Six Designers Making Fairmined Gold Jewelry

Meet the designers who are going above and beyond to source gold responsibly

Gold mining is often seen as dirty, polluting, and abusive. And while it often is, it doesn’t have to be. There are so many new initiatives in the jewelry industry that are supporting equity, helping communities, and creating new and better environmental paths.

So let’s talk about Fairmined gold! What it is, how it helps make the world better, and which designers are enthusiastic about making jewelry with it.

What is Farimined Gold?

The Fairmined Gold standard was developed by The Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM). Since 2012, ARM has been working to create more gender equity, less danger, more resources, and better land stewardship in gold mining. Since it started, they have certified eight mines in South America and Africa.

What you should know about Fairmined Gold

Fairmined principles center on both people and the planet to help communities earn a dignified living and to encourage and support better ecological practices. There are approximately 20 million artisanal and small-scale (ASM) gold miners in the world. Some are operating as part of illegal activity; others are mining to escape poverty. Eight mines worldwide are part of the Farimined network of gold mines.

This is no small undertaking. The Alliance for Responsible Mining seeks out ASM miners to work with to help communities lift themselves out of poverty while also focusing on better and healthier methods of gold mining.

Fairmined operations are meant to stay small. Keeping their operations small not only contains and minimizes environmental damage but also allows for more personal connections between the miners and the organizations who are there to support them.

And while recycled gold is here to stay - in truth, gold has been recycled since its discovery 1000s of years ago - now that we have better options, we can support them. Fairmined gold adds to the choices we have when buying jewelry.

Fairmined gold supports an end to mercury in gold mining

The Alliance for Responsible Mining and the Fairmined process also helps miners curtail and eventually end their use of mercury in the mining process. It takes time, effort, new equipment, and resources for miners to make the switch.

And after all of the mining, certification, refining, and processing, the now-certified gold ends up in the hands of a small but mighty group of jewelry designers, all committed to sourcing and offering their gorgeous work with “gold you can be proud of”.

Jewelry designers who are proud to make Fairmined gold jewelry

The six designers listed have all made a commitment to making all or part of their jewelry in Farimined gold.

These jewelry designers all work with Fairmined Gold as a part of their dedication to a more equitable and fair future in the jewelry industry.

Meet the designers making Fairmined gold jewelry

1) Crown Nine Jewelry makes shopping for jewelry easy

Kate Ellen, the designer behind Crown Nine, a long-running jewelry shop in the Bay Area, has long made a commitment to environmental and human rights causes the cornerstone of her brand.

From her sunny shop in Sebastopol, CA, she makes organic and intentional jewelry to celebrate and commemorate every stage of life

Crown Nine Jewelry makes deep commitments to sourcing responsibly

Always conscientious about how she sources her metal and stones - her line is full of antique diamonds and Montana sapphires - she went through the extra step of getting licensed to use and sell Fairmined gold and now offers the Fairmined option for her entire collection. She even has a full selection of essential gold chains in Fairmined gold.

Why did Crown Nine get licensed to use Fairmined gold?

“My aim has always been to offer the most ethical and responsible products to my clients.” Says Kate Ellen.

“A huge part of what I do on behalf of my clients is research and think about these complex issues. As a consumer, it is a lot of information to metabolize, so I essentially am acting as a filter for them. I can say, ‘Everything that you see before you is the best our current markets offer’”.

“My clients can simply relax and enjoy the creative and artistic process of crafting their milestone jewelry. Fairmined is a no-brainer. It vastly improves the two factors I am always looking for - care for people and care for the planet.”

Shop Crown Nine Jewelry

2) Bliss Lau Jewelry chooses transparency and kindness

Bliss Lau has always offered highly creative and expressive fine jewelry. Her thoughtfulness and intention are evident in each of her designs. For her, offering Farimined gold was core to her belief that all business decisions have an impact.

Bliss Lau even works with one of the few manufacturers in Asia to be licensed to use Farimined gold.

Bliss Lau Jewelry values transparency in her jewelry

“Our Fairmined Gold collection represents the future = Transparently made jewelry. I created a capsule collection of my signature designs,” says Bliss Lau.

“These pieces represent choice, identity, empathy, and kindness, all connecting from the earth to your body, supporting mining communities, families, and the environment.”

“This is a call to action. We must change how gold travels out of the earth and through the world. Knowing where our gold comes from and that it is not contributing to damaging the environment and hurting our bodies, especially as women, is so important. The process of how our jewelry is made is equally as important as the finished piece of beautiful fine jewelry.”

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3) Mercurius Jewelry prioritizes the environment from beginning to end

Mercurius Jewelry is the dynamic duo of Alisa and David Thorp who produce their thoughtful collection and even cut some of their own rare gems and minerals. With a commitment to discovering the most delightful stones possible, it was a natural step to source Fairmined gold too.

Alisa, one half of the powerhouse couple making up Mercurius jewelry says, “Do you follow the philosophy of “know better, do better”?

“We have been a certified California Green business since we opened, but in that time we focused mostly on the environment without enough focus on environmental justice.”

“But now we know better. We were choosing recycled gold as our main metal option without taking into account the nearly 100 million people worldwide who depend on Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) of gold to survive.”

So now we will do better - beginning in 2021 we transitioned from using recycled gold as our primary metal option to using Fairmined Certified gold as our go-to metal - both for custom pieces and in our own collection”

Many of the stones that they use are cut in-house and sourced directly. They even offer a way to shop by stone and learn more about these rare minerals.”

