Humane Commerce
With every purchase, you cast a vote for or against good animal and environmental practices.
Here is a sample of resources that will help you shop with good conscience.
Clothing
C. Marchuska
Some designers begin crafting vegan collections because they’re inspired to prevent animal cruelty; others design from a socially conscious perspective. Designers at C. Marchuska have created an environmentally friendly line by using vegan fabrics such as cotton and bamboo treated with non-toxic dyes, manufactured in the United States.
Dalia MacPhee
Most of Dalia MacPhee’s clothing—sold at mainstream stores like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom—is vegan (as indicated by a “V” next to the style number in their online store). MacPhee is conscious of her carbon footprint and plants a tree for every gown she makes.
Daughter Earth
Daughter Earth spreads awareness of endangered species and habitat conservation through the artful design of environmentally conscious clothing, accessories, and housewares. A portion of the profits is donated to conservation organizations that protect the animals and habitats featured in their designs.
Imposter
In addition to the sheer cruelty of fur manufacturing, animal pelts destined to become fur coats, blankets, and more are treated with toxic formaldehyde, chromium, and napthalene. In contrast, Imposter’s faux fur accessories, created in partnership with Farm Sanctuary, are completely cruelty free and bear an IM logo.
Vaute Couture
Coats produced by Vaute Couture are made from recyclable fabrics and vintage buttons.
Jewelry
Spritely Finch Jewelry
Spritely Finch was founded by Bay Area local artist Sue Klapholz. “Vegan jewelry does not contain any material that was derived from an animal. No pearls, silk cord, wool, leather, suede, bone, ivory, shell, mother of pearl, or coral is used in any of our designs.” Semiprecious gemstones, glass, crystals, wood, metal, and Swarovski crystal pearls are used with wire or stretch cord. Spritely Finch jewelry is featured in the Palo Alto Humane Society Animal Art Gift Gallery.
Shoes & Accessories
Alternative Outfitters
Alternative Outfitters is a vegan boutique based in Los Angeles. “We offer the best selection of fashionable leather alternatives and cruelty-free products for men and women including vegan shoes, vegan boots, bags, and other animal friendly accessories. Shop online or visit our store.”
Beyond Skin
Beyond Skin is an ethical line of handmade vegan shoes and boots for women made in the most environmentally friendly manner possible. “The vegetarian footwear is made from some of the finest recycled fabrics, and we work closely with our factories to ensure we reduce the carbon footprint of our ethical shoes wherever possible.”
Charmoné
Charmoné’s mission is to create luxurious shoes that are also sustainable and cruelty free. The line incorporates European design and quality and uses only animal-free, eco-friendly materials.
Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat manufactures handbags with a vegan twist. The handbags have linings made from upcycled plastic that averages 21 recycled bottles per bag, true to their cruelty-free ethos.
MooShoes
MooShoes, Inc. is a vegan-owned business that sells an assortment of cruelty-free footwear, bags, t-shirts, wallets, books and other accessories. MooShoes sells online as well as in its retail store in New York City, the first cruelty-free store of its kind there. MooShoes is also home to rescued cats who were adopted from local rescue organizations, many of which hold adoptions days at the MooShoes store.
Olsen Haus
Founder Elizabeth Olsen spearheaded the environmentally conscious vegan shoe and accessories movement in the United States. Rather than depend on dioxin-emitting PVC, Olsen Haus looks for synthetic materials that emit no water or air pollution and biodegrade rapidly.
Beauty Resources
Alima Pure
Alima Pure’s mineral cosmetics are never tested on animals, making Alima Pure an all-around kind solution to beauty needs.
NYR Organic
Providing healthy products for home, body, and the environment, NYR Organic can be purchased through local representative Susan Cann with “Going Green Inside & Out.” Susan is a Bay Area representative for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. “Before heading out to the Big Box stores or ordering online from less expensive but faceless corporations, give these small, local businesses a shot.”
Face & Body
NYR Organic
Providing healthy products for your home, your body, and the environment, NYR Organic can be purchased through local representative Susan Cann with “Going Green Inside & Out”. Susan is a local Bay Area representative for Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. “Before heading out to the Big Box stores or ordering online from less expensive but faceless corporations, give these small businesses a shot! Support the entrepreneurial spirit, your neighbor, your neighbor’s friend, your friend’s neighbor, and let’s bring community back!”
Home Resources
Cleaning
Mrs. Meyer’s
Mrs. Meyer’s states: “We are proud of the ingredients in our products and list them on every label, as well as share additional information below. Our products are specifically formulated to be safe for use in and around the home with family, children and pets. We work hard to ensure our products have the very best combination of ingredients—combinations that not only work hard on your daily dirt and grime, but that fill your home with garden-inspired scents. We make intelligent, responsible raw material choices, and whenever possible, obtain materials from renewable plant resources such as coconut, palm, corn, soy or olive. At times we choose not to use a plant-derived material for reasons of efficacy, consistency and safety. Our products do not contain ammonia, chlorine, glycol solvents, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, artificial colorants, phosphates or petroleum distillates. We do not test our products on animals, nor are our products made with animal-derived ingredients. Our packaging is recyclable and we use 25% post-consumer plastic in our bottles.”
Method
Method uses non-toxic biodegradable components in all of its cleaning products as well as a mineral-based powergreen® technology. All products are cruelty free (no animal testing). The company is committed to sustainability: “providing incentives to [its] processors to reduce their energy and water use; certifying [its] products under the Cradle to Cradle standard; working in a LEED-certified office space; sourcing recycled plastic packaging and biodegradable ingredients in [its] products; calculating and making strides to minimize [its] carbon footprint; buying wind power credits for [its] office and supplier energy; providing incentives to employees who ride their bikes to work.”
Décor
Virunga Artisans
Virunga Artisans help gorillas by bettering the lives of the people in the Virunga/Bwindi region of Africa, who live adjacent to the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, by selling a unique line of quality crafts, woven bowls, coffee and tea, soaps, and more. The local artisans make a comfortable living, strengthen their communities, and help preserve fragile watershed and gorilla habitat. All proceeds from the sale of Virunga Artisans’ products go to the artists as fair trade wages or to the International Gorilla Conservation Program.
Tsavo Cheetah Project
This conservation group brings artistic goods back from Kenya, and the sales fund the valuable work of the Tsavo Cheetah Project. Contact TCP for more information about their various products, such as: pillow cases, table runners, placemats, napkins, and much more.
Wildlife Resources
Humane Wildlife Evacuation
Wildcare Solutions
WildCare’s certified specialists are trained in humane exclusion techniques that encourage any offending wild animal to move along. This approach makes WildCare different and more humane than the average pest control company. “Once we confirm that the offending animal has vacated, our specialist will seal up the entry points to your home, business or other building structures to prevent re-entry. We also provide annual maintenance agreements for property management companies and homeowners associations. The WildCare Solutions Advantage: Experience in managing wildlife, especially mothers with young; licensed trappers on staff; committed to humane solutions; we never euthanize healthy animals. Our approach reduces stress on you and the animals. We educate to prevent future problems.”
Non-toxic Pesticides
Planet Orange
For termites, ants, cockroaches, flies, spiders, silverfish, fleas, ticks, crickets, and moths, Planet Orange is a natural, non-toxic, and highly effective option that won’t harm the environment or human inhabitants. “Planet Orange combines years of experience, excellent service, and the industry’s best guarantee with the least toxic products available. The result is peace of mind.”
Interesting Links
Global Action Through Fashion
GATF is a non-profit organization founded with the vision to create a more equitable and sustainable world through fashion. GATF provides educational and informational resources for consumers, producers, and fashion industry professionals.