7 Must-Shop Ethical Marketplaces For Products That Give Back

Trust is a massive factor in online shopping – especially if ideology is important to you. Ethical shopping can present a particular challenge. The list below includes Ethical Marketplaces that are trustworthy and top notch – some are even social enterprises themselves, giving back some of their profits just like the social good products they feature. Take some time and browse through these ethical marketplaces and bookmark the ones that tickle your fancy, so you have them saved for future use.

1. FOR HANDCRAFTED HOMEWARES

Luv. is a one-stop online shop for unique and exclusive gifts. Connecting artists, consumers, and charities, Luv. provides a platform where exclusive products generate awareness and support a cause. From jewelry, to houseware, to ceramics, to stationary, to glass art, to accessories, and more, all products have been specifically created for and are exclusive to Luv. Teaming up with artists from across North America and a couple of international initiatives, Luv. products are all hand-crafted, high quality, low environmental footprint pieces infused with love and produced by artists who are mindful about the world around them.

2. FOR ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS WITH A STORY

The only mobile app on the list, Orange Harp partners with the most creative small businesses that make unique, high-quality products the right way. You will get a complete biography of the products and find comfort in the fact that your purchases are authentic, well-made, long-lasting, and socially-conscious. The app curates products that are made of high-quality, natural, or renewable raw materials. The brands on the app practice energy-saving manufacturing techniques, eco-friendly shipping, and other methods that protect our earth.  

3. FOR DESIGNER CLOTHES WITH A CONSCIENCE

TENT Marketplace launched in October 2014 to change the way customers shop.  The shop offers customers the opportunity to buy from designers from around the world while effortlessly giving back to the global community.  To accomplish this mission, Tent gives 5% of their profit back to the designers so they can continue to grow their businesses and also donates 5% of profits to a local charity selected by each designer. Each of the designers offer up unique pieces so that you can wear what represents who you are while being a part of an unbroken chain of fashion and philanthropy.

4. FOR HANDMADE, ETHICALLY-SOURCED GIFTS

Cambio Market is an online boutique for handmade and ethically-sourced products. They sell recycled cards made by former victims of sex trafficking, jewelry made from upcycled T-shirts, vegan hair accessories to help species at risk and many more ethical products. Every purchase supports social enterprise partners and gives back to a social cause.

5. FOR THE ETSY EXPERIENCE WITH PEACE OF MIND

Shop Us Forward is a new Etsy inspired marketplace dedicated solely to social enterprises. Similar to Etsy, social enterprises can create shops on the marketplace and sell products directly to consumers. Consumers can shop by product, by purpose, or by seller. The site currently has 12 social enterprises that have set up shop, with over 130 products total. The products benefit nine different causes.  In addition to promoting them, Shop Us Forward is also a social enterprise itself. The marketplace donates 25% of its profits to three organizations, which change and rotate annually.

6. FOR GOOD DOERS DOWN UNDER

Good Spender sells a broad range of fantastic products sold by Australian social enterprises. Good Spender allows you to interact with Australian social enterprises and support their mission by buying from them. All sellers on Good Spender have been certified by Social Traders as a social enterprise.

7. FOR ETHICAL SHOPPING WITH A DIRECT IMPACT

ShopAffect is an online marketplace created to amplify the impact of nonprofits and other ‘social good’ companies, by selling products that have a direct impact on individuals in need. The organization believes in creating a community of users who care.  As a customer you are purchasing a product from a ‘socially conscious’ business, and you select a cause for ShopAffect to make a 10% donation during checkout. Each product impact is detailed on the product page within the marketplace.

This article originally appeared on CauseArtist and is republished here with permission.