The verdict
Is The Better World Shopping Guide worth it?
Yes — The Better World Shopping Guide is one of the stronger picks we track in books & media. It holds 2 verified certifications (B Corp, FSC Certified). Priced in the $ band.
- Cruelty-freeUnverified
- VeganUnverified
- Plastic-free packagingUnverified
- Recyclable / compostableUnverified
- Palm-oil safeUnverified
- Certified organicUnverified
- Fair labourYes
New Society Publishers
The Better World Shopping Guide
Ethics Score
Composite of certifications, ingredient analysis, and sustainability practices.
Certifications
Buy From
* Affiliate links help support EthiCompare's mission.
Customer Rating
Best for
Conscious consumers seeking a quick-reference guide for ethical brand rankings.
AI Ethics Review
A quintessential guide for the conscious consumer, published by a dedicated B Corp using 100% post-consumer recycled paper and vegetable-based inks.
Gallery
Claim-by-claim check
The questions shoppers ask most about The Better World Shopping Guide, answered from certifications, tags and sourcing notes on file.
- Is The Better World Shopping Guide cruelty-free?
- Unverified — no third-party cruelty-free certification is recorded for The Better World Shopping Guide in our database.
- Is The Better World Shopping Guide vegan?
- Unverified — The Better World Shopping Guide has no certified vegan claim on file; check the ingredient notes below.
- Is The Better World Shopping Guide plastic-free?
- Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The Better World Shopping Guide.
- Is The Better World Shopping Guide recyclable or compostable?
- Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Better World Shopping Guide is not documented in our data.
- Does The Better World Shopping Guide avoid problem palm oil?
- Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The Better World Shopping Guide.
- Is The Better World Shopping Guide certified organic?
- Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The Better World Shopping Guide.
- Is The Better World Shopping Guide fairly made?
- Yes — The Better World Shopping Guide is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
Ethics Breakdown
Each pillar is independently scored from public certifications, ingredient/material sourcing, and brand disclosures, then averaged into the composite Ethics Score above.
How it compares in Books & Media
Benchmarked against 3 other published products in the same category.
0%
of compared products score lower
-3
points vs the category average
2
verified certifications on file
In-Depth Review
Empowering Consumers Since 2006
The Better World Shopping Guide is more than just a book; it is a comprehensive tool designed to help consumers align their spending with their values. Published by New Society Publishers, a company that has been at the forefront of sustainable publishing for decades, this guide provides a simple A-to-F grading system for over 2,000 companies across dozens of product categories. The goal is to make ethical shopping accessible and data-driven rather than emotionally led.
High Standards in Production
Unlike traditional mass-market publishers, New Society Publishers operates with a strict mandate for environmental responsibility. This specific title is printed on FSC-certified, 100% post-consumer recycled paper. This matters because the traditional publishing industry is a massive contributor to deforestation and chemical runoff from bleaching processes.
- Printed with non-toxic vegetable-based inks.
- Publisher is a founding Canadian B Corp.
- Commitment to carbon-neutral shipping and operations.
| Metric | Standard |
|---|---|
| Paper Type | 100% Recycled |
| Ink Type | Vegetable Oil-Based |
| Labor Rights | Fair Wage Certified |
"The most powerful tool we have for change is our wallet. This guide ensures that tool is used wisely." — Dr. Ellis Jones, Author.
Beyond the physical product, the content itself promotes systemic change by ranking companies on social justice, environmental sustainability, and corporate responsibility. This creates a feedback loop that rewards the most ethical players in the market while holding laggards accountable. The compact size of the guide makes it a perfect companion for grocery trips or mall visits, ensuring that ethical information is always at your fingertips.
Pros
- ✓Extremely portable size
- ✓100% recycled paper
- ✓A-F grading scale is intuitive
Cons
- ✗Information can lag behind real-time corporate shifts
- ✗Focused primarily on US/Canadian brands
Key Facts
- Brand
- New Society Publishers
- Category
- Books & Media
- Ethics Score
- 94/100
- Price Range
- $ (≈ $12.99)
- Avg Rating
- 4.6/5 (840 reviews)
- Pages
- 216
- Format
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- New Society Publishers
- Dimensions
- 4 x 0.5 x 6 inches
- Certifications
- B Corp, FSC Certified
🌱 Sustainability
New Society Publishers is a carbon-neutral company and a certified B Corp. They strictly avoid virgin forest fibers.
🧪 Ingredients & Materials
Printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper; chlorine-free processing; vegetable-based inks.
Price & where to buy
Typically around $12.99 — prices change often, so check the live listing.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects the ethics score.
What Reviewers Say
"A must-have for anyone serious about ethical living."
"Small enough to keep in my purse for grocery runs."
"The best resource for cutting through greenwashing."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Better World Shopping Guide by New Society Publishers ethically made?+
Yes. The Better World Shopping Guide earns an EthiCompare ethics score of 94/100, backed by third-party certifications including B Corp, FSC Certified. A quintessential guide for the conscious consumer, published by a dedicated B Corp using 100% post-consumer recycled paper and vegetable-based inks.
Is The Better World Shopping Guide worth buying?+
The Better World Shopping Guide scores 94/100 on our ethics rating. That puts it in the upper band of the products we track, so it is a defensible buy on ethics grounds.
Is The Better World Shopping Guide cruelty-free?+
We have not verified a third-party cruelty-free certification for The Better World Shopping Guide. See our New Society Publishers verdict page for the brand's full animal-testing position.
Is The Better World Shopping Guide vegan?+
The Better World Shopping Guide does not carry a certified vegan claim in our database. Check the ingredient notes above and the brand's own disclosure before buying.
What are the best alternatives to The Better World Shopping Guide?+
We list higher-scoring books & media products from other brands on this page, and a full set of ethical alternatives to New Society Publishers on its alternatives page.
What certifications does The Better World Shopping Guide hold?+
The Better World Shopping Guide holds the following certifications: B Corp, FSC Certified. These independent verifications cover sourcing, animal welfare, environmental impact, and ingredient safety.
How sustainable is The Better World Shopping Guide?+
New Society Publishers is a carbon-neutral company and a certified B Corp. They strictly avoid virgin forest fibers.
What are the key ingredients or materials in The Better World Shopping Guide?+
Printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper; chlorine-free processing; vegetable-based inks.
How much does The Better World Shopping Guide cost?+
The Better World Shopping Guide is priced in the $ range for books & media. Visit the retailer links above for current pricing.
Where can I buy The Better World Shopping Guide?+
The Better World Shopping Guide is available from the brand's official website and major retailers. The product page above lists every verified retailer we track.
Is The Better World Shopping Guide plastic-free?+
Unverified — we have no plastic-free packaging claim on record for The Better World Shopping Guide.
Is The Better World Shopping Guide recyclable or compostable?+
Unverified — end-of-life handling for The Better World Shopping Guide is not documented in our data.
Does The Better World Shopping Guide avoid problem palm oil?+
Unverified — no palm-oil policy is recorded for The Better World Shopping Guide.
Is The Better World Shopping Guide certified organic?+
Unverified — no organic certification is on file for The Better World Shopping Guide.
Is The Better World Shopping Guide fairly made?+
Yes — The Better World Shopping Guide is backed by a labour or fair-trade standard.
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