5 Eco Friendly Goods Success Stories [2024]

Updated: November 19th, 2023
Start An Eco Friendly Goods

Here are some real life success stories of starting a eco-friendly goods:

1. Paper Saver ($72K/year)

Jon Yong, an architect, came up with the idea for the Paper Saver after constantly printing off draft designs that became obsolete moments later. He devised a handmade "Paper Saver" out of cardboard with a pocket inside, which allowed him to insert used paper and access the blank sides as pages of a notebook. Intrigued by the interest it generated from colleagues and clients, Jon and his partner launched the Paper Saver in 2015, and it has since grown year-on-year by an average of 20%.

How much they make: $72K/year
Current team size: 1

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How We Invented And Launched A Notebook That Saves Paper

The Paper Saver is a sustainable notebook that reduces paper waste by utilizing used paper as pages, and has grown YOY on an average of 20% since its 2015 launch, with an expanded range including the Leather Paper Saver and the Sparkle Paper Saver for Kids.

About
Michelle started Paper Saver about 9 years ago
Revenue
Michelle grew the business to $6K/month
Read by 6,855 founders

2. LastObject ($2.88M/year)

Isabel, a co-founder of LastSwab, along with two other independent designers, came up with the idea for their reusable cotton swab after researching harmful single-use items and finding that cotton swabs were a major contributor to pollution. They launched their business through crowdfunding platforms and have since attracted and retained customers through Instagram and newsletters. Their goal is to create a range of LastItems to reduce single-use items and create a more sustainable world.

How much they make: $2.88M/year
Current team size: 6

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How We Raised $1.2MM+ To Create The First Reusable Cotton Swab

Danish start-up LastSwab, co-founded by Isabel, has received €1m ($1.2m) in crowdfunding on platforms including Kickstarter and Indiegogo, exhibiting the appetite for reusable products that reduce environmental pollution.

About
Isabel started LastObject almost 5 years ago
Revenue
Isabel grew the business to $240K/month
Read by 6,620 founders

So... can you actually make money with a eco-friendly goods?

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But how?

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3. Plaine Products ($2.4M/year)

Hello! Meet Lindsey McCoy, the CEO of Plaine Products, a hair and body care company that is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles. After witnessing the environmental impact of plastic pollution during her time in The Bahamas, Lindsey decided to create a solution by offering refillable aluminum bottles. With over 300,000 plastic bottles diverted from landfills and oceans, Plaine Products is making a significant impact in the fight against plastic waste.

How much they make: $2.4M/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 6

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We Turned Our Passion For Sustainability Into a $2.4M/Year Hair & Body Care Brand

Plaine Products CEO, Lindsey McCoy, rids the world of single-use plastic bottles and turns her passion for sustainability into a $2.4M/year hair and body care brand, diverting over 300,000 plastic bottles from landfills and oceans.

About
Lindsey started Plaine Products about 7 years ago
Revenue
Lindsey grew the business to $200K/month
Costs
It cost Lindsey $50000 to start the business
Read by 3,728 founders