There has never been a more opportune moment for eco living brands. Rosie Greenaway meets the category’s newest launches, from furoshiki-inspired gift-wrap to vegan pillowcases
A 2021 report by Deloitte told of the importance of brands ‘building accountability into their value chain’ to satisfy the 32% of consumers who are ‘highly engaged with adopting a more sustainable lifestyle’, the 28% who boycott brands for ethical reasons, and Gen Z in general – among whom 50% are actively reducing FMCG consumption. According to the company, waste reduction is in the top five consumer concerns, but are refill stores in crisis? Despite 61% of Brits limiting their reliance on single-use plastic, the UK is seeing a decline of refill stores; a recent report in the i newspaper said shoppers are ‘losing interest in zero waste lifestyles’. Lloyd Atkin, MD of B Corp brand Bio-D, comments: “Recent news surrounding the … shutting down of refill stores across the country is hugely disappointing,” adding that eco living should be ‘a long-term solution to the climate crisis’ and not ‘a passing trend’. “Refill stores will set us back on our way to creating a lasting change for future generations.”
Catering to every need
From morning to night, there’s an eco living offer for every consumer need. If waking up in vegan sheets is your thing, a brand worth knowing is All About Sleep. The bamboo bedding line offers super-soft, sustainable sheets with all the skin and hair benefits of silk – but cruelty-free. Antibacterial and hypoallergenic, the bedding is temperature-regulating (appealing to those with skin conditions or going through menopause). According to retailer EcoVibe, switching from cotton to bamboo is a swap consumers won’t even notice, with bamboo sheets feeling ‘exactly like regular bedding’, but better for the environment. Anyone who has felt the luxurious softness of All About Sleep’s pillowcases might argue that bamboo offers an even smoother experience between the sheets.
Fitness fans will be keen to try Clean Living’s non-toxic cleaning products for sports accessories; Biological Sports Equipment Cleaner and Biological Sports Equipment Odour Eliminator are safe for mats, machinery and trainers, eradicating bacteria, cutting through dirt and neutralizing odour with healthy microbes. The brand also has a string of new SKUs for the home: Plastic Free Laundry Strips, Biological Floor Cleaner, Biological Multi-Mop Cleaning System, Stainless Steel Odour Removing Soap and Multi-Use Scrubby.
For post-gym fuel, the likes of WaxWrap and Waxyz Wraps have the solution to sustainable snack storage. Both brands market an array of handy reusable wraps with not an ounce of plastic in sight. EcoVibe also recommends rice husk lunch boxes as they don’t stain, and despite their long shelf-life are eventually biodegradable. Any messy spillages during food prep can be easily absorbed with sugarcane kitchen roll, says the retailer. If You Care Sponge Cloths do a similarly good job, made from non-GMO unbleached cotton, cellulose and natural mineral salt. Under the same label are Household Gloves, made from FSC-certified latex, and Automatic Dishwasher Tablets, packing a natural but powerful punch. When home cooks cause chaos in the kitchen, it’s products like Seep’s Essential Cleaning Eco Power Duo and Biodegradable Bin Bags which will get surfaces clean and tidy once more.
Other earth-friendly alternatives to everyday household items can be found in the catalogue of the aptly named ecoLiving – including food-grade Citric Acid for descaling limescale; non-stick Reusable Baking Liners, which make old oven trays ‘work like new’; and the plastic-free Wooden Squeegee for windows, tiles and shower screens – an accessory which could be paired with FILL’s Everything Clean, a concentrated, refillable all-purpose cleaning formulation that gets tough on most domestic surfaces.
In the bathroom, consumers can rest easy knowing Dr Isla has them covered for biodegradable bamboo wipes; by adding a few drops of water to the compact tab they’ll have a ready-to-use, heavy duty wipe, free from plastic, alcohol, parabens, colourants and silicon. The tabs can be kept on-shelf in a glass jar for an appealing eco aesthetic or stored in a clip-to-belt carry case when wipes are needed on the go.
And finally, in a ‘packaging world-first’ we present Whitfords’ FibrePod – a multipurpose case made from unprocessed plant fibres; after protecting the brand’s face and bodycare products during shipping, it doubles as a loofah for dry brushing or scrubbing the bathroom sink. Weeks later, once the FibrePod is past its best, it ‘metamorphosizes’ again, serving as an alternative to a plastic pot for germinating seeds. Finally, at the end of its life, it can be composted or planted in the garden with its seedlings.
