Eye-Catching Designs Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
The company sells a range of eco-friendly items like leggings, rash guards, and board shorts that are made using recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. There are currently 16 causes represented by distinct marine-life patterns, from whale shark research and invasive lionfish removal to sockeye salmon monitoring and abalone restoration.
One such organization is Get Inspired, a nonprofit that specializes in ocean restoration and environmental education. Get Inspired founder, marine biologist Nancy Caruso, says supporting on-the-ground efforts is one thing that sets Waterlust apart, like their apparel line that supports Get Inspired abalone restoration programs.
"All of us [conservation partners] are doing something," Caruso said. "We're not putting up exhibits and talking about it — although that is important — we're in the field."
Waterlust not only helps its conservation partners financially so they can continue their important work. It also helps them get the word out about what they're doing, whether that's through social media spotlights, photo and video projects, or the informative note card that comes with each piece of apparel.
"They're doing their part for sure, pushing the information out across all of their channels, and I think that's what makes them so interesting," Caruso said.
And then there are the clothes, which speak for themselves.
Advocate Apparel to Start Conversations About Conservation
Waterlust's concept of "advocate apparel" encourages people to see getting dressed every day as an opportunity to not only express their individuality and style, but also to advance the conversation around marine science. By infusing science into clothing, people can visually represent species and ecosystems in need of advocacy — something that, more often than not, leads to a teaching moment.
"When people wear Waterlust gear, it's just a matter of time before somebody asks them about the bright, funky designs," said Waterlust's CEO, Patrick Rynne. "That moment is incredibly special, because it creates an intimate opportunity for the wearer to share what they've learned with another."
The idea for the company came to Rynne when he was a Ph.D. student in marine science.
"I was surrounded by incredible people that were discovering fascinating things but noticed that often their work wasn't reaching the general public in creative and engaging ways," he said. "That seemed like a missed opportunity with big implications."
Waterlust initially focused on conventional media, like film and photography, to promote ocean science, but the team quickly realized engagement on social media didn't translate to action or even knowledge sharing offscreen.
Rynne also saw the "in one ear, out the other" issue in the classroom — if students didn't repeatedly engage with the topics they learned, they'd quickly forget them.
"We decided that if we truly wanted to achieve our goal of bringing science into people's lives and have it stick, it would need to be through a process that is frequently repeated, fun, and functional," Rynne said. "That's when we thought about clothing."
Support Marine Research and Sustainability in Style
To date, Waterlust has sold tens of thousands of pieces of apparel in over 100 countries, and the interactions its products have sparked have had clear implications for furthering science communication.
For Caruso alone, it's led to opportunities to share her abalone restoration methods with communities far and wide.
"It moves my small little world of what I'm doing here in Orange County, California, across the entire globe," she said. "That's one of the beautiful things about our partnership."
Check out all of the different eco-conscious apparel options available from Waterlust to help promote ocean conservation.
Melissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.
Eye-Catching Designs Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
The company sells a range of eco-friendly items like leggings, rash guards, and board shorts that are made using recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. There are currently 16 causes represented by distinct marine-life patterns, from whale shark research and invasive lionfish removal to sockeye salmon monitoring and abalone restoration.
One such organization is Get Inspired, a nonprofit that specializes in ocean restoration and environmental education. Get Inspired founder, marine biologist Nancy Caruso, says supporting on-the-ground efforts is one thing that sets Waterlust apart, like their apparel line that supports Get Inspired abalone restoration programs.
"All of us [conservation partners] are doing something," Caruso said. "We're not putting up exhibits and talking about it — although that is important — we're in the field."
Waterlust not only helps its conservation partners financially so they can continue their important work. It also helps them get the word out about what they're doing, whether that's through social media spotlights, photo and video projects, or the informative note card that comes with each piece of apparel.
"They're doing their part for sure, pushing the information out across all of their channels, and I think that's what makes them so interesting," Caruso said.
And then there are the clothes, which speak for themselves.
Advocate Apparel to Start Conversations About Conservation
Waterlust's concept of "advocate apparel" encourages people to see getting dressed every day as an opportunity to not only express their individuality and style, but also to advance the conversation around marine science. By infusing science into clothing, people can visually represent species and ecosystems in need of advocacy — something that, more often than not, leads to a teaching moment.
"When people wear Waterlust gear, it's just a matter of time before somebody asks them about the bright, funky designs," said Waterlust's CEO, Patrick Rynne. "That moment is incredibly special, because it creates an intimate opportunity for the wearer to share what they've learned with another."
The idea for the company came to Rynne when he was a Ph.D. student in marine science.
"I was surrounded by incredible people that were discovering fascinating things but noticed that often their work wasn't reaching the general public in creative and engaging ways," he said. "That seemed like a missed opportunity with big implications."
Waterlust initially focused on conventional media, like film and photography, to promote ocean science, but the team quickly realized engagement on social media didn't translate to action or even knowledge sharing offscreen.
Rynne also saw the "in one ear, out the other" issue in the classroom — if students didn't repeatedly engage with the topics they learned, they'd quickly forget them.
"We decided that if we truly wanted to achieve our goal of bringing science into people's lives and have it stick, it would need to be through a process that is frequently repeated, fun, and functional," Rynne said. "That's when we thought about clothing."
Support Marine Research and Sustainability in Style
To date, Waterlust has sold tens of thousands of pieces of apparel in over 100 countries, and the interactions its products have sparked have had clear implications for furthering science communication.
For Caruso alone, it's led to opportunities to share her abalone restoration methods with communities far and wide.
"It moves my small little world of what I'm doing here in Orange County, California, across the entire globe," she said. "That's one of the beautiful things about our partnership."
Check out all of the different eco-conscious apparel options available from Waterlust to help promote ocean conservation.
Melissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.
What is Delta-8 THC?
To better understand Delta-8 THC, it helps to cover some basics about THC and cannabis.
Cannabis plants come chock full of different cannabinoids. These are naturally-occuring chemical compounds that bind with receptors throughout your body. They can offer a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical effects; indeed, the healing and therapeutic properties marijuana or CBD products offer can be attributed to cannabinoids.
One of the most common cannabinoids is what's known as Delta-9 THC. Simply put, this is the part of marijuana that gets you "high." It's worth noting that Delta-9 THC remains illegal in many states, except for in the most minute doses, and is still illegal at the federal level. CBD products are made with trace amounts of THC, ensuring that consumers can enjoy positive health effects in a perfectly legal way, without the risk of getting high.
On a chemical level, Delta-8 THC is not too different from Delta-9 THC; the distinction comes down to just a few molecules. But those molecules make a big practical impact: Delta-8 THC will give you a buzz, but the psychoactive effects are considerably milder than with Delta-9 THC.
More specifically, many cannabis enthusiasts report that Delta-8 THC helps them feel good but also leaves them relatively clear-headed; and, it doesn't produce the anxiety or jitteriness that often characterize a Delta-9 THC high.
Additionally, because of the way the law is written regarding Delta-9 THC, some CBD companies now sell Delta-8 THC products in places where traditional cannabis is still illegal.
What's the Difference Between Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC?
Here are the primary differences to note between Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC:
- Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. In other words, it's the part that gets you high.
- Though some states have found workarounds, Delta-9 THC is still illegal under federal law.
- Delta-8 THC is also found in the cannabis plant, though it's not quite as powerful or as well-known.
- Delta-8 THC is milder in its psychoactive effects. And, it's not technically illegal under current law.
These are just a few of the key distinctions to keep in mind. Delta-8 THC is popular among consumers who want a smoother high, and don't want to violate federal law.
Is Delta-8 THC Legal?
We noted that Delta-8 THC is not technically illegal. Here, we need to get into some of the nuanced legal considerations that surround this substance.
First of all, there are plenty of cannabis companies that actively promote Delta-8 THC as a legal way to get high. Again, that's technically true, but is still a point of debate for some.
For one thing, it's not explicitly listed as an illegal substance. While federal laws, and some state laws, specifically ban Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC is never mentioned. More to the point, though, many proponents will cite the 2018 Farm Bill. This law legalized several industrial hemp products on a national level, including CBD.
The Farm Bill also includes some fairly nuanced positions regarding THC. In summary, the law says that hemp and cannabis-derived products are legal so long as they contain less than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC.
With that said, some lawyers contend that Delta-8's heyday may soon come to an end. That's because the Farm Bill clears it only so long as it's derived directly from hemp; most of the Delta-8 THC products sold today aren't made from hemp, but rather from synthetically-altered CBD.
Some of these issues are a little fuzzy, and the legal future of Delta-8 THC remains a little uncertain. For now, though, many experts would argue that it is legal to purchase.
