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  • EcoBirdy is Making the Most Out of Plastic Waste

    the unwash review

    Belgium-based brand EcoBirdy is giving new life to tossed and unused plastic children’s toys. The brand repurposes plastic waste to create thoughtful design furniture, with a collection dedicated to kids. EcoBirdy is B-Corporation certified and has created its own system for sustainably recycling plastic toys. All of their furniture is completely made from recycled plastic which includes kids-sized pieces and artful lounge furniture. Ensuring proper education around upcycling and the circularity of our products is part of the brand’s mission which is incorporated through education elements alongside their furniture sales. Their furniture and recycling process gives kids and adults alike a glimpse into how to repurpose items.

    The plastic used for their furniture pieces is gathered and recycled in Europe ensuring fair practices. The brand promotes circularity and social responsibility. The furniture line launched in 2018 and originally was solely children’s furniture but has expanded into versatile pieces that could be used for any room in your home, even outdoors. EcoBirdy is focused on a circular economy and introduces children to this concept at a young age. Being able to show children that their toys can be recycled into something purposeful hopefully will create a better understanding not only about the items we purchase but also their environmental impact. Along with their large furniture pieces the brand also manufactures small storage bins in unique animal shapes. The bins are shaped like Kiwi birds and Rhinos to create awareness for these endangered animals.

    “By giving old plastic a new life, our aim is to free our ecosystem from its pernicious impact.” – Vanessa Yuan and Joris Vanbriel, EcoBirdy Founders

    The brand’s founders come from diverse backgrounds in the fashion and design industries, and their drive to create solutions to environmental problems brought them together for the creation of EcoBirdy. Together they spent two years researching the most effective and sustainable ways to recycle children’s toys which are notoriously hard to recycle. Plastic waste is a problem that continues to grow and is especially prevalent in toys that EcoBirdy is working to create solutions for. Beautiful furniture pieces aren’t all that this brand offers. The founders are vigilant about bringing things full circle and adding an educational component to their business. They launched a fun children’s book that follows the life of a plastic scooter that doesn’t want to end up in a landfill or as waste in the ocean so it finds its way to EcoBirdy’s recycling center. This inspires children to learn about upcycling and eventually make their own contributions. 

    Everything EcoBirdy aims at creating an educational experience on top of its functional designs. Their designs spark conversation about important topics such as sustainability and circularity with people of all ages and interests. Something beautiful, unique, and artful can come from waste, the extra effort to utilize recycling in the furniture industry creates a truly one-of-a-kind product. An element that stands out in EcoBirdy’s designs is the multi-color specs seen from different plastic pieces, giving a second life to what was once trash.

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    Great Wrap

    Composting is a simple and enjoyable way to minimize your environmental footprint. If you’re curious about exploring the best composting solution for your lifestyle and living space, Great Wrap’s website is a great place to start. The rapidly changing world of packaging may be intimidating, but Great Wrap makes it easy to end your reliance on traditional plastics by promoting circularity in your kitchen.

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    Davids Toothpaste

    Davids Toothpaste has performed thousands of hours of research to define the best natural and clean ingredients for removing plaque, whitening teeth, and freshening your breath. I feel clean and fresh after using the sensitive+whitening peppermint toothpaste, tongue scraper, and bamboo toothbrush, and the low-waste products serve as my morning reminder to make sustainable choices throughout the day.

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    Wilde House Paper

    Wilde House Paper creates stationary with the mission of cultivating connection. We first came across the brand through their popular Cultivating Conversations card deck which offers a series of questions to play with others or reflect inward on topics of self-discovery, emotions, and goals. Wilde House Paper puts clear intention into all of their products but also offering a sustainable option in a space with more limited sustainable choices. 

    Sustainable Home Organization with Sort Joy

    the unwash review

    Finding sustainable everyday home products can feel a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Most organizing solutions whether it be for home organization or on-the-go are made of virgin plastic and aren’t built to last. Sort Joy saw the need to fill the lack of sustainable options for storage products and chose to take their own approach by leaning into intention-led design. Their products offer high-quality, design-driven storage solutions that are multifunctional for all areas of life, all at a reasonable price point. Organizers are often meant to be hidden but Sort Joy’s bins, trays, and bags are a beautiful accessory to any room in your home. 

    Founders Stefani and Alexa have organizing and interior design backgrounds, seeing firsthand the need for better organizing product options. Sort Joy is focused on function and gives a more elevated feel than traditional plastic alternatives. Their products are designed with every room of your home in mind. Whether you’re looking for storage for your closet, pantry, or even playroom, they’ve thought of it. Their storage solutions come in different shapes, sizes, and colors all made with durability at the forefront, including top-handle felt bins, sculpted recycled plastic bins, foldable felt bins, and trays. Their felt bins are made from recycled felt material and their sturdy plastic bins and trays are composed of recycled plastic materials. Instead of plastic or sticker labels, you can purchase stainless steel labels that are built to last and recyclable.

    “Alexa, and I were certain that we wanted to bring to life a company that cared about the well-being of our clients as well as that of the earth. We are a purpose-forward and earth-friendly source for home goods, providing sustainable alternatives to our competitors.” – Stefani Herr, Sort Joy Co-Founder

    All of Sort Joy’s products are made from recycled materials including PET plastics and stainless steel. All of their products are manufactured to minimize waste which includes creating smaller batches of material to rescue access waste creation. The brand is on the path towards being plastic-neutral and works in collaboration with CleanHub to fund the recovery of ocean-bound plastics and to create local jobs in the sustainability field. During the brand’s inception, founders Stefani and Alexa wanted their product to have an impact on their community by not only creating a brand that would have a positive impact on their customers’ lives and the environment but also going past that. This is engrained in the brand’s ethos of intentionality, joy, and mindfulness. 

    Organizing products is often overlooked when searching for sustainable alternatives, leaving people to opt for DIY solutions or the dreaded plastic bins. Sort Joy eliminates the need to reach for plastic bins and bags, offering elevated materials and design that prioritizes sustainability. All of the brand’s products have a multi-use aspect and don’t need to be confined solely to home organization, also adding to the product lifespan rather than tossing it when it seems like you may not need it anymore. Innovating daily-use products that we regularly use is a continued need in the sustainability space, making it more accessible especially for those just beginning to choose sustainable swaps. Sort Joy puts their focus on the consumer to ensure a positive experience that also gives back to the environment.

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    Ries

    Ries is a line of TSA-size approved refillable containers retailing at $18. The bottles are crafted from post-consumer recycled plastic and created with the purpose of consistent reuse. Graham saw the plastic problem in the beauty industry and wanted to innovate how we reuse plastics. Being a new brand, this is just the beginning for Ries. The brand continues to test different materials for use to be as conscious of its sustainability as possible. Ries puts value on the circularity of their product and hopes choices like using up-cycled materials will become more of a norm in the beauty industry.

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    EcoBirdy

    Belgium-based brand EcoBirdy is giving new life to tossed and unused plastic children’s toys. The brand repurposes plastic waste to create thoughtful design furniture, with a collection dedicated to kids. EcoBirdy is B-Corporation certified and has created its own system for sustainably recycling plastic toys. All of their furniture is completely made from recycled plastic which includes kids-sized pieces and artful lounge furniture

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    Wilde House Paper

    Wilde House Paper creates stationary with the mission of cultivating connection. We first came across the brand through their popular Cultivating Conversations card deck which offers a series of questions to play with others or reflect inward on topics of self-discovery, emotions, and goals. When it comes to buying things for our everyday life, such as the notepad we write our grocery list on or the yearly planner we buy, there’s typically not much thought that goes into it.

