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100 Sustainable Social Innovations

From DIY Gardening Systems to Conscious Business Services

— February 10, 2013 — Social Good
Sustainable social innovations make the most of the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. From ex-con employment facilitators to conscious business services and ethical beauty supplies, these enterprises mix sustainability -- whether environmental and/or economic -- with putting communities at the forefront of their mission and model.

Increasingly, a social business isn't just a social business anymore but rather, sustainability plays a big role in not only how they do their work but also how they market themselves to the population at large. While the majority of the sustainable social innovations featured here in this top list are based in North America, sustainability practices are more often than not pioneered in rural communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Resource-Bridging Organizations
Resource-Bridging Organizations
The Bridge Fund Works in Tibetan Communities Fostering Development
<
99
Sustainability Consulting Services
Sustainability Consulting Services
Anderson Brown Helps Companies Embrace Benevolent Business
<
98
Community Building Consulting Companies
Community Building Consulting Companies
Fresh Horizons Provides Employment And Social Activities
<
97
Altruistic Apprenticeships
Altruistic Apprenticeships
Capital Conflict Management is an Anti-Violence Initiative in the UK
<
96
Ex-Con Employment Facilitators
Ex-Con Employment Facilitators
Blue Sky in the UK Finds Real Jobs for Ex-Offenders
<
95
Sustainable Housing Education
Sustainable Housing Education
Bould Helps Trains Builders On Eco-Friendly Housing Construction
<
94
Beneficial Beverage Companies
Beneficial Beverage Companies
Rebbl is a Social Enterprise Being Launched by Not For Sale
<
93
Sustainable Slumber Manufacturers
Sustainable Slumber Manufacturers
Abaca Producers Organic Beds and Mattresses with Welsh Wool
<
92
Global EV Providers
Global EV Providers
Better Place Offers Electric Transportation Services
<
91
Exotic Eco-Friendly Java
Exotic Eco-Friendly Java
Cafe Etico is a Coffee Brand Supporting Human Rights in Latin America
<
90
Benevolent Beauty Supplies
Benevolent Beauty Supplies
Marula Oil by the Leakey Collection Benefits Rural Women in East Africa
<
89
Fair Trade Work Attire
Fair Trade Work Attire
Arthur & Henry Creates People and Office-Friendly Shirts for Men
<
88
Sustainable Ethical Eateries
Sustainable Ethical Eateries
Wild Idea Buffalo Co Is A Humane Meat Company
<
87
Fairly Traded Fashion Websites
Fairly Traded Fashion Websites
12 Small Things Promotes Goods Made by Struggling Artistans
<
86
Carbon-Free Coffee Roasters
Carbon-Free Coffee Roasters
Grounds for Change Offers a Fair Trade, Organic & Shade-Grown Brew
<
85
Regional Non-Profit Entities
Regional Non-Profit Entities
TRADE is the Trust for Rural African Development and Enterprise
<
84
Eco Employment Solutions
Eco Employment Solutions
EMBERS Green Renovations Uses Biodegradable Items for Energy Efficiency
<
83
Sustainable Capitalism Courses
Sustainable Capitalism Courses
The School for Creative Startups Provides Social Business Training
<
82
Plant-Based Cleaning Products
Plant-Based Cleaning Products
Ecover Creates Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products with a Twist
<
81
Employment-Endeavoring Non-Profits
Employment-Endeavoring Non-Profits
1000 Jobs/Haiti Creates Work Through Its Projects in the Nation
<
80
Women-Empowering Fair Trade Boutiques
Women-Empowering Fair Trade Boutiques
Global Girlfriend Supports Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide
<
79
Humanitarian Greeting Cards
Humanitarian Greeting Cards
100cameras Snaps Pictures of Children in Sudan for Its Latest Endeavor
<
78
CO2 Reduction Rides
CO2 Reduction Rides
Carbon Voyage Fosters Collaborative Consumption Transportation in London, UK
<
77
Ethical Organic Java Beans
Ethical Organic Java Beans
The Stonepound Coffee Company Brings Eco-Friendly Joe to Toronto
<
76
Community-Producing Picture Frames
Community-Producing Picture Frames
Spark Framing Minimizes Eco Impact and Maximizes Job Creation
<
75
Urban Delivery Collectives
Urban Delivery Collectives
Independent Alternative Control Courier is Rider-Owned and -Operated
<
74
Sustainable Hand-Carved Sweets
Sustainable Hand-Carved Sweets
The Taza Chocolate Company Uses Eco-Friendly Growing Methods
<
73
