A Life on a Dime has a continuing goal of living more sustainably/environmentally responsibly within the confines of a smaller budget. While far from perfect in our endeavors, our family has certainly made improvements. After a few years of trial and error (and some more errors) here are a few of my favorite sustainable brands. This list is short because I haven’t found a whole lot of brands that both fit my budget and meet truly “clean” standards for ingredients and company practices.
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YOUNG LIVING
While it’s not the primary focus of this blog, I am oil, and this is the oily brand I use. There are other, similar companies with comparable quality standards out there, and feel free to try them out. We’ll still be friends.
This is just the brand I was first exposed to and have been impressed with just about every product I’ve tried. This household runs on Thieves. On occasion, I will buy whatever plant-based cleaning product is offered at the local store, and I am always disappointed.
And it’s never been more affordable to become a Young Living member. You don’t even need a starter kit anymore. Get started by ordering 50 PV on a subscription and unlock the 24% discount. The best part is you aren’t stuck ordering the same subscription items month-to-month; it’s customizable.
I order what I need and only what I need every month (due to that previously mentioned small budget). When I accrue enough loyalty rewards I splurge on some anti-aging cream or a collection of oils I couldn’t otherwise afford.
Young Living has a pretty strong sustainability initiative. Below are just a few highlights.
- 99% landfill-free status at their largest distribution center
- 2019 Green Business of the Year and Recycler of the Year
- forego the use of over 2500 harmful toxins
- minimal, easy-to-recycle packaging
- Seed to Seal criteria ensures sustainability from the source
- Global headquarters built to both LEED and Green Globes Standards
- Investment in healing the amazon as well as wildlife sanctuaries and other partnerships
The difference between sustainable and environmentally friendly/green products and companies is the attention paid to the human factor. One thing I appreciate about this company is when it seeks to invest in new partner farms, it also seeks to improve the lives of the people around it.
One notable example of that is the academy in Ecuador, which provides 350 students annually with a free quality primary and secondary education.
DR BRONNER’S
Dr Bronner’s Castile soap is my absolute favorite; I have been a fan of the bottled liquid for years, and just last year I started using the bar soap for easier packing on vacation. I’m still hooked; one bar of soap costs less than $5. You can also buy it in larger plastic bottles or in bulk sizes. When kept in a soap box it lasts months.
I use Castile as both face and body soap. It makes my daily routine so much easier simply by eliminating an additional product in the shower. Castile soap is sensitive to the skin and comes in a variety of scents. I personally use lavender. The unscented baby soap is great not just for babies, but also for oily DIYs.
The company literally boasts its product as being the original all-in-one soap and lists no less than 18 different uses for the product on its website. And, to quote its website, this company “fights for and financially supports regenerative agriculture, fair trade, animal advocacy, industrial hemp and drug policy reform, and living wages among others.”
You can check out more on the positive change the company stands for on the site about page.
PACT SUSTAINABLE CLOTHING
In addition to thrifting a large majority of my wardrobe, I have made strides to build the basic foundations of my wardrobe on sustainable, organic cotton undergarments. When Pact has a sale, I try to make room in the budget for a few essentials.
Buying basics from this Fair Trade Certified company while on sale is comparable in price to buying items at Target. It’s kind of a no-brainer. Once or twice a year I order a few things. I love their fit and flare dresses and want one in just about every length.
You can check out their sustainability record right on their website. They also boast responsible, plastic-free packaging and a giveback program. I am not an affiliate of Pact, I simply love both their products and their commitment to both the planet and the people who live here.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS?
I’m always on the lookout for brands that promote sustainability at affordable prices. Feel free to share yours in the comments! For more posts about frugal and sustainable, non-toxic living, be sure to subscribe as a Frugal Friend of the blog and never miss a post!
