Companies

Green Life Trading Co. – Madison, WI & Online

Green Life Trading Co. is a woman-owned store on Willy Street focusing on sustainable home goods and cleaning products. They offer many bulk toiletry and cleaning products, and promote zero waste products to use in your kitchen and bathroom. The owner, Sasha, is approachable and honest about each and every product. Check out the store’s website for helpful customer reviews and blog posts explaining how to effectively use certain products (ex. safety razors).

The Glass Pantry – Milwaukee, WI & Online

The Glass Pantry is a great place to do your bulk shopping. They offer a variety of personal care, zero waste, cleaning, pantry staples, spices, herbs, tea, and coffee products for you to choose from. Bring your own containers and save the packaging! This store is a great place when trying to reduce waste, buy bulk and help the environment. Many of the items featured in the shop are organic, fair trade, local and sustainable.

LEV Apparel – certain WI retailers & Online

Lev Apparel is a women-owned ethical clothing company based in Madison, WI. They specialize in women’s clothing staples that are ethically made abroad. Lev Apparel takes a unique approach in that they celebrate and recognize all 5 body shapes – hourglass, pear, inverted triangle, rectangle, and apple. Their website includes a quiz to determine your body shape, and offers pieces that flatter your individual body shape. They’re very active in the community and on Instagram. Although they don’t have a storefront, they do sell their pieces through local retailers like Dune Gifts & Home in Stoughton, WI, or you can order their pieces online.

Serrv – Madison, WI & Online

Serrv is a store on State Street that offers ethically made women’s apparel and jewelry, home goods, and gifts. They always have a great selection of dresses, tops, and basics like leggings, and sometimes have samples of fair trade chocolate to munch on while you shop. Check out their store on State Street, or visit the Serrv International website to shop online. 

Fair Indigo – certain WI retailers & Online

Fair Indigo is a Wisconsin-based ethical clothing company, founded by a group of former Land’s End employees. They focus on men and women’s basics and loungewear – think t-shirts, leggings, sweaters, simple dresses, and tank tops. Because Fair Indigo doesn’t produce certain goods like footwear and bedding, they instead promote other ethical companies’ products via their website; examples of this include Nisolo footwear and Coyuchi bedding.

Plowshare Fair Trade Marketplace – Waukesha, WI & Online

Plowshare Fair Trade Marketplace is a non-profit in downtown Waukesha specializing in fair trade apparel, jewelry, gifts, and home goods. They offer a wonderful selection of cards and gifts ranging from children’s toys to exotic teas and chocolates. I have a soft spot for Plowshare, as I first learned about ethical and fair trade production while attending Carroll University in Waukesha and was delighted to find a nearby local business who promoted these practices. 

Good Day Shop – Madison, WI & Online

Good Day Shop is a woman-owned store on Monroe Street offering an excellently curated selection of women’s apparel and accessories, books, apothecary and home goods. Check out the jewelry and accessory selection from small, independent makers or try some WI-made beauty products from the Sunday Standard. The founder, Sarah, goes one step further and hosts a market of independent makers called the Good Day Market around the holidays each year in the Madison area. I attended last year’s market and found so many amazing small businesses and creators from which to purchase!

Dune Gift + Home – Stoughton, WI & Online

Dune Gift + Home is a woman-owned store in Stoughton, WI that specializes in women’s and children’s apparel, accessories, home goods, and vintage pieces. The owner, Cire, has an incredible sense of style and aesthetic that she incorporates into every facet of her store. If you’re looking for a handmade card, Midwest pottery, beautiful metal jewelry (made by the owner herself!), or a Lev Apparel piece, I highly recommend visiting Dune Gift + Home.

Patagonia

If you are looking for outdoor clothing, durable tops and pants, and clothes built to last, look no further. Patagonia is a champion for sustainable companies. Leading the way, Patagonia takes its environmental and social responsibility seriously. They are open about their supply chains, treat their employees ethically and fairly, and actively trying to make a difference in the fight against climate change as they move towards 100% renewable and recyclable raw materials. While their items might be expensive, they are built to last and have the least impact on the planet as possible.

Grove Collaborative

Grove Collaborative offers healthier home essentials, not just for you and your family but for the planet. They are committed to making a positive difference. Grove is the first company ever to go 100% plastic neutral, meaning for every ounce of plastic used for a essential home product, they will collect and recycle the same amount from the ocean. They hope to be completely plastic-free by 2025. All of their shipments are carbon-neutral, and they are working with many common brands that you are familiar with, like Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Generation, Burts Bees, etc. If you are going to buy these products anyways, why not support a company whose mission is to do good for you and the planet? I have been buying from them for several months now and have loved the experience and the products.

United By Blue

I first found United by Blue when I saw someone with their reusable water bottle and fell in love with the design. I soon looked them up and fell in love with their mission. They are committed to using only ethically sourced and sustainable materials. Along with making responsible products, they remove one pound of trash from the ocean with every product purchase so you can know that you are making a positive impact on the world. I bought one of their Bison Shield Jackets, which uses bison fibers instead of down to insulate and keep you warm, and I love it! When I look for clothes or reusable items such as water bottles, utensils, bags, etc., I always check them out.

Out of the Woods

I first discovered Out of the Woods in the clearance isle at Woodman’s. The design of the bag caught my eye and then I researched the company. Out of the Woods creates sustainable, washable, vegan, light weight, and durable bags out of paper. Out of the Woods calls their product “Supernatural Paper” and they create, manage and produce this paper in a way that is sustainable, conserves water, reduces waste, and saves energy. I honestly love what this company is all about and what they are doing and I have several of their products and love each one.

TerraCycle

Terracycle is my absolute favorite company to support because they are all about eliminating waste. They believe that everything can be recycled with the right technology and offer so many ways for people at home to recycle products that cannot be recycled through local municipalities. They have partnered with many major brands to create recycling programs and reduce waste in our landfills. They also offer zero-waste boxes that can aid you in your journey to becoming zero-waste at home. What I am most excited about is there new Loop company. It is basically a zero-waste grocery/general store that ships items to your house and you send back the containers when they are done to be refilled.

Ecosia

Ecosia is a search engine that plants trees! Yep, you heard me right! Choose to use Ecosia instead of Google and every search you make helps plant trees all around the world. What I love about this company is that they didn’t re-invent the wheel, search engines are already a thing, but they took that idea and turned it into a source for good. Using Ecosia, you know that you are making a positive change in this world. I love Ecosia’s blog and they do such a good job of explaining who they are and how they are able to do what they do.