If you are looking for sustainable products while supporting a local business, check out Oh Eco in Ivanhoe Village. Oh Eco is the first community-based sustainable store in Orlando.

Owned by Alyssa Bolanos and her husband, Alyssa had a life-changing event that led her to pursue her desire to branch out on her own and create a place where locals could shop sustainably and where she could be a sustainable resource for others. Their mission as a family is to provide products that are better for you and the planet—sustainably made, ethically sourced, non-toxic, and useful products.

“Sustainable, which means they are better for us and better for the planet, Alyssa explained. Things that are meant to last forever or breakdown to lessen our impact. It’s all about a balance.”

When you enter the shop, you are greeted by warm, tropical murals of Oranges and leaves by C. Stanley, and you'll find shelves of what Alyssa refers to as "basics." That includes shampoos, conditioners, bars, deodorants, and kitchen accessories.

You will also find a refill bar with pre-filled containers and the option to bring your own container or take from the community containers, which they have to make things more accessible. You will also notice local brands like Indeu Apothecary and Home Farm.

"Not everything is local, but we try to source from Orlando first, then Florida, and then elsewhere, but I'm very picky, stated Alyssa. A lot of people make the claim that they are sustainable, but they are not and still use plastic. We try to fight against greenwashing, but I also don't want people to feel overwhelmed because sustainability can already be so overwhelming when you think you have to do all or nothing. I want people to see that they can start here, and we have different price points for accessibility. Small steps make a huge difference."

"We also have items you might not think of when you think about sustainability like Play-doh that is food safe and sold in a glass jar, and wrapping paper which is wrapped in bio-plastic, so it's compostable and the paper itself printed on reusable paper and compostable."

The most popular items right now are laundry pods, toilet bombs, laundry detergent, and hand soap. The shower steamers are also a big selling item. Alyssa calls them luxury in a jar. They are eucalyptus shower steams that are similar to hanging fresh eucalyptus in your shower, but more effective. The steam relaxes you, but also great if you are sick.

They are also in the process of being a sign up spot for O-town Compost and hope to continue to add more like-minded and local sustainable partners under their roof.

If you want to visit Alyssa’s shop it’s located at 1215 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804.

Shop Hours are:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 6

Sunday 10 - 5.