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4) Ofrenda Jewelry crafts responsible jewelry for spiritual transformation

Cecilia Echeverri, the designer behind Ofrenda Jewelry, designs symbolic jewelry - rich history and philosophy are her inspirations. As part of a recent design challenge crafted by Fairmined Official, she and 100 other designers worked to design and execute jewelry using all Fairmined gold. The result was her Unity Charm collection - made with all 14-karat Fairminedd gold.

Cecilia is guided by her principles: “Integrity and transparency - we promise to lead an honorable business and be honest about the materials we use while disclosing publicly as much information as we have available.”

“One of our core principles is community development - our commitment and what gets us most excited is to work with artisans and mining communities to support their initiative and have fulfilling livelihoods.”

“As a Fairmined licensed brand, we want to support the effort, commitment, and spirit of certified mines that want to work with sound business practices and be in the right relationship with the community and the Earth. Gold since antiquity has been an allegory for spiritual transformation. Ofrenda Jewelry is crafted from ancient principles to inspire the modern woman and what better way than jewelry made with Fairmined gold, transmuting mining into social impact.”

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5) Truss and Ore Jewelry creates jewelry with a positive impact

Ana Brazaityte, designer and owner of this Bay Area-based jewelry brand crafts Bauhaus-inspired jewelry with an intense commitment to supply chain transparency.

“As a business, Truss and Ore is rooted in creating a positive impact. I am committed to working toward a jewelry industry that is beneficial to all people along the supply chain and prioritizes stewardship of the environment. This is reflected in my business and sourcing practices, as well as my volunteer work with educational initiatives and my philanthropic actions.”

Ana uses Fairmined gold in her Lietuva Ring and also for her bespoke and custom pieces. Her commitment to sourcing gemstones responsibly is no less impressive - she selects stones from traceable, mine-to-market sources.

Shop Truss and Ore

6) Melissa Scoppa's thoughtfully designed jewelry in Fairmined gold

Melissa Scoppa makes personal and meaningful jewelry in the Bay Area. Inspired by historic design elements, she crafts pieces that are made to last such as her signet Sundial Ring. Her commitment to using the most responsible material, like Fairmined gold is no less important.

“I got into jewelry because I wanted to make meaningful and beautiful heirloom quality pieces for people to treasure,” Melissa says.

“With more research, I realized that if you are not deliberately being careful about where your precious metals are coming from, you are actually part of a harmful supply chain with impacts being felt by the people and environment where these materials are being mined.”

“When I sought to work in jewelry, I never imagined that the things I was making - my art could be linked to environmental destruction and exploitation. The use of recycled gold is not enough and not meaningful in making an impact on this topic, but by using Fairmined gold, I know exactly where my gold is coming from. I have assurances in place that my gold purchases are actually improving the mining communities and that the beautiful things I am making are helping people not hurting people.”

Shop Melissa Scoppa

Finding hope at the very bottom of the jewelry supply chain is one way that we can make our way forward by increasing ethics and responsibility in the industry. Initiatives like Farimined Gold are working to create better systems that will benefit all of us.

About the Author

Sharon Zimmerman is a profit and eCommerce consultant for product-makers, a metalsmith focused on responsible sourcing, and a member of the Jewelry Glossary Project. She loves torches, hammers, and sharing.

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Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Throw Pillows

Our home is an extension of ourselves and our beliefs so when you are looking to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, naturally, you want to incorporate sustainable pieces whenever and wherever possible. Often overlooked parts of the home are accent pieces like throw pillows. However, it is worthwhile not to skip over this part of your home decor. For decor or comfort, adding in sustainable throw pillows will elevate your space in a way you can feel good about.
If you are looking to decorate your space, check out why sustainable throw pillows matter and 10 brands for the best eco-friendly throw pillows to accent any room.

Why do sustainable throw pillows matter?

Throw pillows or accent pillows are often made with synthetic materials, which are not eco-friendly. This also means these fabrics are treated with chemicals like formaldehyde. If you are using these pillows around your home, and you or your children are laying on them, you want to know they are safe. You don’t want to look around your home wondering if there are hidden toxins or if there were poor labor conditions required to decorate your home.

What materials are sustainable throw pillows made from?

When shopping for sustainable throw pillows, you will want to look for fabrics like cotton or linen. These natural materials are known for being eco-friendly and if you can find organic cotton, that is even better. Cotton is usually treated with chemicals so to ensure the least amount of contaminants possible, organic cotton is usually best. If an item isn’t listed as organic, Oeko-Tex certification is another label to look for. This certification is one of the world's best-known labels recognizing textiles tested for harmful substances.

how to shop for sustainable throw pillows

Home decor is often marketed seasonally with a push to buy new and buy more every few months. One way to reduce consumption is to purchase throw pillow covers so you only have to switch out the cover, not the whole pillow. This is also a great way to save on storage space! Since throw pillows are made from textiles, which is an industry know to treat labor workers poorly, look for companies that are Fair Trade Certified. If not certified Fair Trade, there are still companies that care about the artisans they work with and develop partnerships to ensure they are paid well and in safe work conditions. A quick search of a company’s website should reflect this as it is something many companies are proud of and important to their brand values and mission. From living room to reading nook, if you’re looking for a way to spruce up a room or cozy up your space, these sustainable 11 throw pillow options offer something for everyone!

our favorite places to find sustainable throw pillows:

1) Sabai Design

This BIPOC-owned brand uses recycled velvet & upcycled polyester to create their throw pillows - even the fibers inside the pillow are made from recycled plastic bottles! Choose from either a square or lumbar size and 13 different colors. It’s the perfect way to add a pop of color to any couch or chair in your house.Sabai also offers couches, love seats, ottomans, and many other gorgeous interiors – made sustainably and ethically in North Carolina.

