What Is Earth Day?
Earth Day is a global day of appreciation for our planet, first held in 1970. It is a day to reflect on the beauty of our planet and on what we can do better as consumers to reduce our impact on our home.
As a hair accessories company, we are mindful of plastic waste, including in our packaging. Our French Handmade collection is made from cellulose acetate, a plant-based material. Read more about cellulose acetate.
This Earth Day, we are reflecting on how the fashion industry and shoppers are moving towards a greener future. Here are some of the changes making a difference.
What Is Upcycling and Why Does It Help?
Upcycling means taking an old item and using it to create something new and better. It reduces waste and gives old belongings a new lease of life instead of being thrown away.
At TEGEN, our Limited Edition collections are made in small runs. Offcuts from our French Handmade pieces are ground down and reused to make our Essential French collection, so very little material goes to waste.
Take a look at how our French Handmade collection is made.
Why Is Slow Fashion Better Than Fast Fashion?
Slow fashion means buying pieces built to last, which reduces waste. Fast fashion, by contrast, describes lower-quality, mass-produced pieces that quickly end up in landfill. Read more about slow fashion.
Sustainable Materials
Eco-fashion has become far more than a passing trend. More of us now check how sustainable a product is before we buy, and think about the footprint of fast fashion.
Why Are Plastics a Problem?
- Plastic does not simply disappear: it breaks down into tiny pieces but does not fully decompose.
- Toxins from plastics can affect people, animals, crops, landscapes, oceans and rivers.
- Plastic is hard to recycle, and much UK plastic recycling has been shipped abroad, where the process has its own environmental impact.
3 Reasons to Choose Plant-Based, Long-Lasting Materials
- Cellulose acetate is plant-based, made from wood pulp and cotton rather than crude oil.
- Plant-based materials reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources such as oil.
- Pieces made to last are replaced less often, which means less waste.
Explore our French Handmade collection this Earth Day, and make a difference by choosing high-quality, slow fashion accessories that are kind to your hair and to the environment.
References:
Franklin-Wallis, Oliver. 'Plastic Recycling Is A Myth': What Really Happens To Your Rubbish? The Guardian (2019)
