June 2019 - EarthHero

7 Eco-Friendly Pet Products

June 24, 2019June 24, 2019

Here at EarthHero, our fur babies are 100% part of our family, and should be treated as such. That means high quality products, made from ethical materials, that enhance the lives of our furry friends – and the planet that they romp around on. Read on to learn about 7 eco-friendly pet products we’re loving, and how they can reduce the amount of waste your pet produces!

What you’ll learn:

Which ethically made pet products work best for your lifestyle
How to reduce the amount of trash your pet produces

Compostable Pet Waste Bags

Fact: pet waste is an unavoidable part of being a pet parent. To pick up pet waste, whether it’s on a walk with your pup or cleaning up the kitty litter, we often rely on plastic grocery store bags or single-use bags to get the job done… which means for every doggy-doo we add another non-biodegradable plastic bag to our landfills. Meet the eco-friendly solution: compostable pet waste bags! Compostable pet bags, like these from BioBag, are certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute ASTM D400 ensuring that the bags will compost both safely and rapidly in our landfills – without leaving dangerous microplastics behind.

Depending on your lifestyle, you’ve probably seen the green ‘compost’ bins at the local dog parks and community centers which accept pet waste in biodegradable bags. This ensures your pup’s waste is composted… but separate from the rest of the community compost stream, as pet waste can contain harmful pathogens and bacteria. While plastic bags negate the impact of composting pet waste, these compostable bags are compatible with the green ‘compost’ bins popping up, and reduce the amount of new plastic bags we use overall.

Hemp Fabric Dog Collar

A collar has always been a fun way to accessorize and keep your pet safe, but have you ever wondered what your pets collar is made of? Most collars from the pet store are made from virgin polyester and other synthetic fabrics that can get stinky, moldy, or chewed apart with ease.

Unlike classic collars, The Good Dog Company uses naturally renewable hemp fabric to create colorful collars for both dogs and cats. Hemp is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-mold, water-repellent, and durable – and when paired with an organic cotton fabric blend, makes an extremely soft material that won’t rub or tug at your pet’s neck. With a selection of patterns, fabric knits (we love corduroy), and colors, these eco-friendly pet collars are the ideal earth-friendly accessory for your pet.

Hemp Rope Dog Toy

Go to the pet store and take a look around. What do you see on every shelf? Dog toys, plushies, chews, bones, balls, and other playtime essentials… all made from plastic, polyester, and other synthetic materials. They look great, but in no time Fido will chew it up, leaving behind tiny pieces of trashy plastics that have to go straight to the landfill.

Unlike classic dog toys, this rope toy is made from natural hemp fibers – a natural and renewable resource – that is also extremely durable and naturally anti-bacterial so it won’t get disgusting. It’s extremely tough to tear apart, but if your dog manages to do it, they won’t be exposed to the harmful chemicals and toxins found in typical plastic dog toys, or end up consuming the inedible fluffing found in most plush toys. Plus, the natural hemp fiber rope is knotted to stimulate your pets gums (great for puppies during teething!) and they’ll love the woodsy smell and texture of the hemp rope as well!

Dog Sun Protection Rash Guard

Did you know that dogs can still get sunburnt under all that fur? We’re shocked too. And dogs with sensitive or thin hair/fur are especially at risk (we’re looking at you, Dalmatians!) Instead of attempting to apply sunscreen to your pooch, which is really, really difficult and likely will not work at all, just toss a rash guard on them for all-day sun protection.

Made from eco-friendly upcycled nylon fabric made from post-consumer recycled materials, this dog rash guard offers broad spectrum UPF 50+ protection that is chemical-free, reef-safe, and super freakin’ cute. Great for long walks, hikes, biking with your dog, swim days, or any pup who spends a lot of time out in the sun, this rash guard will keep them cool thanks to it’s breathable fabric, and cute thanks to the adorable turtle print. Your pup feels sun burns just like we do, so be sure to protect their skin all summer long!