    The Only Holiday Gift Guide You Need

    the unwash: guide

    Ah, it’s that time of year again when gift-giving is upon us. This is maybe one of the hardest times of the year to continue the plight of choosing sustainable living. It’s the season of one and done. Gift wrap, ribbon, and tape will find their way to the trash. Gifts that might not be used and the endless packaging that comes with them. When combating waste around gift giving you should choose from three categories, keeping gifts practical, taking a less is more approach, or opting for experiences all of which are keys to a more sustainable holiday season. One of the biggest goals that should be in mind is ensuring that the gifts you give will be used and won’t end up in the trash or sitting in the back of a closet for the year. Explore zero or minimal-waste brands, thrifted finds, or experiences to share with a friend this holiday season.

    For the personal care lover:

    Corpus Body Creme in the scent ‘Green’

    Somehow it’s only recently that we came across ‘Green’ by Corpus. Wow. That’s all we have to say. We’ve smelled the Rose and Santal scents by Corpus but for some reason never their signature Green fragrance. Truly, it’s indescribable. It’s fresh, clean, and has the right amount of citrus but is truly incomparable to anything else. The body creme is perfectly luxurious and hydrating, great for the person in your life who loves a luxury body care moment. Body lotions can seem like a bit of a throwaway gift but this right here is what you want to get. One thing that stood out to me when smelling this is that it’s very mysterious and almost indescribable. 

    Everyday Oil

    If there is a product that can do it all this is it. This oil blend is the ideal consistency, not too thin, and amazingly hydrating. You can use this product for just about everything, freshening up your hair, an all-over body or face oil, and even a cleansing oil. This might take the cake for a top sustainable product because of its multi-use capabilities making it a go-to pick for a minimalist routine. Aside from being a sustainable product, the scent is reminiscent of a spa day leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 

    For the most fashionable people in your life: 

    Completedworks Pearl Earrings 

    Bows are all the rage right now but these bow-inspired earrings will stand the test of time not just be a trend. Completedworks is a fan favorite at The Unwash. A theme on this list is brands that embody sustainability, transparency, and ethical consumption which is a large part of our draw towards Completedworks. Anna Jewsbury is such a master of her craft which is emulated in every piece she creates. These earrings could be dressed up for a special occasion or be a statement piece for an everyday look. All of Completedworks products are made of recycled metal, the Loop-the-Loop earrings are made of recycled gold vermeil. 

    Attire the Studio Wool Trench Coat 

    You really can’t go wrong with a good coat. But ditch the fast fashion…obviously. We appreciate Attire’s commitment to transparency while committing to high-end staples that are built to last, unlike something you’d buy at Revolve or Zara. Their Wool Trench Coat is a great gift because it has a cool, more unique tailoring than what you typically see. In the winter your coat does most of the talking and a good coat is the perfect statement piece. This coat is great for every occasion and will keep you warm whether it’s in the fall or a freezing winter evening. If you’re going to buy a new piece of clothing rather than second-hand, brands like Attire are the best option to ensure your money supports safe work environments, sustainability, and quality pieces. 

    Vestiaire Collective Gift Card

    This is where the practical comes in. If you want to shop not only sustainable but also price-conscious, go secondhand. Whether you’ve taken the plunge or not to get into secondhand shopping this is a great way to start or even give a friendly nudge to someone else. Why spend full price on a new pair of shoes or bag when you can get the exact same ones just lightly worn or even new with tags, the options are seemingly endless. Vestiaire Collective is our personal favorite for online second-hand and vintage shopping but you can also opt for a local vintage store to support a small business. Plus, we love that Vestiaire Collective has banned the sale of fast fashion brands on their platform.

    Hosts, parents, or even a work colleague:

    Wilde House Paper Cultivate Conversations Card Deck

    Wild House Paper is a great brand that makes sustainable stationary items. But, their piece de resistance is their Cultivating Conversation card game. A conversation-based card game that’s sustainable? Count us in! These cards can be used with others or yourself to reflect and get curious. The primary topics are present, future, soul, self, inspiration, and emotions. This is a great time to connect with others or connect inward during hectic times.

    Henry Rose Candle in Torn

    A lot of Henry Rose scents are not the safest for a blind buy as many of them are unique and unexpected. Torn is one of their best-selling fragrances and it’s worthy of that. The scent is warm, vanilla-based, and has a bit of spice. This fragrance will warm up any house and would be loved by the person in your life who loves to host, parents, or even someone that you aren’t sure what you should get them. Candles can be a bit of a generic gift but Henry Rose scents are fantastic, plus this is a wonderful way to introduce someone to the brand. We apologize in advance if this turns them into a Henry Rose devotee, it definitely happened to us. 

    The person who loves a clean and tidy space: 

    Dedcool Detergent

    Getting someone household goods or cleaning supplies could seem like a pretty weird holiday gift but bear with us. Similar to the Henry Rose candle, Dedcool’s detergent is an awesome gift for someone who is already a fan of the brand and wants to match their fragrance to their laundry or an opportunity to show it off to someone new. This doesn’t look like typical detergent in its sleek aluminum container, you could always add in a fragrance, room spray, or their new pet shampoo to create an entire gifting experience. Our go-to scent for the detergent is ‘Taunt’ but you can’t go wrong with any of the options. 

    Biom Refillable Wipes

    Another sleek yet practical gift. Biom’s wipes come in a gorgeous refillable container that deserves a spot on the counter. Plus, they are compostable and biodegradable. No more plastic containers or throwing all your cleaning supplies under the sink. Once again, this could seem like a silly gift but we all have that person that loves a clean house and would be thrilled to upgrade their cleaning game. These come in a variety of purposes including hand sanitizing and all-purpose. Whether you want something fresh, citrusy, or woodsy, they have a scent for you but their recent collaboration with Corpus could be a great gift before it sells out.

    Makeup gurus: 

    Noto Botanics x Curran Defy Highlighter

    All of the makeup products from Noto Botanics really embrace the ‘your skin but better’ motto. The brand is committed to inclusion, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community, and gives a portion of its proceeds back to various non-profits in the community. Recently they partnered with Curran, a space for queer and trans creativity founded by Tommy Dorfman. The collaboration is a beautiful duo-chrome highlighter that transitions from a pearlescence glow to a purple shimmer. 

    Saie Beauty Glossy Bounce

    A tried and true. Gloss is everything right now. It’s on the lids, and the lips, the glossy look is here to stay for a while. It’s very reminiscent of when the Bath & Body Works lip balms were all the rage in the early 2000s. Glossy Bounce is a gloss lip oil hybrid that delivers long-lasting hydration and pigmented color payoff. This product gives a natural-looking shine and plumpness but without the stickiness that can come with a traditional gloss. To tie in with the holiday vibe we would reach for the shades Dream, a soft berry, and Push, a soft brown. You’ll be ready for a kiss under the mistletoe. 

