Five of the best small environmentally-friendly brands with Kat McKay of BambooBeautiful
Sustainability is increasingly becoming the standard of living for many people, with individuals continuing to swap out plastic straws for metal and paper alternatives, single-use coffee cups for glass and silicone-based mugs, and plastic shopping bags for reusable canvas totes. Yet, it can be difficult to know where to start or truly understand which brands are committed to ethical practices that focus on preserving natural resources, reducing waste and helping save animal species while still providing high-quality, long-lasting products that don’t break the bank. To make things a little easier, we have teamed up with BambooBeautiful’s Kat McKay, whose extensive knowledge of ecologically aware products and first-hand experience in running a sustainability-focused business has helped us compile the five best small environmentally-friendly beauty, skincare and lifestyle brands.
Midz Plastic Free | www.midzplasticfree.uk
Recognising a need for more eco-friendly, affordable alternatives to the current everyday options, Midz Plastic Free began selling its sustainably made body and skincare, as well as lifestyle products, back in 2019, transitioning into an online store just last year. The extensive range of skincare items – including body butters, soap bars, deodorants, cleansers, moisturisers, and scrubs – are each handmade using the best organic ingredients and are conveniently sorted according to skin types and brands. A large percentage of the products are vegan and cruelty-free, with all being packaged in recyclable, compostable or biodegradable boxes, with no plastic in sight.
Jo Browne | www.jobrowne.com
Established in 2016, Jo Browne offers luxury natural products for you and your home that are renowned for their consistently high-quality ingredients and extensive shelf lives. A large number of the products available are made from fast-regenerating bamboo, a superior material in the world of eco-friendly alternatives, including handmade facecloths, diffusers, pillowcases, sleep masks and toothbrushes. Jo Browne’s range of award-winning items further comprises the individually developed solid perfumes, which are available for both men and women and feature either floral or woody scents, as well as the luxury, silky-soft bamboo bedding and the rejuvenating facial cleansing balms.
Neon Kactus | www.neonkactus.com
Using reusable water bottles and coffee cups is one of the easiest and most accessible changes we can make to reduce consumption and both plastic use and waste. Proving this to be increasingly true is glass and insulated cup producer Neon Kactus. Founded by Neil Tombs and Charlotte Gornall, who each boast over 20 years working in the food and drink industry, witnessing first-hand the environmental impact of single-use plastic, Neon Kactus aims to create a positive change. Each stylish product is designed to mirror the convenience and drinking pleasure of the coffee shop while remaining compostable or recyclable.
Bambu Babe | www.bambubabe.co.uk
An easy, non-compromising swap all us skincare and makeup enthusiasts can make to reduce waste is replacing single-use cotton wool with a reusable alternative, such as the bamboo facial rounds and puffs offered by Bambu Babe. Vegan, cruelty-free and machine washable, Bambu Babe’s daily face pads can be used more than 200 times, requiring just a simple rinse to make them feel super soft and like-new again. The eco-laundry bag in which they are delivered further makes them perfect for an overnight trip or for popping into your gym bag, meaning you will never have to stray from the sustainable alternative, even when out and about.
To take incorporating sustainable practices into daily routines that step further, clients can also opt for the Fresh Face pad, which removes makeup with just water, ensuring expensive cleansers are no longer needed. The recyclable microfibre technology is able to remove even the most stubborn products, including waterproof mascara, and maintains the natural pH level of your skin for a radiant and nourished look. With the UK throwing away 11 billion single-use wet wipes every year, this easy switch is sure to be a great one. A sustainability starter pack comprising both the bamboo rounds and Fresh Face pad is also available.
From Earth To Earth (F.E.T.E) | www.fromearthtoearth.com
7.2 million kilogrammes of plastic toothbrushes are thrown away into landfills every year. With a mission to raise awareness of pollution issues and encourage consumers to help minimise collective impact on the planet, From Earth To Earth provides an eco-friendly alternative in the form of bamboo toothbrushes. The encouraged swap is really easy to do, and the high-quality toothbrushes are equipped with recyclable bristles that don’t compromise on hygiene or cleaning ability. In fact, each toothbrush is made using Moso bamboo (conveniently not eaten by pandas) and is inherently anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, which means it has no need for pesticides and is grown entirely naturally.
Furthermore, the brightly coloured toothbrushes are designed with natural resin paint, a kind of plant paint that ensures the toothbrush handle remains compostable. All bristles are attached using pressure alone, negating the need for harmful glue. F.E.T.E additionally stocks a variety of personal care items that are too made from all-natural bamboo, including earbuds, hairbrushes, sponges, and combes, as well as a number of accessories, like toothbrush stands and travel cases. These can further be found combined in individual or family starter packs, to make any transitions even easier.