My Selection of top Plastic-Free Businesses.
Other than operating plastic-free or getting pretty darn close, these SMEs embody circular and regenerative practices.
Using circular and regenerative practices, these businesses are sourcing materials sustainably as well as using waste streams for their inputs. Their products also perform positively during and at the end of their lifecycles. Through their business activity they eliminate and replace negative industry practices and start the regeneration process — business owners and designers that actually study and apply circularity feasibly.
Lighting and wearables grown from grass roots. A variety of unique items available at the shop.
Actual upcycling going on here. Using textile waste and natural rubber with a take-back scheme for the end of their product’s lifecycles (with very little plastic used).
Yarn and dye kits as well as courses, workshops on natural dyes. Green Matters also offer commercial natural dye for designers and production teams.
Made from entirely organic and sustainable bacterial cellulose, grown on agricultural waste sourced from the coconut industry, this water-resistant durable material is home compostable.
Recovering coffee grounds and turning them into long-lasting durable, and useful objects. Their reusable coffee cup is made of coffee.
While you can’t buy these crayons, you can learn how to make them at home. Along with many other online courses on natural pigments and dyes.
Transforming textile waste into low-impact fiber. Recover are experts in cotton recycling at scale. A much-needed service in the fashion industry.
Convenient, fresh, strengthening local farming practices, and eliminating the single-use plastic bottle. While you might not be able to buy this, wouldn’t you want a similar service in your town?
Crafts, badges, wearables, buttons, and more. Would you guess that these buttons are made of avocado pits. Excellent.
Uses plant leftovers of the agricultural industry and turns them into the biomaterial traceless®. It is regenerative by design and leaves no trace.
About the Author: Lara Mehanna
I’m a circularity and regenerative business consultant, trainer, and instructional designer. I work with SMEs on designing out waste and improving business experience. My story with sustainability started between kitchens and local farms over 10 years ago. I have had the privilege of establishing and assisting with the development of many green businesses in the areas of product design, arts, farming, and hospitality. You will find many more of these examples and applications in my courses and training programs.