MVMT releases new bracelet made from recycled ocean plastic

In the fight against pollution and environmental waste, there are many levels of similarly-minded people in government, nonprofit, for-profit and community all working towards the same goals. So it makes sense that a name like Surfrider is a perfect match with #Tide Ocean and the fashion company MVMT. 

MVMT is an accessories company that’s on an environmental mission. They started in 2013 with the support of a crowdfunding campaign that highlighted the support of consumers looking for eco-friendly products. MVMT released a minimalist-style wristwatch that is solar powered and features a case, strap and buckle made entirely from reclaimed ocean plastic pollution. 

Related: Get your vegan jewelry fix with KEVA’s cactus leather line

The watch was made possible through a partnership with Swiss-based nonprofit #Tide. Well established with a complete supply chain in place, #Tide upcycles ocean waste into a material many businesses have discovered and incorporated into their products. #Tide starts at the source by training fishermen to collect and properly sort plastic from the waterways of Southeast Asia. With its Swiss partners, #Tide then converts that ocean plastic into a usable plastic material for manufacturers, completing a closed circle of recycling that avoids the need for virgin materials. 

On the heels of a successful launch of the watch, MVMT partnered with another notable organization with a central focus on cleaning and protecting the planet’s water: Surfrider. The result is a slim, sleek rope bracelet that makes a subtle statement about the state of the ocean without sacrificing anything in the name of fashion. The Upcycled Rope Bracelet is the newest release by MVMT and represents the company’s mission to provide quality minimalist designs that speak to the consumer and support the planet.

“When the design team discovered #Tide Ocean material, a company that repurposes ocean bound plastic and supports local coastal communities, we felt inspired to create a chic piece of jewelry: a wearable reminder to all to do our part in caring for our oceans,” said V.P. of Product and Design Thomas Moran. “Living in California, the ocean is a powerful and life-giving character in our lives. This design is inspired by nautical hardware and the function, durability and utility needed for life in or around the water.” 

The Upcycled Rope Bracelet features a simple rope design that is easily adjustable and available in six color options. It’s made entirely of recaptured ocean plastic through the partnership with #Tide Ocean. One percent of all revenue from both the watch and the bracelet is donated to the Surfrider Foundation. The company is also part of 1% for the Planet.

Surfrider is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the world’s ocean, beaches and waves through a variety of initiatives. Not only does it aim to reduce the impact of plastic on the marine environment, but Surfrider also defends from threats to the ecosystem and works with community decision makers to ensure beach access is open and accessible to all. It is also involved in protection of the coastline, working to ensure safe and clean water for animals and humans.

Personal Review

MVMT offered a sample bracelet so I could get a closer look and share my thoughts. They provided a green/gunmetal color combo as well as a black. The shipment arrived quickly and the boxes are paper-based. I was disappointed to open the box and see a foam insert, but discovered it’s actually a BLOOM algae-based product. BLOOM is the same brand that has provided materials for a range of products, from shoes to surfboards, in an effort to meet the needs of eco-conscious companies moving away from petroleum-based plastics. Back to the packaging, MVMT uses water-based glues and inks to round out the thoughtful design. 

The bracelets are simple as promised. Yet, they speak of quality. The detail work in the metal adds contrast to the rope. Rather than the typical material you might see at the end of a hoodie drawstring or shoelace, these connecting pieces appear to be extremely durable. I see no chance of cracking, breaking or peeling. Where the rope meets to complete the circle, the main detail is also a circle (like an O for ocean) with solid connections. 

The rope material has the slightest amount of give, so it moves with you while you’re wearing it. My favorite feature is the adjustability. The mechanism slides smoothly and freely, yet remains in place once cinched down to size. This aspect of the design really speaks to the quality of the piece. 

Jewelry and accessories are a subjective thing. What appeals to one person may not to another. But for me, these bracelets offer a subtle accessory that makes a bold statement about the environment. Those are two things I’m happy to adorn my wrist with.

+ MVMT 

Images via MVMT

Editor’s Note: This product review is not sponsored by MVMT. All opinions on the products and company are the author’s own. 

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NUQI uses 100% natural materials for its products

After years of experience in the fashion industry, Tosca van Haren was fed up with fast fashion and the waste in the industry, so she launched her own social fashion brand NUQI. 

The company takes a well-rounded approach to sustainability, selecting 100% natural materials for its products. It relies on pure Merino or Adean Highland wool, recycled cotton, peace silk and organic aloe vera. There are no buttons, elastic, zippers or thread, leaving only the material in raw form. Although they prefer to maintain natural color, for articles of clothes that they do dye, they use natural vegetables. 

