Your Guide to Small Batch and Sustainable Shopping in LA

Behind all the glitz and glam of Hollywood on-screen, is a more eco-conscious reality—the one where avocado toast and locally sourced bee pollen are totally a thing (I don’t get it either). I know Portland has technically cornered the market on “weird,” but I thoroughly believe you’d be hard-pressed to find a cultural scene more eclectic than shopping in LA.

As fast-paced and transient as life in the big city may be, many Angelenos have made a collective effort to cultivate a lasting green movement. Their dedication has spawned multiple small batch and sustainable shops specializing in home goods, sustainable fashion labels, and even bulk dry goods. In true LA fashion, the stores are hip (do kids say hip anymore?), modern, and full of potential.

So here’s a small rundown of a few sustainable shops in LA that you can shop in-person and online, if you’ve been tinkering with the idea of making a few lifestyle adjustments.

Bulk refill stores in LA

I’m going to be 100% with you—the first time I heard about bulk goods stores, I was confuzzled. Americans have been raised to value packaging—so much so that there is a whole industry around the profitability of package marketing. And while certain movements, like the transition to banana leaf packaging in Thailand seem like a novel alternative, for a city like LA, it’s just unrealistic to think that the supply could match the demand.

Now, while some grocery chains like Sprouts do offer bulk goods like nuts and flour, if you’re still using their plastic bags, the point seems kind of moot. That’s why stores like re_ (formerly known as tare) circumvent this issue with their package-free policy- they allow customers to bring their own clean containers from home, and also offer post-consumer paper bags and reusable glass containers for purchase. Wild Terra follows a similar model by letting customers bring containers from home, but offers a more eclectic variety of herbs like burdock root and damiana.

Then there’s the original mobile refill shop, Refillery LA, who refills household and personal care products in West LA to reduce plastic pollution. They even make house calls!

Sustainable Décor Shops in LA

I don’t know if it’s a sign of my aging, but home goods excite me in a way they didn’t five years ago. Factor in an effort to exercise sustainable market practices, and businesses like the General Store might as well just take my money now. The General Store offers a well-rounded experience of home goods curated from local artists, as well as vintage finds, to create an overall intimate feeling to their offerings.

While the General Store is clean and minimalist, Otherwild is anything but. Founded by a community of artists and designers, Otherwild offers an array of goods, all sold with the focus on quality and ethical business practices. They also offer their own take on a general store with zero-waste bath and kitchen goods, as well as a refill station.

Lastly, Studio City’s Greenwood is a plant paradise featuring artisan pottery, small batch home décor, and apothecary goods. Plant mamas, get ready to swoon over their oh-so-green insta.

Ethical Fashion in LA

I’m just as guilty as the next person who’s become too comfortable with instant gratification when it comes to the clothes we buy; often overlooking the hidden cost of quality and work environment for manufacturers. But in an admirable effort to fight against the toxic culture of fast fashion, companies like Whimsy and Row pride themselves on operating as an eco-conscious brand that produces quality goods made with sustainable practices in mind.

Belljar in Los Feliz offers designer fashion from indie brands, homewares, gifts, and a beautifully curated collection of vintage. Not local? Don’t worry, they list their beautiful pieces online too!

If you’re cool with online-only, LA’s MATE is all about organic, sustainably made clothing in LA for women and littles. Their loungewear is about as comfy-trendy as it gets. Check out their annual impact report for a deeper look into their commitments.

When people say LA has it all, they’re not exaggerating; yes, it’s a hub for mindless consumerism, but locals are constantly combating wasteful practices with new businesses founded on eco-consciousness. The city has built a community of sustainable resources that continues to grow every day. Although we may never be completely waste-free and independently sustainable, at least I can buy my lentils in bulk and not feel bad about the packaging.

What does the sustainable shopping movement look like in your area?