    Half Magic Compostable Eye Shadow

    Half Magic has been on our radar for a while now but their eyeshadow singles in compostable packaging is beyond awesome. Don’t quote us on this, but this could be one of the first times true compostable packaging was used in makeup. Half Magic is the brainchild of Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy, her line gives high pigment in bright colors and lots of sparkle. The brand’s eyeshadow singles are sold singularly in completely compostable packaging. You can either choose to stick with buying singles which are great for on-the-go or if you don’t need a ton of shades or you can opt for their forever palette which allows you to build your own shade range.

    For your kids, nieces and nephews, or any kiddos:

    Shore Buddies

    This brand has been making adorable stuffed animals made from recycled ocean plastics since 2014. Their lineup features primarily ocean animals that are the most impacted by the plastic crisis such as turtles and whales. Their ‘Sammy the Seal’ stuffed animal stole our hearts with how cute it is. We love that Shore Buddies teaches children about the importance of environmental preservation from a young age. 

    Ecobirdy Art Corner Set

    Want to splurge on sustainable furniture? Then EcoBirdy is for you. The brand’s kids line is made from trashed children’s toys and turned into furniture that’s built to last. Their kids sets include a children-sized table and chairs coming in various color options including pink, blue, white, and yellow. The art corner set is a mix of their colorways and a perfect art station for your kiddos. They also make high-end furniture pieces for anywhere in your home. 

    Francis River Clothing

    Australian brand, Francis River is crafting adorable kids’ clothing with transparency at the helm. All of their pieces are created using deadstock fabric to help combat overproduction in the fashion industry. The brand partnered with TTK Collective to ensure an ethical manufacturing process including guaranteed livable wages and safe working environments Their current line features basics such as tops and sweatshirts made to fit oversized for growing kids in sizes ranging from 6 months to 5 years.

    Fair and Green Toys

    Finding sustainable toys that don’t fall into the dreaded beige aesthetic can be a little difficult. Fair and Green puts a sustainable spin on classic children’s toys such as stacking games, rattles, and cars. All of their products are crafted from sustainably sourced wood and natural, locally sourced dyes. Fair and Green is committed to keeping the art of toy making alive and takes deep pride in their quality craftsmanship. The brand gives back to their local community and is Fair Trade certified. 

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    Noto Botanics

    Noto Botanics is an inclusive skincare and beauty brand that is focused on making an impact, especially in the LGBTQIA+ community. The brand is multi-use for an array of skincare needs with its minimalist, streamlined product line. Their line includes moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and lip and cheek tints. Noto Botanics is just as much about its products as they are about its mission. The brand’s DNA is rooted in inclusivity, community, and giving back.

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    Organic Basics

    Organic Basics was focused on organic boxer briefs but due to their success and a market need, they’ve since expanded into a wide range of basics for everyone. From the start the brand is in the business of providing an honest, sustainable, and ethical product, putting their values at the forefront. The brand is B Corporation certified and carbon neutral certified from One Carbon World, along with various other certifications including earning PETA’s stamp of approval. Sustainability means something different to everyone which rings true for Organic Basics as they work to be values-driven across a wide spectrum. 

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    Wilde House Paper

    Wilde House Paper creates stationary with the mission of cultivating connection. When it comes to buying things for our everyday life, such as the notepad we write our grocery list on or the yearly planner we buy, there’s typically not much thought that goes into it. Wilde House Paper changes this by not only putting clear intention into all of their products but also offering a sustainable option in a space with more limited sustainable choices.

    Sustainable Stationary That’s Cultivating Connection

    the unwash review

    When it comes to sustainable swaps it can be easy to first focus on the bigger items. Beauty, clothing, personal care. But what about the things that we don’t realize need a more sustainable upgrade? Or the items we use every day and might not even think about the environmental impact of. Wilde House Paper creates stationary with the mission of cultivating connection. We first came across the brand through their popular Cultivating Conversations card deck which offers a series of questions to play with others or reflect inward on topics of self-discovery, emotions, and goals. When it comes to buying things for our everyday life, such as the notepad we write our grocery list on or the yearly planner we buy, there’s typically not much thought that goes into it. Wilde House Paper changes this by not only putting clear intention into all of their products but also offering a sustainable option in a space with more limited sustainable choices.

    The brand has a diverse product range including calendars, planners, to-do list pads, and guided journals. They also have more niche products such as their balance bingo and self-reflection pad which aim to help us find balance in our hectic lives. Wilde House Paper takes a more focused approach to items that people are already reaching for and adds a nuanced touch that keeps consumers coming back for more. It’s not just about buying a journal or getting a cute card game to play with friends, these are products made with the intent of fostering connection and reflection for the user. Outside of their more traditional stationary line, the brand sells contemporary-esque-style framed art prints that go along with the brand’s grounded feel.

    “I find sustainability the most impactful when you are able to personally relate it to your daily consumption and everyday decisions. Being a company that primarily uses paper as our medium, our sustainable efforts are easy to envision as everyone is surrounded by what paper is made from: trees.” – Megan Heddinger, Wilde House Paper Founder

    All of their products are made from recycled paper sourced from various paper mills across the United States and upcycled cotton fibers gathered from fashion industry waste. All of the prints are done in California with printing facilities that are focused on greater sustainability efforts. Being a California-based brand they first hand see the impact the climate crisis is having on coastal communities and want their products to be part of a solution. Wilde House Paper is a member of One Tree Planted and ensures that one tree is planted in its home state for every order received. They’re almost 100% plastic-free and opt for packing options such as dissolvable packing peanuts, recycled tissue paper, and paper tape to create an easier recycling process for consumers.

    Wilde House Paper is a great option for sustainable stationery that can be utilized every day and shared with our friends or community. These products are also an easy way to introduce a friend to more sustainable brands and show a different side of what being environmentally conscious means. We love how stationery allows for moments of reprieve away from our screens that we’re constantly glued to, opening us up for the ability to further connect with what is going on outside us and with the environment. Wilde House Paper is all about leading with intention and carried out through every aspect of the brand. The paper industry definitely isn’t a sustainability leader but Wilde House Paper and those that follow suit are bringing greater options for consumers to be able to enjoy paper goods in a way we can feel good about.

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    Organic Basics

    Copenhagen-based brand, Organic Basics hit the scene in 2015 to make sustainable and affordable everyday basics. The founders, a group of friends, were frustrated with the limited options for quality underwear. Originally Organic Basics was focused on organic boxer briefs but due to their success and a market need, they’ve since expanded into a wide range of basics for everyone. From the start the brand is in the business of providing an honest, sustainable, and ethical product, putting their values at the forefront.

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    Everyday Oil

    Everyday Oil is exactly as it sounds, an oil for every day, for every use. Formulated for a variety of uses to embrace a minimalist self-care routine, Everyday Oil is a unique powerhouse product. The oil blend is certified-organic, cold-pressed, containing distilled botanicals. The simple yet effective, high-quality product works as a multi-faceted hydrator for all of your skin, body, and hair needs. The brand’s core embraces simplicity and quality, making an easy-to-use, no-fuss oil.

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    The Dirt Company

    The Dirt Company is on a mission to clean up the planet while cleaning your clothes. This small Australian team began working in 2013 to create a zero-waste laundry system using recycled and refillable products. With their Refill, Return System, customers replace bulky plastic jugs with sleek, durable glass dispenser bottles. The bottles come pre-filled with their top-rated, highly concentrated, plant-based laundry detergent. Their biodegradable concentrates deliver more loads per bottle and contain better-quality natural ingredients, such as high-performing enzymes.