Related: Sylven New York has vegan shoes made from apples

NUQI proudly produces hand-knitted woolen items in Peru by Atelier Manta in Ayacucho. Solid Crafts, a social non-profit organization in Belgium, has set up this workshop. Many of the workers are single mothers, so the organization provides an opportunity for working in a clean and safe work environment and childcare and healthcare support. 

Another workshop called KOCO, located in India, produces hand-knitted and crocheted goods made from recycled cotton. Women in rural villages benefit from the work, but they also receive education in a variety of subjects.

NUQI also collaborates with Project Três, a social non-profit organization based in Berlin. Project Três offers workshops in both Kenya and India where workers are provided education and community training in order to provide social and financial opportunities. 

“The workshops in India and Kenya make jewelry from recycled glass beads, bags and clothing from recycled sarongs and recycled cotton and accessories from organic Aloe Vera material,” NUQI said.

NUQI donates 10% of its profits to these types of social workshops and lists social entrepreneurship as one of its primary missions as a company.  

Rounding out the company philosophy is a focus on slow fashion by allowing the workshops to set order completion dates rather than forcing timelines. The company explained, “Because we work without seasons, we can adjust our deliveries to the workshop schedule. In this way we create a steady stream of income for the studio.”

NUQI works to educate customers about the benefits of minimalism and slow fashion by using quality materials that are hand-crafted for a long life. The designs are timeless and accentuate a capsule wardrobe. They also offer periodic buyback periods where they offer a reward in exchange. They then recycle the materials or gives the item to employees. However, they encourage customers to gift to someone else if they no longer want an item. NUQI fights overproduction waste by existing on a pre-order system where items are made on demand.

Finally, it pays attention to transport pollution by coordinating with other companies, so shipments are combined for a full cargo load. From the pre-order to the delivery in recycled packaging, NUQI slows everything down to place the workers and the environment in the driver’s seat. 

+ NUQI 

Images via NUQI

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Find the best eco-friendly deals for Black Friday here

Before you throw in the towel on your good intentions to shop conscientiously this season, check out these deals we’ve rounded up that are sure to get you headed in the right direction.

Ella Ola

If you’re looking for plant-based skincare for the smallest family members, you’ll find a great Black Friday deal at Ella Ola. All products are free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, oxybenzone, steroids, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, dyes, formaldehyde releasers and propylene glycol. Enter code SALE20 at checkout. It will be active from Nov. 26-29.

Related: 9 tips for eco-friendly Black Friday, Cyber Monday shopping

Allyoos

For hair care stocking stuffers, look to this plant-based brand at a discount. Enter code LOVEMYHAIR25 on the Allyoos website for 25% off your entire order now through Nov. 26.

Shop Allyoos Shampoo and Conditioner on Amazon

Little Spoon

It’s the season of special treats in the food and drink department, so include the babies and toddlers in the occasion with organic, non-GMO baby food and healthy finger foods for toddlers. Use code BLACKFRIDAY4LIFE to get 50% off your first box of Babyblends or Plates plus free meals in every order for life. Promo ends Nov. 29.

Dropps

This is one of our favorite laundry and dishwasher pod brands. They offer a variety of scents and an ever-expanding line of products. Plus, the company has entertaining advertising. They don’t take themselves too seriously, but they do put a critical eye on protecting the environment. Use code BF2021 at checkout for a 30% discount on the Dropps website. Ends Nov. 28. 

Shops Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods on Amazon

Pact

As far as organic clothing goes, Pact is one of the most affordable brands out there. It offers a breadth of clothing options from bras to leggings to tees and hoodies. Grab a discount from Nov. 22-29 with deals like all bedding 30% off, all bath 40% off, men’s and women’s socks at 50% off, men’s sleepwear 25% off, and goods for baby and kids starting at 30% off.

Soothi Journals

Each journal is made from repurposed leather and tree-free paper, for an eco-friendly gift-giving option that can be personalized with your choice of saying on the front. Soothi gives back to the planet by planting one tree for each sale. Plus, they’ve got some good deals going. Use code CELEBRATE to take 25% off your entire order. Or buy one and get one 40% off with code 1FORME1FORYOU. A third option is to buy two journals and receive a free tote bag with code GIFTME. Check out the site for more!

