Did you know less than a fifth of all plastic is recycled globally? 40 per cent of plastic produced is packaging, which is single-use and then discarded. As a result, 18 billion pounds of plastic waste flows into the oceans every year from coastal regions*. From poisoning and injuring marine life to disrupting human hormones, from littering our beaches and landscapes to clogging our waste streams and landfills, the exponential growth of plastics is now threatening the survival of our planet. The UK announced a ban the use of plastic straws, earbuds and stirrers from April 2020, and public figures like Greta Thunberg are making us question what kind of future we want for ourselves and our children. It can seem very overwhelming and futile, but it doesn’t have to be. There is so much more we can do as individuals with the choices we make in the home. From regularly recycling, reducing our plastic bottle consumption by buying things like hand soap from local manufacturers like Friendly Soap, to more significant choices, like where we buy our furniture and more permanent household items. If you don’t know where to start, here are some eco-friendly manufacturers who are producing some stunning products for the home that may even surprise you when you realise they are made out of recycled plastic.

MAIK

Originally started in Brixton, South London. MAIK produce a variety of brightly coloured, geometric pattern inspired products ranging from trays, placements and coasters, to tea towels, wash bags and socks. We just love the bold choice in colours used for their placemats, adding a certain vibrant personality into any modern family kitchen or dining area. The wood used is sourced from sustainably managed forests and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and even their packaging is biodegradable and recyclable - including the tape, which is made from paper!

SMILE PLASTICS

You might have read our article on Terrazzo a few weeks ago, as this trend is allowing recycled plastic to really come into it’s own. Adam Fairweather and Rosalie McMillan of Smile Plastics are two pioneering furniture manufacturers who are creating incredible bespoke furniture for various clients - including Stella McCartney, Christian Dior, Selfridges, Liberty, The National Trust. Their mission is to change people’s perceptions around waste via innovation, combining art and technology to unlock the hidden potential in recycling. Hoping customers will, as they describe it, “open their eyes to the unexpected beauty of scrap”. The range of finishes goes beyond terrazzo. They are gorgeous and perfect for various sized surfaces from side tables to dining tables.

WEAVER GREEN

You might have read our article on Terrazzo a few weeks ago, as this trend is allowing recycled plastic to really come into its own. Adam Fairweather and Rosalie McMillan of Smile Plastics are two pioneering furniture manufacturers who are creating incredible bespoke furniture for various clients - including Stella McCartney, Christian Dior, Selfridges, Liberty, The National Trust. Their mission is to change people’s perceptions around waste via innovation, combining art and technology to unlock the hidden potential in recycling. Hoping customers will, as they describe it, “open their eyes to the unexpected beauty of scrap”. The range of finishes goes beyond terrazzo. They are gorgeous and perfect for various sized surfaces from side tables to dining tables.

DE VORM

If you’re looking for something environmentally friendly to go in your office or study, the Pod Privacy Chair by De Vorm designed by Benjamin Hubert could be the choice for you. These chairs are out of this world and look like Intergalactic escape pods. The recyclable material called PET Felt is made from plastic bottles again, resulting in a strong and durable dense material that can be moulded and is thick enough to help dampen out sound in any busy office environment. We would love to see these chairs being used as part of a reading nook in a children’s bedroom.

ikea

Video: Ikea

Swedish furniture giant IKEA dominates every home so it’s great news to hear they have now invested in a Dutch plastics recycling plant, pledging to make all their plastic products from recyclable and/or recycled materials by August 2020. This means happy customers will be able finally to shop with a clear conscience. I do love their fitted kitchens, so I’m really pleased models like the Kungsbacka kitchen, which are already made from recycled wood will now have cabinet doors covered with this new plastic foil made from recycled PET bottles.

For more ways to reduce your plastic waste visit Earth Day.org.

Love Omar x

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* Statistics from National Geographic Facts about Ocean Pollution

How To Save The Planet Stylishly Through Your Home Interiors_