    Clean Beauty Doesn’t Mean Sustainable

    the unwash: sustainability

    Clean beauty has become almost synonymous with sustainability to consumers who are none the wiser, primarily in part due to misleading marketing tactics that muddle both of the terms. Green or brown labels, the use of leaves or foliage in logos, and the dreaded plain cardboard packaging easily decepts consumers. Most of these are used by brands claiming ‘clean’ status, not those using these for solely sustainability purposes. Major companies such as Sephora tag their ‘clean-certified’ products with a green leaf logo which isn’t something that makes it abundantly clear to a shopper that this does not equate to a sustainable product. There’s a fine line between deception and truth leaving consumers to their own devices, hoping their purchase is what it seems to be.

    Clean isn’t a term that backs any sustainability claims. ‘Clean’ ingredients or sourcing does not mean it is sustainable. It’s easy to think that less processed or un-dyed ingredients could have a positive environmental impact but there isn’t any correlation between the two. A dig around the internet brought us to a Harpers Bazaar article that classified clean as being safe for “people and the planet” and that the ingredients used account for “human and environmental health”. If this were the case, these products wouldn’t be sold at mass retailers, packaged in plastic, or ending up in landfills all of which are reductive to this claim. So what does clean even mean? This typically refers to products that use natural ingredients. Well, what is a natural ingredient? Isn’t everything technically…natural? Here’s the thing, just about everything is natural or naturally occurring, all chemicals are natural (the horror!) and are needed to create everything including the air we breathe but we can put that aside for now. Most of these brands opt for plant-based products and ditch ingredients such as formaldehyde, phthalates, or hydroquinone. Clean is a term that is completely unregulated and unsubstantiated whether you like it or not. There’s an opportunity for regulation and serious claims but this just hasn’t happened yet. Unlike opting for stating clean ingredients are being used, many brands use organic ingredients that follow strict regulations and guidelines but not all brands are created equal.

    “As I walked around the store, different brands across all categories, from makeup to hair, had these “clean beauty” markers. Some carried the label because they used clean ingredients, others because they are cruelty-free, while some brands had the tag because of sustainable packaging. I couldn’t find one brand that met all of the retailer’s criteria for their “clean beauty” standard: clean ingredients, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainable packaging, and a positive environmental impact.” – Sophia Li, Refinery29 Contributor

    Now, does the use of plant-based ingredients yield a better outcome for environmental impact? In short, no. At the end of the day, everything biodegrates whether it be in 10 days or 10,000 years. What we can do is better understand what happens in the process. Are microplastics being released? Are certain ingredients able to biodegrade at a faster rate than others? All of these questions can paint a better picture of what the lifecycle of a product looks like but a clean brand versus a sustainable but not ‘clean’ brand could have identical outcomes regardless of ingredients. Many brands are leaning into biochemistry to assess this exact issue.

    The lack of regulations for sustainable products and the abundance of greenwashing often cause actual sustainable brands to have little differentiation from one that is greenwashing to the general consumer. Brands that are at the forefront of creating sustainable innovation back their claims with lifecycle analysis, supply chain transparency, quarterly reports, and more to ensure trust with buyers. If you’re shopping from a retailer online or in-store this information isn’t readily available, making it hard to comprehend the difference between all of the different claims, certifications, and jargon being thrown around in the beauty aisle. To make it as simple as possible, a sustainable brand is working towards creating as little waste as possible. This doesn’t mean that the only goal is that the product you take home will be zero-waste and that’s it. These brands are looking at the entirety of a product from the sourcing and manufacturing process to years after you recycle, compost, or throw it away. This is where the term clean gets lumped into this. Brands that are hoping to create more sustainable options for everyday consumers also have to look at what’s inside the packaging. Zero-waste or recyclable packaging is great but understanding how the formula interacts with the environment is of importance.

    Let’s look at how two different brands approach this. Dieux is an ever-popular skincare brand that rejects the term clean or natural and rather embraces science. On their social media, they often dive into their ingredients by explaining the pros of components such as lactic acid, glycerin, and petrolatum. They go on to explain their packaging such as why they opt for aluminum as much as possible and when plastic might be a need. Corpus is a body care brand that uses both natural and clean terminology and prefers for its formulas to be powered by plant-based ingredients. Lots of plant oils and extracts such as grape seed oil, cocoa butter, and rosemary leaf extract are used. Both brands use various modes of sustainable packaging including glass or aluminum and are transparent about their practices and goals. Despite one leaning into the clean branding, it doesn’t mean one has inherently better outcomes than the other or that they are even remotely similar to each other. Both are very different in practice but could be classified under the same umbrella in the beauty aisle because of how marketing has encroached on these topics. When purchasing clean beauty products consumers need to understand that if they’re hoping this automatically means sustainable, it doesn’t, and that there is much need for clarity in the beauty industry.

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    Dieux

    The brand and its founders have been refreshingly honest about their takes on sustainability and ‘clean beauty’ rather than limiting themselves to any category or relying on such categorization for marketing purposes. They focus on being up-front with their consumers and working outside the box – Dieux is truly an impact-driven brand. Dieux uses sustainable packaging when available and is dedicated to helping people cut down their skincare routine to avoid buying more unnecessary products but utilizing fewer products that make a larger impact.

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    Submission Beauty

    Submission Beauty is a completely plastic-free beauty brand that embraces maximalism with its biodegradable glitter. Traditional glitter products are not completely body safe and do not completely disintegrate even years after disposal. Submission Beauty is changing this by making a body-safe, plastic-free, biodegradable, luxury glitter.

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    Common Heir

    Common Heir saw an opportunity to create a gateway into using more sustainable products, without only catering to an audience that solely sought after zero-waste products. The company shows that there’s more to a sustainable lifestyle than just the term ‘zero-waste’. Their product line is both vegan and cruelty-free. Their current product line can build the perfect, streamlined skincare routine to tackle all your skincare needs including brightness, resurfacing, and hydration.

    Nopalera, The Mexican Body Care Brand Creating Space in the Industry

    the unwash review

    Nopalera is a skin and body care brand inspired by the founder’s Mexican roots. The brand focuses on formulations infused with Mexican botanicals, highlighting the rich natural agriculture 

    of Mexico. Their namesake products include various cactus soaps, moisturizing body bars, and exfoliants. Nopalera has gained a massive audience and beloved consumer base in the few short years since it launched. The brand’s popularity comes as no surprise due to its commitment to providing the highest-quality beauty products. All of their products significantly cut down on water waste which is an ongoing issue in the beauty industry. Through eliminating certain components and ingredients Nopalera can focus on low-waste formulation and packaging that encourages upcycling and recycling. 

    The brand was founded by professional musician Sandra Lilia Velasquez at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. With just three years in business, Nopalera has amassed a huge fan base and can be found in stores such as Credo Beauty and Nordstrom. Their fanbase swears by their products and the outstanding payoff. The brand is very much rooted in Velasquez’s pride in her Mexican heritage and doesn’t succumb to Eurocentric beauty standards. Inspiration for the brand came from the resourcefulness and determination she witnessed from her immigrant parents. Velasquez plans for the future of Nopalera to include large enough growth to be able to take other Latina business owners under her wing and provide personalized mentoring to bring more Latinx companies into the industry with confidence.