What Kinds of Delta-8 THC Products Are Available?
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
If you're looking to try Delta-8 THC products, you'll certainly find plenty of different products. Dispensaries and legal cannabis stores currently have a trove of products that use this cannabinoid. Some examples include:
- Vape cartridges, tinctures, and capsules.
- Beverages made with Delta-8 THC, including some seltzers.
- Edibles, including Delta-8 THC gummy bears, chocolate bars, and more.
The cannabis industry has really been running with Delta-8 THC, finding creative ways to bring it to market. And chances are, even more products will be springing up in the weeks and months to come.
It's very important to note that you should only purchase Delta-8 THC products from reputable brands and established cannabis retailers. We do not recommend purchasing any products that contain Delta-8 THC from gas stations or vape shops. If you are looking for a reputable place to explore these products, here are a few brands that we trust and recommend:
NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum Delta 8 THC Oil
nuleafnaturals.com
NuLeaf Naturals Full Spectrum Delta 8 THC Oil is made from organic hemp and organic virgin hemp seed extract. It's available in a 150 mg bottle and a 450 mg bottle, which both provide 15 mg of Delta 8 THC per serving. This formula is also available in a soft gel.
Botany Farms Delta-10 THC Vape Cartridge
botanyfarms.com
The Botany Farms Delta-10 THC Vape Cartridge actually contains both Delta-10 and Delta-8 THC.This is designed to provide the desired effects of Delta-8 THC but without the drowsiness. They also offer a vape cartridge with a 1:1 concentration of Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC. Note that while vape products can be used to aid in smoking cessation, we do not recommend vaping or smoking because of the negative health effects they can cause.
What are the Pros and Cons of Delta-8 THC?
As you consider whether Delta-8 THC is worth your time, it may be helpful to weigh the pros against the cons.
Pros
Let's start with some of the positives:
- Delta-8 THC does have psychoactive effects, but it's a milder effect than with traditional Delta-9 THC.
- Delta-8 THC is currently legal and widely accessible in multiple states.
- There are a wide number of products that use Delta-8 THC.
Cons
Now, a few of the downsides.
- Delta-8 THC isn't quite as commonplace as other cannabis products, including CBD, and some of the options on the market are expensive.
- While this substance is technically legal, there are plenty of uncertainties over its legal future. It's something you want to keep in mind.
- As a relatively new product, Delta-8 THC products are not regulated by the FDA and there is not independent testing in place to verify that it is safe or pure.
As with any cannabis product, Delta-8 THC has its pros and cons. As you seek the cannabis product that's best for you, it's largely a matter of personal preference.
Also note that smoking, vaping, or otherwise imbibing any kind of cannabis-related product can carry some medical risks and negative health consequences. If you have any specific concerns, we recommend consulting with your doctor before you try any Delta-8 THC product.
Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. He covers natural health, nutrition, supplements, and clean energy. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.
What are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones may occur at the same time in the kidney or ureters. The stone formations can consist of calcium oxalate, phosphates, or cystine. Stone formation occurs when urine is high in certain crystal-forming substances. The stones have to travel through the urinary tract to leave the body, which is known as eliminating kidney stones, something that can be utterly painful.
Deposits made of calcium are the most common ones, and they can be formed by combining with phosphate or carbonate. But there are also calcium oxalate stones, which involve a nutrient present in certain foods like spinach and vitamin C supplements. These can be recurrent in people suffering from small intestine diseases, increasing the risk of kidney stones.
The crystals can turn into stones over weeks or even months, so you may not have symptoms until the stones move down the tubes called ureters, through which urine empties into your bladder. This is why it is possible to have kidney stones without you noticing any discomfort at the beginning.
However, the main symptom is intense pain that begins and disappears suddenly. This acute pain can be around the abdominal area or a side of the back, and sometimes it spreads to the groin area. Some more advanced symptoms include an abnormal color of urine or blood in the secretion, shivering, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney Stone Treatments
Before trying any home remedies, it is necessary to speak with a doctor, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or you are taking prescription medication.
Kidney stones that cause serious problems can be treated with a technique called "extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy," which is a technique that can break up these stones from outside the body, allowing them to pass out through the urethra more easily. However, occasionally, surgery may be necessary.
For those who can spontaneously pass a stone, the conventional treatments are pain relievers and drinking lots of fluids. But if you already know that you frequently suffer from "silent" stones or those that do not cause symptoms, they can be mainly treated with preventive dietary measures alone. These methods include increasing fluids, modifying your diet, and taking medications or supplements that alter urine chemistry.
Natural Remedies for Kidney Stones
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Water
Make sure you are constantly hydrated. Drink enough liquid to generate at least 2.5 liters of urine daily. If you do not drink enough, the chances of developing deposits are more significant, and, therefore, the formation of stones will increase. If you avoid products from the processed food industry, you will already reduce sodium consumption, which is responsible for increasing urinary calcium excretion and present in high quantities in almost every preservative additive. Drinks such as sodas are a big facilitator for the formation of stones. This is why water—at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day—is the number one aid in both preventing and expelling kidney stones.
Chanca Piedra
This amazing herb, native to South America, is one of the best natural remedies for kidney stones. It is rich in minerals that cleanse and detoxify the body, and it has been used for decades by the ancestral healers of Peru with wonderful results and a very low incidence of side effects. It is also used for the treatment of cystitis and urethritis resulting from the presence of calculi in either the kidney or bladder.
If you buy a Chanca Piedra product and aren't sure of its source, it's likely that it's not as potent as it could be. It's essential to choose reputable supplements to really take advantage of all the benefits and to be sure of its safety. Disolvatol is a supplement that uses 99.8% purity grade Chanca Piedra, making it an all-natural, safe, and effective herbal supplement designed to support kidney health.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains citric acid, which can help dissolve calcium deposits. Two tablespoons of pure apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces (0.24L) of water can reduce the symptoms of kidney stones and prevent their development. This mixture should be drunk several times a day and can be most effective when consumed before meals.
Lemon Juice
Citric acid consumption increases diuresis, and this benefits renal filtration. Therefore, juices that contain citric acid, such as lemon juice, have a diuretic effect and can help us for two reasons. The first is that they leave less calcium available in the urine, and the second is that 60% of the patients with kidney stones have a low level of citrate in the urine, which is responsible for preventing crystals from forming.
Basil
Basil contains compounds known to help stabilize uric acid levels, and since it contains acetic acid, it helps to dissolve existing stones too. By simply drinking one teaspoon of basil extract or pure juice a day for two weeks, you can pass your stones safely and naturally without surgery or drugs. Also, it can help prevent and treat possible future kidney stones.
Pomegranate Juice
Buying whole pomegranates and eating their seeds, or squeezing them for juice, is the easiest way to get the health benefits of this fruit. Pomegranate juice also contains compounds that decrease urine acidity, making it difficult to form stones. The astringent and antioxidant properties of pomegranates are believed to reduce the chances of developing kidney stones and facilitate their elimination.
Olive Oil
Olive is the fruit of one of the most ancient trees on earth. Its cultivation goes back at least eight thousand years. It is a natural remedy for kidney stones. Because olive oil contains a high amount of monounsaturated fats, it is an excellent alternative to facilitate the removal of kidney stones by lubricating the urinary tract.
A 5-ounce (0.15L) glass first thing in the morning and another in the late afternoon, ideally at the same time as other herbal or home remedies, can reduce pain and discomfort.
Kidney Beans
These small red beans provide a robust and nutty flavor and are a natural remedy against forming kidney stones. Kidney beans are rich in nutrients that can affect the uric acid cycle, preventing calcium oxalate crystals.
Dandelion roots
Dandelion root and honey blend have been used as folk remedies for kidney stones for more than 100 years. It contains compounds that increase the production of bile and urine, which helps eliminate waste from the body. It is recommended to take 3 to 4 cups daily in the form of tea or juice.
Horsetail
Horsetail is one of the most prevalent kidney stone natural home remedies used by holistic practitioners for years due to its apparent ability to increase urine flow. The standard dose of horsetail is 1 g in capsule or tea form up to three times daily.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones
Among the most common causes of kidney stones is a diet too rich in foods such as animal protein, bacon, dried legumes (peas, chickpeas, etc.), chocolate, cocoa, coffee, products with excess phosphorus or calcium.
Also, vitamin deficiency (in particular vitamins A), the acidity of the urine, or inflammation of the pelvis can play a role in kidney stones. Considering this, the primary tool to prevent kidney stones is to follow a healthy lifestyle, especially a diet based on vegetables, and abundant fruits, especially pears and grapefruit. Avoid eating foods that are high in oxalate, salt, and animal proteins, as well as eggs, strong cheeses, and alcohol.
