6 Ethical Brands That Give Back With Each Purchase
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Written By: Taylor Rao
The concept of giving back, paying it forward or doing the next good thing is here to stay. Not only has it been made easier with each video of a 50 percent tip going viral, or being able to easily donate to someone’s favorite charity on Facebook, but acts of kindness always feel good no matter what you do or how you do it.
And for many brands out there, giving back is a part of the mission. Whether it’s a small local business donating a portion of its proceeds, or a major corporation advertising a charitable effort, you can consciously make a decision as a consumer to support the businesses that put goodness back into the world.
To start, there’s a lot of ethical and sustainable brands out there who are already doing this by creating better, safer, more earth-conscious products. And even national brands give a little somethin’ back when you shop with them. If you didn’t know about it before, you do now!
1. MABLE
Bet you didn’t know there was an alternative to a traditional toothbrush that didn’t include AA batteries, did you? Well, MABLE toothbrushes are made from bamboo --making them biodegradable, non-toxic and naturally anti-bacterial.
And if that’s not cool enough info to get you to make the switch, MABLE not only has a one-for-one give back approach (AKA, for every toothbrush you buy, one gets donated to a child here in the U.S.), but this brand is on a mission to educate children about personal health and how to make sustainable choices. Your pearly whites are helping to create a super bright future for America’s children if you shop this brand.
2. DIFF Eyewear
DIFF Eyewear is a socially-conscious sunglasses brand that donates a pair of reading glasses (worldwide) to someone in need with every purchase of a pair of sunnies. Since 2015, they’ve done just that over 620,000 times. Say what?!
As a brand who got off the ground only offering a handful of styles, since taking off, it has broadened its product line to many unique, creative sunglasses that symbolize individuality, sustainability and uniqueness all around. And with the help of African artisans in Uganda in another initiative called The Sabo Project, these artists provide fabrics and other upcycled materials to create one-of-a-kind cases for your shades.
3. Sephora
In their own words, Sephora Stands develops programs that address the needs of entrepreneurs, communities in transition, Sephora employees, and our planet. With the creation of female empowerment based classes, Sephora has worked with over 100,000 people through these classes and has racked up 500-plus nonprofit partners who support the mission.
Sephora has created FEARLESS, a specific shade of lipstick in an effort to promote this initiative, and with every purchase of this product, 10 dollars goes directly to supporting and growing these programs. (Pssst -- it’s limited edition -- so get it now and show your support while rocking a bold, red lip like the girl boss you are.)
4. Twill
Twill’s motto is “Give Where You Live”, and for the brothers who started this brand to support a sibling who was in and out of hospital beds growing up, home base happens to be right here in Upstate New York.
Twill blankets and products are meant to provide comfort during trying times --and the company now donates 51 percent of its profits to a number of different charities in the local regions they serve. One of Twill’s strong suits is using this model to help other businesses give back to the charities of their choice by creating custom-designed products to sell and donate that 51 percent to keep spreading good all around town.
5. Bombas
Socks are something most of us put probably little-to-no thought into having in our drawers or on our feet whenever we need. But, they’re also the most highly requested item at homeless shelters, and Bombas Socks is out to change that.
Over 9 million pairs of socks have been donated and counting (seriously, there’s a real live ticker on their website that goes up every few seconds!) and the socks they give away after every purchase are specifically designed with the needs in mind of those who will wear them.
6. Patagonia
Patagonia is one of the earthiest brands out there and has its hand in literally a mountain of projects that all tie back to environmental sustainability in one way or another. They also donate 1 percent of its sales to advancing that belief by giving back and working alongside other organizations who share this belief.
Now, a single percentage might not seem like a lot, but when you’re a company like Patagonia, it sure is. There’s almost as much information about Patagonia’s mission, beliefs and social responsibility efforts on its website as there is product to shop for.