Shop Sabai Design

use code **SUSTAINABLYCHIC** for $20 off your first order of $150+ at madetrade.com

2) Made Trade

Made Trade is always a one-stop-shop for ethical home goods. As a women-owned and family-run company, shopping sustainably is easy. You can sort by specific values, like POC owned, Fair Trade, and Vegan. Made Trade is Climate Neutral certified, Fair Trade certified, and donates to 1% For The Planet. Since Made Trade sources from multiple brands, there is a style for everyone from bold and graphic to modern and neutral. They offer sustainable throw pillow covers and inserts.

Shop Made Trade

3) Coyuchi

Coyuchi is a brand committed to people, organically grown, and designed with intent. All of their cotton is organic and GOTS certified. They also value regenerative agriculture and partner with White Buffalo Land Trust to pave the way for better global farming practices. Coyuchi also upholds conscious processing and offers circular initiatives and reusable packaging while offering a transparent supply chain for workers and the products. The throw pillow covers and inserts from Coyuchi are all made with organic materials. The calming neutral hues will add a grounding warmth to your room.

Shop Coyuchi

4) West Elm

West Elm makes it easy to shop by conscious values, which is super convenient as a conscious consumer. West Elm is FSC-Certified, GREENGUARD certified, Better Cotton certified, and currently 60% of product sales support at least one of the sustainability initiatives. They partner with their artisans, support small businesses, and are a part of Fair Trade USA. Since West Elm is a larger retailer they offer dozens of styles, colors, and textures that will suit any style and home.

Shop West Elm

5) The Citizenry

Thoughtfully designed, ethically crafted, and globally inspired is the mission for The Citizenry. They have direct partnerships with the artisans so they can offer the highest quality products without the highest price tag since there is no middleman and less overhead cost. They pride themselves on producing in small batches and supporting their artisans to grow their businesses with grants and fair wages. With a variety of sizes, shapes, textures, and colors, if you are looking for a new accent pillow for your space, The Citizenry offers beautiful options in a blend of textures and natural tones.

Shop The Citizenry

6) Minna

Minna collaborates with artisans from Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Uruguay, and Bolivia. These partnerships provide fair wages and safe working conditions for workers. All handmade pieces are made from thoughtful production using sustainable materials, factories, and small-batch productions to ensure the highest quality of goods. They also honor the traditional techniques created from years of craft expertise and collaborate to create the designs. All the pieces are thoughtfully curated using organic, recycled, and natural materials. Minna throw pillows are created to bring a cozy ambiance to your space!

Shop minna

7) Anchal

If you love bold geometric patterns and color, you will absolutely fall in love with Anchal's throw pillows. A nonprofit social enterprise that addresses the exploitation of women, Anchal uses several sustainable fabrics in their collection, including GOTS cotton.

Made by an Artisan in Ajmer, India, the Multi-Check Pillow shown here is Fair Trade Verified and features hand-embroidered Kantha stitching. They also offer lumbar size pillows to complete your look.

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8) Soil to Studio

The Soil to Studio mission is to empower the families behind the craft, preserve local craftsmanship and continue to create sustainable livelihoods. All artisans set their own wages and fair trade practices remain at the core of their partnership. The handmade pieces from Soil to Studio are unique and made from weaving, block printing, embroidery, and other time-honored techniques. The charming patterns provide the promised “quiet luxury” that is sure to brighten your space. You can buy Soil to Studio throw pillows with or without the inserts.

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9) Zuahaza

Zuahaza translates to “my sister” and they embody collective sisterhood. This women created and led company strives to connect women from across Colombia to create unique products that reflect our diversity, history and dreams. Created with organic cotton, natural dyes and handmade by Colombian artisans, Zuahaza values culture and craft.The Zuahaza throw pillows offer cozy and colorful designs that represent the lively Colombia culture.

Shop Zuahaza

10) Shades of Green

Shades of Green provides a modern and cozy aesthetic without compromising sustainable practices. All their products are evaluated on a “green” scale and undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure full transparency. Each handmade piece helps preserve and support rural artisan communities. All of the Shades of Green packaging is also recyclable and sustainable. The textures and natural color palettes of their throw pillows will complement any room!

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11) Parachute

Parachute is a women-owned company that is known for high-quality essentials Their materials are all Oeko-Tex certified so you don’t have to worry about harmful contaminants. For their bedding products, they work with family-owned factories in Portugal, or some basics are made in America. The clean, modern aesthetic from Parachute derives from thoughtful design and versatility. You can purchase pillow covers and inserts separately.

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About the Author

Karmen Flores is a creative entrepreneur based in Michigan. Karmen shares all about plant-based and sustainable, intentional living on her blog Karmen Collective. From recommendations for all things plant-based to tips for living more sustainably, Karmen makes living with intention less intimidating and more accessible. You can connect with Karmen on Instagram @karmencollective and at www.karmencollective.com.

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WHAT IS UPCYCLED BEAUTY?

