Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly Program: 29 Products That Make the Cut
Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Program, which rolled out in 2019, makes it easy for shoppers to find sustainable products on Amazon (1). Simply look for the “Climate Pledge Friendly” label when browsing.
This badge not only helps buyers shop more sustainably, but it also encourages manufacturers to make their products more sustainable, too.
The Climate Pledge focuses on three areas of action:
Regular Reporting: Companies are to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis.
Carbon Elimination: Companies are to implement decarbonization strategies (think: renewable energy, reducing materials, and production efficiency).
Credible Offsets: Companies are to offset any remaining emissions to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040 (think: planting trees, creating wind farms, or using solar energy).
37 Sustainable Certifications Offered on Amazon
To simplify sustainable shopping, Amazon has partnered with several different certifications—from governmental agencies, non-profits, and independent laboratories—and now offers the following 37 different sustainability certifications (2)…
Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon)
Pre-owned Certified (Certified by Amazon)
BIFMA LEVEL
Bluesign
Carbonfree Certified
CarbonNeutral product by Natural Capital Partners
Carbon Neutral by Carbon Trust
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services
Certified Animal Welfare Approved
Climate neutral by ClimatePartner
Cradle to Cradle Certified
ECOLOGO
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
EPEAT
EWG Verified
Fair Trade Certified
Fair for Life
The Forest Stewardship Council
Fairtrade International
Global Organic Textile Standard
Global Recycled Standard
Green Seal
Made in Green by Oeko-Tex
MADE SAFE
Natrue
Organic Content Standard 100
Rainforest Alliance
Organic Content Standard Blended
Recycled Claim Standard 100
Reducing CO2
Recycled Claim Standard Blended
Regenerative Organic Certified
Responsible Wool Standard
U.S. EPA Safer Choice
TCO Certified
USDA Organic
WaterSense
29 Sustainable Products With the “Climate Pledge Friendly” Badge
With over 25,000 different products on Amazon, it can be tricky to know which ones are plastic-free, biodegradable, or carbon neutral. Luckily, with Amazon’s new Climate Pledge Friendly Program, you can easily find products that have one or more of the 37 different sustainability certifications that help preserve our natural world.
Here’s a list of the top 29 products that make the cut:
1. Reusable Cotton Rounds
Upgrade your skincare routine by swapping those single-use cotton rounds for reusable ones that you can reuse hundreds of times.
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Climate neutral by ClimatePartner certifies the carbon footprint of a product was calculated and all associated emissions were offset.
2. Biodegradable Hair Ties
Did you know that regular hair ties have synthetic rubber in them that take up to 50 years to decompose? Switch to these hair ties that “are built to last in your hair but not in a landfill.”
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Fairtrade International products are produced in line with ethical and environmental standards, including supporting farmers to tackle climate change challenges.
3. Refillable Hand Soap
Wishing you could just reuse the same glass hand soap bottle? Well, now you can–with Blueland’s Refillable Hand Soap Bottle. This starter kit comes with 4 tablet refills. Choose from three flavors: Iris Agave, Lavender Eucalyptus, and Perrine Lemon.
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Cradle to Cradle Certified products are made with safer materials and responsible processes to positively impact people and our planet.
U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified products contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment.
4. Bar of Soap
A bar of soap that you can feel confident putting on your body. Organic ingredients (with no palm oil!). Plastic-free packaging. And over 1,000 five-star reviews.
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
5. Shampoo Bars & Conditioner Bars
A haircare routine—without the plastic containers. Just one shampoo bar is equivalent to three bottles of liquid shampoo. While one conditioner bar is equivalent to five bottles of liquid conditioner. This one simple change can keep millions of plastic shampoo and conditioner bottles from ending up in landfills each year.
Whether you have curly, straight, frizzy, normal, dry, oily, or platinum blonde hair, there’s a shampoo and conditioner bar for you.
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
6. Vitamin C Serum
Finally, a vitamin C serum that cares for your skin–and the earth. Affordable. Developed by dermatologists. And made with Florida-grown oranges
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Climate neutral by ClimatePartner certifies the carbon footprint of a product was calculated and all associated emissions were offset.
7. Hyaluronic Acid Serum
With benefits from brightened skin to increased plumpness and hydration, this hyaluronic acid serum uses a multi-molecular formula that penetrates 3X deeper to reach the dermis, helping to fill fine lines and wrinkles.
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Climate neutral by ClimatePartner certifies the carbon footprint of a product was calculated and all associated emissions were offset.
8. Bamboo Toothbrushes
What if your toothbrush could break down in 90 days rather than 1,000 years (like regular plastic ones)? Well now it can. These biodegradable and compostable bamboo toothbrushes are the perfect way to combat the plastic waste generated by toothbrushes.