    “There was a lack of high-end Latina brands on the market. A brand like Nopalera was long overdue. The community was ready, and our success is a testament to that”. – Nopalera Founder, Sandra Velasquez

    The majority of Nopaleras products use nopal cactus as a spotlight ingredient. Nopal also known as prickly bear is a sustainable crop that can withstand extreme temperatures and have a variety of usages. Nopal is even on the Mexican flag, circling back to Velasquez’s heritage being the foundation for the brand. It’s a valuable food source and crop for areas with severe climates, especially droughts, being one of the most versatile plants. Nopalera’s commitment to sustainability comes from the inside out with their formulas being powered by nopal and conscious ingredient sourcing. The choice of their key ingredient being nopales came from Velasquez being surrounded by them while visiting family and formulating products herself with what was available to her. The brand launched with its zero-waste moisturizing body bars and soaps. Newer additions include their exfoliant scrubs, shower gel, and cactus cream which come in glass and aluminum packaging.

    Nopalera is an example of a brand that didn’t need to launch with the sole mission of being sustainable but rather is engrained in its DNA. To us, sustainability isn’t just about the environmental impact but also the impact on people. Nopalera is driven to uplift its community and pave the way for other Latinx-owned brands. This opens the door for brands like Nopalera to be a point of inspiration and set a standard for the simple ways a brand can do better for the earth and our communities.

    01

    Rif Care

    Their 100% plant-based and biodegradable menstrual pads are carbon neutral by design. The brand uses leftover fibers from hemp oil production to create its premium product line. Regenerative hemp farming uses less water than cotton, grows without pesticides, and reverses the effects of climate change by capturing, securing, and storing CO2 in the ground to improve air and soil quality. 

    02

    Ceremonia

    Baba Rivera’s hair care line, Ceremonia, embraces her Latinx roots and creates spaces for the Latinx community within an industry that often lacks mainstream minority representation. Just as we take avid care of our skin, Baba believes we need to give our hair the same TLC to enhance one’s natural beauty – not change it. Ceremonia is a brand inspired by the traditions of Baba’s childhood and the larger Latinx community focusing on hair.

    03

    Krave Beauty

    Krave Beauty proved that it’s okay to put your brand on pause to ensure you’re providing the best experience possible for people and the planet. The brand’s return was highly anticipated and worth the reset. Krave Beauty is committed to the long-term investment in making its brand as friendly towards the Earth as possible, all while cultivating an uplifting community of inclusivity. The brand commits 50% of its partnerships to creators of color, those in the LGBTQ+ community, and those disabled to reflect their consumer base in their campaigns.

    Amplifying Sustainable Change in Fashion with Brett Staniland

    the unwash: exclusive interview

    Brett Staniland is a model turned climate activist who focuses much of his work on the human impact of the fashion industry. Formerly, Brett appeared on Love Island and was the show’s first contestant who turned down clothing from fast-fashion sponsors but his choices around this and his activist background were given little airtime due to the competing interests of sponsors. Since then, Love Island has dropped its fast fashion sponsors and is now powered by eBay. Brett’s platform is much of an educational hub to learn about different issues within the climate movement and find inspiration for sustainability within the fashion industry. We sat down to discuss fast fashion, sustainability misconceptions, and how we can start cultivating change. 

    Could you start by giving our readers some background on who you are and your advocacy work?

    I started as a model, I was scouted while talking down the street with my twin brother. At the time I had just started my PhD and from there maintained both careers side by side. Bit by bit I started to become aware of how much waste was involved in the industry. I ended up doubling down on sustainability with my personal work and chose to work with more responsible brands and became active in denouncing the exploitative practices of fast fashion. I took to social media for that and I had a bit of a following at the time from modeling and created a platform where I use it for more of an educational tool. In the last couple of years, I’ve moved into writing and consultancy, really focusing on using my platform in the best way that I can. 

    How many people came to know you is through Love Island. Now that Love Island has changed sponsors to Ebay since your original appearance do you think you would be perceived differently if you were to have been on the show after this? 

    Being on the show and watching back the parts that were aired to the public I was thinking about how much they cut out that showed who I am and my values. When I went home people were thinking I’m a big Tory and questioning my political beliefs. Realistically, I’m a big progressive, environmentalist, and activist and when you’re all of those things on a show with a massive fast fashion sponsor they’re never going to air those things because they think it wouldn’t resonate with the viewers. Now, if I were going to go back and do the show it would be a totally different experience because I’d actually be able to talk about fashion and all the things I’ve spent the last decade doing which would be much more easily aired now since they aren’t protecting their main investor in the show which was a fast fashion sponsor. 

    I think a lot of young viewers would relate to you now as there’s been a shift in perspective on fast fashion, you’d be perceived a lot differently.

    There’s been such a shift with people now being interested in second-hand fashion in particular, even on social media there are more and more people doing vintage and thrift store finds which is a massive change. People will come up to me saying ‘Oh my gosh I just found this on eBay and I wouldn’t have found it if it wasn’t for your work.’ Those kinds of interactions have increased massively since the change in sponsors. I think it’s such a great move for a huge show to make a big shift.

    “If you’re transparent that your main goal is to make the world a better place then people will get on board.” Brett Staniland, PhD & Activist

    What sparked your original interest in activism and sustainability? 

    My interest in sustainability was pivotal for me doing the show. I was the first contestant to ever go on and not accept any of the free clothes from the sponsor – being able to do that was pivotal in deciding if I would do the show or not. If I had to wear the sponsored clothes I wouldn’t have done it. From there I started doing protests and being really active against fast fashion. For me there were a few integral moments, mainly learning about people. You don’t connect to your clothing being made by an actual person. I thought if you could connect people with people maybe that would spark something inside them to start to have empathy and compassion to learn about where their clothes come from. That was the main driving force in my activism work being focused on garment workers and their safety. Rana Plaza was ten years ago which was a really big moment that really resonated with me and even now ten years later we can’t with confidence say this won’t happen again. 

    I feel like I’m getting you at a great time because yesterday the news of Eva Chen’s collaboration with H&M came out. It’s unsurprising when Kourtney Kardashian or Molly Mae and other influencers partner with Boohoo, Shein, or Pretty Little Thing but this comes with more shock in my opinion, how do you feel?

    It’s honestly bonkers. I’ve actually written out a comment that I was going to leave on her post. “While everyone in this shoot is very cute and lovely, I’d like to direct everyone to my pinned video about H&M if anyone is interested in greenwashing and what this brand actually stands for.” You’re absolutely right. I expect better from Eva Chen. I think she’s in a position where her persona is someone who is environmentally conscious, family-oriented, and is part of the higher end of the industry so seeing this H&M collaboration is wild to me and I really didn’t expect it. I’m also disappointed in Slow Factory for their involvement and taking on H&M as a client. I understand that Slow Factory has really big goals and targets that they need help to reach. Eva Chen is in a unique position where she doesn’t need fame, she doesn’t need popularity, she doesn’t need financial gains from doing these collaborations so realistically what is her gain by doing it? It’s super disappointing given her audience size as well. I think these people should set a precedent by turning down these jobs. I find myself, someone like me who never really bites their tongue, questioning if I should comment because I use Instagram for work, which I monetized over the last year. It’s challenging to navigate criticizing someone like this. But we have to be in a place where no one is immune from criticism. I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a video about it because it is such a disappointing move, especially given the H&M findings this year from the Swedish news outlet. So, it just seems like she’s succumbed to their greenwashing schemes. 