Hemp Canvas Harness

Dog collars are an essential for any pet owner – but not always the best option for walks or traveling. Unlike collars which only apply pressure to the neck, this dog harness from The Good Dog Company features contouring, adjustable shoulder and sternum straps that won’t pinch or cause hot spots for the most comfortable harness fit out there. The durable clasps adjust easily (perfect for growing puppies!) and comes with an extra large sternum strap to fit a variety of dog breeds.

Plus, this harness was handcrafted locally in the United States from a blend of naturally renewable hemp and non-toxic organic cotton which is anti-bacterial, water-repellent, and soft yet durable to prevent tearing, hot spots, and irritation on your pup’s skin.

Natural Hemp Animal Bedding

Not a cat or dog person? Don’t worry, there’s still a ton of ways to make your small animal live a little bit more eco-friendly! From purchasing fresh veggies from the store plastic-free for your hamster or gerbil, to wooden over plastic toys for your bird, try to stay mindful while shopping for your furry friend. When it comes to bedding (which can be super wasteful with weekly cage cleanings!), be sure to look for natural, renewable materials like hemp… not synthetic based bedding from polyester, a subset of plastic, or virgin wood or straw from new growth trees.

Now you’re probably wondering, “Is hemp bedding really better?” Simply put… yes, both for the planet, and your eco-friendly pet! Hemp animal bedding lasts longer compared to straw or pine alternatives as it absorbs moisture better, and is better as absorbing odors and reducing smell overall in your pet’s home. Made from 100% hemp which is naturally anti-microbial, water-repellent, and chemical-free, this bedding has a lower dust count than other materials, which makes your pet’s breathing environment better a lot better. When the time comes to replace the bedding in their cage, you can completely biodegrade this bedding – sending it to compost collection, not the landfill!

Coconut Oil Dog Toothpaste

Dog kisses: heck yes! Dog breath… not so much. Keep your pup’s pearly whites looking shiny, and their breath a whole lot less stinky with toothpaste designed just for them! From RADIUS brand, this dog toothpaste is made in the United States from USDA Certified Organic ingredients like coconut oil, plus added sweet potato and cinnamon powder for flavor, and contains no added fluorides, preservatives, colors, or synthetics. The coconut oil removes impurities, cleans the gums, and prevents tooth decay, so they can have a happy and healthy smile for years to come. Our pro tip? Apply the toothpaste with a children’s sized bamboo toothbrush like this one – not a plastic brush!

Know of some other eco-friendly pet products we should have on the site? Comment them below!

Non-Profit Spotlights: Carbonfund and 1% for the Planet

June 18, 2019

Our planet is changing. Which means the way we shop, and live, needs to change as well. But most big companies don’t want to do the work, instead relying on greenwashing to make it seem like they’re doing the right thing… even if they’re not. Unlike the other guys, EarthHero goes the extra mile to ensure we are truly making the right choices for the planet – from the products we sell to the non-profits we partner with. In this blog you’ll learn about our partnerships with Carbonfund and 1% for the Planet, and how we’re using business as a force for good!

What you’ll learn:

How we work with Carbonfund to be a carbon-neutral company
About our partnership with 1% for the Planet, and what non-profits we donate a portion of sales to every year
Other non-profits we work with, our charitable brands, and how we’re creating a network of giving

We walk the walk.

A lot of companies simply talk the talk, but we take it a step further and let our (carbon-neutral) footprint walk the walk.

From start to finish, we’re dedicated to minimizing our impact on the planet, while maximizing your shopping experience. Our sustainable journey starts by finding companies who are already doing good; brands holding themselves to high standards of environmental and social responsibility. From their choice of materials, to labor practices, and more, our companies are taking a stand to do better. You can learn all about our 5-Step Sourcing Methodology here.

