Common Good
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Top Choice
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice). See How We Rate
The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. Below are a few factors influencing this brand's score:
certifications:
learn more about these certifications*
overview
sustainability
non-toxic
social responsibility
8 out of 10
10 out of 10
8 out of 10
about
Common Good offers refillable household cleaning and personal care products made with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients.
highlights
Plastic-free refills
Plant-based, non-toxic formulas
Cruelty-free
Refillable packaging system
sustainability
score:
8 out of 10
details:
Packaging
Since 2010 the brand has offered products in refillable glass and plastic bottles, recyclable refill pouches, and bulk refill boxes. The 2.5-gallon refill boxes use 65% post-consumer recycled cardboard printed with eco-friendly inks, and an LDPE plastic liner that uses 86% less plastic than equivalent bottles. Customers can return used liners through a free closed-loop program, allowing Common Good to sanitize and reuse them indefinitely. Shipping boxes contain recycled content and are padded with recyclable paper (never bubble wrap).
Ingredient Sustainability
All Common Good formulations use plant-based and mineral-derived ingredients with some safe, biodegradable synthetics. Formulations avoid petroleum wherever possible, though some petro derived ingredients like Sodium Bezoate are present. Still Sodium Benzoate is readily biodegradable and of relatively low environmental concern compared to other petro-derived preservatives. Coconut and other plant oils replace crude oil derivatives, and even enzymes (like protease and amylase) are naturally sourced. Any palm oil derivatives are RSPO certified.
Energy Use and Footprint
Products are concentrated and effective without fillers, meaning fewer shipments and less energy per use. Common Good also partners with Route for carbon-neutral shipping, offsetting the emissions of customer deliveries. The company has not published a detailed carbon or energy report.
Waste Management
The brand’s founding mission was to “reduce single-use packaging”, and it pioneered the modern refill movement for home care products. Consumers are encouraged to refill bottles “again and again,” either by purchasing refill pouches and boxes or by visiting one of many refill stations worldwide. Refill pouches themselves are a mono-material plastic that can be recycled where facilities exist. More impressively, the refill box liners can be returned (4 at a time) via a prepaid label; Common Good then sanitizes and reuses these liners indefinitely.
In manufacturing, concentrations and smarter formulations likely reduce chemical waste.
Business Model
Common Good’s entire business model is built around slow consumption and reuse, encouraging customers to buy less often and reuse more. The company offers discounted refills and subscriptions, but notably discourages the cycle of constantly buying new bottles. Common Good’s refill program is highly effective, with both local and online options.
non-toxic
score:
10 out of 10
details:
Common Good proudly advertises that its formulas contain “No Phthalates, No Sulfates, No Parabens, No Isothiazolinones, No Dyes, and No Synthetic Fragrance.” Preservatives are used sparingly and chosen for safety: the formulas rely on food-grade preservatives like sodium benzoate and skin-safe agents like phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin, in very low concentrations.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) gives many of their cleaners an “A” (low hazard) grade, and all Common Good products assessed are rated as low hazard on EWG’s scale.
social responsibility
score:
8 out of 10
details:
Common Good is a small, woman-owned business that manufactures its products in the United States, which means it operates under U.S. labor laws and provides local jobs with fair wages by default. There is no explicit mention of fair trade certification or labor standards for suppliers beyond environmental sourcing criteria. On the positive side, the brand’s commitment to sustainable sourcing does intersect with social ethics in at least one area: any palm-oil derived ingredients are RSPO-certified.
Common Good is unequivocally cruelty-free and vegan, reflecting high standards of animal welfare. All products are Leaping Bunny certified.
The brand’s model inherently encourages customers to participate in an eco-minded community by using neighborhood refill stations and sharing in waste-reduction efforts. While the company does not advertise any formal charitable donation programs or large-scale philanthropy, it does occasionally partner with sustainable living influencers and appears in guides that support eco-conscious consumer choices.
