Our Commitment to Make Sustainable Shopping Easy
At Moincoins, we are committed to helping our customers make better, more sustainable choices when shopping for their everyday needs. That’s why we came up with a set of eco markers and tools that evaluate our partners on their eco-friendliness. Wanna know how that works? Then let us give you a tour.
Why Is This Important to Us?
You might be wondering why we came up with this set of eco markings in the first place. The answer is simple! Moincoins was launched with a straightforward idea in mind: to make sustainable shopping available to everyone. Why? Because we know how challenging it can be to find brands that take sustainability seriously. We want to make things easier for you by breaking down the brands' business operations into bite-sized pieces of information that everyone can understand.
Our Eco Philosophy in a Nutshell
- Moincoins blog: Knowledge is power and we’ve got you covered on this! Explore our monthly articles and uncover fascinating insights on the latest sustainability trends in fashion, lifestyle and savings! Our content creators are constantly searching for the most recent developments that transform how we buy, consume and live. We're sure you'll find it enticing.
- Eco category: Get a clear overview of all eco-friendly brands we collaborate with. You can easily find this category at the top of every page on our website.
- Eco tag: You might notice that several brands are marked with an eco tag. This indicates that the brand is already doing a good job in terms of sustainability and we want to make sure the world knows about it!
- Eco deals: Some deals can also be highlighted with an eco tag. We choose products and collections from our partners that stand out as more eco-friendly.
- Sustainability info: Here we uncover all the details about brands’ commitments to a more sustainable future, as well as the types of products they offer. You can find this information under the “Deals” section of each partner brand.
- Eco rating system: We set up in place our own system that measures the sustainability of each partner brand and retailer we work with. Curious about how this works? Then keep on reading to know more about it!
How Does Our Eco Rating System Work?
When it comes to sustainability, we know that things aren't always black and white. After all, there is no definitive answer to such a complex, global issue. But we want to make it all less intimidating by exploring brands' eco-consciousness in a way that benefits our customers. Simply put, our eco rating system analyzes brands’ actions toward a more sustainable future based on carefully chosen criteria for fashion, health and beauty, food and beverages brands, and department stores.
- Eco Statuses
- Eco Rating Criteria
- Eco Category
- Eco Tag
As a shopper, you have the right to know what you're buying. So, we came up with a range of eco statuses that display how far off brands are on their path to a more eco-friendly future. From "non eco" to "eco nerd" brands, we’re sure you’ll quickly spot the company that best suits your interests.
Eco Statuses
Non Eco
Partner stores that check off 0-2 of 12 eco criteria and therefore still have a lot to improve about their environmental and social sustainability.
Eco Newbie
Partner stores that check off 3-5 of 12 eco criteria and therefore already introduced sustainable practices for people and the planet, but have room to grow.
Eco Skilled
Partner stores that check off 6-9 of 12 eco criteria and therefore are already doing a good job in terms of environmental and social sustainability.
Eco Nerd
Partner stores that check off 10-12 of 12 eco criteria and therefore can be called experts in terms of sustainability and their efforts to protect the environment and people’s rights.
What Are Our Eco Rating Criteria?
We know that sustainability goes beyond the clothes' fabrics, the ingredients in your skincare or the additives used in our food. It is a complex system that involves a lot more than what meets the eye. However, we aim to highlight the most essential sustainability-focused actions our partner brands engage in. When setting up the eco rating criteria, we weigh in facts related to how much a brand does for the environment and its workers, supply chain transparency or animal welfare policies. Each of the criteria varies according to the industry in which the brand operates. Below you'll find extensive information on each of those.
Eco Criteria for Fashion Brands
Environment
- Eco collection. The brand/retailer offers an eco collection or has a substantial amount of eco-friendly products.
- Organic and/or non-toxic. The brand offers products made of organic materials like organic cotton, jute, linen, silk, ramie or wool. Toxic chemicals listed by the European Chemicals Agency are avoided in the manufacturing process (we believe that the EU sets the highest regulatory standards).
- Reduced its carbon emissions. The brand or retailer has some achievements in reducing its carbon emissions. Examples include but are not limited to installing renewable energy generators on the brand's products or logistic sites, switching to local production sites, reducing transportation emissions, etc.
- Recycled or upcycled materials. The brand uses recycled or upcycled materials in its production process. The retailer sells products made of recycled or upcycled materials.
- Sustainable packaging and/or transport. The brand or retailer uses sustainable packaging and/or offers sustainable transport options. For example, the company uses paper instead of plastic packaging or biodegradable packaging made from mycelium, or it switched its transportation service to an eco alternative, etc.
Animals
- Vegan collection. The brand/retailer offers a vegan collection or has a significant amount of vegan products.
- Fully vegan. The brand offers vegan products only. That means it’s not using any animal-derived materials, such as wool, silk, leather, fur, beak, etc. Also, no animals were harmed during the production process (this includes animal testing). The retailer only sells vegan products.
