- Culture
Our favourite finds of 2020
The brands we love, making a difference
2020 has thrown us plenty of curve balls but it has also unearthed some incredible brands doing incredible things in the sustainability space. We’ve been lucky enough to find and work with many of them and here are some of our favourites.
Pleasant State
We were first introduced to Pleasant State – a revolutionary new cleaning brand – via their Kickstarter campaign earlier this year. This cleaning game-changer has created Australia’s first concentrated all-natural, eco-friendly bars that dissolve in water to create multi-purpose, bathroom and glass cleaning solutions. It eliminates the need to transport product that’s made primarily of water (and thereby cutting carbon emissions).
Szade
Recycled sunglasses are now a thing. Szade recreates new sunglasses from discarded, broken and faulty glasses that were otherwise destined for landfill. Not just sustainable, they’re also ethically made and come in a range of really cool styles at affordable price points.
Bondi Skin Co.
Because men are into sustainable skincare too! We love that Bondi Skin Co. is focusing on performance skincare for guys that works and doesn’t come at the expense of the planet. Its anti-aging serums are made from Australian natural ingredients, contain zero nasties – like parabens or SLS – and come in sustainable packaging. Plus, they donate $1 from every sale to the Black Dog Institute and Drought Angels.
Bon+Co
Sustainable swim is high on our list of items for summer, and for our kids too. Bon+Co has a great range of styles for kids and teens made from recycled plastic bottles. It also supports Head Space, which provides mental health support for 12 to 25-year-olds. In a nutshell, it’s affordable and awesome.
ke designs, Eco towels
Made from RPET – or recycled plastic bottles (20 per towel to be precise), Eco Towels are a welcome addition in our beach arsenal. Better yet, they use water based inks for all their cool prints (we love the retro Sunny Boy and Chicko Roll designs).
Biode
Natural and home compostable, Biode has become our new go-to for deodorant and body care. It’s the real deal when it comes to closing the loop, considering everything from ingredients to packaging and its plant-a-tree program. Its shampoo bars, soap and a multipurpose balm are also winners.
Biossance
High performing skincare with clean ingredients and sustainable packaging, there’s lots to love about Biossance. It saves 2 million sharks a year – a source of squalene in beauty products, and has blacklisted more than 2000 known toxic ingredients in its formulations. A big tick from us.
P.E. Nation
While technically not a newbie in 2020, we were blown away by the sustainability initiatives of this cult athleisurewear brand. From organic cotton to hemp and recycled nylon, to giving platforms, P.E. Nation is just as much about caring for the planet as it is about producing gear everyone wants to wear.
Mother SPF
Another great brand in the physical sunscreen space, Mother SPF is formulated using the best physical protection and skipping known nasties such as Oxybenzone and artificial fragrance for non-nano zinc. The tubes are made from 100 per cent post-consumer plastics and filled using 100 per cent solar power. They come in a reusable canvas sack and arrive in home compostable mailers. Equally great for the body or under makeup.
Good Citizens
Nik Robinson and his two sons Harry, 8 and Archie, 6 are at the helm of environmentally responsible brand Good Citizens. Their launch product is sunglasses made from a single recycled plastic bottle, but they have grand plans of making a range of good-for-the-planet products. Stay tuned!
WIN!
We’re also giving you the chance to win a huge prize pack worth $745 featuring some of these brands. Head to our Instagram page to find out how!