Lip balm is an essential item for many of us – something we use on a daily basis. As such, it’s important to choose a low waste chapstick that doesn’t negatively impact the environment. If you’re looking for the perfect zero waste lip balm, then you’ve come to the right place.
Below are sixteen sustainable chapsticks that are plastic free, zero waste and made from entirely natural ingredients.
What is Zero Waste Lip Balm?
Zero waste lip balm is essentially eco-friendly lip balm that doesn’t leave behind waste. From the container to the ingredients, everything should be either recyclable, compostable and/or biodegradable — in other words products won’t be shipped in plastic packaging or contain synthetic ingredients.
Ideally, the lip balm is also produced in a way that is as close to zero waste as possible. It’s important to note that it’s difficult for any product to be completely wasteless. During production or distribution, something is most likely going to be wasted. This could be leftover materials or ingredients.
Low waste lip balm, however, should only contain ingredients and materials that will naturally break down and not end up in landfills.
Other Considerations for Natural & Eco-Friendly Lip Balms
Eco-friendly lip balms will use natural ingredients and should not include any toxic chemicals. They’ll be paraben, phthalate and sulfate free. Natural lip balms are made from a variety of oils and usually contain essential oils for scents. These ingredients will most likely be organic, sustainably sourced, and/or vegan. Many sustainable lip balms are not fully vegan, however, as beeswax is a natural and very common ingredient.
When it comes to production, most sustainable lip balms will be handmade or hand poured in small batches. Ideally, whatever packaging is used should be able to be recycled at the bare minimum. Zero waste lip balms will always come in plastic-free packaging and are often compostable.
Where to Find Zero Waste Lip Balm
There are numerous places to find great zero waste lip balm. Today, most natural grocery stores, and even major box stores, will have zero waste options.
In order to help you choose the perfect zero waste lip balm, I’ve put together our top choices below. Each brand included is fully sustainable with a variety of zero waste lip balm options to choose from. I’ve made sure to highlight both vegan and non-vegan options, as well as brands that offer tinted and clear lip balm.
Zero Waste Lip Balm Brands on EarthHero
EarthHero is one of my favorite sustainable marketplaces. When it comes to eco-friendly lip balm, EarthHero has numerous options.
1. Elate Better Balm
Elate Cosmetics is a certified B Corp that produces paraben, phthalate-free products. Their Better Balm Lip Conditioner is a zero waste tinted lip balm that you’ll love. Elate’s vegan, plant-based formula comes in three different shades as well as a clear option (called “Clarity”). They also package their balms in reusable glass tins with sustainably sourced bamboo lids.
Price: $23.99 USD
Conscious Highlights: Fair-Trade, Organic, Vegan
2. JuniperSeed
Juniperseed Mercantile produces a plastic-free lip balm in a fully compostable tube. Their bergamot basil lip balm is made from organic oils and paraben, phthalate, and sulfate-free. If you’re a fan of the classic chapstick tubes, you’ll love this zero-waste alternative.
Price: $7.99 USD
Conscious Highlights: Handmade, Recyclable Packaging
3. Seed Phytonutrients
Seed Phytonutrients is a US-based company that sources their ingredients from organic farmers. Their plastic free lip balm is cruelty-free, 100% natural, and fragrance-free. It’s packaged in a compostable paper tube and shipped in recycled packaging.
Price: $8.99 USD
Conscious Highlights: Supports Local Organic Farmers, Leaping Bunny Certified
4. Fat and The Moon
Fat and the Moon designs sustainable lip balm, lip stain, and lip salve. Each balm is handcrafted by the founder and packaged in a recyclable metal tin. There are no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates in their cruelty-free products.
Price: $7.99-$23.99 USD
Conscious Highlights: Handmade, Recycled Packaging, Woman owned
5. Alpine Provisions
Alpine Provisions zero waste lip balm is a great vegan, beeswax-free option. Their rosemary + mint lip balm is made from organic, natural, and GMO-free ingredients. They use recycled paper tubes as well as plastic-free, recyclable packaging. Alpine Provisions also donates a portion of each sale to a scholarship program for students in Colorado.
Price: $7.99 USD
Conscious Highlights: Vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified, Gives Back
6. Plum Brilliance
Plum Brilliance has a wonderful plastic-free lip balm available in Cocoa Mint. They use biodegradable, compostable tubes as well as recycled materials for their packaging. Every balm is handcrafted in small batches using locally and ethically sourced ingredients.
