Buy for Yourself While Considering the Needs of Others

While the concept of social responsibility isn’t necessarily popular, a growing number of people are beginning to understand that consumerism has consequences. But these consequences can be positive! In order to ensure that their purchases benefit others and do not have a negative impact on the earth, many consumers are turning toward companies who focus on socially and ecologically responsible business practices. Here are just a few companies that are helping to make our world a better, and more caring place.

Warby Parker

Warby Parker began as a collaboration between four friends while attending business school. The concept behind the company is that attractive, functional eyewear shouldn’t cost exorbitant amounts of cash. By engaging directly with online customers, Warby Parker provides high-quality prescription eyewear that looks great at a fraction of regular retail prices found at competitor’s stores.

Warby Parker also takes seriously the worldwide shortage of proper vision care. With nearly one billion of the world’s population lacking access to prescription lenses, the problem is epidemic. To meet this need, Warby Parker has partnered with non-profit companies worldwide to be sure that for every pair of their eyeglasses and even sunglasses they sell, a pair is donated to someone in need.

Indosole

Shoes are wanted and needed by individuals worldwide, and Indosole happily provides them while working to solve another problem. Motorbikes provide the most common form of transportation in Indonesia, but their tires can linger in landfills for a millennium. Two pairs of Indo sandals or shoes made from these thrown-away rubber tires saves one tire from meeting its fate in landfill for years and years to come.

Blu Democracy

The founders of Blu Democracy struggled early in their careers with the environmentally destructive habits of much of the fashion industry. Today, to make the best quality clothing possible, the company focuses on renewable resources. Alternatives to cotton such as bamboo and modal reduce water usage by as much as 95 percent. This water conservation effort translates into more clean water available to the global population. To increase the good of their efforts, Blu Democracy makes a donation from every sale to Generosity Water.

Ecojot

Few people realize the environmental implications of jotting a few notes on a piece of paper. Brother-and-sister team Mark and Carolyn Gavin established Ecojot in 2007 to address this very issue. By providing eco-friendly stationery and other paper products from calendars to note cards, Ecojot has created a sustainable brand for list-makers and creative types alike.

Smile Squared

You probably don’t think twice when it’s time to replace a toothbrush, but many children of the world don’t have the option of good oral hygiene or dental care at all. At Smile Squared, you can rest assured that for each purchased toothbrush, they will provide a free toothbrush to children in need. What’s simpler than that?

There are many ways to make the money you spend on necessities give back to others. When you support socially responsible companies, you are not only helping them grow their unique and important business – you are helping the world at large.