When to Consult With a Doctor
Kidney stones are most common in men between the ages of 40 and 60. In many cases they can cause severe pain in the back, lower abdomen, or the side below the ribs. If not treated quickly, they can damage your kidneys, and they can even lead to a kidney infection, urinary tract infection, or complete kidney failure if they are left too long. It's a good idea to see a healthcare professional long before any of these complications arise.
If you have already been diagnosed with a blockage due to a stone, its expulsion should be confirmed either by trapping it in a filter during urination or with a follow-up X-ray under the supervision of a qualified doctor. Some cases could even require immediate surgery. Remember, having no pain does not in any way confirm or guarantee that the stone has already passed.
Warning signs that should be evaluated by a doctor include persistent lower abdominal or lower back pain lasting more than four weeks, fever, chills, or vomiting.
Prevent the Formation of Kidney Stones Naturally
We can use natural aids in the form of supplements, herbs, or specific foods to help decrease kidney stones and improve urine diuresis. The best way to deal with kidney stones is to prevent them in the first place with naturally available nutrients and supplements. Knowing how to take advantage of the magical tools that Mother Nature puts at our disposal can make a tremendous difference in our well-being and lifestyle.
Sarita Vanegas is a writer based in Medellín, Columbia, where she covers environmentally-friendly products, natural health, and plant-based remedies. A former Baselang teacher, she is also passionate about learning languages and exploring other cultures.
Our Picks for the Best Earth-Friendly Cleaning Product Subscriptions
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
- Best Overall - Cleancult
- Best for Dishes - Dropps
- Best Zero Waste Kit - Package Free
- Best Transparency - The Honest Company
- Best Biobased Products - Seventh Generation
- Most Affordable - Grove Collaborative (Mrs. Myers)
- Best Packaging - Blueland
- Best Disinfecting Ingredients - ThreeMain
- Largest Selection - MightyNest
- Best Doctor-Developed - Puracy
- Best Sustainable Refills - MyGreenFills
- Best Curated Box - greenUP
How We Chose the Best Green Cleaning Subscriptions
There are a number of factors that help separate the truly great cleaning subscription boxes from the merely good ones. Here are some of the aspects we considered for green cleaning products.
Variety of Cleaning Products
"Cleaning products" is a broad term, and there are plenty of different types of cleaners you might need to keep your house looking and smelling its best. We've tried to place an emphasis on subscription services that allow you to pick from a wide range of products, so that you can stockpile your cleaning supplies with just one single subscription.
Ingredients
When it comes to earth friendly products and cleaning supplies, one of the most important considerations of all is the ingredient list. We always recommend carefully reviewing ingredient lists to ensure that the product in question only uses earth biodegradable, water-soluble, cruelty-free, vegan, plant-based, and all-natural materials.
Non-Toxic
It's also important to double-check that the products you buy are made without any chemicals that could potentially be harmful, abrasive, or toxic. Specifically, keep an eye out for products made with parabens, phosphates, and sulfates, all of which can have a harmful effect on the environment. The subscription services we've listed showcase cleaning products that are free from these toxins.
Certifications
If you really want to ensure that the product you're getting is eco-friendly, check for important certifications or seals of approval. Some of the most important ones include the EPA Safer Choice Standard, USDA Certified Biobased Product, and Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free.
Packaging
As you seek cleaning products that are good for the planet, a central concern should be products that are packed and delivered in an environmentally friendly way. This might mean packaging that's recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, or even compostable. The important thing is to get cleaning products that won't create a lot of new plastic waste for landfills.
Price Point
How much are you willing to spend on your household cleaning products subscription? For our list, we've tried to prioritize subscription services that maximize value.
The Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Product Subscriptions
We've vetted many of the top household cleaning subscription services, and these are the eco-friendly ones that impressed us the most.
Cleancult
cleancult.com
Cleancult has risen to be one of the most recognizable and reliable names in eco-friendly cleaning products. We love that they have sustainability built into their packaging, their products are all made with plant-based ingredients, and they offer such an incredible range of cleaning products, including hand soap, laundry detergent, and dish soap. Cleancult promises "a new way to clean," and, in our opinion, they more than live up to that mission statement.
Why buy: Looking for all-natural, zero-waste cleaning products? You simply can't ignore Cleancult. We like their All Purpose Cleaner Bundle that includes a refillable glass bottle and recyclable refills.
Dropps
dropps.com
Dropps offers natural cleaning products that can clean tough messes while being gentle on the environment. Their dishwasher detergent pods are made with natural minerals and plant-based ingredients, and the pod membrane itself dissolves when it comes in contact with water and is then consumed by microorganisms. These dishwasher pods are free from phosphates, phthalate, chlorine, and dyes. Dropps also offers reusable dish cloths that are biodegradable and compostable.
Why buy: Dropps dishwasher pods make it easy to keep your dishes clean while keeping harmful pollutants out of our water. We also love the compostable packaging and carbon-neutral shipping.
Package Free
packagefreeshop.com
Package Free provides zero waste solutions for everything from home cleaning and laundry to health and beauty products. Their Zero Waste Cleaning Kit is a perfect way to overhaul your approach home cleaning. It includes a reusable dish brush, spray bottle, copper pot scrubber, UNpaper towels, and a mason jar soap dispenser that comes in a reusable produce bag. The spray bottle even features five different natural cleaning solution recipes with measurements printed on the bottle.
Why buy: The Package Free Zero Waste Cleaning Kit is a great way to start cleaning with less plastic, less chemicals, and less waste. They also offer wide selection of other zero waste household kits and products.
The Honest Company
https://www.honest.com/
The Honest Company furnishes everything from baby products to beauty supplies, as well as many household cleaners. Their claim to fame is incredible transparency about their ingredients and packing materials, which attest to a real commitment to eco-friendliness. In addition to an impressive product variety, they also do a good job of keeping their price points low.
Why buy: The Honest Company can be counted on to provide effective products made with natural ingredients, all available for an affordable price. We love their refillable Clean Vibes Kit.
Seventh Generation
seventhgeneration.com
Seventh Generation is a big name within the sustainable cleaning products movement. Their products are notable for their plant-based formulations, emphasis on recycled packaging, and complete transparency about the ingredients they use. We love so many of their products, including both household cleaners and laundry detergents.
Why buy: Seventh Generation is easy to recommend thanks to their world-class, all-natural ingredients and sustainable packaging. Their all-purpose cleaners are a great biodegradable and bio-based option.
Grove Collaborative (Mrs. Meyers)
mrsmeyers.com
We're big fans of the Mrs. Meyer's product line, available from Grove Collaborative. Mrs. Meyer's products are made with natural, botanical ingredients and pleasing scents from essential oils. They are all designed without any cruelty to animals, and they come in recyclable packaging.
Why buy: Mrs. Meyer's excels thanks to its ingredient list, garden-inspired scents, and smart packaging. Check out the Kitchen Basics Sets, available in multiple scents.
Blueland
blueland.com
At Blueland, you can get complete cleaning kits, supplying you with everything you need to maintain a tidy home. That includes powder dish soap, dishwasher tablets, reusable spray bottles, and beyond. Their products marry incredible cleaning power with eco-friendly packaging, green ingredients, and a very affordable price point. Blueland may be the one-stop-shop you've been looking for, and we are happy to recommend their refill-based product line.
Why buy: For green cleaning kits packaged in very stylish reusable bottles and containers, look no further than to Blueland. We love their Clean Essentials starter kit.
ThreeMain
threemain.com
We like ThreeMain for their straightforward focus: to create simple, sustainable, and effective household cleaning products. We also love their emphasis on sanitization, something that many of us are more cognizant of post-COVID. Also note that their approach to eco-friendliness includes refillable bottles, a packaging solution that we endorse. There are some great options available from ThreeMain, and they are also carbon neutral and donate 3% of profits to organizations that work to protect and clean our oceans.
Why buy: ThreeMain lives up to their mission of providing simple, effective, and eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Their Clean Green Starter Kit is an excellent choice.
MightyNest
mightynest.com
Next on our list is MightyNest, a company that delivers healthy and eco-friendly cleaning products that arrive each month in a single, well-packed box with minimalist packaging. Their website is also well-designed to help you discover the specific products you'd like to be included in your monthly box. MightyNest is definitely a cleaning company that gets the subscription model right, especially with their Refillable Zero Waste System starter pack.
Why buy: We like MightyNest for their eco-friendly packaging, their assortment of green and non-toxic cleaning supplies, and also the savings available to subscribers.
