Best of Green Awards 2021: Celebrating Sustainability Changemakers

Recognizing the innovative brands, products, and individuals leading the way to a greener and more sustainable future.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 27, 2025

Recognizing the innovative brands, products, and individuals leading the way to a greener and more sustainable future.

Best of Green Awards 2021: The Changemakers

The Best of Green Awards 2021 by Treehugger celebrates the achievements of brands, products, and individuals dedicated to advancing sustainability, eco-innovation, and positive environmental impact. These changemakers are shaping the future by inspiring conscious choices and championing green living across homes, businesses, communities, and lifestyles. The following article explores their stories, contributions, and the broader context of their work in shaping a more sustainable world.

Introduction to the Best of Green Awards

For nearly two decades, Treehugger has been a trusted source for sustainability advice, news, and product recommendations. In 2021, the Best of Green Awards focused on changemakers—those whose vision and actions demonstrate leadership in eco-responsibility, sustainable design, and practical solutions to today’s environmental challenges. From zero-waste advocates and cruelty-free visionaries to circular economy pioneers and green business leaders, the awards highlight those setting new standards for green living.

What Makes a Changemaker?

Changemakers are defined not just by what they create, but by the value systems and missions they embed in their work. According to Treehugger’s panel:

Leadership: Inspiring action and progress in their field.
Innovation: Designing solutions for a healthier, greener planet.
Commitment to Impact: Measurable progress in resource conservation, fair labor, and non-toxic design.
Transparency: Clearly communicating goals, progress, and challenges.
Community Engagement: Bringing people together around sustainable actions and advocacy.

Categories and Criteria of the 2021 Best of Green Awards

The 2021 awards encompassed a range of categories, each chosen for its relevance to everyday sustainability. Nominees were vetted on strict eco-conscious criteria, including material sourcing, production methods, packaging, labor fairness, waste reduction, and long-term circularity.

Category	Focus	Criteria Highlights
Eco Home & Decor	Furniture, lighting, gadgets	Non-toxic materials, resource efficiency, design innovation
Eco Cleaning	Cleaning products & systems	Biodegradability, zero-waste packaging, safe chemicals
Sustainable Food & Drink	Groceries, beverages, food systems	Ethical sourcing, regenerative practices, minimal packaging
Eco Pets	Pet products & brands	Recycled materials, animal welfare, sustainable packaging
Green Business	Companies & enterprises	Corporate responsibility, circularity, transparent reporting

Eco Home & Decor: Furniture and Innovation

The home is a focal point for sustainability: the products we choose shape not only our environment but also broader manufacturing and supply chain impacts. Winner highlights include:

Wooden Sound System by Bitti Gitti: Made from birch wood with an inner channel system that amplifies sound naturally—no power or batteries required. This speaker epitomizes eco-design by using non-toxic, recyclable materials and fair labor practices. Its design intentionally avoids electronics, supporting zero-waste values and circularity.
Features: Durable craftsmanship, non-polluting manufacture, upcyclable components, conscientious packaging, clear sustainability goals.
Other Standouts: Furniture and decor items that are resource-efficient, low-emission, and built to last, sourcing ethical materials and enabling recycling or end-of-life takeback programs.

Eco Cleaning: Healthy Homes and Green Practices

Healthy homes start with what we use to clean them. The Best of Green Cleaning Awards spotlighted products and companies whose offerings are truly non-toxic, safe for sensitive individuals, and available in responsible packaging.

Non-synthetic formulas: Products avoiding harsh chemicals and synthetic toxins in favor of plant-based ingredients.
Zero Waste Packaging: Innovations in reusable containers, refill systems, and minimal waste solutions.
Accessibility & Effectiveness: Green cleaning solutions that are easy to integrate without compromising performance.
Indoor Air Quality: Solutions protect indoor air, suit for asthma and allergy sufferers, and promote a healthy living environment.

Sustainable Food and Drink: Planet-Friendly Choices

Food systems are central to environmental sustainability. Best of Green winners in this category reflect a commitment to regenerative agriculture, minimal processing, ethical labor, and low-impact packaging.

Amagansett Sea Salt: Praised for eco-friendly production, minimal packaging, and conscientious harvesting that prioritizes ecosystem wellness.
Plant-Based & Regenerative Brands: Face challenges around global supply chain, but the most celebrated options source ingredients responsibly and maintain transparency in sourcing.
Packaging Innovations: Compostable wrappers, reusable tins, and reduced single-use plastics.

