-safe sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and metal straws. Some of their products include the ocean eco tee, blue sea turtle reef towel, glass bottles with protective sleeves, and zero-waste scrunchies. If you are fond of marine animals, I highly recommend checking out Sand cloud’s website. Hurry, because there is currently a $300 Black Friday giveaway!
- KOTN
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KOTN sells products that are made from scratch and knitted into sheets of material, where each fabric is unique. A supporter of sustainable Egyptian cotton farming, KOTN offers sustainable employment to prevent child labor. The company’s mission is to provide children in farming communities with access to education while empowering young females to experience equal opportunities. Every purchase made on KOTN will fund school infrastructure development, educator salaries, laptops, maintenance for roads that link communities to schools, supplies, science labs, water and electricity, furniture, and faculty training.
Since 2017, KOTN has donated 100% of its profits from Black Friday through Cyber Monday to fund two primary schools in locations where their cotton farmers lived. The wide range of products sold by KOTN includes cropped trousers, helping hands long-sleeve, and crew socks. There are even staple pieces for everyday wear!
- United By Blue
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A B-corp certified brand, United By Blue focuses on ocean conservation by creating ethically sourced and long-lasting products. Selling apparel that leaves as little of a footprint as possible, United By Blue sells other accessories such as home decor and cozy outerwear. And it doesn’t end there. For every product purchased, United By Blue promises to remove one pound of trash from oceans and waterways. As of November 2020, the company has removed about 3.3 million pounds of trash and counting.
As the holidays are coming up, United By Blue has also prepared a whole gift tab for assistance and easy browsing. What’s even better is that there is a “Gifts Under $50” category. Its products include we are all connected tee, recycled waffle beanie, and insulated steel water bottles.
- Girlfriend Collective
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Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable activewear brand that makes products ranging from XXS to 6XL. All of its products are created from recycled materials such as water bottles, fishing nets, and other waste to prevent nylon crude oil usage. Even its packaging is 10% recycled and recyclable! Not only that, its yarn is made in a zero-waste, zero-emission facility where there are fair wages, safe conditions, and zero child labor.
In the past few months, Girlfriend Collective has donated to organizations such as Reclaim the Block, Black Visions Collective, and Visit Lake Street to support the Black Lives Matter movement. From June 25th until supplies last, the company will also donate 100% of the proceeds from its Everyday GF collection to the Loveland Foundation, the Okra Project, and the NAACP Legal & Defense Fund.
- TomboyX
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TomboyX is a gender-neutral, non-binary company that also includes sizes ranging from XS – 6X. An inclusive, queer-ran label, TomboyX works with majority women-owned or managed facilities that ethically produce materials. Instead of using synthesized materials, the brand uses crab and shrimp shells, and Birchwood fibers to create most of their products. Committed to philanthropy, the company has donated to causes and organizations such as the Black Lives Matter movement, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Immigrant Families Together, National Center of Transgender Equality, and COVID-19 charities.
TomboyX’s products include sports bras, fragrances, and crewnecks. Psst, you receive free shipping when you share your email!
- Nisolo
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Nisolo is known for closely working with small, independent artisans to help them grow. Nisolo uses the profits to provide a living wage to workers in their company-owned factory in Peru, for every purchase. Aiming to support those who have not held a stable job, the company offers them a consistent salary and an in-house financial literacy training program. Besides providing guidance, Nisolo also strives to combat climate change by protecting the Amazon Rainforest. Each product sold on the site is a contribution to the organization Ecosphere+!
From premium-leather boots to jewelry, Nisolo *almost* has it all. Products include oxfords, slip-ons, tech pouches, and canvas totes. Last year, the brand discounted its products at an additional 25% off. As of right now, there are 20% off select styles!
- Parker Clay
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Parker Clay sells handcrafted goods that are ethically made in Ethiopia. Partnering with Ellilta Women at Risk, the company has hired about 32 women who have been exploited through prostitution to help them restore hope and value. With most of its employees as women, Parker Clay produces high-quality handbags, backpacks, and a wide range of everyday essentials, including passport wallets, tote bags, the work-from-home bundle, and laptop sleeves.
Last year, there was a 25% off sitewide sale, so be on the lookout for promotions!
It is never too late to spice up your wardrobe with sustainable pieces. Be a little different this year and stray away from the crowd. Instead of browsing through fast-fashion sites, look into various ethical brands because you will be surprised to see how some can act as alternatives. This way, when you happily purchase an item, our planet will shine a smile as well.