People
- Fair working conditions. The brand/retailer has implemented fair working conditions, such as fair compensation, legit working hours, no child labor, etc. To verify this, we look for these certifications:
- B Corp Certified
- GOTS
- World Fair Trade Organization (suppliers)
- Cradle2Cradle
- International Labour Organization standards/norms
- Cotton made in Afrika (suppliers)
- Ethical Trading Initiative
- EU Ecolabel
If a brand is small and has no direct certification, we check if its suppliers have. If yes, we score an eco point. If a brand is part of a fashion group and only provides information for the whole entity, we evaluate based on that group’s data. Should there be no legit certification, we take the Fashion Transparency Index, public reviews of the brand’s employees and recent media coverage (positive or negative) into consideration. To score a point, the brand needs to check at least two of these criteria. - Local production. The brand mostly manufactures its products where it is located, employing local workers and supporting the local economy.
Other
- Donations or charity contributions/collaborations. The brand or retailer donates money to charity organizations or has collaborations with them.
- Sustainable promise or commitment. The brand or retailer has made a sustainability promise or commitment and is working towards achieving its eco goals in the nearest future.
- Slow fashion or second-hand clothing. The brand is committed to fewer new collection cycles and higher product quality/durability. The retailer offers second-hand clothing.
Eco Criteria for Beauty and Health Brands
Environment
- Organic ingredients. The store sells products made of organic ingredients that are farmed and grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs or antibiotics.
- Reduced its carbon emissions. The brand or retailer has some achievements in reducing its carbon emissions. Examples include but are not limited to installing renewable energy generators on the company’s production or logistic sites, switching to local production sites, reducing transportation emissions, etc.
- Sustainable packaging and/or transport. The brand uses sustainable packaging and/or offers sustainable transport options. For example, the company uses paper instead of plastic packaging or biodegradable packaging made from mycelium, or it switched its transportation service to an eco alternative, etc.
- Palm-oil free. The brand does not use any palm oil in its products. The retailer doesn’t offer any products that contain palm oil.
- Non-toxic or natural products. The brand does not use in its products the toxic chemicals listed by the Environmental Working Group. It only uses natural ingredients. The retailer only offers non-toxic, natural products.
Animals
- Cruelty-free products. The brand does not harm, kill or test on animals in the production process nor does it hire sub-companies to do so. The products are therefore not sold in China. The retailer guarantees that the offered range is cruelty-free.
- Vegan collection. The store offers a vegan collection.
- Fully vegan. The store offers vegan products only. That means that none of the offered products contain any animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, animal hair, animal fats, milk, crushed cochineal bugs, etc. Also, no animals were harmed during the production process (this includes animal testing).
People
- Fair working conditions. The brand/retailer has implemented fair working conditions, such as fair compensation, legit working hours, no child labor, etc. To verify this, we look for these certifications:
- B Corp Certified
- World Fair Trade Organization (suppliers)
- Cradle2Cradle
- International Labour Organization standards/norms
- Ethical Trading Initiative
- EU Ecolabel
If a brand is small and has no direct certification, we check if its suppliers have. If yes, we score an eco point. If a brand is part of a beauty group and only provides information for the whole entity, we evaluate based on that group’s data. Should there be no legit certification, we take public reviews of the brand’s employees and recent media coverage (positive or negative) into consideration. To score a point, the brand needs to check at least two of these criteria. - Local production. The brand mostly manufactures its products where it is located, employing local workers and supporting the local economy.
Other
- Donations or charity contributions/collaborations. The brand or retailer donates money to charity organizations or has collaborations with them.
- Sustainable promise or commitment. The brand or retailer has made a sustainability promise or commitment and is working towards achieving its eco goals in the nearest future.
Eco Criteria for Food and Drink Brands
Environment
- Non-GMO. The brand/retailer does not use or sell products that contain genetically modified ingredients.
- Organic. The brand produces or sells certified organic products. The retailer focuses on selling certified organic products.
- Reduced its carbon emissions. The brand/retailer has some achievements in reducing its carbon emissions. Examples include but are not limited to installing renewable energy generators on the brand's products or logistic sites, switching to local production sites, reducing transportation emissions, etc.
- Sustainable packaging and/or transport. The brand/retailer uses sustainable packaging and/or offers sustainable transport options. For example, the company uses paper instead of plastic packaging or biodegradable packaging made from mycelium, or it switched its transportation service to an eco alternative, etc.
Animals
- Vegetarian options. The brand or retailer offers vegetarian products. That means, no animals were harmed in the production process and the product doesn’t contain meat or fish.
- Vegan options. The brand or retailer offers vegan options. Meaning, some products don’t contain ingredients derived from animals, such as cow milk, cheese, butter, meat, fish, eggs, honey, etc.
- Fully vegan. The brand or retailer offers vegan products only. That means none of the sold products contain any of the animal-derived ingredients or products such as cow milk, cheese, butter, meat, fish, eggs, etc. Also, no animals were harmed during the production process (this includes animal testing).
People
- Fair working conditions. The brand/retailer has implemented fair working conditions, such as fair compensation, legit working hours, no child labor, etc. To verify this, we look for these certifications:
- B Corp Certified
- World Fair Trade Organization (suppliers)
- International Labour Organization standards/norms
- Ethical Trading Initiative
If a brand is small and has no direct certification, we check if its suppliers have. If yes, we score an eco point. If a brand is part of a group and only provides information for the whole entity, we evaluate based on that group’s data. Should there be no legit certification, we take public reviews of the brand’s employees and recent media coverage (positive or negative) into consideration. To score a point, the brand needs to check at least two of these criteria. - Local production. The brand mostly manufactures its products where it is located, employing local workers and supporting the local economy.