Get your kiddos (or nieces and nephews) in on the fun too with these kid-friendly bamboo toothbrushes.
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Climate neutral by ClimatePartner certifies the carbon footprint of a product was calculated and all associated emissions were offset.
Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
9. Toothpaste Tablets
The future of toothpaste—in the form of a tablet instead of a plastic tube. These fluoride-free toothpaste tablets foam just like “regular” toothpaste and leave your mouth feeling just as clean.
Not a fan of tablets? Swap to this metal toothpaste tube by Davids.
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Toothpaste Tablets: Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
Toothpaste Tube: EWG Verified products are reviewed to ensure they are free from EWG’s known chemicals of concern and adhere to strict health standards.
10. Biodegradable Dental Floss Picks
Make the switch to plastic-free dental floss picks. Choose from Cool Mint, Activated Charcoal, or Unflavored. As an official partner of the United States Forest Service, every SmartLifEco order equals one tree planted in the United States.
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USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors.
11. Band-Aids
Typical band-aids are made from latex–a petroleum-based chemical–which will never break down in a landfill. These plant-based band-aids are 100% compostable and made from sustainable bamboo fibers.
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
12. Compostable Bamboo Cotton Swabs
Purchase Q tips without the plastic. These zero-waste ear swabs are fully compostable and come in a biodegradable box made from recycled materials.
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Climate neutral by ClimatePartner certifies the carbon footprint of a product was calculated and all associated emissions were offset.
13. Bamboo Toilet Paper
Did you know that the average American uses 10 to 15 rolls of toilet paper—per month (3)? By swapping to bamboo toilet paper, you’re cutting back on the nearly 27,000 trees that are flushed down the toilet every day (4).
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The Forest Stewardship Council certified products support responsible forestry, helping keep forests healthy for future generations.
14. Refillable Toilet Cleaner
Switch to a toilet cleaner that doesn’t come in a plastic bottle. This starter kit from Blueland comes with a compostable package of 14 toilet tablets and a reusable tin to put them in.
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U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified products contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment.
15. Dishwasher Detergent Pods
Wash your dishes with a more natural dishwasher detergent pod—that doesn’t come in plastic packaging.
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
16. Kitchen Sponge
Although there are several eco-friendly sponges listed on Amazon, these sponges are the only ones that actually have the Climate Pledge Friendly badge.(I’d buy these compostable ones instead…even though they don’t have the “Climate Pledge Friendly” badge.)
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
17. Compostable Scrub Pad
Scrub with something you know will actually break down in a landfill. This biodegradable, compostable scrub pad is made from coconut coir fibers that is safe to use on all surfaces.
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
18. Bamboo Paper Towels
Because bamboo grows 10x faster than trees, it’s the perfect alternative to single-use items like paper towels. Use these bamboo paper towels so that we can collectively reduce deforestation.
Fun Fact: Some species of bamboo can grow up to three feet per day!
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The Forest Stewardship Council certified products support responsible forestry, helping keep forests healthy for future generations.
19. Reusable Un-Paper Towels
If you’re trying not to throw away paper towels or bamboo paper towels, then reusable un-paper towels are the perfect solution. As a zero waste alternative, a single reusable cotton towel can replace 130 rolls of paper towels.
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Global Organic Textile Standard certifies each step of the organic textile supply chain against strict ecological and social standards.
20. Compostable Sandwich Bags
Finally, a sandwich bag that’s compostable. How, you ask? Instead of being made from plastic, it’s made from glassine, a pure wood pulp sourced from FSC-Certified forests.
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The Forest Stewardship Council certified products support responsible forestry, helping keep forests healthy for future generations.
21. Organic, Fair-Trade Coffee Beans
Caffeinate sustainably with these organic, fair-trade coffee beans from farmers in the Pacific Rim Islands and Latin America.
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Fair Trade Certified products are made following standards that promote worker well-being, strong supply chains, and a safe environment.
USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors.
22. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar earned the Climate Pledge Friendly badge because of their USDA Organic label.
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USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors.
23. Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent
Amazon offers a number of laundry detergents that are Climate Pledge Friendly. Choose from laundry detergent sheets, pods, cardboard jugs, or powder…
Laundry Detergent Sheets: These sheets contain starch (a filler ingredient) while Kind Laundry Detergent Sheets do not contain starch.
Laundry Detergent Jug: This jug is made from 100% recycled cardboard and newspaper. When the jug is empty, it can either be recycled or composted. Note: The liquid detergent is inside of a plastic bag inside the jug.
Laundry Detergent Powder: FYI, the powder comes in a plastic bag, with a plastic measuring scoop.
