Ethical Consumer

Ethical Consumer

Join thousands of others and become an ethical consumer today.

Join thousands of others and become an ethical consumer today.

Learn how to use your spending power to help change the world for the better.

Why be an ethical consumer? How to be an ethical consumer

We are an independent, not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative with open membership.

At the heart of the ethical consumer movement, since 1989.

We are an independent, not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder co-operative with open membership, based in Manchester.

We provide all the tools and resources you need to make choices at the checkout simple, informed and effective.

Discover more about us

Includes guides to: Cars & electric cars, Bicycles & e-bikes, Travel booking companies

The latest magazine includes guides rating:

  • Cars & electric cars
  • Bicycles & e-bikes
  • Travel booking companies

Plus:

  • score tables rating and comparing the brands
  • Best Buy recommendations
  • which electric car scores the best?
  • should I buy a hybrid car?
  • what to do if I can't buy electric now
  • e-bike or mechanical bike?
  • the problems of the minerals used in electric batteries
  • how to get more women riding bicycles
  • the problem of holiday homes and tourism
  • Airbnb and its alternatives
  • how to choose destinations reachable by train, coach and ferry

Feature articles on:

  • transport options compared on climate - bike vs bus vs train vs car vs plane
  • is Big Oil serious about tackling climate change?

Issue 197 (July/August 2022) now in print and online.

Read the latest issue 

  • Cars and Electric Cars

    recharging electric car 2
    Finding an ethical and environmental car, including electric cars and hybrids. We rank 39 brands of cars. We look at the carbon impact of different types of cars, the cost and range of electric cars, shine a spotlight on Tesla, and give our recommended buys.
    Read more

  • Travel booking companies

    Person with finger on a small globe which is on a passport
    Ethical and environmental rankings for 29 travel booking companies. We look at the carbon impact of flying and alternatives, accommodation eco-labels, the impact of holiday homes (including Airbnb), alternative sustainable holiday options, shine a spotlight on TUI and make Best Buy recommendations.
    Read more

More from Ethical Consumer

Ethical Current Accounts

Ethical Bank Accounts

Is there an ethical bank? Rating the ethical and environmental record of 32 UK current accounts, with recommended buys.  We also look at app-based banking, which banks own which brands, fossil fuel investments, tax avoidance, and how to switch accounts.

Read more
bookshop

Ethical Bookshops

Guide to 27 leading UK bookshops, with best buys. Including alternatives to Amazon and its various book-selling brands. We also look at the best options for ebooks and audio books, sustainability, buying second hand books, book swapping and using libraries. 

Read more
Electricity

Ethical Energy Suppliers

We investigate, score and rank the ethical and environmental record of 17 electricity and gas suppliers. We look at the fuels that generate a supplier's electricity, green tariffs, renewable generation, biogas and 'vegan' energy, smart meters, energy prices and fuel poverty, UK renewables targets and give our recommended buys.

Read more
Woman and man sitting in a studio in outdoor clothing with tent behind

Outdoor clothing shops

Finding ethical and eco friendly outdoor clothing and sports shops. We rank the ethical and environmental record of 11 brands of outdoor clothing and equipment shops. We look at their policies on synthetic materials and toxic chemicals, animal rights and workers' rights. We also look at own-brand labels, and shine a spotlight on Sports Direct.

Read more
Image: orangutans

Palm Oil

Consumers increasingly want to avoid palm oil where possible, but it's a tricky task as it's used in so many products - more than 50% of packaged supermarket products from margarine and oven chips to soaps and detergents.

Read more