    H&M is an interesting brand as they often come out unscathed from the general fast fashion criticisms, seemingly flying under the radar in comparison to Zara, Boohoo, or Shein which adds extra dangers to the collaboration.

    They are so good at greenwashing and the aesthetic they provide by being a Scandinavian-based company that is usually connected with more environmentally conscious people and communities. This collaboration has a bonus as it revolves around children because it feels uncomfortable criticizing the campaign. I think H&M is one of the best in the world at greenwashing. If you go into their stores you see green or white tags making you subconsciously think they’re more sustainable. They also have a way of making people think they’re transparent through the way they market but really they’re not. 

    How do we as people with an interest in climate consciousness combat these collaborations and the noise from fast-fashion brands? 

    It’s tough because we’re trying to make something that doesn’t fit into capitalism, fit. That’s the bottom line. Fashion is our vehicle to relay information on sustainability and climate change. There are so many different conversations within the fashion industry that all come together. I think the best thing we can do is have a collective voice and almost a union within our industry. I also believe there comes a time when we might have to go on the inside of these brands to hold their hand and help them change. Some of these brands I don’t think should be allowed to get that privilege to get our help such as Boohoo, Amazon, H&M, and Zara, these billion-dollar corporations don’t deserve our help. Having a collective or group of people where we ask each other’s opinions on things going on is a good place to start. If you’re transparent that your main goal is to make the world a better place then people will get on board. 

    What should people look out for when deciding they want to purchase a new item? What brands do you think are positively aligned with the climate movement?

    Before I look for a new piece I look at my wardrobe and ask myself, ‘Do I have a piece that will already satisfy my need?’ and I think about the longevity of the items. Once I take all of that into consideration I look at whether it’s made of natural fibers, which is what I typically only buy, or if it’s a brand I feel aligned with. The shirt I’m wearing is one of the only new things I’ve bought this year and it’s from Zegna who as a brand have been around for years and have been always doing things in a great way which now would be considered sustainable. I typically look for things that are earth tones, not made for any specific season, and aren’t trend pieces. I think these are things everyone should try to consider.

    There are a lot of brands that have been around for such a long time but are often the ones doing it the best because it’s been ingrained in their values since day one but now is a bigger conversation piece. What is a common misconception about sustainability and sustainable fashion you run into with your work? 

    One is that people expect something to be perfect and it never is. Perfectionism and sustainability are a big challenge. People don’t understand the industry and expect perfection. Everyone and every brand is on a journey so we can’t expect something unrealistic. One I get on Instagram is people saying ‘Well you filmed this on an iPhone and guess where they’re made’ and that’s someone trying to make a point that detracts from the statement I’m making – trying to make me look like a hypocrite but it doesn’t make the things I talk about any less true. 

    I was listening to a podcast that you were on where you were talking about how people think sustainability is this granola aesthetic where people are wearing only flowy clothing, being a hardcore vegan, and having a persona that is deeply entrenched in this. Is that an idea people often come to you with? 

    This has been the longstanding association, it’s this weird vision that people think of when you say you’re into sustainability or a climate change advocate. Realistically you can be someone who is into fashion but also dedicated to sustainability, look at Glenn Martens who’s the designer at Diesel. I had a conversation with him where he talked about wanting to improve the brand yet when you think of Glen Martens that association people have of the sustainable aesthetic isn’t what comes to mind. I think this is part of why people are scared to label themselves as a climate change or sustainability advocate because they think ‘I’m not perfect enough to commit to that’.

     

    In your daily life, what does sustainability look like for you? Are there any aspects of sustainability that you struggle with?

    Day to day everything I do I try to do it locally. Since I live in London there’s a lot of accessibility to local shops or groceries. I don’t need a car since there’s loads of public transportation. There are small things in my life that I looked at and thought, ‘What are these things I’m doing the most that I could change?’ I like to live in the most minimal state possible that still is functional and expressive which is something that has come through a lot in my fashion sense and style, being very utilitarian. Everything has a purpose and meaning. 

    Are there aspects from your routine that sustainability beginners can adopt to start making changes in their own right?

    Look at what you buy the most of and see if you can get a better version of it. Years ago I’d be buying t-shirts for 7 pounds from H&M and going through easily one a month at university. Now I buy one that’s three times the price that will last me more than six months or a year, and I have shirts that are three or four years old. Looking at those frequent purchases and finding a way to do it better makes such a significant difference. Always ask yourself if you need it and take ownership of your decisions. 

    Social media has made it difficult for people to take a moment and think ‘Do I really need this’. You’ll see something and at the moment think it’s something you really want. You can buy it in one click and it adds no value to your life. It’s just another piece of clothing that doesn’t have longevity. Which is exactly what these companies want. 

    They’ve taught us to have such short attention spans and have convinced us that when we see these great deals or offers, it’s time-sensitive and makes us think ‘shit if I don’t get this now I’m not going to be able to get it’. Zara is amazing at this which makes their fast-fashion business slightly different from everyone else. If you go in the store and don’t buy something it’ll be gone immediately because they change their stock so frequently. Then the next time you go in you’ll think ‘I have to buy this now because it’ll be gone’, reinforcing that every time you go in you have to buy what you see which is prevalent on social media as well.

    You really have to rewire your brain to not lean into those urges.  

    You have to completely backpedal to what we used to be like. Growing up in a working-class family I almost feel lucky that I didn’t have that desire to constantly be getting something new. Since we didn’t have loads to spend it really made me think that if I’m going to buy something, it needs to be good and as I got older I had to revert to that thinking – if I was buying a polo shirt for 50 quid I had to hold onto it. 

    Are there any projects you’re currently working on that you’re looking forward to? 

    I can’t talk yet about something that’s coming out next year but it’ll be really exciting. I’m working on a book which is exciting for me, it’s an anthology. The premise of it is to essentially show people that we can have loads of roles in the fashion industry that already exist but in a more responsible way. If you want to be a consumer, an author, a designer, or a stylist, we can have all these roles that can be just as creative and fun but can do them all in more responsible ways. I’ve been talking to different experts and friends who will be featured throughout the book on these topics.

    Are there any other people in the industry or online that you’d suggest people look into for other sustainability resources? 

    I’m passionate about being positively influenced online so I’d like to shout out what I’d call the good influencers, my brother @twinscott, Aja Barber who is a brilliant author and a great person to follow online, and on Patreon, Venetia La Manna talks a lot about garment workers, @laurenthesunflower. I have a diverse group of people in my circle so I get a great mix of news and education. People like Aditi Mayer, who’s brilliant, and Lucy Sieglel. There’s more but these are some good ones to start. 

    Sustainability can be a taunting topic to begin diving into but Brett has found an ability to provide insightful information about such a large topic that is easy to digest. If you’re wanting to learn more about Brett or stay updated on his work you can find him on Instagram @twinbrett. Climate activists come on a broad spectrum even in the fashion industry. We’re at a point where meaningful change is necessary and positive voices such as Brett’s are needed at the forefront of the movement.

    01

    Suss Knits

    The mother-daughter duo behind Suss Knits is committed to slow and small batch fashion and keeping their manufacturing process as low waste as possible. Intending to create a knitwear line focused on sustainability, ethical production practices, and inclusivity, Suss is creating knits to be enjoyed by everyone. Inspired by their Swedish heritage, 80’s grunge, and inspiring individuality, the brand capitalizes on knit as an art form.

