10 sustainable brands on our watch list
In the consumer marketplace, it can be really difficult to separate the brands doing good from the brands claiming to do good. We are the sum of our actions, after all, so we thought we’d share 10 sustainable brands that are making big strides to change in the industry in which they operate. From reusable deodorants to an internet search engine that will plant a tree every time you look something up, these are the sustainable brands currently on our watch list.
By rotation
More than just a clothing rental app, By Rotation is a platform where you can rent, lend, buy and sell designer fashion at a fraction of the retail price. The older sister that doesn’t mind your rummaging through her wardrobe, their motto is, “what’s mine is yours”. A community-led, eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, there is even an option to donate proceeds from wardrobe rentals to your chosen charity.
HAIRSTORY
With the aim to give the haircare industry a good old clean, HAIRSTORY creates small-batch products that are 100% biodegradable and free from detergents or harmful chemicals that would otherwise end up down your drain. You can choose between recyclable pouches are refillable bottles, both reducing carbon emissions by up to 76% when compared to regular plastic bottle shampoos. Plus, a portion of their profits is donated to water conservation NGOs.
Patagonia
The gold standard for big-brand sustainability, Patagonia received the UN Champion of the Earth award thanks to its environmental efforts and commitments to sustainability. They offer a free repairs service on almost all items and even ran a campaign recommending customers ‘Don’t Buy This Jacket’. For an in-depth look at the story behind the brand, take a read of founder Yvon Chouinard’s best-selling book, Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman.
TALA
Largely made from synthetic fabrics, athleisurewear is one of the biggest pollutants in the fashion industry. Not Tala. This UK-based company uses upcycled and eco-friendly materials like bamboo, wood pulp, and Q-Nova (a fabric using regenerated waste materials) to create comfortable and long-lasting athleisurewear, designed to fit every body. What’s more, their packaging is recyclable and their labels are plantable.
Who Give A Crap
Made from sustainably sourced bamboo, switching to Who Gives A Crap means one less thing to worry about flushing down your loo. Founded when owners Simon, Danny, and Jehan learned that globally over 2.4 billion people don’t have access to toilet paper (make that 2 billion, thanks to their efforts). To date, they’ve donated over £6,000,000 to charities including Water For People, Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor, and Splash. Plus they’re the best-looking rolls of toilet paper we’ve seen to date.
ecosia
Plant trees whilst you Google? Sorry, whilst you Ecosia? A search engine that donates 80% of its profits towards reforestation NGOs across the globe, at the time of writing they have planted over 147,368,421 trees globally. But this number is climbing by the second. However, it’s not just about what they as a company have achieved, they’ll let you know how many trees your online searches have planted. If ever there was an excuse to get stuck in a Wikipedia wormhole…
Wild
An all-natural deodorant, Wild is free from nasties like aluminium and aerosols. Its reusable, compostable, and plastic-free plus it comes in a range of fragrances from fresh cotton to candyfloss. Plus, for every deodorant they sell, a percentage of the profits goes to ‘On a Mission’s reforestation projects.
Sojo
If you’re like us, you’ll have a bag of clothes sitting in the corner of your wardrobe bound for the tailor “when you get round to it”. Sojo makes getting round to it that bit easier. Connecting you with local tailors, Sojo’s fleet of cyclists will pick up and drop off your garments, usually within five days. Championing that long-forgotten ‘make do and mend’ attitude, it’s the antidote to fast fashion.
The Common Good Company
We’re always wary of a company that claims they’re doing everything just right, so The Common Good Company’s mantra of ‘Better, not perfect’ chimes with us. That said, they received the highest possible rating on the sustainability directory, Good On You (our go-to tool for finding sustainable fashion brands) so they must be doing something right. Designing comfy casuals made from recycled materials they reuse all their offcuts and minimise the use of chemicals and water in production. A label you can be proud to show off.
Bettercup
The world of toiletries tends to be a disposable one, but companies like Bettercup are trying to change that, for the better. Whilst there are a number of reusable sanitary wear products out there, we think theirs is one of the best. Made from re-usable silicone, they’re not just about making the world of sanitary products a more sustainable one, but a more accessible one too. That’s why for every cup you buy they will donate one to the many charities that they support, like Irida Women’s Centre in Greece (a safe place for refugee, migrant, and local women) and PERIOD, a movement focused on eradicating period poverty.
We hope these sustainable brands help you create a more eco-friendly, waste-less home. Check out these 7 eco-friendly home decor ideas or our picks of the best zero-waste supermarkets.