Editor’s Note
This article explores the shift from simply offering eco-friendly products to building a truly zero-waste retail model. It highlights the growing market potential and key product characteristics, such as waste reduction and sustainable materials, that define this movement.
It’s also an increasingly lucrative one. Ahead, discover dozens of product ideas, from reusable bottles to snacks made from food scraps. These products are often certified by third-party organizations to verify their sustainability claims.
Key characteristics include low environmental impact through waste reduction or use of sustainable materials, and serving as a zero-waste alternative to conventional products. Whether it’s ethical loungewear or clean comfort foods, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover tips for getting started as an eco entrepreneur—and protect the planet, one refillable water bottle at a time.
Our list includes real examples of successful brands selling the best eco-friendly products in each category—everything from green cleaning products to single-use plastic alternatives.
Harry Barker is known for its designer dog toys and accessories that are also sustainably produced. From recycled yarn toys to leashes made from recycled plastic bottles, Harry Barker blends high-end design with earth-friendly materials to reduce plastic waste.
Full Circle’s treats are made from food rescued from agricultural and production waste streams, diverting thousands of pounds of food from landfills—each treat is made from at least 25% upcycled ingredients. The brand also packages its treats in PCR (post-consumer waste) plastic bags and boasts solar-powered production facilities.
Girlfriend Collective takes sustainability seriously. The activewear brand considers its impact throughout the entire supply chain of its comfy activewear line, from using innovative materials like recycled cotton and renewable fibers to measuring and reducing its carbon footprint.
Loll’s outdoor furniture is the perfect addition to a cozy backyard retreat. It’s also made with recycled ocean plastic, but looks just like natural wicker. The brand keeps a running tally of plastic waste rescued from oceans (430,000 pounds in 2022 alone) and offsets 100% of its carbon emissions.
There are plenty of ways you can enter this space with innovative products that make a minimal impact on the planet. Think sportswear and yoga gear constructed from recycled or renewable materials: cork yoga mats, plant-based leather running shoes, and gear that’s made to last.
Manduka’s eKO series yoga mats are made from natural, renewable rubber—a 100%-biodegradable product—and non-AZO dyes. The brand also accepts used mats through its LiveON recycling program.
Girlfriend Collective is a performance-wear brand committed to using innovative materials. Recycled fishing nets, water bottles, and even windshields have a chance at a second life, transformed into shorts or tops that are UV-protected and moisture-wicking.
Bite eliminates plastic waste from hair brushes and disposable bamboo toothbrushes with plastic-free packaging. The company also offsets its impact through a tree-planting program that has planted more than 62,000 trees.
Glasstic is a big name in the upcycling space, taking castoff glass bottles and transforming them into gorgeous reusable drinking glasses.
Earth Breeze sells plant-based laundry sheets that distinguish themselves as the only truly 100% plastic-free option by eliminating Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA/PVOH), a hidden microplastic often found in competitors’ products.
Blueland sells dissolvable, plant-based tablets that turn plain water into rich foaming hand soap, letting you refill your dispenser instead of buying a new one. They come in tiny, compostable paper packets, which saves storage space and cuts out single-use plastic waste entirely.
