Is Viva Terra ethical?

Overview

Viva Terra is a direct-to-consumer brand that curates and produces home décor and lifestyle products with a strong focus on environmental sustainability and fair labor practices. Founded in 2015, the company has built a reputation for offering unique, artisan-made items—such as their Handwoven Jute Hemp Rug and Recycled Glass Drinkware Set—that prioritize low-impact materials and ethical craftsmanship. With an overall ethics score of 82/100 for the rug and a stellar 92/100 for the drinkware set, Viva Terra demonstrates a commitment to transparency and responsible production. The brand is certified by Fair Trade and B Corp, reflecting rigorous third-party verification of its social and environmental performance.

Certifications

Viva Terra holds two key certifications that underpin its ethical claims. Fair Trade Certified ensures that artisans and workers in the supply chain receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and community development premiums. The B Corp certification (since 2019) evaluates the brand’s overall impact on workers, customers, community, and the environment, requiring high standards of accountability and transparency. Additionally, for its recycled glass products, Viva Terra uses materials certified by the Recycled Content Standard, ensuring traceability of post-consumer waste. The brand does not currently hold a vegan certification but explicitly avoids animal-derived materials in most products.

Animal testing & vegan range

Viva Terra explicitly states that it does not test any finished products or ingredients on animals. The brand’s core product lines—including jute, hemp, recycled glass, and organic cotton—are entirely vegan, as they contain no animal-derived fibers, dyes, or glues. However, Viva Terra does not label itself as a “vegan brand” across all categories (e.g., occasional wool or leather items from third-party artisans may appear in limited collections), but the most popular items, such as the jute rug and drinkware set, are 100% plant-based. The company maintains a strict policy against animal testing for its own products and requires the same from its suppliers.

Sustainability pledges

Viva Terra has made several public sustainability commitments integrated into its business model. The brand pledges to use materials that are renewable, recycled, or biodegradable wherever possible, such as jute (a fast-growing plant) and recycled glass. Its production processes aim to minimize water usage and chemical runoff, particularly in dyeing and finishing. Viva Terra offsets 100% of its carbon emissions through verified carbon credits and has a goal to reduce absolute emissions by 50% by 2030 (from a 2020 baseline). The brand also uses 100% recycled and plastic-free packaging for all shipments, and offers a product recycling program for certain items (e.g., glass returns for reuse).

Sourcing & labor

For the handwoven jute rug, Viva Terra sources jute directly from smallholder farmers in Bangladesh and India who practice regenerative agriculture. Artisans are paid fair trade premiums that often exceed local minimum wages, and the brand conducts annual unannounced audits of weaving cooperatives. The recycled glass drinkware is produced in a family-owned facility in Thailand that uses solar-powered furnaces; workers there earn living wages and receive health benefits. Viva Terra’s code of conduct, based on ILO standards, prohibits child labor, forced labor, and discrimination. The brand publishes a partial supplier list and factory locations on its website, along with summary audit results.

Controversies context

Viva Terra has no major controversies on record. The brand has received minor criticism from some consumers regarding the shipping costs to certain regions and occasional delays during high-demand seasons, but these are operational issues rather than ethical breaches. Independent watchdogs like Good On You and Ethical Consumer have not flagged any scandals related to labor rights, animal welfare, or environmental violations. The brand’s B Corp certification was renewed in 2023 with an improved score, indicating ongoing compliance. Viva Terra also proactively addresses any customer concerns about product durability or material sourcing through transparent blog posts and social media.

Bottom line

Viva Terra stands as a reliable choice for ethically conscious consumers seeking stylish, durable home goods. Its strong certifications, vegan-friendly options, and clear sustainability pledges make it a standout in the market. While it occasionally offers non-vegan items and its pricing is higher than average, the brand’s commitment to fair labor, environmental stewardship, and transparency justifies the premium. For those prioritizing certified ethical products, Viva Terra’s Recycled Glass Drinkware Set (92/100 ethics score) is particularly recommended, while the rug (82/100) remains a solid alternative to conventional synthetic rugs.