Women’s Economic Power, A Clickable Shopping List For The Resistance
Need a Jump Start On Voting With Your Wallet? Want To Avoid Amazon And Other Big Retailers Willing To Sell Out Our Fellow Humans? Buy Earth-Friendly Sustainable Products Directly From Small Businesses
Collectively, women are outrageously powerful. Women control 85% of household shopping. Realizing this statistic reminds me that, like most women, I am powerful. Right now, I am owning my financial power. I invite all women to join me in claiming their shopping power. We’ve got this. When harmful patriarchal systems attempt to grab us by the pussy, we can punch them in the pocketbook.
I prefer to not spend my money with businesses that do not support all humans, democracy, the planet and wise business practices like DEI designed to support hiring the most qualified candidates even when racists misogynists are in charge. As such, I have moved away from Amazon and Whole Foods. I am not 100% Amazon-free but that is my goal.
I will not step foot in Target. I am done with Walmart. Costco kept DEI so I feel good about fun shopping trips with my sister who has the membership. If you are a student, medical professional including mental health professionals, first responder, teacher, military or government employee, Costco offers membership discounts. After Costco, my local grocery stores have all I need. Turns out resistance via shopping is not that hard and feels empowering.
Online shopping is convenient and time saving. For household staples, I can buy direct, bypassing the Amazon, or store middleman, and give all the money to the smaller business. This act is satisfying. I think I might also save a bit this way.
It did take me some time to research and create a new shopping list with online links. I share it with you to make it even less work for you. In this process, I chose my preferred household staples, and now I can stock up to the free shipping level and purchase when I run out.
Since I have been stepping up my ethical shopping habits, I am stepping up my sustainable product choices to support the earth. The products I recommend below prioritize sustainability and minimize the use of plastic. I also prefer non-toxic and fragrance-free products. If you like fragrance, most brands I recommend below have options with fragrance. In addition, most of these companies listed have more products that may interest you than the ones I summarize here.
I invite you to partake in some ethical retail therapy. Let us begin.
Shampoo and Conditioner
This is a big category for me. My hair is long, thick and on the fine side. At the risk of sounding stuck up, I will claim that I have pretty hair. I am picky about shampoo and conditioner and was skeptical about plastic-free bar options. I am pleasantly surprised. In my research, I have found that the big thing to know is this. Shampoo is not “soap.” When you use a shampoo bar that is soap, you may not like the results. For short hair, or men, a soap bar may be fine. A popular soap based shampoo bar company is J.R. Liggitt. They also have a good conditioning bar. For long hair, with a soap bar, you will notice buildup and heaviness. True shampoo uses surfactants to clean, not soap. True shampoo bars are shampoo without water. Here are some well-liked recommended shampoo and conditioning bars. Read the descriptions based on your hair type to choose your best options.
Here are the fragrance-free options:
Ethique - Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner Bar Bundle
I also like the Clarifying Shampoo bar from Ethique. It is not fragrance free, but it does not bother me.
Viori - The Haircare Duo Bundle, Native Essense
This unscented bar set from Viori has rice water. I even noticed my nails get stronger from using this.
Kitsch - Ultra Sensitive Shampoo + Conditioner Set
The Rice Water Protein bars from Kitsch are also popular but I have not tried them.
Earthling Co. - Shampoo & Conditioner for Volume and Strength, Unscented
Hibar - Fragrance-Free Moisturize Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Soap
Dr. Bronners Unscented Castile soap bar is extremely gentle. I use it to wash including my face. Put one on the sink and avoid plastic liquid soap bottles. If you like liquid, you can get the liquid version in a plastic-free cardboard refill box to refill your own soap dispenser.
Dr. Bronners Unscented Castile Soap Bar
Toothpaste and Floss
Toothpaste tubes, floss packaging, and toothbrushes are a lot of plastic waste. Try toothpaste tablets and refillable floss in a stainless-steel container.
Bamboo Floss at Zero Waste Outlet
Zero Waste Store bamboo toothbrush
Lotion
Several companies offer lotion bars. For small jobs that works for me. As the main lotion, not so much. Here are a few non-bar lotion options that come in sustainable packaging.
Deodorant
You don’t need the plastic tube for deodorant. These options use a cardboard tube container.
Native plastic-free deodorant sticks
Paper and Paperless Bamboo Products
For toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and napkins, you may consider bamboo or recycled options. Regular toilet paper has toxic chemicals as well. You can read about this on these companies’ sites. What is good for the earth is also good for your health. Here are two companies offering options:
Dishcloths
I reduce paper towel use by using dish and cleaning cloths in the kitchen.
I originally posted a suggestion of microfiber cloths and a reader shared that microfiber sheds microplastics. It is best to use cotton, bamboo or hemp materials for cleaning and dish cloths. Another option is Swedish dish cloths.
Household Cleaning, Laundry and Dishes
Plastic containers for laundry and dishwashing detergent are a useless waste. These plastic-free options are both effective and non-toxic. I am surprised that the laundry sheets work.
Clean People has laundry sheets and dishwashing powder plus other cleaning products.
Blueland has laundry and dishwasher tablets, plus other cleaning products.
Meliora has several cleaning products. People like their powder laundry detergent. I like their dish soap bar.
Trashbags
I put regular trash in compostable bags. It seems to be the best earth-friendly option.
Unni 13 Gallon Compostable Tall Kitchen Food Scrap Bag
Food Wrap/Storage
I replaced plastic wrap with reusable bees wrap a long time ago. I just reordered more because my wraps are getting a little thin. They last a long time.
Candles
I love lighting candles. We all need a little ritual and relaxation.
General Food Stuff
Looking for an online Whole Foods alternative that is less expensive? Try Thrive Market.
Northwest Wild Foods has high-quality fish, nuts, berries and jams. It is nice for special purchases. However Costco will be less expensive.
Farmers’ Markets
I plan to visit my local farmers’ market on a weekly basis during the market season.
Books
You can usually buy books directly from the publisher. You can also buy used books at Thrift Books, Abe Books, Alibris, and Better World Books.
Here is a bookshop.
Online Sustainable Focused Stores
If you feel like mindlessly clicking around to shop for a while, then you may enjoy visiting these shops. Maybe you will get ideas on incorporating more sustainable products into your lifestyle.
I hope you enjoy shopping with this list and making your economic contribution to support humans, our democracy and the sustainability of our earth. You can put a little sticker on your shirt that says, “I Voted With My Wallet.” Here it is so you can print it out.
Microfiber clothes leech microplastics into the water supply. 100% Cotton bar towels are a much better alternative.
Thrive and Grove are so freaking awesome! I shop both of them regularly!
This was a really great article/list.