Green gifting
Representing comfort, warmth, relaxation, ritual, self-care and spirituality, the humble candle is perfect for green gift-giving. Vegan and phthalate-free, Miller Harris’ revamped candle collection ‘cuts a dashing figure on any on a mantelpiece’, drawing on its perfumery archive to blend natural soy and rapeseed wax into sophisticated looking candles with unmatchable ‘throw’ (how well a scent fills a room). The brand’s team of ‘noses’ has curated a sextet of scents – Tea, Rose, Tabac, Santal, Mandarin and Figue – each with 50 hours’ burning time.
Organic brand Bamford’s contribution to the candle world is the Explorer Collection, comprising three candles housed in hand-carved alabaster vessels. Geranium, Pelargonium and Pilgrim fragrances, developed by brand founder Carole Bamford and British perfumer Lyn Harris, are intended to ‘evoke an unceasing curiosity and desire to explore’ in the recipient.
For the ultimate sustainable gift wrap, FabRap replaces paper wrapping with reusable fabric squares in a host of double-sided designs. Inspired by furoshiki, the Japanese art of using cloths to wrap or transport goods, FabRap’s GOTS-certified textiles are intended to be reused time and time again, either passed from one recipient to the next or returned to their original owner.
Shaving Bar – Orange & Lavender
Friendly Soap
E-mail: [email protected]
www.friendlysoap.co.uk
Forget your foams and junk your gels! This naturally soothing soap makes a wonderful lather for a smooth wet shave. Friendly Soap’s clever orange and lavender shaving bar softens hair and nourishes skin both at the same time. Better still, if you don’t have a bowl and brush to hand, you can still whip up a very respectable lather between your hands. Free from cruelty, plastic and preservatives, each shaving bar is handmade with castor oil, olive oil, coconut oil, kaolin clay, soy wax, aloe vera and lavender & orange essential oils.
Plantable Greeting Cards
Loop Loop Ltd
E-mail: [email protected]
www.looploop.co.uk
What is a plantable card? Loop Loop plantable greetings cards are made from 100% recycled materials and are all embedded with wildflower seeds. Your customer can plant the whole card in the ground and grow wildflowers from the paper – perfect for Spring time. All the flowers are pollinators too, which is great for the bees. Every card is 100% plastic free, printed with vegan inks and comes with a recycled envelope. From weddings to birthdays, we have plantable cards for all occasions. If you’re looking for the perfect spring products to launch, our plantable cards are it!
WaxWrap: Sustainable Food Storage
Kinetic Natural Products Distributor
Tel: 08450 725 825
E-mail: [email protected]
www.kinetic4health.co.uk
WaxWrap is a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap and aluminium foil made from 100% natural materials: organic cotton cloth coated in a mixture of beeswax, pine resin and jojoba oil. Meets the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 approved. Use to cover bowls and containers and contain almost any food: sandwiches, vegetables, fruits, snacks, cheese and salad. Self adhesive and waterproof. Available in 3 different formats: Rolls (20x120cm, 30x150cm and 40x200cm), Bags/Sleeves (a set of 3 in different sizes: 21x21cm/25x25cm/32x32cm), and Cloth Sheets (a set of 3 in different sizes: 20x20cm/30x30cm/40x40cm).
Lamazuna Solid Make-up remover
Living Planet Distribution
Tel: 020 3176 9982
E-mail: [email protected]
www.livingplanetdistribution.com
Lamazuna’s Organic Solid Make-up Remover is the new face of eco makeup removal: a handy, fuss-free solid cosmetic! Because their formulation is based only on gentle botanical ingredients such as jojoba oil and shea butter, it won’t dry out the skin, making it a perfect cleanser for even sensitive complexions. Containing absorbent clay to purify skin, this makeup remover even works on waterproof mascara. It can be applied directly to the face, or it can be used alongside one of Lamazuna’s reusable eco cleansing wipes. This long-lasting cosmetic has great environmental credentials, contains no water or plastic waste, and is lightweight for travel.
Lamazuna Solid Shampoo
Living Planet Distribution
Tel: 020 3176 9982
E-mail: [email protected]
www.livingplanetdistribution.com
Lamazuna has launched a great range of ‘eco affordable’ solid hair cosmetics which contain natural ingredients that respect the planet as well as your customers’ hair care needs. These shampoos are crafted in France without the use of synthetic chemicals or sulphates and minimally packaged in plastic-free, recyclable materials. The range of solid shampoos with nourishing oils as well as softening clays contains a shampoo for every hair type. Lamazuna also has a solid conditioner bar gentle enough to be used by everyone, even pregnant and nursing women. Always vegan and ethically formulated, these bars are great in any zero-waste bathroom.
LoofCo Plastic-Free Cleaning!