Puracy
Puracy is a company specializing in natural and organic products for your home, including everything from hand sanitizers to stain removers. We love their commitment to all-natural ingredients, and that their products are made with the input of doctors, helping ensure the highest standards of sanitization and non-toxicity. The offer an amazing variety of products, including a really impressive line of eco-friendly baby supplies.
Why buy: We like Puracy because they have such a long list of products, including their Home Cleaning Box, all designed by doctors and made with household health and cleanliness in mind.
MyGreenFills
mygreenfills.com
MyGreenFills is another company that enjoys a great reputation among shoppers who value eco-friendliness. For more than five years now, the company has been a dependable supplier of all-natural cleaning products, delivered in refillable and sustainable packaging. They've helped countless homeowners "go green" with their cleaning supplies, and we admire their product quality, sustainable packaging, and cost savings.
Why buy: MyGreenFills is a relatively small company that has had a massive impact on the green cleaning industry. Start with their Truly Free Everyday Cleaner and add other products as you go.
greenUP
greenupbox.com
The greenUP company is on a mission to minimize plastic waste; you can join the cause simply by signing up for one of their subscription boxes. They send their sustainably crafted boxes every other month, always chock full of potent, eco-friendly cleaning supplies. We encourage you to learn more about these great boxes.
Why buy: Ready to ditch plastic packaging? Then greenUP is a subscription service you need to know about. They also donate 3% to organizations cleaning up plastic from the oceans.
How Does an Eco-Friendly Subscription Box Work?
With a subscription service for household cleaning products, you begin by selecting the specific cleaning products you need for your home, and also noting the frequency with which you want to have those cleaning supplies delivered.
In your first box, you will usually receive refillable spray bottles and other containers. Then, subsequent deliveries can provide you with cleaning product refills, minimizing the need for additional packaging and also cutting waste.
Naturally, you can augment or revise your subscription whenever you need to.
What are Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Made From?
As you consider environmentally friendly cleaning products, one of the most important factors of all is the ingredient list.
The best eco-friendly cleaning products include powerful ingredients that are all found in nature. These are frequently plant-based, but may also include minerals or essential oils. These ingredients tend to be biodegradable, which means they leave little or no ecological impact.
By contrast, artificial chemicals, like the ones used in more conventional cleaners, may linger for a long time in the water supply, in the ground, or in a landfill somewhere, and can potentially have a hazardous effect on the earth and its inhabitants.
Subscribe to the Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
As you seek to live a greener, more eco-conscious life, one of the smartest and most impactful things you can do is to sign up for a subscription service to make certain all your cleaning supplies are made with planetary concerns in mind.
Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. He covers natural health, nutrition, supplements, and clean energy. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.
Our Picks for the Top Eco-Friendly Junk Removal Companies
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
- Best Overall - Junk King
- Best Charity Partnerships - The JunkLuggers
- Best Upfront Pricing - LoadUp
- Best Customer Service - College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving
- Widest Coverage Area - 1-800-GOT-JUNK
- Best DIY Option - Habitat For Humanity ReStore
How We Chose the Best Eco-Friendly Junk Removal Services
What are the key factors to consider when looking for an eco-friendly decluttering and disposal company?
These are just a few of the things you'll want to bear in mind when choosing the best junk removal team.
What Happens to the Junk?
Always clarify what happens to unwanted items as they are carted off. Reputable services partner with charities to donate usable items like clothing and furniture, while recycling other materials to keep as many things things out of landfills as possible.
How Much Do They Divert from Landfills?
Before hiring a junk removal company, always ask them to clarify what percentage of their "junk" is either donated or recycled, as opposed to dumped in a landfill. We would recommend choosing a company that's willing to offer some transparency on this front to make sure your items are handled in an eco-friendly way.
What Items Will They Pick Up?
You should also clarify which items the company will take, and which items, if any, they won't. Will they take furniture? What about appliances or exercise equipment? You should especially clarify if you need removal of e-waste, that is, electronic devices that have reached the end of their useful life, and which may require special care as they are refurbished or recycled in some way.
Are They Eco-Friendly?
Try to find a junk removal company that celebrates its environmental stewardship, and outlines a long list of specific policies. For instance, are they conscious of fuel-consumption during pickups? Where and how do they sort recyclables and dispose of junk items? Again, transparency is crucial.
Are They Reputable?
Before hiring a junk disposal service, it never hurts to check and see if they are accredited with the Better Business Bureau. Additionally, checking Google and Facebook reviews may give you a rough idea of how well they care for their customers. This will also let you check their coverage areas to make sure they are available where you live.
What are the Rates?
Finally, you'll also want to keep affordability in mind. Don't hesitate to compare and contrast rates as you look for a junk removal service. Some will offer upfront pricing while others will require an on-site estimate.
The Best Eco-Friendly Junk Removal Companies
Junk King
Junk King claims to be America's best, and greenest, junk removal service. That's a pretty lofty claim, but it's one that they back up with a proven record.
Here are just a few of the things we like about Junk King:
- They offer full service junk removal from coast to coast, ensuring eco-friendly hauling services are available in most areas.
- They either reuse or recycle about 60 percent of everything you junk; we appreciate their transparency in identifying how much they divert from landfills.
- They can handle almost any kind of junk, ranging from hot tubs and electronics to furniture and old appliances. They can handle e-waste, too.
- Junk King also gives free written estimates, with no obligation to use their service.
Why buy: Junk King excels in eco-stewardship, transparency, and range of services. They are able to recycle a ton of items including large appliances and furniture to electronics like TVs.
The Junkluggers
The Junkluggers is a waste disposal company that specifically focuses on eco-friendly junk removal. They even offer "green guarantees" regarding their approach to waste management and unwanted junk. Some of the things that stand out about Junkluggers include:
- They always strive to donate first, recycle second.
- They pledge 100 percent customer satisfaction.
- They work with reputable charity and non-profit partners, ensuring your items go to good use.
- They have a range of services, including e-waste removal.
Why buy: The Junkluggers makes sustainability a commitment, including pledges to donate/recycle as many items as possible. We like their commitment to sustainable junk removal and partnering with charities.
LoadUp
LoadUp is currently active in about 170 cities, and they are growing all the time. It's definitely worth double-checking to see if they provide services in your area.
A few things we like about LoadUp:
- They provide a range of services, including junk removal, indoor pickup, and outdoor pickup.
- They can handle a wide range of items, including furniture and appliances.
- They do a great job of presenting clear, up-front pricing.
LoadUp makes every effort to either donate or recycle junk items whenever possible, and to date they have diverted over 3 million pounds of junk from landfills.
Why buy: LoadUp is a fast-growing junk disposal service that offers a wide variety of services, as well as upfront and affordable pricing.
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving
The College HUNKS team is perhaps best-known as a moving service, but if you have junk you need to get rid of, they can definitely help. Their team members are all well-trained to work efficiently, to deliver friendly customer service, and to show respect to your home or business.
- You can specifically ask them to do "donations pickups," grabbing old furniture or other unwanted items and taking them to a specified charity drop off center.
- They take a wide range of items and they make it easy to determine the total price of their services.
- They do pledge to be responsible and eco-friendly in everything they do, and can recycle up to 70% of all items they remove.
Why buy: The College HUNKS team has a stellar reputation for customer service. They also partner with Goodwill Industries and Habitat for Humanity ReStore to donate items. Plus, for every service they complete, they donate two meals to children through U.S. Hunger.
1-800-GOT-JUNK
1-800-GOT-JUNK claims to be the world's largest junk removal company. Like other providers, they partner with local branches of national charities including the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, and Habitat for Humanity. We also like them for the following reasons:
- They provide clear, upfront pricing.
- They express an admirable commitment to responsible disposal in order to keep stuff out of landfills, primarily through recycling.
- They have a 24/7 customer service line, making it easy to schedule a service whenever.
- They take a wide range of items, and are active across the United States and in multiple countries.
Why buy: 1-800-GOT-JUNK is a powerhouse in the junk removal space. They recycle several unique items, including green waste and biomass, tires, and construction debris.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
What about those who would prefer to take the DIY route, dropping off their junk at a receiving center rather than having someone come pick it up? If you have only a few items, and a means of transporting them, this may be the simpler and more cost-effective approach. The best place for DIY junk disposal is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
You can take your unwanted furniture and home improvement items to ReStore, where they will be cleaned up and then sold to the public at a significantly discounted rate. This is an ideal way to ensure your junk gets a second life, rather than ending up in a landfill.
Why buy: For DIY junk removal, Habitat for Humanity's ReStore is a fantastic option. They help give used items a second life and provide furniture and other household items to those in need.
How Does Eco-Friendly Junk Removal Work?
As you consider hiring an eco-friendly junk removal service, it may be helpful to step back and consider how these companies work.
