Amazon is a multi-billion-dollar company and CEO Jeff Bezos is one of the richest people in the world. According to Forbes Jeff Bezos placed at number one in the top 400 richest people in America with an estimated net worth of 179 Billion dollars. However, there are numerous reports about unfair working conditions for Amazon employees.
I listed alternatives to Amazon if you are looking to avoid shopping on Amazon. I try to shop on Amazon less often and try to vote with my dollar by supporting more small stores and sustainable companies. You can still save money by finding great deals at other businesses or stores besides Amazon.
Terminology
Before I start to list examples I am going to list the definitions behind the terminology that I use in this post.
1% for the Planet: Companies that say they are 1% for the planet donate 1% of their annual profits to support environmental causes.
Certified B Corporation: According to Certified B Corporation being certified means that they ” the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose”. It is really hard to become certified because they have a rigorous assessment that evaluates each company.
Carbon neutral: This means that a company offsets carbon emissions by supporting projects that reduce or eliminate carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
Alternatives to shopping on Amazon
Here are some options and sustainable companies that you can support instead of shopping on Amazon.
- Buy items that you want on Amazon directly through the Manufacturer’s website
One example is when I wanted to buy my mom Dropps Dishwasher pods. I bought them directly through the Dropps website instead of using Amazon. I used a discount code that dropps was offering and their free shipping made it the same cost as what it would have been on Amazon.
2. Earth Hero
Earth Hero is a one-stop-shop for sustainable items from household products to technology. They also are a certified B Corporation, 1% for the planet, and ship carbon neutral. Furthermore, they offer free shipping when you spend $50 or more and run sales occasionally. View the Earth Hero Website.
3. Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace where small businesses and artists can sell their products. Etsy is also a certified B Corporation and the company pays to offset carbon emissions. You can find a lot of things that can fit within a variety of budgets. View the Etsy Marketplace.
4. Package Free Shop
Package Free Shop is a Zero Waste Store based in New York with an online and in-person store. They offer zero waste products with plastic-free and carbon neutral shipping. Furthermore, US Shipping is free if you spend $35 or more and they have a physical store in New York. They are currently only taking online orders right now due to Covid 19. View the Package Free Shop.
5. Litterless US Zero Waste Grocery Store Directory
View the Litterless US Zero Waste Grocery Store Directory
Sustainable companies and stores outside of the United States
If you live in the UK I found a blog post by Zoe Morrison that has different zero waste stores in the UK. View the UK Directory of Zero Waste Shops – Eco Thrifty Living.
I also found a directory of online zero-waste stores around the world by Hippie Haven Podcast (Directory of Online Zero Waste Shops).
Tips for making your Amazon shopping trip more sustainable
I understand that some people use Amazon for a myriad of reasons including they live in rural areas or far away from stores. If you still use Amazon here are some ways to make it more sustainable.
- Skip Prime
When you select 2-day shipping with prime or expedited shipping that is increasing the number of carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere. Since postal services aren’t able to consolidate routes because of the increased demand for prime 2-day shipping. Furthermore, you also can save about $119 a year by not buying a prime membership.
2. Request that Amazon avoids plastic packaging in your orders
In order to do this message customer service and ask them to make a note on your account to avoid plastic and uneccessary packaging in your orders. This will not always work because sometimes things are already packaged in plastic. But this will cut down on the amount of unncessary packaging.
3. Reuse your Amazon Boxes
Before you recycle your amazon boxes see if you can reuse or repurpose them first. Amazon has a givebackbox program where you can ship items for free in old amazon boxes to charities partnered with Amazon. Or you can save those boxes for the next time that you need to mail a package.
4. Consolidate your order
When I shop online I try to order everything at once instead of placing separate orders for individual items. One example is when I ordered items that I needed from Earth Hero. I waited until there were several things that I needed to buy before I placed my order. This cuts down on the carbon emissions by having only one delivery to my house.
Comment down below if you have any small businesses or sustainable brands that you love to support.