Some merchants in Puerto Rico have gone the extra mile to promote environmental conservation and fair trade, a practice that supports better working conditions for producers and workers. + However, the path to endorse these causes is a two-way street as there is a need for people like you, the consumers, to join the efforts. Your decisions over which types of goods to purchase can make a difference and contribute to save Planet Earth and bring justice and respect towards workers in trade networks. So, below we gladly share a list of five local stores in Puerto Rico that may guide you into eco-friendly or fair trade purchases.++ The best news is that you can place online orders to get the items.

Five Local Shops in Puerto Rico for the Eco-Friendly and Fair Trade Goods Supporter:

1) Echo Verde

Summary of merchandise:

Items are recyclable, biodegradable, handmade, products of fair trade practices and/or made from recycled or sustainable materials. Bamboo kitchen utensils, compostable wood cutlery, reusable towel made from bamboo (to substitute paper towel), biodegradable toothbrushes, insulated water bottles, reusable snack and sandwich bags or wraps, reusable fruit or vegetable storage bags, natural deodorants and laundry detergents, and artisanal bar soaps, among others.

Address and telephone number:

205 Federico Costas Street
Montemar Plaza
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918

787-756-8163

Website:

https://www.echoverdepr.com

Merchandise may be purchased in the store or through the store’s website, as applicable.

2) Ecotienda La Chiwinha

Summary of merchandise:

Eco-friendly or fair trade products. Recycled plastic toothbrushes, reusable kitchen bamboo utensils, vegetable oil-based handmade soaps, stress-relief essential oil roll-ons, artisanal bar soaps, botanical infusion sprays, and books on organic agriculture, agroecological practices and Puerto Rico’s trees, among others.

Website:

https://ecotiendalachiwi.com

Telephone number for text messages:

787-925-0707

Merchandise may be purchased through the website.

3) La tiendita Ecológica

Summary of merchandise:

Reusable silicone bags, biodegradable and compostable cleaning small towels made from cotton and cellulose, reusable cotton and beeswax wraps to cover food, biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes, and makeup-removal organic cotton or flannel towels, among other items.

Website:

https://latienditaecopr.com

Merchandise may be purchased through the website.

4) La Banasta

Summary of merchandise:

Compostable and biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes, hairbrushes made of Neem trees’ wood, Luffa or Konjac exfoliating sponges, natural deodorants, artisanal bar soaps, reusable water bottles, toilet-cleaning brushes made of sisal fiber and acacia trees’ wood, cleaning brushes made of coconut fiber and palm trees’ wood, and reusable organic cotton napkins, among other items.

Website:

https://www.labanastapr.com

Merchandise may be purchased through the website. Shipping is limited to Puerto Rico’s locations.

5) concalma

Summary of sustainable developed merchandise:

Environmentally friendly and fair trade bags, such as backpacks, messenger bags, hip pouch bags, tote bags and beach bags, manufactured in Puerto Rico.

Store’s pick-up address and telephone number:

208 Luna Street
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

787-342-9757

Website:

https://shopconcalma.com

Currently, merchandise may be purchased through the website. Delivery methods: shipping or pick up at the store’s window.

What are you waiting for? Start checking out the shops’ websites and do your bit to join forces for the greater good.

+ For a synopsis of fair trade’s definition, please read the “delve” section of this article.

++ This list includes some of the local stores that sell eco-friendly and fair trade products in Puerto Rico.