Shop Soothi Journals on Amazon

Essentia Mattresses

If you’ve been in the market for a new mattress and have scouted out environmentally-friendly brands, you may have run across Essentia, the first natural memory foam mattress on the market. For Black Friday, it’s offering 25% off the entire store, including organic mattresses, organic pillows, foundations, kid’s items, pet beds and more. With the purchase of a Lifestyle, Performance, or Wholebody Recovery mattress, you’ll also receive two free organic pillows ($300 Value). Essentia offers free shipping, a 120-Night mattress sleep trial, and a 20-year mattress warranty. Sale ends Nov. 28.

Novica

Novica is a marketplace that brings together producers and buyers around the globe. All products support the mission to celebrate individual artisans making hand-crafted items. There’s a vast range of options from housewares to fashion to jewelry. Use code SAVE10 for $10 off $50 or code SAVE15 for $15 off $100. Code SAVE25 takes $25 off $150. All codes are valid Nov. 22-27.

Mightly

Organic kids clothing brand Mightly is fair trade certified and offering a discount on those picture-perfect Christmas morning pajamas. Use code PJBOGO for buy one get one half off all pajamas on Black Friday (Nov. 26) and Cyber Monday (Nov. 29).

Shop Mightly on Amazon

EarthHero

This is where the planet’s superheroes shop for gifts. Each item offers details of the sustainability aspects. Every product is so carefully curated, EarthHero is calling it Green Friday instead of Black Friday. Find books, bags, cookware, clothing, plastic alternatives, cleaning products, camping supplies and countless other items. Get shopping with code BF2021 for 20% off sitewide. Five trees will be planted for each order. Code is valid Nov. 15 through Dec. 1.

United by Blue

With sustainable practices at its core, United by Blue has earned B-Corp certification. Choose innovative, recycled, eco-friendly and natural materials like BisonShield™, SoftHemp™, EcoKnit™, (R)evolution™ and EcoDry™. The company manufactures all types of clothing for men and women, including accessories and shoes. There is also an assortment of household items, from books to candles to rugs and more. Discounts have already begun with 20% off regular-priced items sitewide through Nov. 29 (no code needed). From Nov. 24 through Dec. 5, take an additional 50% off sale items with code TGIF.

Shop United by Blue on Amazon

Xtrema

Choose from all sizes, shapes and styles of 100% ceramic, non-toxic cookware. If you’re ready to invest, Black Friday (Nov. 25-28) is a good time to do it. Take 25% off everything, and they’ll throw in free shipping for orders over $75.

Made Trade

It’s all about fair trade at Made Trade. All products on the online marketplace are sustainably and ethically made. This women-owned business is both Carbon Neutral Certified and a member of 1% For The Planet. You can use the filter to scout out products made from recycled materials and scan for information regarding the types of owners, whether it’s fair trade, and more. You choose whether to take a discount or give back your savings. Take 10% off your order with code GET10, or give 10% with code GIVE10. Donations go to The Giving Grove, a nonprofit that plants urban orchards to provide food-insecure communities access to fresh, nutritious food. Codes are valid Nov. 26-29. 

Via Conscious Life and Style, Mindful Momma 

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Images via Ella Ola, Dropps, Soothi, Mightly, and Xtrema

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Get cozy with Black Friday deals on sustainable home goods

As the holidays arrive, many people turn their thoughts toward getting cozy for the end of the year. Whether you spend your time snuggled up with a book or curled up on the couch watching movies, you want to make sure your space is as comfortable as possible. If you need to make your home more welcoming this winter, try going for eco-friendly options. Inhabitat has put together this helpful list of our top picks for sustainable home goods you can get great deals on for Black Friday.

Organic cotton mattress protector

Upgrade your mattress experience with this organic cotton memory foam mattress protector. Why buy a mattress protector? This handy bedding item encases your mattress and can help keep it clean. Organic cotton is a sustainable material that makes this mattress protector stand out. It also offers eco-friendly Greenshield water resistance.

Shop Mattress Protectors on Amazon

Recycled plastic rug

If you need some decor to get your home ready for the holidays, try this recycled plastic rug. Plastic waste is a huge problem, and recycling it into new products helps keep it out of landfills and oceans. This waterproof outdoor rug is made of recycled plastic straw fibers that help make it weather-resistant.

Shop Recycled Plastic Rugs on Amazon

OEKO-TEX Certified blanket

Curling up under a soft blanket is one of life’s little joys. What’s better than that? An OEKO-TEX Certified blanket. This certification means that the textiles used for the blanket have been tested for substances that can be harmful for humans and the environment. You’ll also get great use out of this blanket with a double-sided feature to keep you warm in the cold months and cool in the warm months.

