As we are all aware, it can get quite difficult to shop ethically and sustainably. This list is the ultimate guide to make feel-good purchases from locally-made, cruelty-free, fair trade and sustainable local businesses across Sydney.
There is something for everyone, including furniture, fashion, fresh seasonal produce, and more.
1. The Cruelty Free Shop
Once upon a time, The Cruelty Free Shop was run from founder Jess Bailey's bedroom. Today, this vegan small business is on Glebe Point Road and is home to vegan foods, certified cruelty-free cosmetics including Natio, Sukin, Kester and cleaning products by Earth. Other products include fashion, gifts, and home items.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from The Cruelty Free Shop Facebook
For zero-waste fashion, check out
Zoo Emporium, Cream,
Dolly Up Vintage, and
Storeroom Vintage for vintage fashion boutiques.
The Swop Clothing Exchange is a great place to bring your unwanted retro, vintage and high-quality on-trend clothes, in exchange for store credit or cash. You will find everything from 70s mini dresses to neon floral prints, 80s leather jackets, to early 2000s flares and tube tops.
Charity op-shops such as Tempe's and Burwood's Salvation Army makes for unique finds for fashion and accessories. Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre is home to genuine vintage fashion, as well as shabby chic, art deco and period-style interiors.
Image Courtesy from SWOP Clothing Exchange Facebook
This fashion store employs and trains people in the fashion industry from refugee and new migrant communities. You will find clothing and accessories. The manufacturing workroom is upstairs, so you know that the person who made your item is benefiting from your purchase.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from The Social Outfit Facebook
This ethical store is not just a flower shop. Sisters Sarah and Sophie Kelman have created Wild Forager into an ethically-sourced store with their wide selection of carefully chosen homewares from across the globe.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from Wild Forager Facebook
Few boutique stores that are ethical and sustainable, including 'The Intersection' located in Paddington. 'The Intersection' is home to designer boutiques, with some focusing on producing eco luxe fashion, including
Kit X,
Viktoria & Woods and
Bassike. Nearby you will find
EKOLUV boutique which is home to a consignment designer store which sells pre-loved ever-changing "one-off' fashion.
Other ethical stores include
Commune in Bondi,
You, The Earth and Me, which is an eco-conscious and an ethically-made women's and kids clothing, lifestyle and homewares boutique.
Image Courtesy from EKOLUV Facebook
This cafe sells vegetarian dishes with many ingredients being handmade and locally sourced, including seasonal produce. Cornersmith's homemade pickles make the perfect sustainable gift, as well as helps and support local Aussie farmers, and the packaging is environmentally friendly.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from Cornersmith Facebook
This fashion store is home to one-off men's women's and children's clothing that are all made by hand using reclaimed and repurposed materials. They specialise sustainably and ethically fashion.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from The Spunky Bruiser Shop Facebook
This shop is the place where the quote "one man's trash is another man's treasure" is quite fitting. You will find almost everything here from former Mardi Gras decorations to plastic CDcases, arts and crafts, fabric offcuts, ribbons, backyard furniture, homewares, furniture, interiors, and more.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from Reverse Garbage Facebook
This store supports artists living with intellectual disability, and their online shop sells limited edition items from the artist's works. You will find a range of tote bags, tea towels, artworks, and more.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from studio A Facebook
The
Sydney Vegan Market is held on the third Sunday of every month; this market is home to around 100 stalls selling 100 per cent plant-based food and drinks, homewares, fashion, art and craft, cosmetics, and more. There is also ready-to-eat meals available.
Other markets include
Bondi Beach,
Paddington,
Glebe, and
Kirribilli markets for pre-loved finds, one-of-a-kind items, locally produced fashion, and you will be supporting small Australian businesses too!
Image Courtesy from Kirribilli Markets Facebook
This list includes Australia's online sustainable, plastic-free and zero waste stores.
Stores include:
Biome, for 15 years, Biome has been devoted to stocking a wide range of green living products to help people live more sustainably. Products include plastic-free, zero waste, body and beauty items, water bottles, baby and kids products, home and outdoor, eco-friendly kitchen products, zero waste books, and more.
Flora & Fauna is 100% Australian owned and operated and sells vegan, ethical and cruelty-free products with 30 brands, almost 500 products, and 4,500 eco-lifestyle and zero waste products which include cosmetics, health, home, style, baby and kids, and more. All items have plastic-free packaging.
The Clean Collective- this Australian sustainable lifestyle online store sells many green products, including a broad range of eco-friendly home, lifestyle and zero waste items.
Onya is another Australian sustainable lifestyle store with their products being sold in many organic, health foods and eco-focused stores. Products include a wide range of zero waste lifestyle products, 100% recyclable items made from stainless steel or recycled materials such as recycled plastic.
Image Courtesy from Onya Facebook
Located in Chippendale, this Hotel was once two heritage-listed buildings: the headquarters of Carlton & United Breweries and The Clare Hotel Pub. After an impressive renovation, today the Hotel is home to modern and eclectic rooms (62 in total) and features eco-conscious decor elements.
Click here for the website.
13. Ur Place
This store sells some of Australia's best products, including handmade planter boxes, locally poured candles, artisan art hangings, hand-woven rugs, and more.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from ur place Facebook
The Standard Store is home to conscious fashion, 100% local and sustainable materials and the great interior details include the local artisan-made lights and doorknobs.
Click here for the website.
Image Courtesy from The Standard Store Facebook
This cafe is home to ethical and sustainable coffee and food, as well as its futuristic milk-on-tap system.
Click here for the website.
16. Red Lantern
Red Lantern is the most award Vietnamese restaurant in the world! Here you will find renowned Australian-Vietnamese chef, Luke Nguyen preparing mouth-watering dishes.
The restaurant is home to organic and biodynamic wines, forward-thinking and environmentally-conscious cooking techniques, rain tanks that uses a water-free wok cooking system, cooking oil is recycled for biofuel and produce on the menu is organic.
Click here for the website.