But the impact doesn’t stop there. Everytime you shop at EarthHero, you’re supporting companies that are actively investing in our planet’s future. Topiku, for example, gives back to communities in Indonesia by bringing fair, higher paid work and free education to local people. Under the Nile empowers women in thirteen rural villages in Egypt, bringing them not only fair work, but vocational training, health care, and continued education opportunities. This “people-first” mentality is capable of changing the lives of families for generations to come, effectively changing our planet for the better.

From EarthHero being a Certified B Corporation (learn more about that here!), to our brand partnerships, we envision a world where conscious commerce is the norm. But… we also want to make sure your purchases are giving back to the planet in other ways, from offsetting the carbon footprint it takes to ship them to your door, to giving a portion of our sales towards environmental non-profits.

Carbonfund

Online shopping has the power to share sustainability with hard-to-reach areas worldwide, but shipping has its own effect on the environment around us. By using Carbonfund’s carbon calculator, we know exactly how much carbon is emitted through the shipping and transport of our products, in addition to emissions produced from our day-to-day operations. We then work to reduce what we can, and offset what we can’t through the CarbonFree Partner program. This program gives to third-party certified projects in categories like reforestation, renewable energy, and energy efficiency, dedicating your dollars to the Earth.

In 2017 and 2018 combined (our first two years of business), we neutralized 72 metric tonnes (or 14,732 pounds) of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere by donating to US Pooled Forestry carbon offset projects. Not only did this offset our emissions, it benefits the environment with 1,866 tree seedlings that will sequester carbon dioxide for a ten-year period.

Our particular donations benefit small and medium-scale reforestation projects across the nation, particularly in Texas and Arkansas, sequestering over 500,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide since the project’s conception. This is more than just a number–reforestation provides a host of ecosystem services, like reduced erosion and improved topsoil, improved wildlife habitats, and natural water filtration and storage.

1% For the Planet

By now, you’ve probably noticed a trend: we’re focused on giving back to the planet with every single purchase, no matter what. We start with connecting you with conscious companies, then offset the carbon emissions of every shipment. But, what do we do to make our impact reach even further?

As a member of 1% For the Planet, a global network of businesses, nonprofits, and individuals, we invest 1% of our total annual sales with nonprofits dedicated to solving today’s most pressing environmental issues. Since 1% For the Planet’s founding in 2002, its members have donated over $175 million to environmental nonprofits worldwide. By bringing dollars and doers together, 1% For the Planet accelerates smart environmental giving and emphasizes the power of a collective movement. From climate, to food, land, pollution, water, and wildlife issues, 1% focuses on high impact issues affecting the planet today.

We can’t change the world on our own. Together, we can do more. We maximize your impact by promoting companies, that like us, that are 1% for the Planet affiliates. We love supporting fellow 1% for the Planet members, which is why we work alongside our partner brands like Klean Kanteen, Bureo, FlowFold, Recover, and many more.

Creating a network of brands that are committed to fostering a healthier earth through action, and not just words, is the philosophy that’s going to have a significant impact on the future. It’s one thing to talk about healing the earth; but taking tangible action, like getting involved with 1% for the Planet, will have the most substantial effects. It’s hard to make a difference by ourselves, but when united, we are stronger in creating a healthier earth.

What’s next?

Being a member of Carbonfund, 1% for the Planet, and a Certified B Corp is the backbone of EarthHero – and is what steers us to be the best we can be each day. But we don’t stop there.

From our partnerships with nonprofits like the Earth Day Network, WILD Foundation, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, Friends of the Earth, and the Ocean Conservancy, to seeking out brands who give back to charitable causes, we’re ensuring that every purchase you make on EarthHero has a meaningful impact on our planet, or the lives of those who live on it.

Want to get involved? Head to our private Facebook Group Earth Heroes, and share which nonprofits you think we should partner with, or your favorite charitable company you think we should have on the site! Because your choices do make changes.