Who would have thought that used coffee grounds, bruised fruit, or fruit pits could be the star ingredients in skincare products? Upcycled beauty products give discarded food waste a new life by using waste products to create delicious new cleansers, balms, and scrubs. It’s all the rage in the skincare world right now, and let us tell you — the trend is here to stay.

We know the idea of discarded fruit or old tea leaves in your face mask might take some getting used to. But not only is it great for the planet, it can do wonders for your skin too. For example, did you know that brewed coffee grounds actually contain more antioxidants than unused ones?

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A BRAND:

Read the ingredient list carefully. Make sure the product is free of nasty toxins like parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and synthetic colors or fragrances.
The brand should be cruelty-free, and plant-based is always a plus.
Look out for national or international certifications like ECOCERT, USDA Organic, or Leaping Bunny Certified.
Sustainable packaging: Is it reusable, recyclable, or compostable?
Is the brand paying its workers a living wage? What about ethical worker conditions?
Bonus points if the brand is BIPOC-owned!

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR UPCYCLED SKINCARE BRANDS:

1) UpCircle Beauty

Upcycled ingredients: Used coffee, stone fruit pits

If you’re a fan of coffee, this one’s for you. London-based UpCircle Beauty uses upcycled Arabica coffee grounds in most of its products, which they get from local cafes in London. They have a range of coffee scrubs, including a floral blend face scrub ($22) for sensitive skin, & a body scrub with peppermint ($22). The coffee is blended with coconut and shea butter, so the scrubs are not only exfoliating and brightening, but also incredibly nourishing.

If you’re not a coffee girl, they also use fruit stones and chai spices in their products. Check out the cinnamon + ginger chai soap bar ($10) or our favorite Kaolin clay face mask ($26), made with ground discarded olive stones.

Shop Upcircle Beauty

2) Kadalys

Upcycled ingredients: Rejected bananas

Kadalys rescues bruised or “ugly” bananas and extracts the banana bio-actives for its skincare products. Banana oils contain essential fatty acids, vitamin E, phytosterols, and polyphenols, all of which promote skin health. The antioxidants in the oils help with skin nutrition and hydration and prevent aging.

Kadaly’s products are certified organic by ECOCERT and are free of nasty parabens, silicones, and synthetic dyes and fragrances.

Shop Kadalys

3) Cocokind

Upcycled ingredients: Used coffee

Cocokind’s products with their Asian-inspired flavors are the stuff skincare dreams are made of — plus it’s Asian (woman) owned! While upcycled ingredients aren’t the core focus of their collection, we love this scrubbing clay ($19) made with used coffee grounds which are sourced from a local coffee manufacturer in California. Made with coffee grounds which gently exfoliate, prebiotic chicory root which helps feed your skin biome, and red clay which deeply cleanses skin and prevents clogged pores, this is an all-round star product.

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4) Three Ships

Upcycled ingredients: Leftover bark extract

The Radiance Grape Stem Cell + Squalane Day Cream ($35) from Three Ships contains one of the most unique ingredients in this list: Upcycled bark extract, which is high in polyphenols that aid in skin elasticity, hydration, and calm redness. The extract is made up of four types of upcycled tree barks (red maple, black spruce, yellow birch, and jack pine) that are by-products of the lumber industry in Quebec, Canada. The bark goes through an extraction, filtration, and purification process before it’s finally used in the skincare products.

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5) Circumference

Upcycled ingredients: Leftover olive leaves

This regenerative gel cleanser ($48) from Circumference is a great option if you’re looking for a gentle, daily cleanser. The key bioactive ingredient is an olive extract which comes from upcycled olive leaves. Circumference partners with Brightland Olive Oil for their Waste-Not Sourcing Initiative to upcycle their organic olive oil by-products into luxurious skincare products. The olive extract is rich in antioxidants, making the gel ultra purifying, healing, and restoring. Your skin will love this one!

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6) Codex Beauty Labs

Upcycled ingredients: Leftover soap shavings

Codex beauty labs makes the yummiest soap bars, and we’re big fans of this one ($10) from their Bia Collection. It’s made from upcycled soap shavings from the production of other Bia bars — how cool is that? Perfect for all skin types, the soap is made from ultra-nourishing shea butter and purifying pink clay, and is infused with citrus for that refreshing and energizing kick. Plus, it’s so pretty!

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7) BYBI

Upcycled ingredients: Pumpkin

You’ll never believe what BYBI’s Acid Gold deep renewal face mask ($23) is made of.

The key ingredient is a pumpkin enzyme which is extracted from pumpkin flesh, a by-product of the pumpkin seed industry. We’re obsessed with the texture — it’s a thick jelly which is super satisfying to apply. The pumpkin enzyme enhances cell renewal, and the mask also contains exfoliating natural AHAs, which results in brighter, smoother, and firmer skin.

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8) LOLI Beauty

Upcycled ingredients: Plum seeds

LOLI Beauty uses upcycled superfoods to power its skincare line.

Their signature Plum Elixer ($68) is made from upcycled plum kernels. Rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins A and E, the oil is incredibly nourishing and healing and works great for both your skin and hair.

It also contains brightening pomegranate oil, soothing tea seed oil, and healing sea buckthorn fruit oil.

