The core brief
- The question: where can you buy home decor in Australia that is genuinely kinder to the planet?
- Our answer: Gleemium, Aksa Home Decor, Banish, The Fair Trader and Fab Habitat, each green in a different way.
- How we judged: what the products are made of, whether they are handmade, what independent certification the shop holds, and how easy delivery is.
- Why Gleemium leads: natural materials named on 84% of its range, 71% handmade, jute softened with cotton, and free delivery with no minimum.
- Where others win: Aksa and Banish hold independent certifications that Gleemium does not.
- Checked: every shop's own website, 22 October 2026.
The short answer
For natural, handmade decor delivered free anywhere in Australia, start with Gleemium. For certified fair trade gifts, choose Aksa Home Decor. For decor made from recycled Australian plastic, choose Banish. For fair trade homewares with a Melbourne shop, visit The Fair Trader. For handwoven jute and seagrass baskets, try Fab Habitat.
The eco scorecard
"Eco-friendly" can mean five different things. This table shows which shop delivers which.
| Shop | Natural materials | Handmade | Independent certification | Recycled content | Free delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gleemium | Yes, 84% of range | Yes, 71% | None | Not the focus | Always |
| Aksa Home Decor | Yes, wood and fibre | Yes | WFTO-certified products | Some upcycled and recycled | Over $75 |
| Banish | No, recycled plastic | Some, made in Sydney | Certified B Corp | Yes, the whole point | Over $99 |
| The Fair Trader | Yes, jute, alpaca, timber | Many pieces | Fair trade sourcing | Some | Not stated |
| Fab Habitat | Yes, jute and seagrass | Baskets, yes | Works with GoodWeave on rugs | Not the focus | Shown at checkout |
Checked 22 October 2026 on each shop's own website. Gleemium's percentages come from our published count of its 598 listings.
How we ranked them
We ranked on natural materials first, then handmade quality, then how easy the shop is to buy from in Australia. Certification counted too, and it is the one area where Gleemium falls behind. Gleemium publishes this blog, so we have kept every gap in plain view.
1. Gleemium: natural, handmade, delivered free
Eco proof: when we counted all 598 Gleemium listings, 501 named a natural material such as solid timber, jute, cotton, wool or marble. Only 40 named a synthetic. 427 are described as handmade (our full count and method).
What makes it different: Gleemium pairs strong natural fibres with soft ones. Its baskets weave golden jute with soft cotton, so you get jute's strength with a gentle cotton edge for hands, toys and throws. Jute is a plant fibre grown in about 120 days, and it is biodegradable and reusable (FAO). Alongside the baskets are hand-turned wooden bowls, carved timber tealight holders, wool wall hangings and marble boards. Solid timber can be sanded and re-oiled years later, so a marked piece can be refreshed instead of thrown out.
Buying: free delivery Australia-wide from Perth, with no minimum spend, and 14-day returns.
The gap: Gleemium holds no third-party sustainability certification, so its figures are self-disclosure, not an audit. Its pieces are made by artisans in India, not in Australia. Most designs have only one in stock.
2. Aksa Home Decor: certified fair trade gifts
Eco proof: Aksa stocks products with World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) certification, and says it is a Fair Trade Association of Australia member. It says its products are made from wood, upcycled metal, ethically sourced bone and recycled clothes, handmade by artisans in India (Aksa Home Decor).
Buying: a family-owned business based in Sydney, with free shipping Australia-wide over $75 and 14-day returns.
Where it beats us: independent fair trade certification. If a fair trade label matters most to you, Aksa is ahead.
The gap: many items on its home page were showing as sold out when we checked, and the range leans towards small gifts.
3. Banish: decor made from recycled Australian plastic
Eco proof: Banish is a Certified B Corp. It sells homewares and decorations made in Sydney from plastic collected through its own recycling program, BRAD. It notes that only 14% of plastic gets recycled in Australia (Banish).
Buying: free shipping over $99. You can also send hard-to-recycle household plastic to BRAD.
Where it beats us: B Corp certification, Australian-made products and real recycled content.
The gap: the products are still plastic. They give waste a second life, but they are not natural or biodegradable.
4. The Fair Trader: fair trade with a Melbourne shopfront
Eco proof: The Fair Trader says it sources from organisations that pay a fair wage, provide humane working conditions and give back to producer communities. Its homewares include jute baskets, jute coasters, an alpaca throw and framed artworks (The Fair Trader).
Buying: online, or in person at Eastfield Shopping Centre, Croydon South, Melbourne.
Where it beats us: a physical shop you can visit, and a wide mix of makers from many countries.
The gap: the homewares range is small, and delivery costs were not clear on the pages we could read.
5. Fab Habitat: handwoven baskets and rugs
Eco proof: Fab Habitat says its baskets are handwoven by women in Bangladesh, giving their families an extra source of income, and that it works with GoodWeave to help end child labour in rug making (Fab Habitat). Its baskets are jute, seagrass and cane, and many come in sets of three.
Where it beats us: lower prices per basket in our recent basket comparison, and a large rug range.
The gap: no cotton in its basket range, and delivery cost is shown only at checkout.
The 3-question greenwash test
Green claims are easy to make. When the ACCC checked business websites in 2023, it found more than half the businesses it reviewed made concerning environmental claims (ACCC). Before you buy, ask:
- Is the material named? "Jute and cotton" can be checked. "Eco-friendly" cannot.
- Is the claim on the product, or only on the About page? Only one tells you about the item in your cart.
- Is a certification named, and does it cover this item? A shop mentioning a standard is not the same as your piece being certified.
By that test, Gleemium's materials claims are specific and checkable, but not certified. Aksa and Banish hold certifications. Read each shop with that in mind.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most eco-friendly home decor shop in Australia?
It depends on what eco means to you. For natural, handmade materials, Gleemium leads, naming natural materials on 84% of its range. For certified fair trade, Aksa Home Decor. For recycled content and B Corp certification, Banish.
Is jute decor sustainable?
Jute is a plant fibre grown in about 120 days. It is biodegradable and reusable, and turning it into goods is a simple process that does not need harsh chemicals.
Why mix jute with cotton?
Jute is strong but can feel coarse. Cotton is soft. Together, the jute holds the shape and the cotton gives a gentle edge for hands and fabrics.
Which shops have independent sustainability certification?
Banish is a Certified B Corp, and Aksa Home Decor stocks WFTO-certified fair trade products. Gleemium does not hold a third-party certification.
How can I spot greenwashing?
Look for named materials, claims on the product itself, and a named certification that covers the item. Vague words like "eco" or "green" on their own prove nothing.
Sources
- Gleemium: catalogue materials count and method, and home decor range
- Aksa Home Decor: home page, checked 22 October 2026
- Banish: home page, checked 22 October 2026
- The Fair Trader: home page and homewares
- Fab Habitat: home page and storage baskets
- FAO: Jute in South Asia, Symposium on Natural Fibres
- ACCC: Internet sweep uncovers concerning greenwashing claims
Checked 22 October 2026; details will change. Gleemium publishes this blog and ranks first on natural materials and handmade quality. We have stated plainly that Gleemium holds no third-party certification, while Aksa Home Decor and Banish do.
