Our Story

Our journey started back in our university days, where we began exploring ideas around sustainable e-commerce. We knew we couldn’t undo the harm already done to the planet, but we were determined to do more good. That’s when we asked ourselves: why not bring all sustainable brands together in one place? That's how ourCommonplace was born—a marketplace packed with eco-friendly options to make sustainable living easier for everyone.

We're always working to make ourCommonplace better because we believe that every purchase can help heal our planet. We carefully select each product to meet the highest sustainability standards, so you can shop in line with your values without the hassle. Our mission is to turn sustainability from just a buzzword into a lifestyle that’s meaningful and within reach.

But we can’t do this alone—we need you. Together, we can bring this vision to life and become champions for a greener future, for our kids, and for the planet.

Welcome to ourCommonplace—where tomorrow begins today.

 

our Process

At ourCommonplace, we invite you to trust us as your go-to marketplace and community for fashion-forward, ethical, and sustainable goods. We rigorously vet each brand, ensuring that our curated selection meets high standards of sustainability and ethics. Given the fashion industry's significant environmental and social challenges, we believe that meaningful change is essential for creating a circular and fair economy. Our thorough vetting process assesses various brand practices to guarantee they align with our elevated goals, promoting transparency and responsibility.

 

Our Mission

At ourCommonplace, our mission is to make sustainable living accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We empower consumers to embrace eco-friendly choices by offering a thoughtfully curated selection of sustainable products. Our aim is to inspire a lifestyle that prioritizes environmental responsibility while fostering a community committed to positive change. We believe in the compound effect of small steps, where each conscious choice contributes to a larger impact. Together, we can create a sustainable future, one mindful decision at a time.

 

Our Vision:

Our vision is to lead in sustainable e-commerce, where sustainable purchasing is affordable, trustworthy, and impactful, fostering meaningful behavioral change, while driving impact in alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Our Values

Sustainable Goals & Standards

  • Sustainable certifications
  • Low environmental impact & longevity
  • Eco-friendly production
  • Up-cycled and recycled materials
  • Thoughtful packaging

 

Ethical Goals & Standards

  • Ethical certifications
  • Ethical production
  • Decent working conditions
  • Ethical treatment of workers
  • Fair wages
  • Ethically sourced materials

 

Toxic Free Goals & Standards

  • No ingredients on ourDirtyList
  • Clean ingredients
  • Emphasis on organic materials
  • No harsh chemicals or preservatives

 

Cruelty Free Goals & Standards

  • Leaping Bunny certification
  • Vegan ingredients in beauty products
  • OR ability to certify absolutely no animal testing through other means if in process of obtaining official certification as a small business
  • Brands don’t manufacture or sell in countries that require animal testing

 

BIPOC Owned Goals & Standards

  • BIPOC founders
  • Fostering of job creation and opportunities
  • Appreciation of culture & local communities
  • Respect for tradition

 

Woman Owned Goals & Standards

  • Highlighting women founders
  • Fostering of job creation and opportunities
  • Support women in developing countries

 

Made to Order

  • Produce items only when ordered
  • Minimize waste
  • Customization options
  • Longer wait times for sustainability
  • Focus on quality
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    Our Transparency

    Becoming a more conscious consumer means asking questions and receiving answers. This is why we love putting the spotlight on our brands and all the good they do. Along with each product description you can find information about the brand and the materials used to make their products. If you need more information let’s take it a step further...

    A major part of transparency in the sustainability industry is acknowledging that the industry itself is still evolving. Because there is no central authority or government regulations, we must rely on certifications and photographic evidence from a lot of the small businesses and independent designers we work with. By taking a comprehensive approach case by case, we must be understanding of circumstances such as founders who are producing products themselves, small in-house teams, or brands producing in developing countries. If you would like to dive deeper into the certifications we use in our vetting process feel free to do so here.