Autumn is here!
This month, we’re unpacking our essentials from the back of our wardrobe and dusting off our seasonal sustainable items, think warm clothes, winter moisturiser, and planners for the next semester.
We have compiled a list of 5 amazing brands that we believe value circularity, to help you shop sustainably as the seasons change. What is circularity and why does it matter?
“A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. A new way to design, make and use things within planetary boundaries.”
- Ellen McArthur Foundation
If you’re curious about how circularity is different to zero waste check out this blog post.
Patagonia
A classic, no? Despite being founded and operating in Ventura, California, Patagonia is one of the first companies to focus their efforts on regeneration and became one of the founding members of the Regenerative Organic Certification. Their aims include soil rehabilitation, animal welfare, and the improvement of life in the farming community and introduced through the Pilot Cotton program, which has seen great success currently supporting over 550 farmers. As well as that, and super importantly, they provide transparency and enable us to see how, and where their products have been manufactured and their amazing commitments to establishing change and becoming carbon neutral.
These retro jackets look beautiful and are made with 100% recycled polyester and double-sided fleece, ensuring you are comfortable despite the weather getting cooler this time of year. Their ‘blue sign’ design system helps improve their supply chain to approve products that are safe for the environment and their fair trade certification ensures their suppliers are treated fairly and that we can benefit the world through a collaborative effort. Patagonia is the Godfather of sustainability and ethics and their book ‘Let My People Go Surfing’ written by the founder is a testament to this vision.
Komodo
This London-based sustainable clothing brand creates their garments using a huge variety of natural fibers such as organic linen, bamboo, recycled polyester, and organic hemp. In addition to this, they use award-winning eco-fibers Tencel and Rayon, which are bio-degradable, highly efficient materials made from tree cellulose that produces vibrant colour without the need for hard dyes. In our Zero Waste Award, we asses brands for their ethical and intersectional practices. From what we’ve researched Komodo takes their commitment to supporting social causes and charities seriously. They are currently members of the 1% For The Planet initiative supporting the restoration of rainforests and have been regular patrons of the Sunrise Orphanage in Kathmandu.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the charity shops, this gorgeous jumper is an Autumn essential. Made from 70% GOTS certified Organic cotton, and 30% award-winning bio-fibre Tencel, this is the perfect zero waste purchase for this year and is washable at 30 degrees (ECO Machine Wash). What is even better about this sustainable alternative? It does not just look the part, it plays the part being completely vegan and cruelty free, (not to mention currently on discount).
Solai
Another UK based clothing brand who use nature-based and bio-tech solutions to create regenerative fashion systems is Solai. This small brand is on a mission to promote sustainable change through soil regeneration and sustainable agriculture. They have experience using organic linen and cotton in their pieces and include the most beautiful colours to create inspiring designs. In addition to this, their female owners and designers work extremely hard to use compostable packaging which can become a nutrient rich material for your garden within 6 months. They also provide a quick two minute video guide to composting anywhere, even in cities!
These beautiful turquoise culottes are made from 60% organic cotton and 40% linen, ensuring sustainable and biodegradable solutions without compromising on style or comfort. Not only that, their production methods reduce 70% less water and 60% less energy than conventional cotton production whilst also improving soil health through rotating crop cycles and restoring organic matter.
Karstonepaper
Originally founded in Sydney, Australia, but quickly expanding globally with fast delivery to the UK from Europe, Karstonepaper sell the highest quality zero waste notebooks on the market. Their innovative, sustainable solutions provide a frictionless writing experience aimed at changing your future, whilst preserving planetary resources. Using 100% upcycled materials that would have otherwise been wasted during the traditional paper-making process, Karstonepaper has been able to reduce their carbon footprint by 67% and still continue to offset the rest to make our purchases carbon neutral. Any environmentally-focused student, writer or worker will appreciate these efforts as we prepare to return to our studies, offices or studios this Autumn.
Why not treat yourself to a sustainable notebook? This brand makes them from 100% recycled material, which means students and working professionals alike can enjoy the perfect solution to a century-old problem. Not only does it look beautiful and minimalist in a range of pastel and dark colours, but it is also completely waterproof and tree-free, being made from up-cycled stone. Now that summer is coming to an end, knowing we have a notebook that will be protected from the unpredictable UK rain, look good, and do good is priceless.
Kinship
Focused on protecting your skin and the Great Barrier reef, Kinship offer eco-friendly, cruelty-free skincare products that use plant-based probiotics to support clear skin. Kinship also spend a lot of time perfecting their supply chain to make It as sustainable as possible and we appreciate their transparency on the issue. Interestingly, their recent additions include toxin-free, 100% recycled plastic which has been collected by Kinship themselves from oceans around the world. Plastic is not ideal as a packaging material as even recycled plastic has a finite lifespan, however placing a value on plastic already in circulation is only a good thing as it encourages virgin plastic to stay in the ground! In terms of packaging, their creativity and focus on innovation really sets the standard, offering unique QR codes on every piece of plastic packaging. We then have the opportunity to scan and check where exactly our packaging came from in the world, truly encouraging a traceable supply chain that we think every organisation should be doing.
What do you think?
This essential skincare set is perfect for colder weather as it helps reduce redness, dryness, and plastic waste! The perfect combination.
After winning multiple awards for both sustainability and innovation, Kinship has devoted countless hours to removing plastic from the world’s oceans. 1.5 tonnes of plastic waste has been removed and upcycled to create their super cute packaging, 50% from oceans and 50% is post-consumer waste. They are cruelty-free and educate their community on the best ways to recycle their products and packaging.
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