Altruistic Organic Fertilizer Technology
Altruistic Organic Fertilizer Technology
Byoearth is a Social Venture Preserving the Planet
<
72
Sustainable Forestry Companies
Sustainable Forestry Companies
Planting Empowerment Works with Rural Communities in Panama
<
71
Impact-Driven Cookstove Designers
Impact-Driven Cookstove Designers
Prakti Design Produces Innovative Cookstoves for the Poor
<
70
Women-Owned Web Design
Women-Owned Web Design
YIKES, Inc. is a Competitive and Sustainable Business
<
69
Responsible Himalayan Travel
Responsible Himalayan Travel
Ecosphere Focuses on the Triple Bottom Line with the Spiti Community
<
68
Independent Travel Itineraries
Independent Travel Itineraries
Global Basecamps is an Ethical and Environmental Company
<
67
Sustainable Face Masks
Sustainable Face Masks
Akamuti is a Skin Care Company with Ethical Policies
<
66
Sustainable Head Toppers
Sustainable Head Toppers
Yellow 108 Produces Fashionable Head Gear from Recycled Materials
<
65
Animal Habitat Consultancies
Animal Habitat Consultancies
Acer Ecology is a Social Enterprise Working All Over the UK
<
64
Economy-Focused Sustainability Projects
Economy-Focused Sustainability Projects
Borderstep Institute Takes a Success-Driven Approach
<
63
Ethical Furniture Retailers
Ethical Furniture Retailers
Chest of Drawers Ltd is Committed to Environmental Principles
<
62
Ethical Sourcing Enablers
Ethical Sourcing Enablers
The Collaborative Group is a New Social Enterprise Out of Chicago
<
61
Conscious Business Services
Conscious Business Services
Shop for Change Empowers Farmers Through Fair Trade Certification
<
60
Community-Supporting Snapbacks
Community-Supporting Snapbacks
The SEA Brand Notes a Quarter of Proceeds to Poverty Tansitioning
<
59
Non-Profit Housekeeping Services
Non-Profit Housekeeping Services
Clean Close Company Provides Jobs For The Unemployed
<
58
Ethical Artisan-Empowering Organizations
Ethical Artisan-Empowering Organizations
Shopping for a Change is a Globally Minded Non-Profit
<
57
Sustainable Car Hires
Sustainable Car Hires
GUTSi Executive Transfer Offers Transportation in the United Kingdom
<
56
Labor-Reducing Dairy Farms
Labor-Reducing Dairy Farms
Arohana Works in India to Reduce Dependency
<
55
Community Resource Recycling
Community Resource Recycling
Bridport TLC Creates Partnerships to Reduce Waste
<
54
Vagrant Supporting Services
Vagrant Supporting Services
Keeners Car Wash Helps Homeless Youth Get Back on Their Feet
<
53
Slavery-Targeting Enterprise Accelerators
Slavery-Targeting Enterprise Accelerators
Not For Sale Endeavors to Fight Human Trafficking
<
52
Low-Income Microfinance Associations
Low-Income Microfinance Associations
RADIM Works in Buenos Aires to Support Economic Development
<
51
Rainforest Jewelry Collections
Rainforest Jewelry Collections
ORG by vio Sells Creative Goods by Indigenous Amazon Artisans
<
50
Supply Chain Integrating Loans
Supply Chain Integrating Loans
Kinara Capital is a Social Enterprise Supporting Startups in India
<
49
Progressive Patterned Accessories
Progressive Patterned Accessories
The Batik Boutique Supports Single Mothers in Southeast Asia
<
48
Sustainable Vitamins
Sustainable Vitamins
MaMa Organic is Expanding into Herbs, Spices, Aromatherapy and Bath Products
<
47
Cost-Efficient Solar Kits
Cost-Efficient Solar Kits
Learning Lights Produces Eco-Friendly Power Solutions for Countries
<
46
Sustainably Sweet Wheatgrass
Sustainably Sweet Wheatgrass
Aconbury Sprouts Offers Organic Chilled Health Foods
<
45
Malawian Cotton Tees
Malawian Cotton Tees
AFRCN APPRL Funds Sustainable Entrepreneurs in Africa
<
44
Smartly Sustainable Sacks
Smartly Sustainable Sacks
Goedzak Bags are the Latest Effort in Garbage Reduction
<
43
Sustainable Food Philosophies
Sustainable Food Philosophies
River Cottage is a Social and Environmental Business
<
42
DIY Sustainable Gardening Systems
DIY Sustainable Gardening Systems
Teaching Kids Good Nutrition with Woolly Pocket
<
41
Education-Providing Apparel
Education-Providing Apparel
Young Love Outfitters Captures the Hearts of the Residents in Africa
<
40
Online Urban Activism Platforms
Online Urban Activism Platforms
Brickstarter is a Web Service Connecting Activists and Bureaucracy
<
39
Sustainable Product Wholesalers
Sustainable Product Wholesalers
Honest Green is a Nation-Wide Distributor of Natural Items
<
38
Certified Sustainable Soaps
Certified Sustainable Soaps
LEAP Organics Uses USDA-Approved Ingredients and Recycled Packages
<
37