    02

    Completedworks

    Completedworks uses reclaimed, recycled, and ethically sourced materials such as marble, glass, bio-resin, and silver. The brand proves you don’t have to compromise design and style for sustainable practices but rather that the two can work in harmony to create timeless, wearable pieces. Sustainability is at the core of the brand’s ethos and the brand is committed to ensuring there is little to no negative environmental impact resulting from its products or shipping process.

    03

    Noto Botanics

    Noto Botanics is an inclusive skincare and beauty brand that is focused on making an impact, especially in the LGBTQIA+ community. The brand is multi-use for an array of skincare needs with its minimalist, streamlined product line. Their line includes moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and lip and cheek tints. Noto Botanics is just as much about its products as they are about its mission. The brand’s DNA is rooted in inclusivity, community, and giving back.

    Back to Basics with Organic Basics

    the unwash review

    Copenhagen-based brand, Organic Basics hit the scene in 2015 to make sustainable and affordable everyday basics. The founders, a group of friends, were frustrated with the limited options for quality underwear. Originally Organic Basics was focused on organic boxer briefs but due to their success and a market need, they’ve since expanded into a wide range of basics for everyone. From the start the brand is in the business of providing an honest, sustainable, and ethical product, putting their values at the forefront. The brand is B Corporation certified and carbon neutral certified from One Carbon World, along with various other certifications including earning PETA’s stamp of approval. Sustainability means something different to everyone which rings true for Organic Basics as they work to be values-driven across a wide spectrum.

    Three friends, Christoffer Immanuel, Mads Fibiger, and Alexander Christiansen came together to launch a brand that was a more values-driven alternative to mass-manufactured clothing companies. The textile industry is the third largest polluter and with this knowledge at hand, Organic Basics wanted to be part of the solution to this rather than adding to the problem. The company is rooted in a commitment to responsibility, quality, and transparency. Since their launch in 2015, they’ve become a closet staple for basics, undergarments, and loungewear. In 2022 the company was acquired which can slightly alter the DNA of a brand. Other brands acquired under the same umbrella company aren’t committed to sustainability on the same level as Organic Basics. An acquisition can allow brands to commit to sustainability on a larger scale with greater capital or on the other end of the spectrum, can inhibit their values and trustworthiness with consumers. Plenty of fan-favorite sustainable brands have been acquired yielding a wide range of results, the gray area makes it even more important for consumers to do research and make decisions that align with their values.

    “Curiosity and courage will take you far in sustainability development. Be bold and ask the ‘stupid’ questions when working with product development. Ask how you could optimize your design to limit waste, which sustainable fabrics you could implement.” – Christoffer Immanuel, Organic Basics Co-Founder

    Organic Basics provides transparent information about everything from their manufacturing process to factory information, and material standards. All of their products go through a life cycle assessment with Made2Flow which assesses every part of the manufacturing process starting from raw materials. Life cycle assessments are used to better understand the product’s impact from start to finish, past the point of consumer use – whether that product gets reused, recycled, or thrown out. These assessments are one of the best ways for a consumer to better understand their purchases and for brands to provide easy-to-understand transparency. Sustainability does not just refer to the impact on the planet but also the impact on people and their communities. Organic Basics is committed to providing an ethical environment for their workers which includes safe factory environments and ensuring liveable wages. 

    Look no further if you want a reliable destination to find sustainable everyday necessities. The brand is slated to come out with new clothing categories in 2023 including babywear. Brands like Organic Basics are setting a standard for the fashion industry and paving the way for a more sustainable future for fashion. Life cycle assessments, manufacturing transparency, and recycled materials should be the new normal, not the exception. Second-hand and re-used are always the most sustainable options but for new purchases, Organic Basics provides ample trust for consumers to find ethical products.

    01

    Underprotection

    Underprotection makes sustainability sexy with its environmentally conscious lingerie line. Based out of Copenhagen, the founders saw the need for a sustainable option for something we need every day – underwear. The brand came into the industry with hopes of sparking change as they were one of few sustainable options on the market. As the brand has grown they have stayed true to their commitment to being a sustainable, ethical, and high-quality choice for intimates.

    02

    DedCool

    A favorite fragrance brand among Gen-Z continues to make waves across various product categories. The brand is known for its fun, playful, and experimentative fragrance line and has recently pushed the boundaries by diving into laundry care, room fragrance, and even…bathroom drops, to name a few. The brand sets a precedent that all companies should take extra measures to create products with greater circularity in mind.

    03

    Noto Botanics

    Noto Botanics is an inclusive skincare and beauty brand that is focused on making an impact, especially in the LGBTQIA+ community. The brand is multi-use for an array of skincare needs with its minimalist, streamlined product line. Their line includes moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and lip and cheek tints. Noto Botanics is just as much about its products as they are about its mission. The brand’s DNA is rooted in inclusivity, community, and giving back.

    The Case Against Celebrity Endorsed ‘Sustainability’ Collections

    the unwash: social impact

    It feels like every brand is coming out with different collaborations in an attempt to create allure and cultivate consumer activity, though it’s less of a feeling and more of a reality. The tactic is nothing new but the latest trend, if you dare call it that, is celebrity and influencer-backed sustainable collections for fast fashion companies. An oxymoron at best. Whether it be celebrity-backed or not, sustainable capsule collections among fast fashion mega brands are turning into common practice. Even resale programs from brands such as Shein, Pretty Little Thing, and Zara meant to make for easier sustainable shopping launched last year but in reality, are riddled with mixed messages and greenwashing tactics. These collaborations and collections mark a shift in consumer interest yet fall flat on providing a meaningful outcome. 

    The 2022 Boohoo announcement naming Kourtney Kardashian as the brand’s new sustainability ambassador had everyone rubbing their eyes making sure they read the headlines right. In 2020 the brand came under fire for unethical labor practices where it was found that workers were being paid as little as £3.50 an hour. Boohoo was also involved in a class action lawsuit with other fast fashion brands Pretty Little Thing and Nasty Gal for inflating original prices to make a greater profit on sale items. In the same year, Vice found that Boohoo releases as many as 700 new garments a week. The Kourtney Kardashian ambassadorship was meant to start the process of the company turning a new leaf to have more sustainable and ethical actions. Even for this collection the sustainability efforts were minuscule at best and still used fabrics such as polyester that does not biodegrade such as natural fibers. This wasn’t a surprise or even much of a shock, rather the controversy came from the marketing around it being labeled as a ‘sustainable’ collection garnered angry reactions but wasn’t anything new in terms of the mega-celebrity fast fashion deal that we see on repeat.

