When you think of sustainable shopping, you don’t often think of large corporate chain stores. Thankfully, this is starting to change, and bigger companies are beginning to carry more sustainable and eco-friendly options in-store. One of my favorite places for one-stop shopping is Target. Plus, the drive-up order option is a lifesaver! However, when I began my sustainable journey, I found myself going there less and less because they no longer had the trove of treasures aligned with my values. I am happy to say I have seen this change over the past couple of years, and the new sustainable choices are popping up more often. I am finding products and brands I can feel good about. I finally get excited to shop at Target again! This just proves that the more we show what matters to us by using our dollars, the more we shape the world into the place we want it to be!
What types of sustainable brands does Target carry?
Target has sustainable brands in makeup, body care, cleaning, home, pets, and even shoes! It is great to see that they are becoming more aware that these types of brands matter to consumers and are further expanding their sustainable brand offerings. In addition, some brands are also Target exclusives, most at a very affordable price point, allowing the sustainable choice to be truly accessible to everyone.
Why are sustainable brands at Target important?
When we support the sustainable and eco-friendly options sold at larger corporations, like Target, it helps show the company that their consumers demand these items. Big businesses are motivated by sales and profit, so when the right choice for the planet makes them a profit, they are more motivated to change their practices and expand what they keep in stock. With more products in demand, sustainable businesses also benefit financially from the large corporation partnerships, and it helps raise their brand awareness. With more awareness comes more sustainable consumers, and that is what we like to see! The goal for sustainability is to create a world where it is as easy to access and purchase Earth-friendly items as other conventional options. Unfortunately, Target is such a large corporation with locations in areas where sustainable choices are sparse.
To make your sustainable Target shopping easier, I compiled a list of eco-friendly brands you can find at Target! Some of these have quickly become my household staples! Knowing you can find these brands while doing other shopping will give you peace of mind and save you time.
You can also check out Target’ssustainable brand pagewhere they talk about their plans and standards they aspire to put in place moving forward. As consumers, it is also important we hold them accountable and know where our dollars go when supporting the company.
Does Target have sustainable clothing?
Target is making great strides to bring more sustainable clothing options to its stores. They have some items made from recycled materials, like recycled polyester, which is great progress, but their clothing lines don’t quite qualify as fully sustainable. However, as far as fast fashion goes, Target is doing more than most companies of their size, and changes won’t happen overnight. You can read their statement that explains their projection to be “sourcing 100% sustainable cotton for our Owned Brand and exclusive National Brand products by 2022.” Target is also incorporating more inclusive sizing. It will be an industry-leading change as they continue adding more eco-friendly materials and be a leader for other corporations showing that sustainability can and should be done on a large scale.
Now, Our Favorite Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Brands & Products at Target:
1) Faith In Nature
A UK beauty brand committed to 100% recycled and recyclable packaging, vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, and sustainable manufacturing.
Faith In Nature shares the same sustainable values we look for when choosing a company to support. They are known for their shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and skincare.
2) Rhyme & Reason
Exclusive to Target, their hair care products are dermatologist-approved for sensitive scalps and skin. Rhyme and Reason use recycled and recyclable packaging, including their caps.
One product, the leave-in conditioner, has non-recycled plastic, but they are committed to changing this as soon as a solution becomes available. They are also 1% For The Planet members.
3) Native
The founder of Sustainably Chic, Natalie, uses this plastic-free deodorant brand!
While all of Native’s products are made with non-toxic ingredients, switching to Native Plastic Free from Native Classic will help reduce waste by up to 169 tons each year. They also carry toothpaste, body wash, shampoo & conditioner and are also members of 1% for the Planet.
4) Ella + Mila
With rich pigmentation and a smooth finish, Ella + Milla gives your fingernails a beautiful look.
This vegan brand is so sweet that they even have a line for your little ones! So both you and your daughter can do your DIY manis and pedis, and feel good about knowing what you’re putting on their nails.
