Sustainable shopping and packaging

Individual actions

Think sustainable: look for these environmental attributes

When you do need to buy something, prioritize sustainability by looking for products with the following attributes:

• Ecolabels: An ecolabel is a symbol found on product packaging or online listings that helps consumers easily identify products that meet certain environmental standards. Ecolabels can be issued or managed by government bodies, nonprofit environmental groups, or private companies. (e.g., ENERGY STAR, Cradle to Cradle Certification, USDA Organic). King County recommends these ecolabels.
• EcoLabels can also be applied to home building materials. For more information, check out the Eco-Cool Remodel Tool.

Terms like "eco-friendly," "all natural," or "green" can be misleading – rely on trusted ecolabels that clearly indicate products meeting established environmental standards.

Made with sustainable content

Clothing and fabric

• Better fabric options (Low impact or biodegradable): Linen, hemp, recycled cotton and wool, and deadstock/upcycled materials are all durable and breathable, with lower water, pesticide, and chemical use. These options also help divert waste.
• Use with caution or avoid: PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) can be found in waterproof materials and other clothing. Organic cotton and wool are better than conventional options but still resource-intensive. Silk, rayon, bamboo (non-certified), and recycled polyester have environmental drawbacks, including energy use and chemical processing. Avoid polyester, nylon, acrylic, conventional cotton, and PVC/"vegan leather" due to their high impact, pollution, lack of biodegradability, and potential PFAS contamination.

Kitchenware and food storage

• Use glass, stainless steel, cast iron, or food-grade silicone for long-lasting, non-toxic alternatives.
• Avoid single-use plastics and Teflon-coated cookware that pollute and release harmful chemicals.

Paper products and packaging

• Look for recycled or bamboo paper, and compostable packaging when available.
• Avoid plastic-coated paper and expanded polystyrene (EPS) - commonly known as Styrofoam™, which are difficult to recycle and polluting.

Buy less, buy better

• Opt for items that can be used repeatedly or that are designed to last longer, reducing the need for replacements.    
• Energy-Efficient Appliances: Purchase energy-efficient appliances and electronics to reduce energy consumption.

Shopping sustainable, small, and secondhand

• Support small, local businesses in King County that often have more sustainable practices and a direct connection to their community. Shopping locally reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation and supports the local economy.
• Use a Green Business Finder Map, which supports Green Business certification programs. It helps businesses implement environmentally responsible practices and track their progress, making it easier to contribute to broader sustainability goals.

Online marketplaces

• Buy and sell secondhand goods through online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace.
• For high-end items or clothing you may only use once, use rental websites and apps to borrow an article of clothing to save both waste and money.
• Rental Platforms (great for events, short-term wear):
• Rent the Runway – Designer clothing rentals for everyday wear and special occasions.
• Nuuly – Monthly clothing rental subscription
• Armoire – Curated clothing rental service tailored to style preferences.
• Outdoor gear lending services in King County
• Secondhand / resale platforms
• Depop – Peer-to-peer app where users buy and sell vintage, streetwear, and handmade items.
• Poshmark – Buy and sell new or gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories.
• thredUP – Online thrift and consignment store with a huge range of secondhand women's and kids' clothing.
• The RealReal – Luxury consignment platform for authenticated designer fashion, shoes, and accessories.
• eBay Fashion – Longstanding resale platform for everything from fast fashion to vintage and designer.

Sustainable ecommerce decisions

Utilize technology and apps

• Use services like Good on you to check the sustainability ratings of brands and products.

Ecommerce shopping tips

• Group your purchases: Ordering multiple items at a time or grouping purchases from a single site allows deliveries to be consolidated, combining multiple delivery trips into one.
• Choose slower delivery options: Choosing a slower delivery option helps retailers consolidate orders, reduce inefficiencies, and minimize environmental impact while still ensuring timely delivery.

King County efforts

Consumer awareness and education

King County EcoConsumer

• The EcoConsumer program raises awareness about the environmental impacts of everyday purchasing choices. It offers resources on repair events, local businesses, tool and gear libraries, and tips for more sustainable holidays.

Green Building Handbook

• If you're building, remodeling, or replacing a system in your home, the King County Green Building Handbook can help you make choices that save money and reduce waste. The handbook's Green Sheets offer simple, practical tips—like selecting durable materials, minimizing construction waste, and choosing energy-efficient appliances.

Institutional and policy support

Sustainable procurement policies

• The Sustainable Purchasing Program supports county staff by providing guidance and technical assistance, including the Sustainable Purchasing Guide. This helps identify sustainable product attributes, relevant environmental standards, ecolabels, and available contracts for sustainable products.

Re+ action: Recycling Reform Act

• In the 2025 legislative session, Washington passed the Recycling Reform Act, a statewide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy for packaging and paper products that requires companies that make consumer products to fund the recycling system and ensure that their packaging and paper products actually get recycled. King County identified statewide EPR is a priority action in the Re+ plan. EPR incentivizes businesses to reuse unnecessary packaging and change packaging design to be easier to reuse, recycle, or compost, reducing waste and GHG emissions. If implemented, EPR could increase reuse and recycling rates to about 66%, diverting thousands of tons of material from landfills while lowering costs for residents.

Community efforts

Business and retail sustainability programs

EnviroStars

• EnviroStars is a Washington-based program that provides businesses with environmental assistance in meeting regional green business standards. Energy, transportation, pollution prevention, waste and recycling, wastewater, water conservation, and community, define the criteria and formal recognition as a green business.

Local zero waste stores

• List by Zero Waste Washington to help identify bulk and low emission shopping. Shopping in bulk can help eliminate packing waste, shipping and transport emissions, and may also be more financially friendly.

Seattle Good Business Network – Directory of Businesses

• The Seattle Good Business Directory is a curated list of local businesses committed to sustainability, ethical practices, and community resilience. By connecting consumers with environmentally responsible enterprises, it fosters a vibrant local economy while promoting sustainable shopping habits and reducing consumption-based emissions.

Reuse and circular economy initiatives

Reuse Seattle - Reuse in Action Map

• Reuse Seattle makes it easier for you to choose reusables when you're out and about. Whether you're grabbing coffee, attending an event, or dining on campus, more and more local businesses are offering reusable options instead of single-use packaging.

Second Use

• With Second Use, you can donate or sell your usable building materials, shop for affordable reclaimed goods like doors, cabinets, lumber, and hardware, and even hire them for professional salvage or deconstruction services—keeping materials out of the landfill and supporting a circular, local economy.

Tool libraries

• Tool libraries directly prevent waste, conserve resources and save money by reducing unnecessary purchases. Instead of buying a tool or even kitchen equipment that you rarely use, you can borrow it.

Community-based sharing and mutual aid

Community Gearbox

• Community Gearbox is a platform for sharing and co-owning resources. You can create or join a group with friends to share items, helping each other out while reducing waste and saving money. The app allows you to connect with people, see what they want to share or need, and set up a community in the app.

• More outdoor gear lending - Expands resource-sharing opportunities, encouraging reuse and waste reduction through community-led lending initiatives.