Generally, you'll start by getting a quote. This will require you to let the company know how much junk you need to have removed, where it is located (indoors or outside), and what the contents include. This helps the junk removal company make certain that they send the right personnel and equipment to get rid of it and that the items in question are not hazardous materials.
The junk removal company will assess items for whether they are still usable or could be refurbished, in which case they may be donated to shelters or other charities. Alternatively, they will seek to recycle your items. The goal of any eco-friendly junk removal company should be diverting items away from the landfills, and you can always ask a representative from your chosen company about what percentage of items they typically divert.
What Items Can a Junk Removal Company Recycle or Donate?
There are many types of items that can be either recycled or donated, and thus kept out of the landfill. A few of the most common categories include:
- Furniture and appliances
- Exercise equipment
- Clothing and shoes
- Jewelry
- Books
- Home decor
- Utensils and kitchen implements
- Art supplies
- Toys and board games
- Paper, metal, cardboard, and brick items
- Brush and yard waste
Again, to find out for sure whether your items can be either donated or recycled, your best bet is simply to reach out to a junk hauler and ask for their assessment.
What is e-Waste and How is it Bad for the Environment?
It's important to make special mention of e-waste, or electronic waste.
As we noted above, e-waste is a category that includes any electronic devices that have outlived their useful life and have been discarded.
One of the reasons why e-waste is so hazardous to the environment is that many electronics and computerized devices include toxic substances, which may include lead, beryllium, cadmium, and beyond. When they seep into the ground or the water, these substances can have long-term detrimental effects on local ecosystems, and even lead to public health concerns.
It's always important to ensure that any e-waste you have is taken care of by a company that specializes in processing electronics and computers in an environmentally responsible way.
Finding the Right Eco-Friendly Junk Removal Company
As you look for the right junk removal service, there are plenty of factors to consider, such as price point, range of service, and, of course, environmental stewardship.
Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. He covers natural health, nutrition, supplements, and clean energy. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.
Our Picks for Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Subscriptions
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
- Best Overall - Cleancult
- Best Packaging - Dropps
- Best Plastic-Free Option - The Simply Co.
- Best Selection - Seventh Generation
- Most Detergent Options - Biokleen
- Best Scents - Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
- Best for Giving Back - Frey
- Best Laundry Strips - Tru Earth
- Best Hypoallergenic - The Honest Company
- Best Reusable Option - Eco Nuts
How We Chose the Best Green Laundry Detergent Subscriptions
Before we provide our list of recommendations, it may be helpful to consider some of the specific factors that separate eco-friendly laundry detergents from traditional options. Here are some of the ranking criteria we used.
Type of Detergent
Do you prefer using liquid detergent? Or how about laundry powders, laundry detergent pods, or strips? Some subscription services allow you just one option, while others will let you choose the medium that's right for you and your washing machine.
Ingredients
As you seek ethical and eco-friendly laundry detergents, it's always wise to consult the ingredient list. For our choices, we have sought to celebrate detergents that feature biodegradable, water-soluble, cruelty-free, vegan, and all-natural ingredients. We've tried to choose laundry detergents that are hypoallergenic, as well.
Toxicity
We have also prioritized detergents that are non-toxic and free from harsh chemicals. Some detergents are made with harsh or abrasive chemicals, including phosphates, sulfates, phthalates, dioxane, surfactants, and parabens. We've tried to include detergents that do not feature these chemicals.
Key Certifications
Many laundry detergents come with meaningful seals of approval. For our list, we've tried to celebrate products certified via EPA Safer Choice Products Standards, USDA Certified Biobased Product, Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free, high-efficiency (HE) washer safe, etc.
Packaging
If you're mindful of ecological stewardship, then you'll naturally want to seek laundry detergents that are packaged with recyclable, recycled, reusable, or compostable materials. The best laundry detergent subscriptions help you get closer to a zero waste laundry room as possible.
Pricing
Last but not least, we recommend comparing price points for different laundry detergent subscription services to find one that will work for you.
These are just some of the core considerations to make as you search for the best laundry detergent subscription service.
The Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Subscriptions
One thing to note about these laundry detergents: Some of them offer their own subscription models and some do not, but you can subscribe to any of them via Amazon. With that in mind, these are our picks for the top 10 eco-friendly laundry detergent subscriptions of 2021.
Cleancult
cleancult.com
Cleancult has long been one of the leading names in eco-friendly laundry detergents. Not only do they have a range of products, but they do an outstanding job of shipping everything carbon neutral in eco-friendly, plastic-free containers. We also recommend Cleancult to anyone who really wants their detergent to be fragrance-free and accommodating to sensitive skin.
Why buy: We recommend Cleancult because of their industry-leading approach to eco-friendly packaging that includes zero waste refillable glass bottles.
Dropps
dropps.com
Dropps claims to make laundry detergent that contains potent cleaning properties without any "bad stuff." We're happy to say that they live up to this mantra. Their products are made to minimize pollution, animal cruelty, and plastic waste. You can subscribe to save up to 25% on their laundry pods and other products. If you enjoy your Dropps laundry detergent, you might also consider checking out their dishwashing products.
Why buy: We recommend Dropps for their strong stance against "bad stuff," including plastic waste and animal cruelty. We love their compostable packaging and carbon neutral shipping.
The Simply Co.
packagefreeshop.com
The Simply Co. offers "the only laundry detergent you will ever need." Their product is made from organic and natural ingredients, including baking soda, washing soda, and organic castile soap. It's 100% biodegradable, septic safe, and works with HE washers. Best of all, it comes in a recyclable glass jar with recyclable lid, making it completely plastic free.
Why buy: The Simply Co. laundry detergent is a great way to cut plastic out of your laundry routine, while also using an all-natural and biodegradable detergent.
Seventh Generation
seventhgeneration.com
Seventh Generation does just about everything right. They provide products that offer real cleaning power with a triple enzyme formula. They also invest a lot of time and effort into ensuring that their products are made largely from plants and other renewable ingredients. In fact, their liquid laundry detergent is 100 percent biodegradable. There are plenty of sensitive-skin free & clear options, too, making Seventh Generation a lineup that should appeal to pretty much anyone.
Why buy: We recommend Seventh Generation for their powerful products, like their concentrated formula detergents, and their commitment to ecological stewardship.
Biokleen
biokleenhome.com
Biokleen goes out of their way to minimize packaging, physical waste, and even undue energy use by manufacturing their products with cold water. Their cleaning products employ natural ingredients, including plants and minerals, to provide powerful stain removers and odor eliminators. Also note that this is a laundry subscription service where you can take your pick between liquids and powders, simply depending on your preference.
Why buy: We recommend Biokleen because they offer a number of laundry products that are powerful but also incredibly eco-friendly, something evident in their ingredients and manufacturing processes.
Grove Collaborative (Mrs. Meyers)
mrsmeyers.com
Grove Collaborative is the company behind the excellent Mrs. Meyers line. You can pick from a number of great household products from Grove and Mrs. Meyers, including hand soaps, dish soaps, multi-surface cleaners, and of course laundry detergents. The Mrs. Myers Clean Day detergents are all made with a balance of essential oils and plant-based ingredients. Many of them offer lovely, subtle scents, and all of them provide all-natural cleaning prowess.
Why Buy: We recommend Mrs. Meyers from Grove Collaborative because of the emphasis on natural, garden-fresh ingredients and biodegradable formula.
Frey
frey.com
Much of Frey's reputation rests on their fresh, enticing scents. That's certainly a cool feature, but it's not what makes their laundry detergents so great. What we love about them is that they are another great example of designing household products in an eco-friendly way, drawing from high-quality, all-natural ingredients. Also note that the Frey team plants a tree for every order you place.
Why Buy: We recommend Frey for their aromatic scents and for the innovative ways they give back on every order, like planting trees and the Wash for Wash program.
Tru Earth
tru.earth
If you're looking for eco-friendly laundry strips, your best bet is probably Tru Earth. They showcase an eco-friendly, fully-dissolving, low-sudsing strip that works well in any kind of laundry machine, including high efficiency (HE) units. These strips are simple, sensitive, hypoallergenic, made without abrasive chemicals. We also love that they are lightweight, which dramatically reduces the amount of fuel used to transport them to market.
Why Buy: We recommend Tru Earth for their high-quality, lightweight, eco-friendly laundry strips, made with plastic-free packaging.
The Honest Company
honest.com
At Honest Company, you'll find a number of safe and non-toxic products for use around your home, including laundry detergent. True to their name, this company is always very clear about the ingredients used in their products. Their Baby Laundry Detergent is hypoallergenic and is an EPA Safer Choice and USDA Biobased product.
