Why I started this site
Trying to buy more responsibly can be surprisingly hard.
You might find a brand that says it’s sustainable, only to discover that there’s much more to the story. Then there are certifications, ratings, materials, supply chains, labour practices, and a whole lot of greenwashing to sort through.
And honestly, who has the time to research all of that every time they need a pair of shoes or a new jacket?
Well, I didn’t either.
But I’d already spent a ridiculous amount of time doing the research.
So I thought: why not put it all in one place?
A place I could come back to when I needed something else, update as I learned more, and — hopefully — save someone else from having to open 27 tabs and start from scratch.
That’s how The Ethical Pick started.
But there’s an important part of this philosophy:
You don’t always need to buy something.
Before buying, ask yourself: Do I really need it? Can I use what I already have? Could I repair it, borrow it, rent it, or buy it second-hand?
If the answer is still “yes, I need to buy one,” that’s where The Ethical Pick comes in.
What you’ll find here
Brands
I’ll look beyond the marketing to understand what’s happening behind the scenes — from materials and environmental practices to workers, supply chains, certifications, transparency and company policies.
Products
When I review a product, I’ve actually bought and used it myself. I’ll tell you what I liked, what I didn’t, how it performed, how it held up, and whether I’d buy it again.
No pretending I’ve tested something because I read about it online.
Our Picks
After looking at the research — and, when possible, trying the product myself — I’ll highlight the options that I think are worth your attention.
There won’t be a magic score that tells you which product is “the most ethical.” Things are rarely that simple.
Instead, I’ll explain what’s good, what’s not so good, and what you might want to think about before spending your money.
A note on transparency
One thing is especially important to me: knowing where the information comes from.
I’ll distinguish between what a company says about itself, what independent organizations have found, and what I’ve experienced myself.
If something isn’t clear or can’t be verified, I’ll say that too.
The idea behind it
The best purchase is often the one you don’t make.
But when you do need to buy something, you should have good information before you do.