Other
- Donations or charity contributions/collaborations. The brand/retailer donates money to charity organizations or has collaborations with them.
- Sustainable promise or commitment. The brand/retailer has made a sustainability promise or commitment and is working towards achieving its eco goals in the nearest future.
- Waste reduction. The brand/retailer has reduced its waste production significantly.
Eco Criteria for Department Stores
Marketplace
- Sustainable brands only. The store only cooperates with and sells products from brands that are sustainable. For example, brands that actively reduce their carbon footprint, use recycled or upcycled materials, have committed to equal and fair working conditions, produce locally, focus on the circular economy, are fully vegan, etc.
- Supports local brands. The store prioritizes cooperation with local brands and promotes them on its website.
- Transparent product descriptions and site navigation. The store provides transparent and user-friendly product descriptions that include details on the items’ sustainability. The retailer’s website has relevant filters and search options that help users find eco-friendly products.
Environment
- A product range that promotes a sustainable lifestyle. The store has a range of brands and/or products that promote a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle.
- Reselling used goods. The store offers products that are used, upcycled, refurbished or second-hand.
- Reduced its carbon emissions. The store has some achievements in reducing its carbon emissions. Examples include but are not limited to installing renewable energy generators in the stores, production or logistic sites, switching to local production sites, reducing transportation emissions, etc.
- Sustainable packaging and/or transport. This criterion analyzes the delivery to the end customer, as well as the moving goods in the supply chain. For example, the company uses paper instead of plastic packaging or biodegradable packaging made from mycelium, or it switched its transportation service to an eco alternative, etc.
- Eco collection. The store offers an eco collection or has a substantial amount of eco-friendly products.
Animals
- Vegan options. The store offers vegan options. Meaning, some products don’t contain ingredients derived from animals, such as wool, silk, leather, fur, beak, beeswax, animal hair, animal fats, milk, crushed cochineal bugs, cow milk, cheese, butter, meat, fish, eggs, honey, etc.
People
- Fair working conditions. The store has implemented fair working conditions, such as fair compensation, legit working hours, no child labor, etc. To verify this, we look for these certifications:
- B Corp Certified
- World Fair Trade Organization (suppliers)
- Cradle2Cradle
- International Labour Organization standards/norms
- Ethical Trading Initiative
- EU Ecolabel
If a store is small and has no direct certification, we check if its suppliers have. If yes, we score an eco point. If a store is part of a group and only provides information for the whole entity, we evaluate based on that group’s data. Should there be no legit certification, we take public reviews of the store’s employees and recent media coverage (positive or negative) into consideration. To score a point, the store needs to check at least two of these criteria.
Other
- Donations or charity contributions/collaborations. The store donates money to charity organizations or has collaborations with them.
- Sustainable promise or commitment. The store has made a sustainability promise or commitment and is working towards achieving its eco goals in the nearest future.
Where Can Shoppers Find More Sustainability Info?
We like to go the extra mile when it comes to uncovering all the sustainability facts about your favorite brands. This is why you’ll find a few lines about their sustainability actions right under the “Deals” section of each partner brand.
What Is an Eco Category?
The eco category in the top navigation bar lists brands that check more than half of the criteria of our eco rating. We pull those brands together to make sustainable shopping easier - you can be sure that every company on the list is more than just a green enthusiast.
Additionally, you can see how much cash back you can earn when you shop at one of those eco-friendly stores. By clicking on the title, you can easily navigate to the retailer’s page and find more saving options as well as the most important information about the brand.
What Is an Eco Tag?
The eco tags on a brand’s or retailer’s card mean that the whole company scored more than half of our eco-friendly criteria. This way we aim to highlight eco-friendly companies when you for example explore the list of our Fashion partners.
What Are Eco Deals?
The eco deals on a brand’s page mark specific offers that are eco-friendly, e.g. an eco or vegan collection. This means that the company may have a “non eco” status, as it didn’t score enough points to climb higher in our classification, but offers some green product line that stands out from the whole range. We encourage the positive in every evaluated company. It also helps you navigate to sustainable choices offered by big retailers.
A Word Before You Leave
Please be aware that we differentiate our rating based on the country you’re shopping in. In some cases, this can lead to a brand or retailer scoring different points in different locations and therefore different eco statuses. Moincoins is currently available for shoppers in the U.S., UK and Germany.
For now, we only have the eco rating in place for some of our partner stores in certain categories. This will change as we slowly roll out the rating system to more categories.
At Moincoins, we aim to be as transparent and conscientious as possible. Each store is asked to fill out a questionnaire in order to determine which sustainability efforts it has in place. We also do extensive research on each company ourselves.
But we're not perfect. The seagull team is always ready to redefine any status and provide updated data regarding the most recent sustainability practices of our partners. Help us by sharing any valuable information about the brands you're shopping from.