NatBrands Ltd
Tel: 01892 616871
E-mail: [email protected]
www.natbrands.co.uk
NOPE 2022 showcased LoofCo’s fresh new look & 12 new products- including Kitchen Brush, Kitchen Cloths, Water Bottle Brush, Bath-Time Smile & NOPE 2021 Best Eco-Living Winner Palm Oil Free Washing-Up Soap Bars. Plastic cleaning sponges, scourers & brushes do not biodegrade and release microplastic particles into the environment when used. LoofCo products make switching away from these plastic products a practical reality without compromising on effectiveness and value. Made from loofah and coir plant fibres, this ingenious plastic-free range of pads, brushes and accessories for washing-up, household cleaning and body is inspired by tradition & proven over generations.
We Love the Planet Deodorants
Kinetic Natural Products Distributor
Tel: 08450 725 825
E-mail: [email protected]
www.kinetic4health.co.uk
Bestselling deodorants from We Love the Planet: plastic-free, zero waste and recyclable packaging. Available in 8 different “fragrances” including a fragrance-free and baking soda-free So Sensitive option and two vegan options, one of which is also formulated without baking soda. Made from 100% natural origin ingredients, the core range is based on a combination of coconut oil, beeswax and cornstarch powder to offer a smooth application, baking soda to neutralise odours naturally, and essential oils. The deodorants are packaged in either a snaplock tin (48g) or a wide-opening biodegradable and compostable cardboard tube (65g).
Fair Squared fair trade and zero waste Hair, Body and Face Soap Bars
Pravera Ltd
Tel: 01557 870203
E-mail: [email protected]
www.fairsquared.co.uk
Move away from plastic packaging and live more eco by switching to Fair Squared Soap Bars. Fair Squared have a range of face, body, and hair bars. They are made with fairly traded ingredients, including olive oil and coconut oil, which are nourishing and moisturising for the hair and skin, leaving a healthy shine. The soap bars come in a cardboard box, which can be recycled after use. There are two sizes of soap bars, single soap bars are 160g or 2x80g soap bars come with a reusable cotton bag. £11.45 RRP
Ben & Anna Deodorants
Pravera
Tel: 01557 870203
E-mail: [email protected]
Popular zero waste brand Ben & Anna have launched a vibrant new collection of deodorant sticks in new size 40g tubes. Choose from Coco Mania, Green Fusion, Urban Black, Mint and bringing back best-selling scents Persian Lime and Pink Grapefruit. Ben & Anna deodorants have a solid consistency thanks to shea butter and bicarbonate soda, providing effective protection for the whole day. Make an eco-switch to the original and best paper tube deodorant today!
Eco-Friendly Shampoo and Body Bars from lavera
Pravera Ltd
Tel: 01557 870203
E-mail: [email protected]
www.lavera.co.uk
Give your hair and body the love and attention it deserves while caring for the planet with the lavera eco-friendly Shampoo and Body Bars in the Basis Sensitiv range. The innovative formula with organic aloe vera, quinoa and plant based tensides creates a smooth, gentle cleansing lather that is caring and moisturising to the hair, scalp and body. These solid Shampoo and Body Bars are free from silicones, SLS, parabens and mineral oils, the formula is vegan friendly, and the packaging contains 0% plastic. The cardboard packaging is made from 100% recycled fibres to give you the great feeling and make the world a little better every time your wash.
PURIFY RANGE
PURA VIDA ORGANIC
Tel: +385 916045050 / +385 12028900
E-mail: [email protected]
www.vida-organic.com
In a world that revolves around trends with a short expiration date, it’s not easy to find products that support sustainable living and inspire people to look for eco-friendly solutions. Pura Vida Organic is a breath of fresh air when it comes to using cosmetics that are organic, vegan, cruelty-free and have eco-friendly packaging while actually working. PVO uses refillable glass jars and bottles that are packed in boxes that are 25% grass. Using sources more abundant than wood provides unique packaging while being great solution for the environment. Over 380 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year. The cosmetics industry is responsible for nearly 40% of the total production. Switching to eco-friendly brands, like Pura Vida Organic could significantly reduce pollution. Nature endows us with numerous therapeutic gifts. Let’s return the favour.
WUKA Wear
WUKA Ltd
Tel: 07429 850748
E-mail: [email protected]
www.WUKA.co.uk
WUKA is the UK’s first affordable, sustainable, reusable and leak-proof period wear. WUKA is also the first-period pants brand to win The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development and to be Carbon Neutral Plus (producing a Carbon Footprint report as a result). Sustainability is at the heart of everything WUKA do – from creation, development and innovation – and are determined to keep this flowing. WUKA’s customers have prevented more than a 100million disposables from going into landfills and the ocean. Our WUKA bikini is made from GOTs certified organic cotton and each WUKA replace over 200 disposables going to landfills.