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9) Le Prunier

Upcycled ingredients: Plum kernels

Le Prunier, as the name suggests, is all about plums. The brand uses upcycled plum kernels for its beauty products, which are a by-product of the organic family plum farm. Their signature product is the Plum Beauty Oil ($72). Rich in essential fatty acids and phytochemicals, this oil is a powerful antioxidant booster and helps heal and hydrate your skin. Their newest product is Plumscreen ($78), a broad spectrum SPF 31 sunscreen that is reef-safe, white residue-free, and ultra-nourishing.

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10) Pai

Upcycled Ingredients: Bilberry Extract

Pai's C-2 Believe Vitamin C Brightening Moisturizer gives you radiance without irritation with its sustainably-sourced, up-cycled bilberry extract ingredient. It is excellent for dehydrated, sensitive skin and helps soothe and moisturize without tightness.

Their products are certified organic by COSMOS, the Soil Association, the Vegan Society, and Cruelty Free International and is London Living Wage accredited.

Shop Pai

About the Author:

Jyotika is a writer based in New Delhi. She writes about sustainable living and eco-friendly brands, covering fashion, food, travel, and wellness. Previously, she was the fashion manager at her family's bespoke fashion business, where in addition to her other responsibilities she worked on improving textile sourcing from local artisans to encourage grassroots production, as well as conducting sustainability workshops with employees regarding the eco-friendly disposal of fashion materials.

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Sustainable & Unique Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

As June 18th approaches, you might be starting to think about what to get your dad for Father's Day. It's the one day a year we get to celebrate the father figures in our lives and acknowledge all the things they do for us. Maybe your dad is making an effort to be more eco-friendly, or you're gently trying to encourage them to make some sustainable changes? Or maybe you're just desperate to avoid getting him yet another tie! Either way, if you're on the lookout for some sustainable gift ideas for Father's Day, we've got you covered.

Our team has searched high and low for gift ideas that will put a smile on your dad's face and let him know just how much you appreciate him. We've checked that each product is made sustainably and ethically, and that the brands are taking tangible steps to reduce their impact on the planet. Keep reading for some major gift inspiration and find that perfect present for your dad this Father's Day!

What makes a sustainable Father's Day gift?

When deciding if a product should be listed in one of our Sustainable Gift Guides, we look for several things. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself while searching for the ideal gift for your dad this Father's Day.

Is it what they want or need?

The first thing you should ask yourself when considering what to buy someone for a gift is "will they actually want this?". Unwanted gifts are a major source of waste, especially around annual holidays like Father's Day or Mother's Day. It's worthwhile starting your research off with a list of things your dad enjoys doing or are things that are relevant to him in some way. You could think about his hobbies, what he likes to do on his days off, things he's mentioned an interest in in the past, or something that you've seen before that could help him in some way.

Will it last?

If you're buying a gift for your dad you'll want it to stand the test of time and be something he can get enjoyment out of for a long time. Avoid cheaply made items or novelty gifts that will likely break or can only be used once. Durability is one of the most important aspects of any sustainable gift and you know your dad will be even more impressed if the gift is well made and built to last.

What is it made of?

Are the materials sustainably grown or sourced? Do they contain any harmful chemicals or toxins? Products that are circular in design (meaning they can be turned into something new at the end of it's lifespan) or upcycled are often the more sustainable option, and for beauty or skincare products refillable products are a great way to reduce waste.

Don't forget to check out our guides on sustainable fabrics to check which materials you should be opting for while shopping.

Who made it?

Have the people who made it been paid fairly? Do they work in safe conditions and have employment rights? These are questions any ethical brand should be able to tell you. Ensuring the gifts you buy are ethically made is an important element of being a conscious consumer, and helps spread awareness of brands that are looking out for their employees and partner factories.

What else is the brand doing for the planet?

Does the brand make sure they're implementing sustainability within its entire business? A truly sustainable brand will be taking action to reduce their carbon footprint, minimize their waste and only use sustainable or recycled materials. Look out for sustainability initiatives, plastic-free packaging, carbon neutral shipping, and certifications such as B-Corp, GOTS, Net-Zero or Climate Neutral certified.

Now, our top picks for sustainable Father's Day gift ideas:

1) Activewear top

Brand: Pangaia

Price: $130

For the outdoorsy dad who’s always planning the next family hike, this zipped long-sleeve top from sustainable B-Corp clothing brand Pangaia is the perfect gift for Father’s Day. Made with a specially formulated Bio-Based Polyamide, it can decompose faster. The Men’s Activewear 2.0 range comes in jade green, jasper red, taupe, or black and is available in sizes XS to XL. Pangaia’s packaging is compostable and they give back through their partnerships with grassroot conservation organizations.

Shop Activewear Top

2) Sustainable Sunglasses

Brand: MITA

Price: $149

Keep your dad looking chic with these eco-friendly frames from Mita.

They have a wide range of styles, but we love the timeless Roma style, and you can choose either frame-only or add your own lens prescription. Mita sunglasses are made from recycled water bottles and sustainable sun lenses.

2% of their profits go to philanthropic charities, and you can even choose which one to send the donation to!

Shop Sustainable Sunglasses

3) Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Brand: Nc’nean

Price: $52

Presented in 100% recycled glass bottles, Nc’nean’s organic single malt would make the perfect Father’s Day gift for the whisky connoisseur. To reduce its impact in terms of carbon footprint, pollution and biodiversity, the B-Corp Nc’nean distillery is powered by renewable energy, uses 100% organically-farmed barley and recycles 99.97% of its waste.

Now that’s something worth raising a glass to!

