Celebrate Earth Day with These 10 Eco-Friendly Brands
A roundup of American-made companies making more thoughtful choices for the planet.
machineryasia 
A roundup of American-made companies making more thoughtful choices for the planet.
Wednesday, April 22, is Earth Day, a worldwide celebration of environmental stewardship. There are lots of ways to mark the day, from volunteering at a clean-up or planting a tree to simply spending some time outside. If, you’re busy, though, you can acknowledge Earth Day with your shopping habits. Buying locally sourced products – which, for most consumers in the United States, means Buying American – means less energy was spent in its transportation to market. And that, in turn, means a significantly smaller carbon footprint.
In honor of Earth Day, I’ve compiled a quick list of American-made consumer products that are especially environmentally minded.All of these brands manufacture in the U.S., which can help reduce the environmental impact of overseas production. There are plenty of great companies out there, but these are a few that stood out to me.
Made in: Rochester, N.Y.
Nalgene makes reusable water bottles that are built to last. The idea is simple: Use one bottle over and over instead of constantly buying disposable plastic ones.
The company’s newer bottles are made with material that includes about 50% recycled plastic waste, which helps keep plastic out of landfills and reduces the need for new materials. It’s the same classic bottle, just made in a more responsible way.
Made in: Harrodsburg, Ky.
Earth Breeze makes laundry detergent sheets designed to replace bulky plastic jugs. The sheets are lightweight, take up less space and help cut down on packaging and shipping waste.
They’re also made without harsh chemicals like dyes, parabens or optical brighteners, so there’s no heavy residue left on clothes. The company also supports efforts to remove plastic from oceans and waterways.
It’s a small switch moving over to sheets, but one that adds up quickly since it’s something most people use every week.
Made in: various U.S. locations
Terravive (profiled on the blog in 2023) makes compostable food service products like takeout containers, plates, cups and cutlery. They’re designed to work like traditional plastic but break down naturally instead of sticking around for years.
By keeping manufacturing and sourcing in the U.S., Terravive reduces emissions tied to overseas shipping and supports a more reliable supply chain. Its materials are designed to avoid microplastics and harmful chemicals, which is still pretty uncommon in this space.
Shoutout to Terravive for making compostable options easier to find!
Made in: Buford, Ga.
We love this company. Okabashi makes sandals and flip flops using a closed-loop system. Old shoes and leftover materials are ground up and reused to make new pairs, which helps keep waste out of landfills.
These shoes are made with a mix of that recycled material and a bio-based material that includes U.S.-grown soy. About a quarter of each shoe comes from recycled content.
They’re also built to last longer than typical flip flops and, of course, worn-out pairs can be sent back to be recycled into new products.
Made in: Meridian, Miss.
Meridian Footwear Co. works with algae-based materials through its BLKSWN line. The algae replaces some of the petroleum-based materials normally used in shoes, especially in foam and soles.
It also helps address water pollution by repurposing excess algae growth. It’s a different way of thinking about materials for something as common as a pair of shoes.
Made in: Northfield, Vt.
Darn Tough makes socks that are built to last, which honestly is a big deal when you think about how often socks usually get worn out and replaced. The longer they hold up, the less ends up in the trash; a simple but effective way to cut down on waste.
The company uses materials like Merino wool and recycled nylon and is working toward increasing its use of recycled fibers. The packaging also leans more eco-friendly, with less plastic and more recycled materials.
Darn Tough is also relatively open about its production process on its website, which makes it easy to see what it’s doing well and where it’s still improving. That kind of transparency is refreshing to see.
Made in: Mountain Home, Ark.
Stitchco makes pillows using all-natural, hypoallergenic materials and focuses on cleaner sourcing and avoiding unnecessary synthetic materials as much as possible.
The company’s facilities run on solar energy, which helps reduce the impact of production. Another simple approach that makes both materials and manufacturing a little more thoughtful.
Made in: San Leandro, Calif.
Green Toys makes children’s toys entirely from recycled plastics, especially milk jugs. It’s a straightforward way to turn everyday waste into something useful again.
They also use recycled cardboard packaging and soy-based inks. The toys are free from BPA and other harmful chemicals, which makes them a safer option for kids.
As a mom, this is one I feel good about.
Made in: Portland, Ore.
A 2025 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide selection, Cycle Dog turns discarded bicycle inner tubes into durable dog gear like collars, leashes and toys. Materials that would otherwise end up in landfills get a second life. Even their softer items use recycled plastic bottles for filling.
They also focus heavily on durability and offer free repairs, which helps extend the life of their products instead of replacing them. Since 2009, they’ve kept millions of plastic bottles and large volumes of rubber out of landfills. Everything is hand-sewn in its Portland facility, and that kind of attention to detail is something I really appreciate.
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There’s no one perfect way to be sustainable, but these companies are all making an effort in different ways. Whether it’s using recycled materials, cutting down on waste or simply making products that last longer, small choices like these are one way to do your part this Earth Day.
The Alliance for American Manufacturing does not receive a commission from purchases made through the above links, nor was the organization or author paid for favorable coverage.
Labeling Note: This story is intended to highlight companies that support American jobs and that make great products in the United States. We rely on the companies listed to provide accurate information regarding their domestic operations and their products. Each company featured is individually responsible for labeling and advertising their products according to applicable standards, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s “Made in USA” standard or California’s “Made in USA” labeling law. We do not review individual products for compliance or claim that because a company is listed in the guide that their products comply with specific labeling or advertising standards. Our focus is on supporting companies that create American jobs.
For more on the Federal Trade Commission’s standards for “Made in USA” claims and California’s “Made in USA” labeling law, please also read this guest post by Dustin Painter and Kristi Wolff of Kelly Drye & Warren, LLP.