Price: $14.95 USD
Conscious Highlights: Artisan Made, Recycled Packaging, Woman Owned
Eco-Friendly Lip Balm Brands on Etsy
7. Brooklyn Made Natural
Brooklyn Made Natural is a family-run company that has two sustainable lip balms available in natural and peppermint. Each zero waste chapstick alternative comes in a biodegradable tube that’s three times the size of a standard lip balm. Moreover, what’s unique about Brooklyn Made Natural is that they offer a “perfect” and “imperfect” packaging option. If you choose the imperfect tube option, you’ll get $2 off and further combat waste.
Price: $6-$8 USD
Conscious Highlights: Handmade, Women Owned, Organic
8. LupaGoods
LupaGoods has an awesome selection of vegan lip balms available in three different packaging options. They use organic and natural ingredients with essential oils for different scents. Their standard lip balms come in either a compostable kraft tube or tin, while their hemp lip balm comes in a recyclable metal tin. All options are plastic-free and zero waste.
Price: $5-$7 USD
Conscious Highlights: Vegan, Woman Owned, Hand Made
9. Sunshine & Co.
Sunshine & Co. makes zero waste lip balm also available in a compostable kraft tube. The founder uses essential oil blends in each balm to give you an aromatherapy experience, but she also offers custom orders! Each chapstick is dye, petroleum, silicon, paraben, sulfate, and palm oil free. Additionally, Sunshine & Co offers a ten pack if you’d rather buy in bulk and share with friends.
Price: $5 USD
Conscious Highlights: Handmade, Woman Owned, Locally Made
More Zero Waste Lip Balm Brands
10. Coconut Matter
Coconut Matter produces an extensive collection of flavored and zero waste tinted lip balms. They offer three packs as well, so you can easily try multiple colors or flavors affordably. Coconut Matter uses wild, fair-trade coconut oil with no harmful chemicals or fragrances. Their tubes are made from hand-rolled paper packaging.
Price: $18 USD
Conscious Highlights: WOC-owned, Handmade, Vegan, Circular Production
11. Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet creates zero waste chapstick available in yummy flavors like coconut cacao and sweet orange tangerine. Thanks to the essential oils, your balm can double as aromatherapy. Each vegan lip balm is packaged in a compostable tube with only organic or fair trade ingredients.
Price: $14 USD
Conscious Highlights: Vegan, Refill Program, Gives Back, B Corp Certified
12. Axiology
If you’re looking for a zero waste tinted lip balm, then Axiology should be your first stop. They have fifteen different shades to choose from and offer each item as a single or in bundles. You can use their handmade balm for your lips, cheeks, or eyes. Axiology doesn’t use any packaging. Instead, they simply wrap the balm in compostable paper like a crayon.
Price: $14-$96 USD
Conscious Highlights: WOC-owned, Recyclable Packaging, Vegan, Peta Certified
13. The Glowcery
The Glowcery makes a wonderful, super nourishing sweet orange lip balm. This sustainable brand uses upcycled, natural ingredients in a small batch production process. Their vegan balm comes in a recyclable metal tin that can easily be reused.
Price: $16 USD
Conscious Highlights: Black Owned, Vegan, Fair Trade
14. Ethique
I’m personally a huge fan of Ethique, a completely plastic-free B Corp. They have five different zero waste chapsticks to choose from — each of which come in compostable packaging and are double the size of traditional lip balms. Their vegan ingredients are sourced via Direct Trade from farmers in Rwanda, Ghana, and Samoa.
Price: $8.50 USD
Conscious Highlights: Fair Trade, Leaping Bunny Certified, Vegan, Woman Owned
15. EcoRoots
EcoRoots has a fantastic sustainable lip balm available in two colors: rouge and bare. Each balm is packaged in a compostable paper tube and is completely plastic-free. Plus, these vegan lip balms are fragrance, palm-oil, and beeswax free.
Price: $13.49 USD
Conscious Highlights: Vegan, Handmade Locally, Cruelty Free
16. NetZero
NetZero is a carbon neutral company that hand pours zero waste chapstick. They have two clear options and two tinted options, which are all vegan. From their packaging to their shipping, everything is plastic-free. For each purchase you make, NetZero plants a tree through their partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects.
Price: $8.99 USD
Conscious Highlights: Gives Back, Carbon Neutral, Vegan
More Guides Like This:
Zero Waste Body Soaps for a Sustainable Shower
Your Ultimate Zero Waste Haircare Guide
Brush Green With These Eco-Friendly Toothbrushes
About The Author:
Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She’s worked in journalism since 2016 and currently writes for a variety of publications such as Sustainably Chic and Hidden Lemur. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel & living tips.
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