Shop Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky

4) Non-Toxic Fragrance & Colognes

From: Credo Beauty

Price: $29-165

The main issue with conventional perfumes is that the perfume industry is incredibly opaque, and we rarely know what they are formulated with. Luckily, there are sites like Credo Beauty that make sure their fragrances are made with eco-friendly, sustainable ingredients that are not harmful to you or the planet.

They have popular brands such as Dedcool, Abott & Rosie Jane.

Shop Non-Toxic Fragrance & Colognes

5) Eco-Friendly Watch

Brand: Mondaine

Price: $220-845

How about a new watch for your dad who would never treat himself to one!

The Original Automatic from Mondaine is a classic style with Swiss quality, originally designed in 1986.

The watch features a vegan grape leather strap which is made of 75% eco-friendly plant-based composite material and 25% recycled PET. They have a 2-year warranty and offer a repair service with service centers across the world.

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6) Planet-Friendly Cookbook

Brand: Better World Books

Price: $29

Got a father who needs a bit of help in the kitchen? Why not treat him to a cookbook that sparks his culinary creativity whilst putting the planet first! “One: Pot, Pan, Planet: A Greener Way to Cook for You, Your Family and the Planet” by Anna Jones has over 200 simple recipes including one-pot soups and stews, baked dahls and pancakes. The book can also help you plan your meals and food shops, and reduce waste. Plus you’ll benefit from more home cooked meals - a win for you, your dad and the planet!

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7) Sustainable Pajama Pants

Brand: Coyuchi

Price: $78

Comfy and cooling pajama pants would make a fantastic gift for Father’s Day, especially as he probably hasn’t treated himself to new ones since before you were born! Made with GOTS certified organic cotton, these crinkled pants by Coyuchi feature an elasticated drawstring waistband and side seam pockets. Coyuchi is a women-owned company and only works with fair trade manufacturers. They also have a range of other nightwear products including short sleeve tees and joggers.

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8) Simple Skin Care Set

Brand: Plaine Products

Price: $45

Is your dad finally ready to be introduced to skincare? Start him off easy with this simple skin care set from Plaine Products. The kit includes face wash, toner, and moisturizer and comes in citrus, green tea and unscented fragrances. The products are plastic-free and are refillable, so your dad can keep using them again and again without the waste. Plaine Products are vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO, palm oil and sulfate-free, and biodegradable - absolutely no nasties here!

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9) Vegan Sneakers

Brand: Hylo

Price: $135

Move over New Balances; these lab-certified vegan sneakers are made from renewable materials like corn and algae. They are perfect for dads who love to run and spend a lot of time on their feet. The packaging is made of FSC-recycled cardboard (no plastic), and when you are finished with your shoes, you can send them back to Hylo for recycling.

Shop Vegan Sneakers

10) Vegan Beard Care Kit

Brand: Zeus

Price: $68

For the father figure in your life with a beard that needs some TLC, why not get him some eco-friendly products? The Zeus beard care kit features beard shampoo and conditioner, beard oil, and a beard brush and comes in a black metal tin. The products are vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben and sulfate-free. The beard brush handle is made with walnut wood, and the bristles are cut from undyed Tampico fibers. Perfect for beards of all shapes, sizes, & textures!

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About the Author

Sarah King is a freelance writer with a focus on vegan fashion, sustainability and ethically made clothes. She campaigns for change in the fashion industry through her blog and on her Instagram page.

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The Coziest SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC SWADDLES & MUSLIN BLANKETS for your baby

Swaddling is the practice of gently wrapping a baby up in a light blanket so that he or she can feel calm. Doing so is believed to help babies sleep better and reduce stress, which is why parents all around the world have swaddled their newborn children for millennia.

If you are a new mom (or dad) and want your little one to feel comfortable and cozy all day, you might be considering buying a few swaddles or muslin blankets. However, most brands make them using conventional cotton, which is not a sustainable or healthy option for our babies.

Cotton is a very water-intensive crop that is grown using tons of pesticides and other toxic chemicals. Child labor and forced labor are also very common in the cotton industry, not to mention that cotton workers are usually underpaid.

Thankfully, we can easily avoid buying swaddles and muslin blankets made from conventional cotton. There are many more sustainable and healthier options on the market.

The 12 sustainable brands we write about in this article sell eco-friendly, organic swaddles and muslin blankets that are not only healthier for our babies, but also incredibly cute! Thanks to them, you will be able to wrap your baby into the perfect little burrito and give him or her a comfortable, healthy sleep!

WHAT MAKES SWADDLES & MUSLIN BLANKETS SUSTAINABLE?

Sustainable swaddles and muslin blankets are made with natural, eco-friendly fabrics and dyed using non-toxic, sustainable dyes. Despite the delicacy of their fabric, they are also made to last for a long time and can stand all the laundering without showing signs of wear.

Plus, the brands selling them should prioritize and support workers’ welfare: all the workers in their supply chain should be paid fairly, work in safe conditions, and be treated humanely.

Try to support Fair Trade or B Corp-certified brands, and buy swaddles and muslin blankets that are certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100 to ensure they are completely free of harmful substances.

WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY FABRICS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?

Cotton muslin is a durable, yet very soft fabric, but try to stay away from swaddles and muslin blankets made from conventional cotton. Instead, opt for models crafted with GOTS-certified organic cotton, which is naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, and free of harsh chemicals. It is also one of the most sustainable fabrics you can find!

