We can’t deny the fact that our planet is in danger, as we continue to produce higher levels of waste each year. Although authoritative bodies around the world have introduced schemes and initiatives to encourage recycling — most of our waste continues to end up in landfills; which is leading to severe consequences for the environment. This figure is also expected to grow to 4 billion by 2100.

From landfills to our ocean, there’s no guarantee that our waste is being disposed of correctly. According to some studies, 1.4 billion pounds of rubbish ends up in our waters each year which is having a profound impact on marine life — so much so, scientists have estimated that the amount of Plastic will outweigh the fish by 2050.

As well as this, did you know that 99% of the products we buy are thrown away within six months? Because of this, more businesses around the world are looking at more sustainable ways to create their products in a bid to help better the world that we live in.

Tableware

If you’re a lover of handcrafted products, Ngwenya Glass has been producing bespoke glassware since 1979 which is having a respectable impact on communities. Originally set up as a Swedish Aid Project, Ngwenya Glass now trains over 60 people in the art of glassblowing to create one-of-a-kind pieces of ethical homeware.

This brand is committed to helping the planet. All products are handcrafted from 100% recycled glass, sourced from throughout eSwatini by local people. Ngwenya Glass encourages communities to come together for clean-up days along main roads in the area to gather discarded glass. Most of the glass used to be soft drink bottles!

By shining a light on how we can save the planet through glass gathering, the company pays those who collect by the kilo. The business also works with local schools to educate young people in the importance of environmentalism and recycling and supports schools with building materials and learning resources. Pick up your glass mug and brew up some fair trade coffee!

Re-Kånken and Eco-Shell

Everyone has seen these products in one place or another — whether it’s someone wearing them in the town centre or on social media. Originating from a small town in Sweden, the company focuses on outdoor clothing and equipment and is committed to making nature more accessible for adventurers alike while having a focus on the simplicity of their products.

These products are stylish and high-brow in their design. To play their part in helping the environment, they released the Re-Kånken bag which is made entirely from polyester recycled from plastic bottles. As well as this, it is dyed with SpinDye technology which ‘radically reduces’ the amount of water, energy and chemicals used.

The Eco-Shell is another product from Fjällräven that avoids using materials that harm the environment. Eco-Shell is also made from recycled polyester and unlike many other products on the market, perflourinated chemicals are not involved in the creation.

Wasteboards

Skateboarding has returned as a popular hobby across the world, and Jonah Hill’s directing debut of Mid90s has proven that. One company that is putting a twist on skateboarding is based in Amsterdam though, with each board having an eco-friendly twist. Benefiting the environment as research has suggested that there are 20,000 plastic bottles are being bought every second, this forward-thinking company collect plastic bottle tops to create the deck of the board.

The company inspires people to collect bottle top lids around the city. As well as this, fishermen who use the canals in Amsterdam are also asked to collect as much as they can. One part of the appeal is that each board is handmade and molded into a design that creates an aesthetically pleasing product for a young demographic. This company loves the idea of being sustainable and being able to sell a sustainable product, so even if your wasteboard breaks — they’ll recycle the broken plastic and create you a new one!

Naked Products

Although they’ve been in the news for taking a step back from social media, Lush Cosmetics are known to be an environmentally conscious brand. So much so they claim to be 100% vegetarian, promote ethical buying, fight animal testing, craft their products by hand and offer naked packaging products which is helping reduce the chaotic packaging crisis Britain is now facing.

But did you know that 60 of it is thrown away instantly? This has highlighted a huge problem and put great responsibility upon businesses internationally and through innovative design, Lush Cosmetics were able to develop several products that didn’t require packaging to sell.

Naked products range from shampoos to shower gels, the sky truly is the limit. As well as this, all of plastic used by Lush is 100% recycled.

This proves that the ability to be creative and think outside of the box can truly have admirable benefits that help both people in the planet — could you become more ethically focused?

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