Why Buy: We recommend Honest Company because of their total transparency about the ingredients in their award-winning laundry detergent.
MyGreenFills
mygreenfills.com
MyGreenFills designs soaps and household cleaners that get the job done without requiring any harsh or abrasive chemicals. They also utilize refillable jugs and recyclable packaging, really setting a high bar for eco-friendly distribution. And, they have a really appealing, cost-effective subscription model, making it easy to find a unique solution for your home.
Why Buy: We recommend MyGreenFills because they provide eco-friendly cleaning products with great packaging, including a refillable jug that we especially love.
Eco Nuts
econutssoap.com
Eco Nuts is a company that is well-regarded in eco-friendly circles and offers a USDA organic laundry option. For a top-notch sustainable laundry detergent, these "soap nuts" get your clothes clean without a lot of waste or a lot of harmful chemicals. You can reuse these ethically harvested soap berries up to 10 times, and they come with a cloth bag that can be reused hundreds of times.
Why Buy: We recommend Eco Nuts soap nuts detergent because they represent a truly innovative way to get the laundry done, without the need for harsh or hazardous chemicals.
Do Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents Really Work?
Hopefully, our list gives you some good ideas for your next organic laundry detergent purchase. But do these products actually work the way they say they do?
Let's take a look at this question in two parts.
First, do eco-friendly laundry detergents actually clean your laundry, leaving your clothing soft and stain-free? The ones we've listed in this article certainly do. That's because they harness the potency of natural ingredients, including botanicals and minerals, which are as effective as any artificial chemicals. Also note that most eco-friendly detergents are highly concentrated, so not only do they work well, but they actually enable you to get your laundry done while using far less of your detergent.
Second, do these products really display the environmental sensitivity that proponents say they do? Again, the answer is a resounding yes, and it's precisely because they do not include the kinds of chemicals that tend to linger in the soil or in the water; rather, their ingredients are made to be naturally biodegradable, significantly reducing total environmental impact.
A big problem with traditional laundry detergents is that they come in plastic containers, which means lots of physical waste that ends up in a landfill somewhere. Again, we want to emphasize that the products we recommend in this article all come in packaging that's either recycled, compostable, or at the very least made from recyclable materials.
Other Eco-Friendly Laundry Products
Getting an organic laundry detergent subscription is a meaningful first step toward greater environmental stewardship, but what about other green products for use in the laundry room?
There are plenty of accessories you can invest in to make your laundry process even "greener," including some that are available from the brands we listed above. Examples include:
- Wool dryer balls
- Biodegradable dryer sheets
- Guppyfriend wash bags
- Lint brushes
- Lines for hanging your clothing to air dry
Consider adding a few of these items to your shopping list!
Make Your Laundry Cleaner for the Environment
Laundry is an inevitable part of life, and often, it can seem unending. One way to reduce a small part of your laundry burden is to sign up for a subscription detergent service. And, by choosing organic or eco-friendly products, you can also play your part in creating a better world.
Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. He covers natural health, nutrition, supplements, and clean energy. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.
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Our Picks for the Top Vitamin Packs
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
- Best Natural Supplements - Vital Plan
- Best for Heart and Brain Health - CocoaVia
- Best Vitamin Tinctures - Global Healing
- Best Supplement Bundles - Sunwarrior
- Best Sustainable Sourcing - LYFE Fuel
- Most Customizable - Rootine
- Best Gummies - VitaFive
- Easiest At-Home Test - Baze
- Widest Variety - Nurish by Nature Made
- Most Personalized - Vitl
- Best Selection - Care/of
- Most Eco-Friendly - Persona
How We Chose the Best Vitamin Pack Subscriptions
There are a number of factors to consider when committing to a vitamin pack subscription. Here are a few that we prioritize in making our list.
- Personalization: Some of the subscription services include a laboratory test that analyzes the levels of enzymes in the blood, thus allowing a more accurate and successful mix of vitamins to help you achieve your goals. Others let you shop by specific health needs with pre-built packages.
- Options: Vitamins and supplements can aid in filling gaps of what you need but aren't getting from your diet. Everyone's needs are different, whether you're a pregnant woman, an older adult, or have medical afflictions such as immune or vitamin-deficiency issues. So having a wide variety of products to choose from can make the difference between a vitamin pack supplier being a go-to, or a hard pass.
- Ingredients: Vitamins and supplements come from raw materials, and it's important to know how they source those ingredients. With that information in mind, you need to look for a company that does not include fillers, additives, or preservatives in products.
- Testing: Daily vitamin packs have to be tested for strength and composition to ensure purity, efficacy, and bioavailability of ingredients. Expertise can not be improvised, and some brands even run several tests on their products before making them available.
- Sustainability: If it's helping you, it should help the planet in the process. Suppliers that work with vegan, natural, organic, and even reusable packaging are a win-win on this matter. Since you will be getting their product delivered regularly, it is an important consideration. We also looked for companies committed to higher standards in their sourcing and manufacturing practices.
- Cost: Depending on the number of recommended supplements, costs might vary from as low as $1 or less per day (in products with small batches) to up to $6 or $7 per day. Keep in mind that access to personalized knowledge centers can be included in some of the plans, and you will receive nutrition and wellness insights and dietary assessments.
The Best Vitamin Pack Subscription Services
Vital Plan
Vital Plan was founded in North Carolina by Dr. Bill Rawls after he sought a more natural and holistic treatment for his chronic pain. An expert in modern herbology, Dr. Rawls formulated botanical herbal therapies that use high-quality, hand picked ingredients that are backed by clinical research and tested by third-party labs. Vital Plan is also a certified B corp, an Environmental Working Group supporter, and a Pledge 1% member.
Why buy: Vital Plan lets you shop by specific health concerns or categories, like immune or joint health, for a physician-formulated herbal supplement kit that can naturally support your body.
CocoaVia
CocoaVia focuses on delivering the naturally-occurring health benefits found in the cocoa bean. They use a process that unlocks the cocoa flavanols found in the plant, which is the ingredient that makes dark chocolate good for you. CocoaVia offers subscriptions for their Heart & Brain Capsules, designed to boost both cardiovascular and cognitive functions, and their Memory+ Capsules that are clinically proven to boost memory and brain function.
Why buy: CocoaVia offers powerful cocoa extract supplements that can help improve your heart and brain health. Receive a discount on your order when you subscribe for one, three, or six month supplies.
Global Healing
Global Healing offers organic and plant-derived supplements for a range of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and enzymes. You can shop by individual vitamins, like B12 or Zinc, or you can purchase bundles based on your desired health benefit, like immune system support or digestion. Most all of their products are USDA organic, and their supplements come in both vitamin tinctures and capsules.
Why buy: Global Healing has 20 years of experience in creating natural health supplements. They offer a wide variety of options so you can achieve your desired health benefit. Plus, save on each order when you subscribe.
LYFE Fuel
Not only does LYFE Fuel provide small-batch organic and non-GMO plant-based nutritional supplements, they do it with a focus on sustainable sourcing and packaging, carbon offsetting, and social impact. You can purchase their 21-day Transformation Program, or you can buy the supplements individually. The products are derived from whole foods instead of synthetic to give you clean, plant-based nutrition.
Why buy: We love that LYFE Fuel focuses on both natural and plant-based nutrition as well as sustainability. Their Omega-3 supplement is derived from algae instead of fish oil as a more sustainable alternative.
Sunwarrior
Sunwarrior provides plant-based proteins and nutrient-dense superfood supplements. Their products include protein powders, vitamin tinctures, capsules, and probiotics. You can purchase individual supplements or shop by specific health benefit bundles and save up to 30%. Sunwarrior has bundles available for goals like cellular health and immune shield to joint health and digestion.
Why buy: Sunwarrior offers big savings when you subscribe for specific supplements or when you purchase a health bundle. They make it easy to add plant-based nutrition to your routine.
Rootine
Rootine takes vitamin customization to the next level. Like most websites in the vitamin subscription game, you apply by completing a lifestyle quiz. It then takes DNA information and a blood analysis into account to provide the best vitamin mix for you. A Rootine subscription is $70 a month, regardless of what's in your pack.
Why buy: All vitamin and mineral supplements in the program are made from 100% vegetarian-friendly ingredients, and are as personalized as they can get.
VitaFive
VitaFive pre-made gummy pouches give you the option to choose from a vitamins to support a broad spectrum of health benefits or to boost a specific aspect of your health. There are nine to choose from, including vitamin D3, vitamin C, a multivitamin, biotin, apple cider vinegar, melatonin, omega 3, probiotics, and elderberry for immunity.
Why buy: VitaFive makes it easy to take your vitamins with tasty vitamin gummies and vegetarian-friendly ingredients.