Some sustainable brands also make their swaddles and muslin blankets with bamboo fabric. When it is produced in a closed-loop system and the bamboo is grown organically in responsibly managed forests, this thermoregulating fabric is another great eco-friendly option you can choose when shopping for swaddles and muslin blankets.

NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC SWADDLES & MUSLIN BLANKETS

1) Pottery Barn Kids

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $30-70

Pottery Barn is far from being the most eco-friendly brand out there, but it has taken major steps to minimize its environmental footprint over the years.

If you love this company, you will be happy to read that it has some great sustainable, organic swaddles and muslin blankets! They are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, and there are many patterns to choose from.

Pottery Barn has some adorable designs featuring cute animals and fishes, flowers, and hearts, as well as more neutral models in different solid colors. It even sells swaddles with Mickey Mouse, Winnie The Pooh, and Star Wars prints!

Many of the swaddles and muslin blankets are certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, so they have been tested to be completely free of more than 350 harmful substances. Some are also produced in a Fair Trade Certified factory, meaning that the factory has fair and safe labor practices and uses sustainable manufacturing processes to make its products.

Shop Pottery Barn Kids

2) Boody

Fabric: Bamboo Viscose

Price: $39

Boody crafts quality, everyday basics for women, men, and babies. It sells a pack of two muslin wraps available in white, light blue, and light pink.

These lightweight wraps feature a soft, odor-resistant fabric with an open weave that makes them very breathable. They are made of bamboo viscose, produced from bamboo grown organically in FSC-certified forests.

The bamboo used by Boody is also made in a closed-loop system and only grown with rainwater, and all the water used in the production process is recycled and reused.

The muslin wraps’ silky smooth fabric will keep your baby cool and comfortable thanks to its thermoregulating properties. It is also certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, so the wraps are 100% safe and non-toxic for your little one!

Plus, Boody is a certified B Corp, and it works with factories using computer knitting machines to minimize their fabric waste. It also regularly supports non-profits like Goodbye Malaria, Circle of Love Center, and Bridge of Hope SD.

Shop Boody

3) MakeMake Organics

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $40

MakeMake Organics is a sustainable baby clothing brand creating non-toxic and organic nursery essentials. It has several swaddles you can choose from, all of which come with a cute matching hat.

The company’s swaddles feature modern patterns that are all gender-neutral and printed with azo-free, non-toxic and water-based dyes.

From little suns to palm trees to wildcats, the prints look very minimalistic and simple.

MakeMake Organics crafts its swaddles with GOTS-certified organic cotton. They are produced in small batches in a GOTS-certified factory in India, and they are hypoallergenic and completely free of flame retardants, harmful dyes, and other toxic chemicals.

We also love that all the swaddle blankets and matching hats are Fair Trade Certified, meaning that they are made according to rigorous environmental, social, and economic standards.

The swaddles also come packed in a reusable drawstring bag made from excess fabrics, which you can reuse for traveling or storing things around the house!

Shop Makemake Organics

4) Monica + Andy

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $10-50

Monica + Andy is a one-stop shop for everything you may need for your nursery.

It has a great selection of lightweight swaddles made from super soft, GOTS-certified organic cotton.

They are designed in a variety of soothing solid colors like butter yellow or soft pink, and fun patterns such as little unicorns and rainbows.

The brand also sells different double-layered muslin blankets, which are both airy and warm. These feature cute elephants or stripes, but you can also choose one of the company’s limited edition prints including little pizzas or daffodils.

Monica + Andy makes sure all its swaddles are free of toxic chemicals like phthalates or flame retardants. The fabrics are also made to last for years, and they do not pill, fade, or shrink over time.

If you want to add a unique touch, you can even personalize them and have an embroidered name or monogram sewn onto your baby’s swaddles!

Shop Monica + Andy

5) Mercurii Baby

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $21-58

Mercurii Baby is a woman-owned baby brand making baby essentials with ethically sourced, organic materials.

It has different kinds of muslin blankets, including several larger models sold in pink, blue, navy, undyed, or featuring colorful moons. They are all made from GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin, which is naturally hypoallergenic and gets softer with each use.

Mercurii Baby colors some of its muslin blankets using non-toxic, water-based dyes, but we particularly recommend the Dye Drop models. These are hand-dyed using natural pigments found in purple cabbage, logwood, or liquid chlorophyll.

One of them is also dyed using madder root and weld, which are both ancient dye pigments that have been used for millennia. How cool is that?!

Since they are derived from plants, the dyes are completely chemical-free and non-toxic. It is also incredibly rare nowadays to find brands using these sustainable dyeing techniques!

Mercurii Baby also has muslin blankets sold in sets with organic cotton crib sheets or onesies.

Shop Mercurii Baby

6) Burt’s Bees Baby

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $37

Burt’s Bees Baby makes affordable, organic baby clothes and nursery bedding that are timelessly stylish and designed to stand the test of time.

The brand offers different muslin blankets, all of which are sold in a pack of three matching swaddles with a similar color scheme. Each of them features adorable hand-painted patterns, including stripes, flowers, stars, butterflies, and cute animals like elephants, giraffes, and swans.

Burt’s Bees Baby’s swaddles are ethically crafted in India using 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. The fabric is also very breathable, and it is made for sensitive skin and to prevent overheating during the night.

The brand works with factories that follow sustainable production methods. For instance, they recycle their wastewater, use renewable energy sources, and even make building bricks with the silt waste from the water!