    “Using massive celebrity influence to sell more stuff will never be the solution, no matter how much recycled material is used.” – Diet Prada

    Just this month Eva Chen announced her ‘sustainable’ line with H&M. Eva currently resides as the Director of Fashion Partnership at Instagram and has a long history as a journalist at publications such as Vogue China, Elle, and the Wall Street Journal. As an onlooker, this made this announcement far more jarring than the ones we’ve seen in the past. This is an individual with a deep understanding of the fashion industry and the detriment fast fashion has caused, not an influencer or celebrity who may not be as well versed. H&M is a bit of a fast fashion anomaly. They’ve mastered greenwashing beyond compare and their Scandinavian roots give them a greater ability to disguise their questionable practices. The brand being a major fast fashion perpetrator often goes unnoticed by consumers. Just last year the brand was sued over their misleading sustainability claims including ‘environmental scorecards’ and ‘sustainability profiles’ for products. As of late, a year after the lawsuit scandal, the brand received a mediocre score from Impakter Sustainability Analysis stating the need to take greater action that aligns with their claims. The Eva Chen collaboration is a children’s collection putting it in an uncomfortable position to criticize. The comments on Eva’s personal Instagram announcing the campaign included people calling out greenwashing “Greenwashing is still a thing huh?”, “#greenwashing” and others asking where the clothes are made or if garment workers will be paid fairly. This included a partnership for the line with Slow Factory which marked a disappointed response from climate and sustainable fashion advocates, One commenter said “I’m so confused, why would @slowfactory partner with such a giant in fast fashion responsible for so much pollution, waste, and human devastation? Can you guarantee these new pieces will be made by garment workers who will be fairly paid? Treated fairly?”. A collaboration like this is great in theory but provides no systemic change. At the end of the day, this is greenwashing and H&M is still a fast-fashion giant that will continue to produce unsubstantiated sustainability claims until greater regulations occur. 

    The Slow Factory partnership is something we are seeing more often as some textile innovation companies or other innovation brands work to bring more sustainable resources to fashion. It’s easy to want to shame these collaborators especially when outside of this instance are doing remarkable work while on the other hand, there’s an acknowledgement of both the financial opportunity and ability to reach a larger audience through these opportunities. Ultimately it’s not the brand’s fault that the market and demand for fast fashion have made it so that smaller companies have to compromise their values for monetary needs. 

    These collaborations prompt larger discussions around disclosure information, ethical production, and sustainability standards. To make it simple, a sustainable line from a fast fashion brand isn’t true sustainability, or even close to it. Fast fashion brands provide easy accessibility with their wide size range, low cost, and fast shipping but this comes with a human and environmental cost that is so often ignored by both consumers and the brands themselves. Celebrity-endorsed sustainable collections are the new greenwashing tactic to continue to lure in consumers especially those who are on the precipice of making more conscious purchases but aren’t armed with proper information on greenwashing to combat the impressive yet misleading marketing. So what can we do? Education and information are crucial, especially in a disinformation age. Taking a moment to truly question if and why we need something is second. Embracing slow fashion also means to slow down. Fast fashion gets us by pushing the consumer to make fast and easy purchases with no thorough thought. Not everything is worth a click or worth your money even if it seems like a great step towards a more sustainable future in fashion. Take a moment to understand the possible implications of your purchase and what it means to support these so-called sustainable collections.

    01

    Completedworks

    Completedworks uses reclaimed, recycled, and ethically sourced materials such as marble, glass, bio-resin, and silver. The brand proves you don’t have to compromise design and style for sustainable practices but rather that the two can work in harmony to create timeless, wearable pieces. Sustainability is at the core of the brand’s ethos and the brand is committed to ensuring there is little to no negative environmental impact resulting from its products or shipping process.

    02

    Underprotection

    Underprotection makes sustainability sexy with its environmentally conscious lingerie line. Based out of Copenhagen, the founders saw the need for a sustainable option for something we need every day – underwear. The brand came into the industry with hopes of sparking change as they were one of few sustainable options on the market. As the brand has grown they have stayed true to their commitment to being a sustainable, ethical, and high-quality choice for intimates.

    03

    Backbeat Co.

    Back Beat Co. puts action behind its mission. Unethical business practices are rampant in the clothing industry, and Alvarez is looking to make a change. Back Beat Co. is doing more than just creating sustainable clothing but is ensuring that every step in the process supports conscious consumerism. Back Beat Co. is a “people, planet and then profit” brand that gives a $$$$ about you and the planet. The brand focuses on ensuring its consumers are doing more than just shopping sustainably and has created a community through its clean-ups and donation drives.

    Nourish Your Oral Health with Davids Natural Toothpaste Formulas

    the unwash review

    Written By Contributing Editor Liz Grogan

    Davids Toothpaste has performed thousands of hours of research to define the best natural and clean ingredients for removing plaque, whitening teeth, and freshening your breath. I feel clean and fresh after using the sensitive+whitening peppermint toothpaste, tongue scraper, and bamboo toothbrush, and the low-waste products serve as my morning reminder to make sustainable choices throughout the day. 

    While the FDA has not created a regulatory definition for “natural” and “clean” self-care products, Davids has established its own guidelines. Their description of “natural” means using only ingredients sourced and derived from nature, resulting in formulas free of artificial ingredients. For them, “clean” products do not contain proven or suspected toxic ingredients to you or the planet, and all their products undergo mindful creation and production (for example, all ingredients are ethically sourced and cruelty-free).

    “Legacy toothpaste brands commonly contain ingredients that many health-conscious consumers are actively looking to avoid. As I began diving deeper into studying the ingredients, it became a full-blown obsession to personally formulate the highest quality natural toothpaste available. Instead of using a long list of artificial/synthetic ingredients, Davids uses ingredients that are naturally sourced and naturally derived.” – Eric Buss, Davids Toothpaste Founder

    Davids Toothpaste chose its metal tube packaging for its ability to be easily and effectively recycled when you follow the brand’s step-by-step instructions. David’s will not take back the tubes, so It’s up to you to make sure your local waste management providers will adequately sort and recycle them. Luckily, aluminum can be endlessly recycled with far less energy required, and aluminum recycling programs are often much more successful than plastic recycling. Unlike plastic, bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and compostable and will decompose when disposed of correctly.

    Each tube includes a roller key to help squeeze all your toothpaste out until the very end. The metal tube keys are recyclable or can be repurposed with other products. David’s gives you the option to return 20 tube keys at a time for proper recycling and will send you a free toothpaste tube in return. Since I prefer reusing over recycling, I asked them to ship future orders without the tube keys and caps, an option outlined in their faq page, so that I could repurpose the original ones for future orders. 

    Beyond promoting natural and clean self-care, the brand highlights mindfulness, mental health, and minimalism as part of its “progress over perfection” mindset. The brand spotlights how holistic oral care can not only improve the planet, but can also support gut health and mental well-being. Davids believes the mouth acts as a window to overall health and that when we take the time to nourish our oral health, we can unexpectantly nurture our mental health as well.

    01

    The Dirt Company

    The Dirt Company is on a mission to clean up the planet while cleaning your clothes. With their Refill, Return System, customers replace bulky plastic jugs with sleek, durable glass dispenser bottles. The bottles come pre-filled with their top-rated, highly concentrated, plant-based laundry detergent. Their biodegradable concentrates deliver more loads per bottle and contain better-quality natural ingredients, such as high-performing enzymes.

    02

    Rif Care

    Their 100% plant-based and biodegradable menstrual pads are carbon neutral by design. The brand uses leftover fibers from hemp oil production to create its premium product line. Regenerative hemp farming uses less water than cotton, grows without pesticides, and reverses the effects of climate change by capturing, securing, and storing CO2 in the ground to improve air and soil quality.

    03

    Biom

    Biom offers 100% plant-based, biodegradable wipes with refillable packaging that provide functionality and smart design all in one. It doesn’t hurt that they’ll look great sitting on your counter. The all-purpose cleaning and sanitizing wipes were created with the planet and consumer in mind. The brand focuses on more streamlined, gentle ingredients that are safe on skin for their hand-sanitizing wipes.