Baze
With Baze you'll receive a blood nutrient testing kit in your mailbox. This will help identify your levels of 11 essential nutrients to customize your vitamin pack. Baze has also created a nutritional guide that educates consumers on how to boost their supplements with the right foods. Baze supplements are all made in the USA and tested according to the FDA's Current Good Manufacturing Process standards.
Why buy: Baze customizes your vitamin pack subscription through a blood nutrient test to provide you with an optimal mix of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
Nurish by Nature Made
The Nurish quiz evaluates your health needs based on your age, sex, weight, height, activity level, dietary habits, sleep quality, and sleep patterns. Once you get your recommendations, you can customize your 30-day supply of vitamin supplements and adjust as needed. It also offers products specifically for men's health, prenatal and postnatal vitamins, brain health, and diabetes.
Why buy: This is a vitamin pack subscription from a trusted brand with over 50 years of experience in nutrition. Shipping is free on orders over $20.
Vitl
Vitl offers a number of options to help personalize your vitamin pack: you can take advantage of an online consultation; you can go further by taking a blood test for vitamin levels; or you can go so far as to take a DNA test. Vitl also allows you to shop for supplements by health goals and general multivitamins.
Why buy: Vitl allows you to check and monitor your vitamin and cholesterol levels through at-home blood tests to help you stay on top of your nutrition and health.
Care/of
Care/of offers a wide variety of vitamins, powders, and quick sticks for on-the-go nutrition. The brand recently switched to fully compostable, plant-based packaging. They are also known for being transparent about their sourcing from around the world and maintaining close relationships with their ingredient suppliers. You can get personalized recommendations or shop by a number of different health categories.
Why buy: All products are tested a minimum of three times for quality, and we love Care/of's mobile app and compostable vitamin pack film.
Persona
This company offers a questionnaire about your dietary requirements and medical conditions to work out the supplements you should be taking. Persona partners with Vitamin Angels to provide two malnourished children with a year's vitamin A supply for each order made. Persona is also committed to sustainability with recyclable and biodegradable packaging sourced from local, sustainable suppliers.
Why buy: Persona offers nearly 100 products, and their supplements are non-GMO and adhere to current FDA regulations. Plus, they take sustainability seriously.
What are Vitamin Packs?
The actual effectiveness of traditional multivitamins has been questioned in recent years. This is due to findings about low absorption rates of certain supplements, mislabeled amounts or ingredients that can be found in each pill, and doubts about whether many of these vitamins are necessary in the first place depending on your diet.
Looking to solve this problem and help restore faith in the vitamin industry, many companies have proposed the alternative of more customized vitamin packs and vitamin bundles. These are designed to create a culture of personalized care and well-being for its consumers. The idea is basically that you receive a "prescription" of dietary supplements and vitamins delivered directly to your door, usually on a monthly basis, to address your individual needs.
Among the benefits and novelties of this service, there are plenty of options for different types of health goals, nutrition needs, and budgets. The vitamin package subscription is normally curated based on a questionnaire that the company asks you to fill out, with items about your lifestyle, medical conditions, preexisting condition, or simply the area of your health that you would like to improve. Others go further and customize your vitamin supplement routine using a blood test or DNA test. With this information, they create an individual profile and vitamin pack for you.
What are the Benefits of a Vitamin Pack Subscription?
These services provide customized nutrients in convenient packs for daily health and wellness improvement. Not only can they give you more targeted dietary recommendations, they can help you identify any deficiencies that you can correct with a supplement to optimize your health. Not to mention that they offer the convenience of delivering your personalized supplement packs directly to you. And with a subscription, you'll never run out of your daily vitamins.
Should You Take Vitamin Supplements?
Whether you're looking for a complete vitamin recommendation, like prenatal vitamins, to control allergies by caring for your immune health, to lose weight, or trying to correct for a vitamin deficiency, there's a vitamin subscription for you. There are daily vitamin packs that can boost every type of person and every type of health goal. And with a personalized vitamin pack, you can get a curated supply of supplements that will best work with your body's needs.
What are Some of the Most Common Vitamin Supplements?
If you don't know where to start, here are some of the most crucial vitamins the body needs to function:
Vitamin D: Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in a number of bodily functions, and can help improve a range of ailments and conditions, including poor bone health, type 1 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension.
Magnesium: Magnesium is important for muscle and nerve functioning, and it has been recently touted for its ability to reduce the frequency and symptoms of migraine, headaches, as well as improving sleep.
Fish Oil: This supplement contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help In everything from cardiovascular health and brain functioning to arthritis and inflammation.
Vitamin C: Researchers have found that vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, which can lower the risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration. It also plays an important role in the immune system.
Vitamin packs are doubtless the next generation of vitamin supplements. This service helps health-conscious consumers take the randomness out of their daily dietary supplements by aligning science, data, and technology to deliver personalized nutrition safely and conveniently.
Sarita Vanegas is a writer based in Medellín, Columbia, where she covers environmentally-friendly products, natural health, and plant-based remedies. A former Baselang teacher, she is also passionate about learning languages and exploring other cultures.
Our Picks for the Top Organic and Specialty Coffee Subscriptions
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
- Best Organic Coffee - Purity Coffee
- Best Keto Coffee - Bulletproof Coffee
- Best Coffee Selection - Angels' Cup
- Best Carbon-Free Coffee - Grounds for Change
- Best B Corp Coffee - Conscious Coffee
- Best for International Coffees - Atlas Coffee Club
- Best for Specialty Coffees - Bean Box
- Best for Artisan Coffees - Mistobox
- Most Eco-Friendly - Driftaway Coffee
- Best Variety of Brewing Methods - Blue Bottle Coffee
- Most Affordable - Peet's Coffee
- Best for Home and Office - Crema Coffee
How We Chose the Best Coffee Subscriptions
Before we get into specific recommendations, it may be helpful to note some of the criteria we used for making our assessment. Our ranking factors include:
Coffee Selection
Some subscription services do a better job than others of giving coffee lovers lots of options, not only allowing you to pick between different beans, but also allowing you to pick from whole bean vs. ground coffee. We also gave bonus points to subscription services that provide freshly-roasted craft coffee.
Subscription Options
Another important consideration is how much flexibility you have in your actual subscription. We love services that give you some choice in how much coffee you actually need, how often you wish to receive your next box, and the ability to try new flavors.
USDA Organic/Fair Trade/Rainforest Alliance Certifications
Many coffee drinkers will want to verify that their purchase is Fair Trade and/or USDA organic certified. We looked for the best coffee subscriptions that make the environment and the people that grow their coffee a priority in sourcing. If they didn't have these certifications, we looked to see if they explained how they approached their sourcing instead.
Single-Origin Coffee
A lot of enthusiasts prefer single-origin coffee; that is, coffee made exclusively from beans grown in one specific geographic area. Single-origin coffee tends to provide unique characteristics and flavor notes that blended coffees cannot match.
Sustainability
If you're looking to minimize your environmental footprint then you'll definitely want to account for the sustainability practices of each subscription service. This can encompass the service's supply chain, production, packaging, and shipping.
Pricing
Naturally, one of the deciding factors in your organic coffee quest will be the price. Some subscriptions are more budget-friendly than others. We tried to select subscription options that that are affordable and still offer subscribers amazing coffee they can't find at the grocery store.
The 12 Best Organic and Specialty Coffee Subscriptions
1.) Purity Coffee
Purity Coffee claims that their process maximizes the health benefits naturally found in coffee. They only use 100% USDA-certified organic coffee beans for all of their coffees. These are then screened for pesticides and molds, and then roasted using a special smokeless roasting process to ensure it contains the highest-possible levels of antioxidants. Subscribers can save on each order, and prepaid subscriptions receive free shipping.
Why buy: Not only is Purity Coffee 100% organic, it's also sustainably sourced. They offer several specialty Founders' Roasts that are Rainforest Alliance-certified and Smithsonian Bird Friendly-certified for the grower's commitment to biodiversity and habitat conservation.
2.) Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof Coffee is a keto coffee, or butter coffee, that contains both high-quality coffee and good fats to provide even more fuel to your mornings. It's meant to replace carb and sugar-heavy breakfasts while giving you what you need to get going. Bulletproof Coffee uses Rainforest Alliance-certified beans grown in direct partnership with farmers on high-altitude estates in Guatemala and Colombia. With their subscription option you can save 10% on each order, and receive free shipping on orders over $35.
Why buy: Not only can Bulletproof Coffee change the way you start your day with a keto-friendly cup of coffee, but the coffee itself is grown using sustainable methods, is sustainably washed and mechanically dried, and then thoroughly tested for toxins and impurities.
