We believe every family deserves to know what is in the products they bring into their home.
Plastic-Free Rating is an independent research organization. We evaluate consumer products for plastic content and health risk, publish our findings publicly, and hold brands accountable — regardless of whether they pay us anything.
The Problem We Are Solving
Microplastics have been found in human blood, breast milk, placentas, and the lungs of newborns. A 2024 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with microplastics in their arterial plaque had a 4.5 times higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. The average person now consumes the equivalent of a credit card's worth of plastic every week.
At the same time, the market for "plastic-free" and "non-toxic" products has exploded — and so has the greenwashing. Thousands of products claim to be safe, sustainable, and plastic-free. Most of those claims are unverified. Many are false. There is no independent standard, no consistent methodology, and no organization holding brands accountable.
That is the gap Plastic-Free Rating was built to fill.
What We Do
We independently evaluate specific products — not entire companies — on four criteria: material composition, packaging, brand transparency, and product durability. We assign each product a single letter grade from A to F, publish our findings publicly with a full breakdown, and cite the peer-reviewed science behind every health claim we make.
We rate the exact products consumers buy — the Lululemon Align Leggings, the Nike Dri-FIT One Leggings, the Athleta Ultimate Stash Tight — not the companies that make them. A brand can have both an A-rated product and an F-rated product, and we report both. If a specific product contains harmful plastics, we say so. We do not soften our findings because a brand is popular, powerful, or a potential advertiser.
Our Danger Guide ranks the most hazardous plastic products by exposure risk, drawing on published research from the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and peer-reviewed journals including Nature Medicine, Environment International, and The Lancet.
Our Independence
Plastic-Free Rating is editorially independent. Brands can pay to be listed in our directory and featured in our newsletter — but they cannot pay for a higher score. Our ratings are determined solely by our editorial team based on published material data, third-party certifications, and independent research.
Sponsored products are always clearly labeled. Our affiliate relationships are disclosed on every page. We believe transparency about how we sustain ourselves is as important as the transparency we demand from the brands we rate.
We operate under a Nevada LLC. We have no investors, no corporate backers, and no financial relationship with any brand whose products we rate — unless that relationship is explicitly disclosed.
How We Are Funded
Plastic-Free Rating is funded through two sources, both of which are disclosed openly.
Directory listing fees. Brands that have earned a PFR Approved or PFR Recommended rating may pay to be featured in our product directory and newsletter. This visibility fee is charged only after a rating is assigned — never before, and never to influence the outcome. A brand cannot buy a higher score. They can only pay to be seen after earning one.
Affiliate commissions. When you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may earn a small commission from the retailer — typically 3–8% of the sale price, at no extra cost to you. This commission is paid by the retailer, not the brand, and has no connection to our editorial ratings. We link only to products we have independently evaluated and rated. We never recommend a product because it pays a higher commission.
We believe being transparent about how we sustain ourselves is as important as the transparency we demand from the brands we rate. If you ever have questions about a specific relationship, email us at [email protected].
Our Principles
Independence above all
No score is ever influenced by money. A brand can pay for visibility after earning a high score — never before, and never to change one.
Science, not opinion
Every health claim we make is backed by published, peer-reviewed research. We link directly to the source so you can verify everything.
Families first
We prioritize the products that matter most to families with children — because children are the most vulnerable to plastic-related health risks.
Radical transparency
We publish our full methodology, our scoring breakdowns, our affiliate relationships, and our editorial policies. Nothing is hidden.
Legal Notice
The information provided on Plastic-Free Rating is for educational and informational purposes only. Our ratings represent our editorial opinion based on publicly available data and should not be construed as medical advice, legal advice, or a guarantee of product safety. We make no warranties about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the information on this site. Always conduct your own research before making purchasing decisions.
Plastic-Free Rating is operated under a Nevada LLC. All content is protected by copyright. The PFR Approved, PFR Recommended, and PFR Reviewed badges are proprietary marks. Unauthorized use is prohibited.