2022 thus far has been the ultimate year for change and renewal. According to the World Waste Counts, roughly 275 million tons of waste have been dumped this year alone. To put it in perspective, one African elephant can weigh anywhere from 2-7 tons (4,000 to 14,000 pounds). That is roughly 55 million elephants. Yes, that number looks highly intimidating, but where there is darkness, light shall prevail! Some companies are doing their due diligence in being eco-friendly, eco-conscious, sustainable companies that use sustainable materials and give back to the Earth! Here are ten sustainable brands to look out for in 2022.
Ecoriginals—”The greenest diapers and wipes on Earth.”
A baby can have a diaper changed statistically from 3-12 diapers a day and around 1,095 to 4,380 diapers a year that are just thrown into the landfill. Ecoriginals was founded by a husband and wife trying to maneuver their ways into parenthood while also being eco-conscious. This was extremely difficult due to the lack of resources and information on biodegradable diapers and wipes. Hence, they have researched and made eco-friendly diapers from 90% plant-based ingredients. Aside from the sticky tabs and the leg plastic, which can be cut out and disposed of properly, these diapers are fully biodegradable. All of their packages are fully compostable. Not only does this company provide eco-friendly diapers, but they have also recently established environmental partnerships to plant one tree and remove 25 items of plastic waste from the ocean for every order they receive.
Plaine Products—Progress, not perfection.
Founded by two sisters, Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine, Plaine Products provides zero-waste shampoos, conditioners, body washes, lotion, face creams, and eco-friendly hand sanitizers. All products are processed through the Environmental Working Group database, a nonprofit organization specializing in researching agricultural subsidies, toxic chemicals, drinking water pollutants, and corporate accountability to ensure their products are completely safe and non-toxic. Rather than being overwhelmed by our global plastic waste issue, one of Plaine Products’ core values is to empower its customers to take positive action to reduce waste to achieve the company’s goal of less waste on the planet.
August Co—”We believe in a world where all humans have their natural needs met with quality care.”
A Gen Z-driven company founded in January of 2020 has spent the last two years dismantling the stigmas against women’s period health while also finding more sustainable and comfortable solutions to period products. This company is highly transparent about how their period products are made and the environmental impact. Every purchase made with August contributes to the period poverty-reducing initiative and stands against the “tampon tax,” a sales tax on all period products. Each period product is 100% cotton from a supplier that grows pesticide-free, chemical-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and ethically sourced cotton. These period products are 100% biodegradable, and their packaging is made from recycled material.
Beyond Meat—”We believe there’s a better way to feed our future.”
Meat is entirely made from non-GMO, plant-based ingredients that look and taste like meat but without compromise. Beyond Meat has a similar texture to actual meat, but it is also a great source of protein with no cholesterol, no antibiotics, and no hormones. Beyond Meat reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to making ¼ pound of a regular burger patty. They reduce land use by 93% and water usage by 87-99% by not generating any manure pollution.
MILOU MILOU—Moored in design and sustainability
MILOU MILOU, founded in 2019, was made to create a movement of tailored textiles that also positively impacts the environment. Each bedding is made to order, and 100% of the linens are sourced as end-of-line (deadstock) fabrics that would take up space in landfills. Because every bedding is made to order, there is no overload in stock. Their material is made from 100% natural fiber and biodegradable—a sustainable and chic product!
The Renewable Box—Sustainability for Beginners
For many, sustainability can look like a huge giant without knowing how to tackle it. Still, The Renewable Box has created a box that has a combination of reusable, plastic-free, and natural products that help minimize your carbon footprint! Each pack contains two reusable produce bags, 15 beeswax wraps, two reusable sandwich bags, three wool dryer balls, 12 reusable cotton pads (which happen to be compostable), and nine cellulose sponges cloths (also compostable). Living sustainably is a lifelong process; this renewable box kit is a great starter for beginners to take their first steps into their sustainability journey.
Grey Archer—Earth’s Clothing Brand
Nicholas Ralston, CEO of Grey Archer and 19-year-old entrepreneur, has created a clothing brand that is high-quality and eco-friendly. Grey Archer is all about giving back, so it is their mission to plant a tree with every order they receive. All of the clothing is made from recycled polyester and organic cotton. Grey Archer offers a variety of apparel directed toward streetwear fashion and has planted over 200 trees since the company was founded in 2021.
Aguas Claras Co.—Sustainable, Eco-conscious, and Cruelty-free Soaps
These beautiful, handmade soaps are made from high-quality clean ingredients and pure essential oils and are colored with mineral-rich clays. This company provides eco-friendly products in 100% compostable and plastic-free packaging. Aguas Claras Co. offers a variety of organic soaps, organic skincare, and a new signature candle collection released in March of 2022. All soaps are handcrafted and produced from scratch using an old-fashioned method passed down from generation to generation in the founder’s family.
Axiology Beauty—Ethical Makeup
Now sold in all Ulta stores, Axiology Beauty created a vegan, cruelty-free, 100% zero waste lipstick made from only ten ingredients! Those ingredients are castor oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, orange oil, neem oil, elderberry extract, vitamin-E oil, candelilla wax, plum seed oil, sunflower seed wax, sunflower seed oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, moringa oil, kokum butter, and soy butter. This company also offers products with a recycling program where you can send your used lipstick tubes, and they take care of everything for you by partnering with the PACT program.
Pela—”Everyday Products Without Everyday Waste.”
Jeremy Lang, the founder of Pela, founded this company to make sustainable products more accessible and make a product used every day. Pela tries to mimic nature and align our product’s life cycle as close to a plant’s life cycle as possible. This is done by gathering raw materials wholly derived from renewable resources. The cases are made from plant-based materials and then are compostable to help naturally occurring microorganisms. Pela products use 30% fewer carbon emissions, 34% less water usage, and 80% less waste production.
Learn how to make your mark, and let’s Reimagine Waste together!
