Little Treats: Sustainability Edit

12 good-for-you, good-for-the-planet purchases for under $20

By Rachel Pasche | Aug. 22, 2026

After a long day, a successful moment, or even a great workout, getting yourself a fun reward is a ritual we all participate in. But these little treats don’t have to be wasteful trinkets that only offer a few moments of extra dopamine. We’ve rounded up 12 sustainable treats from eco-conscious shops around northern Michigan, so you can feel good about your accomplishment…and about the reward.

1. Chocolate Bar from Grocer’s Daughter, $12

Nothing says “little treat” like something sweet, and Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate is the place to go for incredible sweets that are responsibly and ethically sourced. Owners Jody and DC Hayden source their cocoa and chocolate from a farm in Ecuador, the owner of which they’ve been friends with for over a decade. The bars, truffles, and other treats are made on-site at the Grocer’s Daughter store in Empire. Bars range from traditional dark and milk chocolates to fun add-ins like cherry pecan, coffee hazelnut, or chai latte. grocersdaughter.com

2. Boxy Charm Bag from Wild Lettie, $15

Pick up a boxy charm bag for all your little essentials at Wild Lettie (locations in Fishtown and Suttons Bay), where sustainability is the name of the game. All items made with ripstop material—including the boxy charm bag—use 100 percent recycled materials and printed using sustainable printing practices. All packaging used by Wild Lettie is recyclable, too. The bag comes in several fun patterns, but we especially love the fish one. wildlettie.com/collections/everyday-flair/products/fish-boxy-charm-bag

3. Headband from Yana Dee, $15

Downtown TC’s Yana Dee is all about ethical apparel, using salvaged materials, fabrics like organic silk and cotton, and environmentally friendly practices. Since opening the business in 2004, the owner has been committed to keeping fashion ethical; she started out using fabrics she could afford (including thrifted curtains or gifted collections) to make clothing, and has since been able to grow the business without sacrificing the ethos. The headbands come in multiple styles and boast fun patterns using fabrics from organic cotton to salvaged leather. yanadee.com/collections/headbands

4. Bright Eyes Cream from The Refillery, $15

This locally made undereye cream from The Refillery in Traverse City is a perfect addition to slow mornings and days when you need a little extra something. Made by Wilde Fern Apothecary, Bright Eyes Cream is formulated with organic reishi mushroom, caffeine extract, aloe, and shea butter and is easy to add to any natural skincare routine. refillerytc.com/products/bright-eyes-cream

5. Dried Flower Bouquet from Lilies of the Alley $10+

Add a long-lasting pop of color to a room with a dried flower bouquet from Lilies of the Alley in Traverse City. You can choose a fun vase for your creation or just start making a bouquet; each flower is priced by the stem, ranging from $0.10 to $1+ per stem. Dried bouquets last indefinitely and require no water. Plus, the dried flower bar gives you the chance to create something totally unique! Bonus: flowers at Lilies of the Alley are sourced locally when possible. liliesofthealley.com

6. Room Spray from Farm House Candle Co., $18+

Crafted and poured in Leelanau County, the room sprays and candles from Farm House Candle Co. are made in small batches using phthalate-free fragrances and essential oils. The room sprays come in unique and fresh scents that bring the outdoors into your home, like tomato and herb, fern and grass, and peony and black pepper. The candles are all made with natural soy wax for a carbon-neutral burn, free from any of the toxins sometimes found in candles. farmhousecandlecompany.com

7. Beeswax Body Lotion from Lavender Hill Farm, $19

Lavender is known for its relaxation properties, and Lavender Hill Farm has bottled up bliss in this lotion crafted in Boyne City by June Apothecarie. Not only is Lavender Hill Farm the largest lavender farm in Michigan, it’s environmentally verified, certified naturally grown, and home to 30 varieties of lavender as well as Italian honeybees. Local artisan and maker Lindsey June uses her degree in biochemistry from MSU to create sustainable products, including this lavender lotion that uses lavender grown at Lavender Hill Farm. lavenderhillfarm.com/product/beeswax-body-lotion

8. Eat Your Veggies Tote from Farm Club, $18

Farm Club is the ultimate farm-to-table dining destination—you can actually see some of the ever-rotating menu items growing on premises! While stopping for a bite to eat here is a treat in itself, the mini market in the building has some fun goodies, like this “Eat Your Veggies” tote bag, that are too cute to pass on. Farm Club uses organic practices on their farm, and their merchandise is made with eco-conscious textiles like ringspun cotton. farmclubtc.com/shop/p/eat-your-veggies-lightweight-tote

9. Little Seed Farm Natural Deodorant from Anchor Alley Market, $14

Anchor Alley Market, Frankfort’s refill grocery store, carries a ton of non-toxic and zero-waste household products in bulk, designed to be put into your containers or theirs. In addition to shampoo, conditioner, soaps, detergents, and more, they also carry natural deodorant balms from Little Seed Farm, which uses solar power and ingredients like goat’s milk (from their own farm) to craft skincare products. The deodorant is aluminum-free and includes a wooden applicator stick. anchoralleymarket.com

10. Lip Balm from Market Mercado, $15

This sustainable market in Indian River carries a whole array of handmade, secondhand, upcycled, and vintage products, including this organic homemade lip balm made in collaboration with Wild Child Apothecary. The creator of Market Mercado also has an upcycled fashion line with one-of-a-kind jackets, dresses, shirts, and more. Stop in for more unique and interesting finds, or check out the Etsy shop. etsy.com/shop/jwhiteoriginal

11. Nail Polish from Northern Nail Polish, $16

This nail polish is created in Traverse City without any of the toxins, chemicals, or allergens found in many of the larger nail polish brands. All polishes use vegan and non-GMO ingredients and are crafted with eco-conscious practices in mind. The colors are inspired by the Michigan lifestyle, with names like Lilac Festival, Fudge Capital, and Midwest is Best. northernnailpolish.com

12. Enamel Pin from Nature Walk Studio, $8+

Decorate your backpack, purse, work bag, or favorite jacket with the cool nature-inspired enamel pins from Nature Walk Studio in Empire, with designs like butterflies and their caterpillars, mushrooms, fish, and plants native to Michigan. This art studio features work from artists and collectives from around North America that emphasize eco-friendly art practices. Clothing and bags at the studio are handmade and printed, and many of the artists and companies behind the products support causes that support conservation, sustainability, and charity. naturewalkstudio.com/lifestyle?category=Pins