As more and more people become interested in sustainability, they are looking for ways to make their homes more sustainable as well. One area that is often overlooked when it comes to sustainability is homewares. Homewares are such a fundamental part of our homes, yet so many of them are not eco-friendly or sustainable.
Our continuous consumption of the planet's resources, has left us fighting problems such as global warming and carbon emissions. If we don't find a more sustainable way of living, what does this mean for the world as we know it?
If you are looking to do your part and be more sustainable, one place to start with is your home, in particular, homewares.
Below are some eco-friendly and sustainable Australian homeware brands that you can shop from to play your part in making our environment more eco-friendly.
Sustainable homeware brands:
Koala
At Koala, they believe that everyone has a right to a beautiful and sustainable home. They may have become well-known for their mattress in a box, but they have expanded their eco-friendly range to furniture and bedding.
Koala is the only Australian mattress and furniture store that supports 1% for the Planet. This means they give away one percent of their gross annual sales for the good of the planet, people and animals.
Koala is another Certified B Corp™ company.
Armadillo & Co
Armadillo & Co is a homewares brand with a focus on sustainable and ethical practices. They work with artisan communities around the world to create beautiful handcrafted homewares using traditional techniques.
All of their rugs are handmade from natural and environmentally friendly fibres, with Fair Trade standards. They are another great sustainable company which is a Certified B Corp™ brand.
Robert Gordon Pottery
Robert Gordon is an Australian family-owned ceramic studio and pottery school, which has been around for over 75 years.
They use locally sourced clay and glazes to create their pieces, which are all handmade in their Melbourne studio. Robert Gordon is also a carbon-neutral company.
All of their products are made here in Melbourne. With any unused clay from production being recycled and made into slip or milled. They design and develop all of their own glazes. And each piece of pottery is hand-glazed and built to last a lifetime.
Koskela
Koskela is an Australian design company that creates sustainable homewares and furniture. They believe in celebrating good design and quality craftsmanship, while also being conscious of their environmental impact.
They have undertaken some great initiatives such as having all of their products able to be repaired and to have the replacement components easily available to their customers. They are also proposing to create their own 'marketplace' where their refurbished furniture gets a second chance in someone else's home (at a fraction of the price).
Koskela's goal is to completely eliminate all emissions they create through their products, business, manufacturing and transport by 2030.
Koskela is another company which is Certified B Corp™.
Huxter
Huxter is an eco-friendly bathroom and homewares brand from Australia that began in 2016. They believe that sustainability should be luxurious, so they create high quality sustainable products for the home.
With a focus on Australian made skincare and soaps, using sustainable packaging. Their soaps are made with a focus on natural ingredients and each soap is wrapped in unique prints from Australian artists.
Bandhini
Sustainable goods can still be fashionable, according to the company's dedication to using natural fibers, ecologically friendly dyes, and handcrafted processes. All of their products are handmade using traditional weaving, beading, embiodery, block and screen printing techniques.
This Australian business is a one-stop shop for furniture and home accents that are committed to utilising natural materials, eco-friendly dyes, and GECA-approved cushion stuffing.
Switching your household products for eco friendly and sustainable options is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment. There are many sustainable and eco-friendly homewares that are readily available nowadays, so you can easily find eco friendly products for your home.
Sustainable homeware products:
- bamboo toothbrushes
- beeswax wraps
- cloth napkins
- glass straws
- metal water bottles
- recyclable coffee cups
- reusable shopping bags
- sustainable stationery
- wooden toys
-recycled toilet paper
Conclusion
Not just companies but many Australians, and people around the world are tuning into reducing their household energy usage as well as recycling their waste correctly.
There are many eco-friendly brands that are growing in popularity due to their care for the environment and by enforcing more eco friendly and sustainable practices into their business, products and transportation.
There are many sustainable homeware brands to choose from, depending on your needs and style. These are just a few of the great sustainable brands out there. Do your research and shop around to find the perfect sustainable brand for you and your home.
FAQ
What is a Certified B Corp?
A Certified B Corp is a company that has been certified by the non-profit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
What are sustainable homewares?
Sustainable homewares are items for the home that have been made using sustainable practices. This means that they have been created in a way that is environmentally friendly and does not put strain on natural resources. Sustainable homewares are often made from sustainable materials like bamboo, wool, or organic cotton.
What are some sustainable homeware brands?
Some sustainable homeware brands include Koala, Armadillo & Co, and Bambeco. These brands focus on using sustainable practices and materials to create beautiful and eco-friendly homewares.
What is Block printing?
Block printing is a sustainable way of printing fabric as it uses very little water and no chemicals. It is also a slow process, which results in each piece being unique.
What are natural dyes made from?
Natural dyes are made from plant and vegetable matter, rather than synthetic dyes which are derived from petroleum. Natural dyes are better for the environment as they do not release harmful chemicals into the water supply.
What is GECA?
GECA is an Australian government-approved certification system that assesses products and services for their environmental and social impact. Products that are certified by GECA can be trusted to be sustainable and eco-friendly.
What is a green product?
A green product is a product that has been made using sustainable practices. This means that it has been created in a way that is environmentally friendly and does not put strain on natural resources. Green products are often made from sustainable materials like bamboo, wool, or organic cotton.