Eco-Friendly Small Businesses To Support This Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day from all of us here at PPL Labs in Boston. Because we are a small business, we are highlighting some of our favorite eco-friendly small businesses that we think you should start supporting today. All of these businesses also run blogs (to help aid in SEO), so you can read more content by clicking the hyperlinks in their titles.

The Wally Shop

Located in Austin, TX with shipping nationwide

@thewallyshop on Instagram

The Wally Shop is an online grocery store with a vision to help people shop for everything in all reusable packaging, conveniently and without sacrificing value. They use entirely reusable packaging that can be returned in order for consumers to participate in their sustainable mission. The Wally Shop founder, Tamara Lim, started this business after working for Amazon in the vendor management department. She wanted to create the convenience of Amazon while simultaneously aiding in the urgency of the plastic-waste crisis, and she did just that. Here’s how it works: you sign up, add goodies to your cart, the minimization of your carbon footprint is tracked, and then you check out, paying for your reusable packing as well. However, you get this money back when you return the packaging. As more states either ban the use of plastic bags or charge customers for them, markets for reusable packaging will increase. Get your #pantrygoals at The Wally Shop.

Cute Root

Founded in Minneapolis, MN with shipping nationwide

@cuteroot.co on Instagram

Mother’s Day is coming up, and we have the perfect place to get the CUTEst card. Cute Root is a small card-making business that creates cards that are zero-waste and plantable. You read that right, plantable! Cute Root seed paper is 100% recycled post-consumer material mashed down into a pulp and sprinkled with plantable wildflower seeds. After the recipient of your card has read and loved it, they soak it in water for an hour, plant it in light soil in a sunny spot, water regularly, and grow into wildflowers. But wait! There’s more! Cute Root plants a tree for each and every order. Their customers have helped them plant 22,594 trees and offset 10.5 tons of carbon (through Ecologi). Although Cute Root’s commitment to a better world is inspiring, their mission is even greater; to make people happy. Cute Root founder, Kyle Samera, started the company after acknowledging how important the little things in life are and that a card can make someone’s day. In his eyes, “one successful card delivery means two happy customers”.

E6PR (Eco Six Pack Rings)

New York, NY

@e6prs on Instagram

E6PR is calling all beer & earth lovers! E6PR dedicates its resources to creating 100% biodegradable and compostable packaging to replace the world’s most used six-pack rings made with plastic. The founders contribute in different ways as they come from diverse and complementary backgrounds. The E6PR team strives to become a leader in packaging innovation and contribute to a brighter future for generations to come. We have all seen those heartbreaking images of turtles with six-pack rings stuck on them. E6PR is here to change that. In fact, these biodegradable rings are actually edible. The Eco Six Pack Ring also performs as effectively as plastic. It thrives in both dry and wet conditions and has been certified to ensure quality and functionality. More beer brands need to consider alternatives to their plastic six-pack rings, and E6PR is an incredible solution. So, crack a (biodegradable) cold one this Earth Day and support small businesses!

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