In Los Angeles, “eco-friendly” isn’t a trend — it’s practically a personality trait. Especially on the Westside, where reusable straws are status symbols and sustainability isn’t just about what you buy, but how you live. From refill shops and thrifted treasures to zero-waste cafés serving plant-based pastries, these eco-conscious spots make it easy (and stylish) to go green without giving up good design or good coffee.
Here’s your local’s guide to the best eco-friendly shops and cafés you should visit in West Los Angeles and Santa Monica in 2025 — where sustainability meets serious West Coast charm.
1. Recontained – Santa Monica’s Zero-Waste Haven
Address: 1741 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Website: recontained.com
Recontained is ground zero for Westside sustainability. The shop runs on a refill-only model, meaning you bring your own containers and restock household essentials — everything from shampoo and detergent to face masks and hand soap.
Why Go:
- Refill bar with over 80 sustainable products
- Bulk pantry staples and eco-gift kits
- Local workshops on low-waste living
Vibe: Minimalist, bright, and very “California clean.”
2. Goodies LA – The $40 Sustainable Design Store
Address: 2208 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Website: goodiesla.com
Every single item here costs under $40 — and yes, it’s as aesthetic as it sounds. Think recycled glassware, bamboo cutting boards, linen napkins, and minimalist home decor, all made from sustainable materials.
Why Go:
- Affordable eco-design
- Great for gifts or home makeovers
- Ethically sourced global products
Pro Tip: Their in-house candles are refillable — just bring back your empty jar.
3. The Butcher’s Daughter – Venice’s Iconic Plant-Based Café
Address: 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Website: thebutchersdaughter.com
This sun-drenched café doubles as a local wellness hub. Everything here — from smoothies to brunch plates — is vegetarian, sustainable, and locally sourced. Their motto? “We treat fruits and vegetables like a butcher treats meat.”
Must-Try: Cauliflower steak with coconut grits, or their famous golden latte.
Bonus: All takeout packaging is compostable, and staff use filtered greywater systems.
Vibe: Greenhouse chic — think hanging plants, open windows, and Venice cool.
4. Sustain LA Refill Station
Address: 5218 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Website: sustainla.com
This community favorite (a quick drive from Culver City) is LA’s OG refill station. Bring your own containers to fill up on soaps, cleaning supplies, and skincare products.
Why Go:
- Affordable bulk refills
- Compost drop-off site
- Workshops on eco-habits and DIY cleaning products
Best Feature: Their “Refill Truck” — a mobile refill shop that pops up at farmers’ markets around the Westside.
5. Blue Bottle Coffee (Santa Monica Promenade)
Address: 1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Website: bluebottlecoffee.com
A pioneer in sustainable coffee culture, Blue Bottle focuses on zero-waste operations — every cup, lid, and straw is compostable or reusable. The Santa Monica café sources beans from fair-trade farms and uses an energy-efficient brewing system.
Why Go:
- Compostable everything
- Fair-trade, single-origin coffee
- Rewards for bringing your own cup
Pro Tip: Bring your own tumbler — they knock off $0.25 per drink.
6. The Hive – Eco Café & Wellness Bar
Address: 606 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Website: thehivesm.com
Half café, half wellness bar, The Hive blends sustainability with health-conscious living. Organic smoothies, vegan wraps, compostable cups, and refillable water stations make it a go-to for eco-minded professionals and fitness enthusiasts.
Must-Try: Matcha maca latte and the “Green Queen” salad.
Sustainability Perks: Solar panels power part of the café, and they compost all food scraps locally.
7. Tare Grocery – Mar Vista’s Zero-Waste Supermarket
Address: 5454 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Website: taremarket.com
A full-scale grocery store that’s 100% zero waste. Bring your jars and bags to stock up on grains, nuts, oils, and produce without a shred of plastic. It’s like a bulk-food dream come true for sustainability nerds.
Why Go:
- Zero packaging waste
- Local farmers and small-batch producers
- In-store community events and eco-classes
Pro Tip: Go on Wednesdays for discounts on refills.
8. Urbanic Paper Boutique – Sustainable Stationery in Venice
Address: 1644 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Website: urbanicpaper.com
This adorable Venice boutique is a favorite for sustainable stationery, journals, and paper goods made from post-consumer recycled materials. They also partner with local artists to create small-batch eco-gift wraps and cards.
Why Go:
- Recycled paper + soy-based inks
- Locally made goods
- Great spot for eco-friendly gifts
Vibe: Thoughtful, cozy, and handmade.
9. Farmshop – Brentwood Country Mart Classic
Address: 225 26th St, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Website: farmshopla.com
Farmshop sources nearly all its ingredients from California farms and builds its menu around seasonal availability. Everything from the pastries to the produce comes from partners practicing regenerative agriculture.
Why Go:
- Farm-to-table done right
- Zero single-use plastics
- Excellent weekend brunch scene
Must-Try: The citrus avocado toast and almond croissant are local favorites.
10. Tenzo Matcha & Tea Bar – Culver City’s Conscious Café
Address: 8500 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Website: tenzotea.co
This sleek café runs entirely on renewable energy and serves ethically sourced matcha direct from small Japanese farms. Tenzo’s founders are local entrepreneurs who built sustainability into every step of the brand.
Why Go:
- Renewable-powered café
- Vegan-friendly and low-waste menu
- Carbon-neutral operations
Vibe: Calm, clean, minimalist — like a matcha meditation.
Quick Comparison: Eco-Friendly Westside Hotspots
| Spot | Type | Eco Highlight | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recontained | Refill store | Zero-waste personal care | Minimalist + educational |
| Goodies LA | Home goods | All items under $40 + sustainable sourcing | Chic + affordable |
| The Butcher’s Daughter | Café | 100% plant-based + compostable packaging | Bright + boho |
| Sustain LA | Refill store | Mobile refill truck + community events | Practical + friendly |
| The Hive | Café | Solar-powered + composting | Healthy + modern |
| Tare Grocery | Grocery | Zero-waste shopping | Local + community-driven |
| Urbanic Paper | Stationery | Recycled paper + soy inks | Thoughtful + artsy |
| Farmshop | Restaurant | Locally sourced farm produce | Upscale + rustic |
| Tenzo Matcha | Café | Renewable energy + carbon-neutral | Minimalist + serene |
Sustainability Trends Defining 2025
- Refill Culture Revival: BYO containers are mainstream now — refill stations are the new supermarkets.
- Zero-Waste Dining: More Westside cafés are eliminating disposable cutlery altogether.
- Circular Design: Shops now prioritize products you can refill, repair, or recycle.
- Farm-to-Fabric: Sustainable fashion boutiques are partnering with regenerative cotton farms.
- Community Composting: Local cafés are teaming up with city compost programs to cut landfill waste.
FAQs:
Are all refill shops BYO-container only?
Yes — but most (like Recontained and Tare Grocery) offer reusable jars if you forget yours.
Do any cafés offer discounts for bringing your own cup?
Absolutely. Blue Bottle, The Hive, and Tenzo all give 10–25¢ off per drink.
Which spots are good for gifts?
Goodies LA and Urbanic Paper have great eco-friendly gift options.