Eco Pets: Sustainability for Our Companions

Pet products increasingly reflect the values of sustainability-minded households. Treehugger teamed up with The Spruce Pets for expert nominations and testing, resulting in standout recommendations:

Molly Mutt Beds: Crafted from upcycled and recycled materials, Molly Mutt’s products encourage consumers to reuse old textiles, reducing landfill impact. The brand’s circularity is furthered by takeback programs and repair policies.
Innovative Pet Feeders & Accessories: Focused on non-toxic components, durable construction, and minimized packaging waste.
Transparency: Companies clearly disclosing climate goals, materials, and animal welfare standards.

Green Business Leadership

Businesses are at the heart of green transformation. Winning companies exhibited measurable impact across:

Corporate Sustainability Initiatives: Integrating environmental responsibility into core operations and reporting transparently on progress.
Lifelong Product Responsibility: Takeback schemes, recycling programs, and mission-driven end-of-life management.
Innovative Workplaces: Fair labor, inclusivity, and community engagement at every stage of operations.

How Winners Were Chosen

Treehugger’s process balanced expert insight, community nominations, and rigorous evaluation:

Reader, contributor, and staff nominations
Expert panels testing products and practices
Criteria-based vetting including impact, quality, transparency, and long-term viability

Final selection prioritized innovation, clear eco goals, and lasting value.

Spotlight on Circular Economy Pioneers

Several winners and nominees stand out for their circular approaches: designing products to be reused, recycled, or safely returned to nature at their end-of-life. These practices address the vast challenges of waste and resource consumption:

Upcycling Initiatives: From pet beds to home decor, upcycling reduces demand for virgin materials.
Return Programs: Many brands offer takeback services, ensuring products aren’t destined for landfill.
Repairability: Modular and repairable designs extend product lifespans and limit waste.

Community and Advocacy Change Agents

Beyond products, Treehugger’s awards also honor individuals and advocacy groups advancing everyday sustainability:

Zero Waste Movement Leaders
Social Media Influencers: Raising public consciousness around climate action, biodiversity, and ethical consumption.
Local Activists: Driving change in cities and regions through education, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing.

Challenges Facing Green Changemakers

Despite progress, the path to sustainability is complex:

Supply Chain Complexities: Sourcing truly ethical materials often means balancing cost, logistics, and global regulatory environments.
Consumer Awareness: Much progress depends on increasing public knowledge and encouraging new habits.
Greenwashing: Awards and transparency help counter empty sustainability claims and clarify what real impact looks like.

Tips for Choosing Sustainable Products

Look for transparent reporting on materials, labor, and packaging.
Favor modular, repairable, or upcyclable designs.
Choose companies with explicit climate and waste reduction goals.
Seek fair labor certifications and inclusive business practices.
Consider the whole lifecycle: from ingredients to end-of-life solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a ‘changemaker’ in sustainability?

A changemaker is an individual, brand, or organization whose actions create measurable positive sustainability impact through leadership, innovation, and community engagement.

How are Best of Green Award winners selected?

Winners are chosen through a multi-step process: nominations by readers and experts, expert testing and analysis, and vetting against detailed sustainability criteria including impact, transparency, and innovation.

Why are circular products important?

Circular products are designed to minimize waste by enabling repair, recycling, or safe return to nature. This reduces resource consumption and landfill impact, supporting long-term environmental health.

How can consumers support sustainable brands?

Consumers can choose products with transparent sustainability practices, advocate for ethical businesses, promote awareness in their communities, and demand accountability from brands and retailers.

Is greenwashing still a major issue?

Yes; while awareness is increasing, some companies use misleading claims. Awards like Best of Green help clarify which brands have verified impact and which are simply leveraging trends without substance.

Conclusion: Inspiring Green Living

The 2021 Best of Green Awards honor those creating, leading, and advocating for a more sustainable world. From home and decor innovations to community leaders, these changemakers demonstrate that environmental responsibility is both achievable and inspiring. Their work provides a roadmap for consumers, companies, and communities eager to build healthier futures—one conscious choice at a time.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

Read full bio of Sneha Tete