3.) Angels' Cup
If you're just getting into serious coffee consumption, or want to dip your toes into the subscription model, Angels' Cup is an excellent starting point. You can begin by getting just a single 12 ounce bag of coffee, and they also offer blind sampler packs and subscriptions with different frequency levels, including weekly, twice monthly, or monthly. Their mobile app will help you discover the different tasting notes to find your favorites.
Why buy: There's a lot of flexibility built into the Angels' Cup model, making it an ideal choice for those who are new to the gourmet coffee scene. While they don't source the coffees themselves, they do work with roasters who pay well-above Fair Trade prices.
4.) Grounds for Change
Grounds for Change has a reputation for being one of the most progressive, stewardship-minded coffee companies out there. If you're looking for Fair Trade, organic, and/or carbon-free options, this certified B corp is where you can find them. They also showcase a lot of unique collections, from single-origin coffees to some enticing decaf options, that are well worth investigating. We're more than happy to include Grounds for Change on our list.
Why buy: In terms of social responsibility, Grounds for Change can't be topped. They are the only company on our list that offers carbon-free coffee, meaning they offset 100% of the emissions from their coffees.
5.) Conscious Coffee
Conscious Coffee has made some really admirable investments in coffee-growing communities across the world. Their model of sustainability and corporate responsibility is commendable, but they are equally passionate about exquisite roasting. They belong on our list for these reasons and so many more, including their emphasis on 100 percent organic coffee, small-batch freshness, and sustainable sourcing.
Why buy: Conscious Coffee sets a high bar for stewardship and responsibility. We strongly recommend them to anyone who wants to invest in sustainable coffee-farming across the world.
6.) Atlas Coffee Club
One of the many reasons to consider a subscription coffee service is that it will give you a chance to explore different flavors from around the world. And there is no subscription service that serves up international variety quite like Atlas Coffee Club. Each month, you'll get a new coffee from a different country like Costa Rica, Colombia, or Ethiopia, in a bag that's modeled after indigenous textiles or local landscapes. For anyone who loves to travel or simply likes to try new things, Atlas Coffee Club offers a truly transportive experience.
Why buy: There's no better option for trying out different coffee flavors from across cultures. The company also pays well above market prices to growers to support ethically sustainable farming practices.
7.) Bean Box
Bean Box is another outstanding choice for java enthusiasts who are curious to sample different tastes. Based in Seattle, Bean Box partners with different coffee roasters who specialize in single-origin coffees and coffee blends from around the world, including Africa, South America, and more. They'll send you a different blend each month, allowing you to develop a really broad and sophisticated palette. We also really love the price point on this one, which offers a great value.
Why buy: If you're looking for a budget-friendly way to sample specialty coffees, Bean Box is a great coffee subscription service to consider.
8.) Mistobox
If you're attempting to maximize your coffee variety, you'll probably be over the moon about Mistobox. This coffee subscription company boasts partnerships with more than 50 roasters across the world, which is all but unparalleled. We also recommend them due to their commitment to Fair Trade and ecologically sustainable practices. Mistobox has a coffee curation service that will help you determine just where to start. So, if you feel overwhelmed by all the different organic coffee options, Mistobox has you covered.
Why buy: We recommend Mistobox for their sustainability, their corporate citizenship, their sheer variety of organic coffees, and their curation options.
9.) Driftaway Coffee
With Driftaway Coffee, the name of the game is personalization. Their service will actually enable you to establish "coffee profiles," pinpointing your tastes and helping them determine exactly what to send you each month. As if that weren't enough, Driftaway guarantees single-source whole bean coffees, and they also do an exemplary job of providing compostable packaging. Finally, they have a sustainability program that supports regional farmers.
Why buy: A great pick for single-origin whole bean coffee, and also a really great model for sustainability within the single-origin coffee subscription vertical.
10.) Blue Bottle Coffee
If you really want your coffee to be as fresh as can be, then we heartily recommend Blue Bottle. They ship everything within 48 hours of roasting, ensuring you get the most vibrant flavors. Another thing we'll mention about this organic coffee subscription service is that they provide a lot of different options for espresso, decaf, single-origin, and blended coffees. There's definitely a lot to like here, especially if you're keen on small-batch coffee.
Why buy: For fresh flavors and plenty of variety, Blue Bottle Coffee is a great choice. The majority of their coffees are certified organic, and they pay at least Fair Trade prices to growers, often more.
11.) Peet's Coffee
Peet's Coffee has a ton of great products to consider, including some eclectic subscription options. You can take your pick between their small batch series, single-origin coffees, signature blends, and beyond. What's more, they boast plenty of flexibility with scheduling, making it easy to get coffee exactly when you need it. Plus they offer free shipping on coffee subscriptions.
Why buy: Peet's is an outstanding choice for anyone seeking plenty of variety and built-in flexibility. You may recognize them from the grocery store, but this brand is seriously committed to responsible sourcing, support for local farmers, and energy-efficient roasting.
12.) Crema.co
Crema Coffee is a popular choice among coffee connoisseurs, and it's not hard to understand why. There are over 450 coffees to choose from, spanning roasters located all over the world. You can customize your subscription to make certain you only get the roasts you're really going to be into, and you can even rate coffees to help keep track of your tastes. Crema Coffee offers subscription packages for your household and for your workplace.
Why buy: Crema Coffee offers incredible variety, plenty of options for personalization, and even a subscription model for your office. They ensure that they only work with roasters committed to an ethical coffee supply chain.
How Does a Coffee Subscription Work?
Clearly, there are plenty of options to choose from as you seek a subscription-based coffee delivery service. But if you're new to this whole concept, you may have some lingering questions about precisely what you can expect from your coffee subscription.
First of all, keep in mind that these subscriptions all work a little bit differently. Most of the companies on our list offer a coffee of the month club and provide different coffees to try with each delivery.
For a general overview of the coffee subscription process, though, you can typically expect something a bit like this:
Select the Type of Subscription You Want
Are you looking to get just a sampler of coffee beans each month? Or do you want to stay well-supplied, with new coffees arriving more frequently? Choosing your preferred subscription model is usually the first step.
Choose What Kind of Coffee You Want
Different subscription services will allow you different levels of customization, but there is always some way of indicating your preferences, whether you like dark roasts over light roasts, single-origin coffees over blends, etc.
Get Coffee Delivered to You
Most coffee subscription services will box your coffee in recyclable/compostable materials and deliver right to your front door. Because it's so important to maintain freshness, most subscription companies ship within a day or two of roasting.
Prepare Your Coffee
Note that, with whole bean options, you'll actually need a grinder to grind your coffee; if you choose ground coffee, then it will be ready to brew as soon as it shows up at your door.
Try New Types of Coffee
Finally, note that subscription coffee companies tend to rotate their roaster throughout the year. Make sure you explore some different options, and you might just discover your next favorite coffee!
Coffee Subscription FAQ
What is Fair Trade coffee?
We've highlighted the importance of Fair Trade coffee, but what exactly does this term mean? Essentially, when you buy Fair Trade coffee, it means that you are directly supporting local coffee-growing families in the developing world. More specifically, Fair Trade denotes a commitment to fair prices, community development efforts, and good stewardship of the environment. The Fair Trade designation is an important way to verify that you're getting ethically-sourced coffee beans. Fair Trade sets a floor on prices that allow coffee farmers to make a living, and many specialty coffee roasters pay much more than Fair Trade prices to local growers.
How is Organic Coffee Grown?
Another common question: What does it mean for coffee to be USDA-certified as organic? Fundamentally, organic coffee is grown without the use of any artificial chemicals, including prohibited pesticides and herbicides. To achieve the official USDA certification, a coffee must be at least 95 percent organic. Growers in certain regions may have trouble attaining this certification for various reasons, but specialty roasters typically seek to support sustainable farming practices and supply chains.
What is Single-Origin Coffee?
Single-origin coffee refers to a coffee made with beans that are all grown in one specific region. This type of coffee offers some really unique flavors and characteristics. The alternative is blended coffee, which may mix beans that come from a multiple places. Many coffee enthusiasts prefer the purity of single-origin, though of course, this is all a matter of personal preference.
Order Your Coffee Subscription Today
Looking for a way to get organic, Fair Trade coffee delivered straight to your front door? There are plenty of subscription models that will do just that, all while letting you sample some incredible beans from across the world.
Take a look at the options we've listed here, and look for the coffee subscription service that seems like it's best aligned with your tastes and your budget. And from there, just sit back and wait for your next bag of coffee beans to show up at your home or office.
Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. He covers natural health, nutrition, supplements, and clean energy. His writing has appeared in Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.