Find unique goods that match your personal values by shopping for items with sustainable materials. You can see if an item is made using environmentally conscious materials by reviewing the Sustainable features section of the Item description.
If an item has sustainable features, it means the item meets one or both of the following criteria:
- The seller attests that the item contains at least one material that has fewer specific environmental impacts compared to commonly-used alternatives.
- The item was designed to be reusable to help reduce waste.
If you have specific questions about an item, including sustainability certifications that may apply, message the seller for more information.
How to find items with sustainable features
When searching for items on Etsy.com, select Show filters. You may see the option to select from different materials in the Sustainable features dropdown.
To find items with sustainable features on the Etsy app:
- Enter the search term of the item you’re looking for.
- Select the filter button.
- If the sustainable features filter is available, check the box next to the features you’re looking for.
- Select Show results.
You may not see the Sustainable features filter depending on the category of item you’re searching for.
Sustainable materials
Below is a non-exhaustive glossary of more sustainable materials you may see on Etsy listings.
Ethical Gemstones: Ethical gemstones - including diamonds - that meet high standards for social and environmental responsibility that go beyond being Conflict Free™.
Hemp: The item is made from 100% hemp fiber, with the possible exception of thread or fasteners. Hemp requires less water to grow than common alternatives like cotton. It’s naturally pest resistant, which reduces the need for pesticides. Hemp growth has been shown to improve aspects of soil health.
Leaping Bunny certified: The item is made by a seller who has been certified to the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals, known as the “Leaping Bunny” standard. This verifies that all products made by the seller are guaranteed to be 100% free of new animal testing.
Linen: The item is made from 100% linen fiber from the flax plant, with the possible exception of thread or fasteners. Flax is a fast-growing plant that requires less water than common alternatives like cotton. It is typically also durable and biodegradable.
Organic cotton: The cotton used in the item has been grown without synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, fertilizers, and plant-growth regulators. At least 50% of the overall inputs in the item use certified organic cotton.
Organic ingredients: This attribute applies to ingredients in food, household, or personal care items grown without synthetic chemicals. This includes, but is not limited to, pesticides, fertilizers, plant-growth regulators (PGRs), and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). At least 70% of ingredients in the item must be organic, and at least 20% of the total product volume (including water) must be made up of organic ingredients.
Reusable: Items designed to be reusable aren’t necessarily made from more sustainable materials, but they can contribute to a lower-impact lifestyle if used repeatedly in place of a disposable alternative. You’ll only see “reusable” on items that are otherwise commonly created to be disposable.
Upcycled : This is an item that has been transformed from its original form into something new or of higher value. Choosing an upcycled item helps materials stay in use longer before being discarded.
Vegan: The item doesn’t contain any animal products or byproducts. Currently, you’ll only see “vegan” on consumable products, like candles, food, cleaning products, or cosmetics that commonly include animal-based ingredients. Shopping vegan is an ethical choice for some buyers, and may be more sustainable by avoiding the environmental impacts of industrial animal farming.
Vintage: The item is at least 20 years old. Shopping vintage keeps items in use and helps avoid the creation of new items using new resources.
Vintage gemstones: All gemstones in or on the item, including diamonds, are at least 20 years old. Like vintage items, vintage gemstones stay in use longer and make continued use of a valuable material.
Recycled content
Recycled content means that the materials have been recovered or diverted from waste during the manufacturing process or after consumer use. For all recycled content claims, sellers must pledge that the item is made up of at least 50% recycled content.
Contains Recycled Glass: The glass used in the item is 100% recycled, and makes up at least half of the total item.
Contains Recycled Metal: The metal used in the item is 100% recycled, and makes up at least half of the total item.
Contains recycled plastic: The plastic used in the item is 100% recycled, and makes up at least half of the total item.
Contains recycled paper: The paper used in the item is 100% recycled content, including at least 30% post-consumer recycled content (PCR).
Contains recycled polyester: At least half of the item consists of 100% post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET). If the item uses a blended textile, it contains at least 50% post-consumer recycled polyester in the blend, and recycled polyester still makes up at least half of the overall item.
Contains recycled cotton: Recycled cotton blends are at least 50% recycled cotton (pre- or post-consumer).
Descriptions of the environmental qualities of any items on Etsy are based solely on the seller’s listing information. Any sustainability-related badges or identifying terms represent only one quality out of many that may describe a product, and is not representative of the entire ecological footprint of a product. Etsy may expand definitions or add additional sustainability features in the future, and will update the Etsy community.