Sustainable goods take the spotlight at shop in Fort Myers

By Taylor Crehan

In downtown Fort Myers on First Street, between a Mexican restaurant and a real estate agency, sits a different kind of clothing store.

Market Earth, founded in 2013, specializes in recycled and sustainably sourced clothing, accessories and gifts, allowing customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

“I wanted to open a store that offered quality, fashionable goods and apparel that showed people you can buy products that are socially conscious and still have the value you want,” owner Karen Allegretti said.

Prices at the store start at $2.95 for bottle stoppers.

The shop sells personal care items like soap and lotion; purses and bags upcycled from old fabrics; sustainably sourced shoes and scarves; and greeting cards made with recycled materials.

Allegretti said that it’s important for people to care about the environment because Earth doesn’t have unlimited resources.

“I hope we have finally tuned in to managing the amount of waste we create,” Allegretti said. “We have so many programs in place that make it easy for people to leave a smaller footprint, that you almost need to go out of your way not to.”

Clayton Wasson, a junior majoring in environmental studies at Florida Gulf Coast University, said that more stores and companies need to implement sustainable practices. He said he tries to buy sustainable things whenever he can.

“Even if everyone living in North Lake recycled daily, or even every student at FGCU did, that impact wouldn’t be anywhere close to the impact that would be made if several local stores did,” Wasson said. “It’s important that stores and companies lead by example and show others that it’s beneficial.”

Market Earth provides customers with sustainable products that are difficult to find at other retailers, including reusable and washable flower vases.

According to Market Earth’s Facebook page, every product found at the store is either produced by a company that donates to humanitarian or environmental causes, or it’s fair trade—meaning that the items are manufactured by companies that are environmentally conscious, that support local farmers, fishermen and workers, and that implement sustainable practices in their offices and factories.

“We [support] KIVA, an organization designed to help small businesses and individuals globally with microloans,” Allegretti said.

“Fair trade is important for several reasons,” FGCU’s Wasson said. “By only associating with fair trade goods and companies, Market Earth is showing other stores that it’s really important to care about the environment.”

Larger companies like The Gap are working toward becoming more sustainable, too.

The company has pledged to conserve 10 billion liters of water by the end of 2020.

The Gap’s other goals are to stop using fabrics that come from wood from endangered forests by 2020. The Gap aims to source 100% of the cotton used to create clothing and other goods from “more sustainable resources,” according to its site, by 2021.

Wasson said it would be impressive if The Gap followed through with its environmental promises.

“If corporate giants like The Gap or Target changed their practices,” Wasson said, “we could see a big change in the garbage that’s generated and even the energy that’s used.”

Market Earth reuses boxes and shipping materials when sending items to customers.

“Don’t be surprised when your shipment arrives in a box that’s been given a second life,” the store’s “green statement” reads. “We’re just trying to be as green as we can be.”

Employees use vegetable and soy-based inks when printing packing slips, receipts and other materials whenever possible.

Wasson said he was particularly impressed with Market Earth’s sustainable shipping methods.

“Think about it – we generate so much waste by throwing out boxes and Styrofoam and other things after we open our online orders,” Wasson said. “By reusing boxes and paper, they’re really helping create less garbage that will just sit in landfills.”

Allegretti said that for major corporations to make big changes, they need to start at the bottom — with the consumer.

“Consumer demand can change the course of an industry with a loud voice,” Allegretti said. “We have the power to shape how we shop, and most people wouldn’t notice any discernible difference in product.”

Allegretti has observed that a broad range of consumers drive the demand at Market Earth. She said that her favorite part of working at the shop is seeing who comes through the front door.

“We have a unique demographic in that we have every demographic,” Allegretti said. “It makes for great people watching.”