Everyone loves Black Friday. We all love a deal, we all love stuff. It’s natural, and when you’re not as well off as you’d like to be, it can be a fantastic chance to get Christmas presents for people you love. I also understand that for a lot of people, it’s their only opportunity to afford things that other people can afford any day of the week. However, one thing I absolutely HATE about Black Friday is corporate greed. Many companies see it as an opportunity to exploit their customer’s trust, employ every trick in the book to get you to buy, without offering anything of value (or any particularly good savings either).

But not Ethical Superstore. This company is fast becoming one of my favourite places to shop, for their amazing customer service, fantastic, eco-conscious, low plastic, sustainable products, and now, for their brilliantly compassionate approach to Black Friday.

Ethical Superstore are offering 20% off for Black Friday, but in addition, they are also donating grocery items to their local Foodbank with every order over £30. No one should need to use a Foodbank, but unfortunately in this country, many many people are forced to turn to them. I’m 100% behind any initiative to help get more food to people in need, and I think this is such a refreshing way to do it. I thought I’d share some of their most ingenious sustainable swaps and ethical alternatives, to inspire us all to have a better Black Friday. I’ve done two different sections, an Ethical Festive Bits section (’tis the season after all) and a Sustainable Household Swaps section.

Ethical Festive Bits

Ethical Superstore have some beautiful Christmas products, so I thought I’d kick off with a few of my favourites.

I love these candle holders – they have a 100% traceable supply chain, which means they’re guaranteed to have been made in fair working conditions. I think two of the 2D stars and one of the 3D stars would make a perfect Christmas table centrepiece. Get the flat/2D one here, and the 3D one here. The brass wreath is from the same company and I love it too. You could tuck sprigs of pine and fairy lights into it, or keep it simply for a tasteful, minimal look. Get it here.

I love star lampshades but they usually come in bold colours which don’t really suit my decor. This silver one is perfect, and what’s more, it’s made from cotton waste instead of paper, which means their production doesn’t have a negative impact on the environment where they’re manufactured. Get one here. And aren’t these baubles gorgeous? I really want to move away from plastic baubles and these are made from recycled glass. Perfect. Get them here.

This stunning wrapping paper is ethically made in Nepal from lokta paper, which is much more sustainable than normal paper, and a percentage of the sales go to a Nepalese charity Children’s Rescue Nepal. Get it in black here, white here and red here.

Sustainable Household Swaps

I know most of us use Black Friday to treat ourselves or others, but since its on offer, I think it’s the perfect chance to try a few sustainable swaps!

Ocean Saver Refill Pods are brilliant, bottle free home cleaning products. You simply put the sachet into a reusable spray bottle and fill with water – and you never have to buy any more plastic bottles ever again! Get the pack of five different cleaning products for £5.59 (was £6.99) here. Ecoliving Solid Dishwashing Bar – I have been looking for a solid washing up product for months! It’s completely plastic free, and all you do is wet it, rub your sponge or brush on it, and then wash like normal, I can’t wait to give this a try, as we seem to go through so many bottles of washing up liquid in this house, it’s awful seeing all that plastic going in the recycling! Get one here for £8 (was £11). I’ll also be buying this lovely olive wood soap dish to keep it on!

Carrinet mesh produce bags for putting your fruits and veggies in at the shops, made from recycled plastic bottles, £5.59 for 5 (was £6.99). Or if you prefer cotton, these A Slice of Green bags are £5.56 for 3 (was £6.95). If you’re looking for ways to store food more sustainably, try some vegan wax food wraps like these Vegan Food Wrap Company ones for £19.99 (worth £24.99) or if you can’t quite get your head around reusable food wrap (like me) then try these If You Care sustainable sandwich bags for £3.56.

Bio-D Washing Powder comes in an eco-friendly paper bag. I use this and love it, my clothes are super clean and fresh, despite it being fragrance free, enzyme free, and biodegradable. It’s also really affordable at £3.48 for a kg (link), but this Black Friday I’m taking advantage of the 12.5kg box and going all in.

Patch Bamboo Plasters are another brilliant product that we love in this house – they’re just like normal plasters, but plastic free! Get a tube for £5.59 (was 6.99). I was going to share some suggestions for reusable cups and straws, but Ethical Superstore have one of the biggest online selections you’re ever going to find, so I thought it would be better to share the link to their cups/straws page and let you find your own! Not all of it is in the Black Friday sale, but it looks like most of it is. Check it out here. Though I have to say, my personal recommendations are a Stojo cup and these ecoLiving silicone straws (both in the sale!)

Hope you found something that catches your eye in my list! And if you want to learn more about what Ethical Superstore are doing for Black Friday, click here.