5) HeyHumans
Also exclusive to Target and a 99% plastic-free company, HeyHumans is committed to reducing plastic on the planet. They also strive to be inclusive with gender-neutral scents, feature upcycled plant-based ingredients to break the waste cycle, and are cruelty-free and vegan. Their coconut mint and rosewater ginger deodorant smells so good and quickly became a new favorite of mine!
6) Hello
Hello knows that personal hygiene does not need to come at a price for the planet. Products include everything from mouthwash to hand sanitizer. They even create toothpaste tablets that come in recyclable tin packaging to eliminate wasteful tubes. In addition, their packaging can be recycled, uses soy-based ink, and responsibly source all of their ingredients.
7) Bioblender
Bioblender (by EcoTools) offers home compostable and biodegradable makeup sponges and cleansing mits, which means your makeup routine won’t need to contribute to landfills or more plastic waste.
The packaging is also biodegradable and printed with soy ink.
8) Reel Toilet Paper
Created from 100% bamboo instead of trees, this is a great sustainable switch you can make.
It is biodegradable and contains no inks or dyes. It has 3-ply for extra softness and is fragrance & chlorine-free.
Even their packaging is sustainable and contains zero plastic - including the tape!
9) Casabella Infuse Clean
We all learned how wasteful cleaning the house can be between paper towels, wipes, and single-use plastic bottles. The Infuse line of cleaning products makes your home a more sustainable and chemical-free place! You can find floor mops, cleaning cloths, dish sponges, and spray bottles that use a refillable cleaning concentrate, allowing you to make your home feel fresh without all the waste!
10) Klean Kanteen
Reusable drinkware is one of the easiest ways to reduce single-use plastic, and Klean Kanteen has been committed to this mission for almost 20 years so far.
They offer any cup style you might need, such as an insulated bottle, tumbler, thermos, pint cup, and, of course, reusable straws.
11) Matter
Matter is a disposable serveware brand that creates plates, bowls, cutlery, cups, and food storage products that are 100% backyard compostable. The natural plant-based materials add nutrients back into the earth as they compost. It takes about 12 months or less to deteriorate and put valuable nutrients back into the soil. A single-use solution you can feel good about!
12) Stasher
Stasher is one of the best alternatives for resealable plastic bags. They have tons of sizes for snacks, sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables. They are microwave-safe, waterproof, and dishwasher-safe. Then when your well-loved Stasher bags are ready to live another life, they can be sent to Stasher to be properly recycled with TerraCycle. These are so handy that you can use them to organize other items like cords or odds and ends around the house. I love multipurpose products!
13) If You Care
If You Care was the first company to offer unbleached coffee filters in 1990. The company has since turned into a full line of kitchen and household products that are Earth-friendly and recyclable or compostable. Baking cups, garbage bags, recycled aluminum foil, and parchment paper, every room of your home is covered with their sustainable products. They even have 11 environmental and ethical certifications and use vegetable-based inks and dyes for all their packaging.
14) Misto
This is an easy way to transition from single-use spray cans for your cooking oils.
Instead, you can use the Misto oil sprayer with any oil you like, and it is much more economically and environmentally friendly.
It sprays as an aerosol can but without all the negative effects.
15) West Paw
West Paw is a family-run business that recycles ocean and landfill-bound materials to make their dog toys so that the planet, pets, and people benefit from less waste. OEKO-TEX and B Corp certifications ensure that all parts of their supply chain are sustainably managed to be responsibly made. They also have a recycling program for their Zogoflex line, which is infinitely recyclable.
16) Okabashi
Okabashi makes footwear for the whole family, from sandals, flip flops to flats! Their shoes are created from recyclable materials in the USA by a predominantly female-led team. Okabashi is part of the 1% of shoe companies based in the United States and is committed to durable sustainability. They also offer a two-year guarantee and have a return program, so your worn-out shoes can be recycled back into more shoes.
About the Author
Karmen Flores is a creative entrepreneur based in Michigan. Karmen shares all about plant-based and sustainable, intentional living on her blog Karmen Collective. From recommendations for all things plant-based to tips for living more sustainably, Karmen makes living with intention less intimidating and more accessible. You can connect with Karmen on Instagram @karmencollective and at www.karmencollective.com
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