Alternative online shopping venues with an eye towards environmental responsibility and worker treatment.
I've vetted all of these, and all have smooth online shopping experiences, prompt shipping, and excellent customer service.
I don't receive any commissions on these; they're not affiliate links. This is just a personal project.
Crutchfield Crutchfield is a specialist in audio equipment. While they're famous for their audio systems for vehicles, they also have a great selection of quality headphones, portable speakers, and the like, with expert reviews and even staff available online to help you choose. They're known for excellent customer service; and they make their own biodegradable packing peanuts.
NoveltyLights.com NoveltyLights.com stocks a great selection of energy-efficient, durable (no more half-the-string-going-out-two-weeks-after-you-bought-them) holiday and string lights. They even have solar-powered strands! They have great prices, and the shipping is reasonable, especially if you buy a number of strands.
Bookshop.org Bookshop.org is an online bookseller dedicated to supporting brick-and-mortar independent bookstores; over 75% of their profits go to bookstores, authors, etc. They have a wonderful site that's a pleasure to use, and real, nice people on customer service. As Goodreads is actually owned by Amazon, this is an exciting, new alternative.
Libro.fm Libro.fm is an audiobook service (Amazon owns Audible, if you didn't know) that is, much like Bookshop.org, dedicated to supporting brick-and-mortar independent bookstores. You choose a local bookstore, and Libro.fm splits their profits with it. They have an incredible selection (pretty much everything but Amazon Originals), and customer service with real people.
Bandcamp Bandcamp is an alternative to streaming services like Amazon, Spotify, and iTunes, which pay artists a miniscule amount per-play. On Bandcamp you actually purchase music, which you can then stream from anywhere, or just download and play wherever. Bandcamp takes a simple 15%, and the artist/label get the rest (minus a couple percent in credit-card fees). Many of the biggest artists aren't on here yet, but it's a great way to directly support small-to-medium artists.
Nuts.com If it's edible and can be ordered in bulk, Nuts.com probably has it. High-quality nuts, grains, candy, and more, with fast shipping, a great website, and packaging that will make you giggle. Their website has a really nice quick-reorder feature that makes making an account worthwhile.
Everything Kitchens A large selection of quality kitchen stuff. Fast shipping.
De Buyer When you want really nice pots, pans, or skillets. Made in France. Very nice plastic-free shipping materials.
All-clad American-made high quality cooking utensils. Makers of Wirecutter's top-performance-rated D3 skillet, which is also cheaper than many competing skillets. (It's become my favorite skillet after years of cast-iron and carbon.)
The Plastic Brick The Plastic Brick sells used and vintage lego sets. As Legos are nearly entirely petroleum based (they've developed 'bio-bricks', but they're only ~2% of their blocks), this is a great way to get Legos with way less environmental impact. They guarantee their sets are 100% complete, and will also buy your old sets, even if they're missing pieces.
Bombas Grippy socks for toddlers (which are hard to find), among other things. They donate clothing to homeless shelters with each purchase.
Pact Adult clothing, but also a really good selection of baby/toddler. Fair trade certified and organic. Closer to affordable than many organic brands.
Gerber A wide variety of baby and toddler clothing; very affordable.
Life Factory Baby bottles (and adult too). Very nice stuff, glass made in the US and France. Pricey, but well made and can last for your child's toddlerhood and be passed on after.
Garage Grown Gear Garage Grown Gear has hiking and outdoor gear of all types, and is focussed on sourcing their products from small, cottage, and startup companies. A unique collection of high-quality stuff, with a nice website.
Blunt Umbrellas Umbrellas redesigned, made to last a lifetime, aiming to preventing waste from all the cheap umbrellas that end up in landfills after a stiff wind. Tested in winds up to 77mph. And, they have rounded corners, so you don't have to worry about poking people in the eye.
WeatherShack I wanted a nice humidistat, to have an idea when we actually needed to turn the humidifier on in our daughter's room. This place has all kinds of quality weather stuff, and is a family-owned small business.
1Ink In business 20 years. Great prices, with lots of refurbished cartridges (much cheaper). Great tool to find the right cartridge for your printer. 15% off your first order if you sign up for their mailing list.
Ecosia This is more an alternative to Google, but close enough. Ecosia is a search engine which donates 80% of its profits to reforestation efforts. The search results come from Bing, and are pretty much the same as what you'd get from Google (and you can still use Google Maps and such for searches with directions, etc.), but you're supporting a much better cause. They're a certified B corp, and are launching a debit card soon, which will also use its profits to plant trees.