Shop Blankets on Amazon

Cozy bamboo pillow

You’ve got the blanket, now it’s time to rest your head on a cozy bamboo pillow. Bamboo is a sustainable material that also helps keep you cool. This Snuggle-Pedic memory foam pillow is also GreenGuard Gold Certified, which means it’s tested to ensure it has low chemical emissions.

Shop Bamboo Pillows on Amazon

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Cheap, durable and natural furniture from PlayWood

Italian design company PlayWood is setting a new standard for sustainable furniture. They have products that are modular, recyclable and built from responsibly-sourced natural materials.

At the most basic level, PlayWood is wood furniture. However, everything about it challenges the typical waste in the furniture industry, from material selection to the end-of-life disposal. 

Related: Furniture made from the sea plant eelgrass

The birch wood used in the products comes from forests with sustainable certification. PlayWood also incorporates scrap from other industries in an effort to upcycle waste. Production methods guarantee a resulting hypoallergenic and non-toxic product that is safe for everyone, including children. Each product is put through rigid certification to ensure it. 

The wood is formed into sheets, similar to plywood. From there, the design elements shine. Where typical furniture takes a hard, inflexible form, PlayWood relies on an innovative 3D connector that provides a modular element. Basically, the sheets and connectors can result in endless design variations, so consumers can use and reuse the pieces as a desk, an organizer or a bookcase. 

With this ability to customize and change the use of the materials, PlayWood is produced for a long lifespan. The company’s mission contributes to a slow circular design. It states they “offer high quality products made with passion and respect for tradition by expert craftsmen at an affordable price.”

PlayWood products are developed and manufactured by Italian craftsmen in alignment with the next European ecological transition plan guidelines. Inasmuch, they are environmentally friendly and recyclable after a long life. Even the shipping for domestic and international customers guarantees 100% recycled materials and space-saving transport design, resulting in minimal-packaging waste. 

“PlayWood designs and creates furniture in the name of sustainability to the planet’s well-being,” the company stated. “This is the commitment of PlayWood: hearing the needs of the Earth and of the people.”

In addition to a planet-focused process for sourcing materials and designing a multi-use, durable product, PlayWood has streamlined the purchasing model with direct and customizable orders between the company and the customer. PlayWood is also taking the required steps to obtain the B-Corp certification, a certification that affirms the company’s commitment to sustainable practices from the manufacturing to delivery to the consumer.

+ PlayWood

Images via PlayWood 

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PANGEA Movement's Eco-jacket uses 100% recycled materials

The PANGEA Movement is all about the planet in more than just name. It is a company with a focus on green design products and a dedication to using proceeds from sales to rid the Earth’s waterways of plastic and other pollution. 

The newest eco-friendly product from the brand is called the Eco-jacket. More than aiming for net-zero, PANGEA is aiming for a net-positive result. With each Eco-jacket sale, the company uses its resources to pull 68 lbs. of trash from rivers, and 68 lbs. of carbon dioxide are offset from the environment.

Related: Adidas 100% recycled jacket is solving plastic pollution

PANGEA’s Eco-Jacket is made from 100% recycled materials. Rather than requiring virgin plastics, the garment uses 56 recycled plastic bottles. Even the zipper pulls are made from recycled materials. It also incorporates recycled polyester, eco-friendly dyes and myriad waterproof pockets to protect your cargo.

The Eco-Jacket is made with a focus on long-term use in a fight against fast fashion. It’s portable, lightweight, breathable, and it compacts down into a pouch that fits in your hand. It has hidden pockets, cinching cuffs, a drawstring hood and reflective stripes, catering to everything from an early morning jog to a weekend backpacking trip.

From there, it includes modern innovations like a matching, detachable face mask, built-in gloves and even a foldable flap that acts as a seat protector you can lay out on the bleachers at the game or a stump on the trail. Although using recycled materials exempts virgin materials from the process, the microplastics released during washing are still a problem, so the jacket also comes with a microfiber-trapping laundry bag.

The durable and versatile design serves as a staple for any wardrobe. If there ever is a problem, the company offers free repairs or replacements with a lifetime warranty. 

PANGEA takes its role seriously in the effort to be eco-minded throughout the manufacturing process. The company not only fixates on upcycling, but the factory is solar-powered, and employees are treated ethically. 

The PANGEA Movement was founded by fellow backpackers Marcos, William and Juan, who met on the trail and shared sadness over the pollution they witnessed. After an initial foray into beach cleanups, the team discovered a more efficient means of stopping ocean pollution at the source — rivers. 