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Laundry Detergent Sheets: Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
Laundry Detergent Pods: Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
Laundry Detergent Jug: U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified products contain safer ingredients for human health and the environment.
Laundry Detergent Powder: Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
24. Organic Essential Oils
Get your essential oils from a company who’s earned it. These organic essential oils from Cliganic are 100% pure, single-ingredient oils. 3rd party tested. And non-GMO.
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USDA Organic products are grown and processed according to standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors.
25. Biodegradable Dish Cloths
These machine washable dishcloths can be reused over and over again–up to 100 times. And after that, they’re certified biodegradable.
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
26. Reusable Cleaning Cloths
These reusable cleaning cloths are super handy. Keep them by your cleaning supplies for easy access whenever you need them.
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
27. Organic Cotton Bed Sheets
Sleep sustainably with these breathable, cooling bed sheets for beds of all sizes.
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MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX products are tested for harmful substances and made in safer workplaces with reduced environmental impacts.
28. Organic Baby Burp Cloth
Made from organic bamboo cotton muslin, this baby burp cloth gives you full-shoulder coverage–sized at 21"x10.5".
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Global Organic Textile Standard certifies each step of the organic textile supply chain against strict ecological and social standards. (Made with at least 70% organic content.)
Organic Content Standard 100 products are made with at least 95% organically grown materials.
Organic Content Standard Blended products included in the program are made with at least 50% organically grown materials.
29. Compostable Baby Wipes
These hypoallergenic baby wipes are made from 100% natural, ultrathin fibers that are soft, compostable, and plant based. (They break down in just 12 weeks!)
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Compact by Design (Certified by Amazon) products remove excess air and water, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and packaging.
The Bottom Line
A less wasteful life doesn’t have to be ultra-complicated. With Amazon’s new Climate Friendly Pledge Program, which rolled out in 2019, shoppers can quickly and easily see which products have the badge. When you see a product that does, it means that it has one more of the 37 different sustainability certifications offered on Amazon (think: USDA Organic, Compact by Design, and Fairtrade).
This program by Amazon is a step in the right direction, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Tell me in the comments below…what do you think of this program?
Frequently Asked Questions
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The short answer: No.
The longer answer: The products listed in this blog are ones that, to me, truly earned the Climate Pledge Friendly Badge. For one, they use the least amount of plastic possible. And two, many of these products are completely compostable or biodegradable. Meaning that they’ll break down within 90 days rather than 500+ years like other plastic products.
We can agree to disagree here, but I don’t think you can call yourself Climate Pledge Friendly and still contribute to the 275 million tonnes of plastic waste that’s generated each year (5). It just doesn’t add up.
The products you see above are ones that you can feel confident about buying.
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Amazon ships out approximately 1.6 million packages every single day (6). If there’s one thing for certain, it’s this: Amazon is never going away. It’s weaved itself into the fabric of our everyday lives.
So if it’s not going away, what if we, as consumers, only purchased products that were Climate Pledge Friendly?
What if 10% of those 1.6 million packages were Climate Pledge Friendly products? That would be 160,000 packages filled with products from companies that actually give a damn. What if that percentage increased to 20%? That’s 320,000 shipped daily–filled with Climate Pledge Friendly products.
The moral of the story is this: Change starts with the consumer. It starts with every dollar we choose to spend or not spend. The more of us that choose to ONLY purchase climate friendly products on Amazon, the more other brands (that aren’t yet climate friendly) will start to get on board. And the brands that don’t get on board? They’ll go out of business.
There’s one other important thing to note here: When purchasing off Amazon, it’s difficult to see just how ethical a product is. Are they treating their works justly? Are they paid fairly? Do they work in a safe working environment? These are critical questions to ask as a consumer. But they can be tricky to get answers to. One company that helps with this is Fashion Checker. Their website shows you which clothing companies do (or don’t) pay their workers enough to live on.
At this time, I’m not aware of a website that does this for all the other brands out there that aren’t in the fashion industry. (Please leave a comment below if you know otherwise!)
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First, I think it’s misleading to automatically label a product as “Climate Pledge Friendly” when it could have any one of the 37 “sustainable” certifications offered on Amazon.
For instance, a product could have a “Climate Pledge Friendly” badge because it’s certified organic, and then come in a big plastic container that’s going to end up in a landfill or the ocean for 500+ years. Logically, it doesn’t make sense to me.
The products that truly deserve this badge are the ones that:
Are made from natural ingredients or materials,
Are compostable or biodegradable,
Use as little plastic packaging (and trees!) as possible, and
Are fairly and ethically sourced and manufactured.
Caroline Nicks
On a mission to leave places better than she found them, Caroline spends her time with her hubs and parti poodle researching how to live a less wasteful life, picking up trash on her beach walks, and tending to her 32 houseplants.