Gamefied Sustainable Living Apps
Gamefied Sustainable Living Apps
Practically Green Provides Simple and Personalized Green Tips
<
36
Sustainable Cleaning Supplies
Sustainable Cleaning Supplies
'It's All About Green' is a Shop That Promotes Recycling
<
35
Ethical Event Supplies
Ethical Event Supplies
Susty Party Offers Sustainable Products for Your Next Gathering
<
34
Empowering Hygiene Businesses
Empowering Hygiene Businesses
The Ruby Cup is a Sustainable Personal Product for Women
<
33
Sustainable Baby Products
Sustainable Baby Products
The Honest Company Offers Eco-Friendly Diapers
<
32
Closed Loop Plant Systems
Closed Loop Plant Systems
Aquaponics UK is a Social Enterprise Tackling Waste, Food and Energy
<
31
Personal Development Diners
Personal Development Diners
Ground Level Cafe Offers Training to At-Risk Youth in Toronto
<
30
Sustainable Conference Companies
Sustainable Conference Companies
15Hatfields is a Social Enterprise That Offers Spaces Big & Small
<
29
Energy-Generating Tees
Energy-Generating Tees
'Live. Breathe. Grow.' is a Women-Focused Company Using Lightness
<
28
Sustainable Animal Supplies
Sustainable Animal Supplies
The Only Natural Pet Store is Powered by Wind Energy
<
27
Ethical Decision-Making Apps
Ethical Decision-Making Apps
'Oroeco' Links Your Life to the World in Order to Make a Choice
<
26
Empowering H20 Nonprofits
Empowering H20 Nonprofits
Community Water Solutions Opens Women-Run Businesses in West Africa
<
25
Design-Focused Social Products
Design-Focused Social Products
Matter Inc. Creates Products Helping Local and Global Communities
<
24
Graphic Eco-Friendly Skateboards
Graphic Eco-Friendly Skateboards
Bamboo SK8 Manufactures Decks and Longboards from Bamboo
<
23
Sustainable Meal Containers
Sustainable Meal Containers
Ecolunchbox Makes Meal Holders From Organic and Fair Trade Textiles
<
22
Eco-Friendly Philanthropic Flip Flops
Eco-Friendly Philanthropic Flip Flops
Hari Mari Footwear Donates Money to Battle Cancer
<
21
Ecotourism Development Cooperatives
Ecotourism Development Cooperatives
Travel for Change Melds Community-Based Initiatives and Tours
<
20
Sustainable Shade Systems
Sustainable Shade Systems
Skyshade is an Indian Social Business Capturing the Sun
<
19
Sustainable Sound Systems
Sustainable Sound Systems
Vers is a Cubed Bluetooth Audio Accessory Company Made out of Wood
<
18
Socially Responsible Accessories
Socially Responsible Accessories
Raven & Lily Provides Employment For Female Artisans
<
17
Last Mile Delivery Services
Last Mile Delivery Services
B-Line is a Distribution Networking Building Sustainable Urban Life
<
16
Trial-Sized Beauty Deliveries
Trial-Sized Beauty Deliveries
Goodebox is a Members-Only Website Offering Eco Cosmetics
<
15
Altruistic Accessory Lines
Altruistic Accessory Lines
Rising Tide Fair Trade Bags Provide Jobs For Under Served Women
<
14
Fair Trade Zipper Clutches
Fair Trade Zipper Clutches
This Exotic and Sustainable Purse Supports Guatemalan Women
<
13
Military-Style Recycled Bags
Military-Style Recycled Bags
Khepri is a Sustainable Handbag Company in Williamsburg, New York
<
12
Compostable Cloths
Compostable Cloths
'Go! Towel' is an Anti-Bacterial Product Made of Bamboo Fiber
<
11
Simplified Ingredient Skin Care
Simplified Ingredient Skin Care
S.W. Basics of Brooklyn Offers Ethical and Sustainable Products
<
10
Pay-As-You-Go Renewable Energy
Pay-As-You-Go Renewable Energy
Angaza Design Makes Clean Energy Accessible Off the Grid
<
9
Artistan-Crafted Clutches
Artistan-Crafted Clutches
Ann & Arayata Creates Sustainable Income For Filipino Craftspeople
<
8
Employment-Providing Shoes
Employment-Providing Shoes
The Nisolo Footwear Line Creates Sustainable Jobs
<
7
Seasonal Eco Eateries
Seasonal Eco Eateries
A Better World Cafe Serves up Accessible Sustainable Food
<
6
Lavish Upcycled Leather Jackets
Lavish Upcycled Leather Jackets
Olga Road Turns Old Trench Coats into Sleek New Styles
<
5
Peruvian-Printed Footwear
Peruvian-Printed Footwear
Inca Boot Company Employs Craftspeople in Peru
<
4
Found Material Jewelry
Found Material Jewelry
KORA Designs Worked with Artisans in Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana
<
3
Hip Guilt-Free Tees
Hip Guilt-Free Tees
No Nasties Makes Fairly Traded Organic Cotton Shirts in India
<
2
Sustainable Gift Catalogs
Sustainable Gift Catalogs
UncommonGoods is a Website Offering Quirky Accessories
<
1
Punchy Coco-Fiber Doormats
Punchy Coco-Fiber Doormats
Sustainable Company Reed Wilson Design Has a Sense of Humor
<