Burt’s Bees Baby’s team also regularly volunteers and makes donations to local communities, and it supports and helps fund disaster relief initiatives in the United States.

Shop Burt's Bees Baby

7) Takasa

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $27-90

Takasa is a Canadian organic bedding company manufacturing high-quality home textiles. It has several muslin swaddles that you can buy individually or in a set of three.

The pack of three swaddles features three different geometric patterns, which are designed in black and white or multiple colors. If you prefer to buy them individually, you will get to choose between beautiful stars or moons.

You can also buy one in a set with two fitted organic cotton percale crib sheets.

Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic and Fairtrade cotton, the swaddles are all completely free of harmful chemicals and dyes. Their fabric is also very soft and breathable and gets softer with every wash.

Takasa produces them ethically in India and plants one tree for each purchase in partnership with One Tree Planted. It also offsets their carbon footprint, which means that the swaddles are carbon-neutral.

Shop Takasa

8) Aden + Anais

Fabric: Cotton, Organic Cotton, Bamboo Viscose

Price: $13-65

Aden + Anais has been creating thoughtfully crafted baby products for over a decade. It has the largest selection of swaddles and muslin blankets on this list with almost 150 options!

The brand carefully designs each of its incredibly beautiful hand-painted prints. The patterns include lovely flowers, cute animals, dinosaurs, stars, little hearts, and hot air balloons.

It even has a Harry Potter-themed set of four swaddles!

Aden + Anais makes its swaddles using different fabrics such as muslin cotton or bamboo viscose. We also particularly recommend its collection of GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin blankets, which are dyed with low-impact non-toxic dyes.

All the swaddles are very soft and comfortable, and they are handcrafted to stand the test of time so you can pass them down to future babies. Plus, the company only uses fabrics that are completely free of azo chemical compounds.

Shop Aden + Anais

9) MORI

Fabric: Cotton, Bamboo Viscose, Organic Cotton

Price: $14-58

MORI creates super soft baby clothes and other essentials using high-quality, sustainably sourced fabrics.

It has a range of muslin swaddles that are available in different sizes, colors, and patterns to suit your needs and preferences. They are made ethically using non-GMO cotton in a certified factory in Turkey.

If you have a newborn and find it tricky to use a traditional muslin blanket for swaddling, MORI also sells a great swaddling sack, which is much simpler to use! The sack is made from a blend of organic cotton and bamboo viscose produced in a closed-loop system. The fabric is very soft, breathable, and thermoregulating, so your baby will be at the perfect temperature all night.

MORI even offers you to personalize your swaddles: you can have your baby’s name sewn into the fabric! Plus, the brand ships its products in recyclable kraft paper bags, and you can send unused MORI clothing back to the company and it will donate them to Little Village, a London-based charity giving away clothes to families in need.

Shop Mori

10) Colored Organics

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $19-30

Colored Organics is on a mission to help families make the switch to organic, ethical fashion. The brand has many swaddles and muslin blankets that are designed using different weaving techniques.

Sold in a few light, solid colors, its muslin swaddles feature a super soft and stretchy double-layered organic gauze fabric.

Colored Organics also sells several swaddles with cute little flowers made from organic cotton pointelle fabric, as well as gorgeous patterned models crafted with organic cotton jersey. All the brand’s swaddles are colored using water-based dyes that ensure durable color vibrancy.

The company is committed to being 100% sweatshop-free, and all the workers in its supply chain are provided with fair wages and safe working conditions.

Plus, Colored Organics donates 20% of the proceeds from some of its swaddles to different environmental non-profits. It also supports many other organizations, including its local children’s hospital and charities helping abandoned children in India.

Shop Colored Organics

11) Green Sprouts

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $24

Green Sprouts is an award-winning company selling a wide range of natural baby products, including a set of two muslin swaddle blankets. The set either includes two white swaddles, or a white and a bright blue model.

The swaddle blankets are made from 100% organic cotton muslin that is very breathable, hypoallergenic, and lightweight.

The finely woven fabric is super soft and even gets softer with every wash, so your baby will be incredibly cozy and comfortable wrapped in them!

Green Sprouts’ muslin blankets are generously sized, which makes them very versatile and practical to use for swaddling but also as a stroller blanket, a nursing cover, a burp cloth, or even as a changing table cover.

They are also produced without harmful substances like azo dyes, pesticides, or formaldehyde, so they are safe for our babies and their delicate skin!

Shop Green Sprouts

12) Honest Baby Clothing

Fabric: Organic Cotton

Price: $25-37

Honest Baby Clothing is a sustainable brand founded by American actress Jessica Alba. It has an entire line of muslin swaddle blankets made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton.

You can choose to buy them in sets of two or three swaddles, and there are many beautiful prints available. They feature a cozy textured fabric that softens as you wash it, and an oversized design, making them very versatile and practical to use in multiple ways.

The swaddles are certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, so they are completely free of harmful dyes, pesticides, flame retardants, and other toxic substances.

Honest Baby Clothing also works with factories that received numerous certifications such as GOTS, WRAP, Fair Trade, OCS, BSCI, and SA8000, and one of its partner factories is entirely powered by its own windmills.

The brand uses recycled materials for its packaging, and it won the PARENTS’ Best for Baby and Good Housekeeping’s Parenting Awards in 2022!

Shop Honest Baby Clothing

About the Author

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.