Five brands to help you pack responsibly
Get ready for your next holiday with essentials from these properly eco-minded brands
1. Waterhaul
On a mission to tackle the ghost gear (abandoned fishing gear and nets) found in our oceans and washed up on our shores, Waterhaul created a mechanical recycling solution that processes end-of-life fishing gear and turns it into useful sunglasses, pocket knives, and litter pickers. The social enterprise, founded by a group of marine conservationists in Cornwall, is so confident in the strength of their products that they offer a lifetime warranty on their sunglasses. They’ve got reason to be – the raw material they use, plastic fishing nets, are designed to be strong, durable, and last more than a lifetime, which is why it’s so important these hazards are removed from the sea. Sunglasses start from £65 and offer full UVA/B 400 protection. waterhaul.co
2. Upcircle Beauty
Finding the right sunscreen can be a minefield so the SPF25 mineral sunscreen from B Corp certified UpCircle is a joy. Not just the SPF, its whole range of beauty products are organic, vegan, and cruelty-free, and are made using by-products from other industries, such as upcycled raspberry seed oil from the juicing industry. It goes without saying that this sunscreen is reef-safe and its recyclable glass jar can be refilled. £27.49 for 60ml. upcirclebeauty.com
3. Elvis & Kresse
Elvis & Kresse’s sustainable credentials are strong. Established in 2005 to save London’s decommissioned fire hoses that were destined for landfill, the team of highly skilled craftspeople set about turning them into bags, and now has a whole range of luggage and accessories made from 15 different reclaimed materials. Our pick is the Weekend Bag, in bold fire hose red and lined with material rescued from Burberry’s Yorkshire workshop and military-grade parachute silk. Elvis & Kresse offers repairs for life and donates 50% of its profits to the Fire Fighters Charity. elvisandkresse.com
4. Waves
Providing the Holy Grail of sustainable footwear, Waves makes plastic-free and vegan flip-flops. Many flip-flops are made from petroleum-based rubber and plastic, but Waves uses 100% natural rubber that’s FSC certified, and if you return your worn-out Waves to the company, they’ll recycle them and give you 10% off your next purchase. Available in a range of colours and patterns, prices start at £10 for children’s flip-flops and £20 for an adult pair. wavesflipflops.co.uk
5. Vinted
The app that makes shopping for second-hand clothes a breeze, Vinted has become a byword for sustainable fashion thanks to the ease with which buyers and sellers can search and purchase not just their holiday wardrobe but their everyday wardrobe too. With so many sellers listing items on the app, it’s rare not to find what you’re looking for, and at competitive prices. Since starting 15 years ago, the company’s raison d’être has remained constant: to make second-hand items customers’ first choice and improve the industry’s sustainability track record. vinted.co.uk
by net effect