Non-Profit Spotlights: B Corp

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

EarthHero isn’t just a platform for brands that are using business as a force for good – we are one. In that spirit, we’re beyond proud to announce that, in addition to our partnerships with 1% for the Planet and Carbonfund, we are now a Certified B Corporation business! From public transparency to environmental performance (and so much more), being a B Corp means we’re working alongside a network of companies looking to redefine what success in business really means.

What you’ll learn:

All about the non-profit B Lab
What the B Corp Certification initiative is
What it means for a business (like us!) to be B Corp Certified
How to find, and shop with, Certified B Corps

Non-Profit Spotlights: B Corp

What is the B Lab?

Over the last century, conventional commerce has gotten a bad rep. From depleting the planet’s natural resources, to lack of corporate responsibility around pollution, the businesses of our past prioritized profit over people… and tainted the way we see the market as a whole.

Here’s the truth: business can, and should, be used as a force for good. Consumers want their purchases to make a positive impact on both their own lives, and the life of the planet. And that’s where B Lab comes in.

B Lab, an international non-profit, serves to redefine the role of businesses in our modern society – primarily through their B Corp Certification and B Impact Assessments – but also through advocacy around elevating how the government interacts with businesses and the economy as a whole. Their vision is that one day all companies, not just B Corps, will compete to not only be the best in the world, but also the best for the world. And we’re proud to be a part of that vision.

What does it mean to be B Corp Certified?

You’re probably wondering… how exactly does B Lab plan to reunite the needs of the planet with the goals of the economy? Through B Corp Certifications, of course! Businesses awarded the B Corp title have met the highest standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. They’ve been assessed, and scored, based on how the company impacts its workers, customers, community, and environment – and then this information is released to the public via the B Corp directory (check out our page here!) Instead of simply looking at one product, they look at every aspect of the company – from supply chain to employee benefits. Basically, think of the B Corp Certification being to business what the Fair Trade Certification is to coffee.

And it’s not easy to do. Trust us. Being a Certified B Corp isn’t just a one-and-done thing, but rather an ongoing adventure into becoming the best version of your company that exists! B Corp companies (like us!) are constantly looking for ways to increase their Impact Assessment Score, and therefore their sustainability metrics as a whole.

How can I get involved with B Corp?

To date, there are 2,788 companies (we’re number 2,788!) that are B Corps, across 150 industries in 64 countries. Of these companies, 40% of B Corps are located outside of the USA, showing the global influence of the program. Simply put – B Corps are everywhere, which makes getting involved with B Lab easier than ever.

The number one way you can get involved with the program is easy: shop with, and support, Certified B Corps. Your dollar makes a difference, and when you use it to vote for products and brands you actually care about, the companies left in the dust will notice and change accordingly. Labeled “voting with your dollar” or conscious consumerism, it boils down to brands adapting to fit the needs of the marketplace. You can read all about conscious consumerism here – and then head to the B Corp Directory to find the full list of certified brands that deserve your dollar.

Our mission here at EarthHero is to make sustainable living easy. In that spirit, we’ve pulled together all the brands we have on our site that are also Certified B Corps. Here they are: Bureo, Green Guru, indosole, Preserve, Badger, Bambu Home, Desert Essence, Chico Bag, Klean Kanteen, Plaine Products, Love Bottle, To-Go Ware, Meliora, Moon Valley Organics, and Full Circle Home (with more to come!)

But, beyond making more intentional shopping decisions by supporting B Corps, another awesome way to make an impact is to reach out to brands that are not B Corps – and encourage them to take more sustainable actions. Whether this means emailing your local grocery store to ask them to offer paper bags instead of plastic, or congratulating Adidas on their new recycled plastic sneaker, brands will listen to the needs of their customers. They want your business, so make them work hard for it!

Long story short: we are beyond stoked to join the ranks of Certified B Corporation Businesses®. We don’t want to just tell you how sustainable EarthHero is – we want to prove it, too. By joining this network of companies using business as a force for good, we feel we can create even more meaningful impact on our planet… and truly provide value to our community of Earth heroes. Together we can redefine what success means.