With this knowledge, the company centered its message on funding river barriers on the world’s 1,000 most polluted rivers. It reports, “By the end of the PANGEA’s Eco-Jacket KS campaign they will have reduced ocean plastic by approximately 80% in 1% of the world’s 1,000 dirtiest rivers- eliminating more rivers from the list of “world’s dirtiest rivers” than any other company in history.” 

+ PANGEA

Images via PANGEA Movement (Marcos Bulacio, William Di Ricco, and Juan Sebastian Duque) 

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Is Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade destroying the environment?

Thanksgiving is a day full of family and national traditions. The turkey goes into the oven, family and friends gather and the football lineup is noted. And on televisions across the country, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade streams on the TV. An event that large takes copious planning and coordination, but while it brings an uplifting spirit to the holiday, does it do the same for the planet?

Helium Balloons

The massive balloons that adorn the parade are a major undertaking. They require nearly 100 handlers each to keep them under control, and they’re not part of the parade during windy days. While they need to be controlled, the balloons are kept afloat by a massive amount of helium. Helium is a completely non-renewable resource, so the natural supply is always on decline. In fact, some estimates say we’ll run out in the next 50 years. During a helium shortage, the parade was put on hold during World War II, missing 1942 to 1944. 

Related: Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s to be fur-free by 2021

Recognizing helium is a limited resource, special consideration is given to the gas at the end of each parade. Yet, it’s questionable whether the organizer’s efforts to recapture and recycle the helium after the event is effective. Having said that, even at an extraordinary price tag, the amount of helium used equates to a small percentage of usage for a single day in the country. 

As for the material of the balloons themselves, they’ve received an environmental upgrade from the original rubber to a polyurethane fabric that can be upcycled in a variety of ways. However, it’s unclear if this actually happens when a balloon is retired. 

Of course, durability is an important factor too. As there are one or two new character balloons added each year, some of them have been in service for decades with no aspirations for retirement. 

Environmental awareness has increased over the years and is witnessed in changes throughout the history of the event. For example, balloons used to be released into the air at the end of the parade — a practice that was squashed in the 1930s with consideration for the environment, pilots and the public. 

The balloons weren’t always part of the parade. In fact, early on, live animals were borrowed from the local zoo to participate in the festivities. Lions, tigers, bears… Oh my! Really though, speaking strictly from an environmental standpoint, live animals were less impactful than balloons. Yet, they were uninvited from the party after a few years, likely due to safety concerns. Scared children, clean up and inconvenience to others in the parade were other likely contributors in the decision.  

Transportation

There’s an unavoidable consequence of gathering large groups of people together. After all, just transporting three million people into the area will leave a carbon footprint. Then there’s the trucks required to haul the floats. Fortunately, the warehouse where the floats are built is a short distance from the parade route, so transport emissions remain low there.

Not only that, but the location Moonachie, New Jersey was specifically chosen in 2011 and has housed the floats and supplies for the past ten years in the state-of-the-art and LEED-certified facility. Interestingly, this location adds a restriction to the float design. As part of the route into New York City, the floats must be transported through the Lincoln Tunnel. Inasmuch, floats must be no larger than 8.5 feet wide. However, many floats are designed to collapse in order to fit the restriction. 

To counterbalance the big trucks in the parade, there are plenty who travel pedestrian style, leaving zero-impact in their wake. For example, there are only twelve bands chosen for the honor each year, all of which walk the entire route.  

Macy’s sustainability practices

It’s no surprise the organization continues to evolve the parade in alignment with the needs of the planet. Reducing waste and being energy-efficient is engrained in the company mission. The transition has been gradual, but the updates are continual. For example, the company relies on solar energy for many stores and has upgraded to energy-efficient LED lighting throughout most locations. 

In the store and through the mail, Macy’s also pays attention to waste, using 100% recycled paper for their shopping bags and minimizing packing materials in the standardized packing cartons that improve transport efficiency, using less trucks and ensuring trucks are full before heading out. Marketing materials are also nearly 100% recycled, and the company is moving to e-bills to cut back paper consumption. 

To put it simply

While the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is unquestionably integrated into the very fabric of the holiday, no event that large can be completely sustainable. 

Overall, considering the number of people involved, the overall impact is miniscule. If you add in the efforts at a corporate level to streamline everyday operations, Macy’s is a company to put on the yes list for eco-conscious shopping. Knowing the effort it puts into maintaining low transport emissions, energy reduction and plastic-free packaging, Macy’s is clearly balancing business with the needs of the environment. 

Via Better Homes & Gardens and Earth 911

Images via Unsplash

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