Here at Marie Claire UK, September only means one thing: it's time to announce our annual Sustainability Award winners. Back for its fourth year, our awards celebrate groundbreaking products, innovative business models, and leaders truly going to extra mile to build a better tomorrow.

Sustainability and conscious consumption are woven into the fabric of everything we do here at MC UK. For over three decades, we've been championing brands who walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to safeguarding our future on this precious planet. With each year that passes, the importance of living more sustainably becomes more vital - and, with this in mind, we've rigorously judged every entry to make sure the companies and products that have come out tops are ones you can trust.

From the best B-Corp fashion companies prioritising the planet over profit, to beauty brands innovating with clever eco-friendly ingredients, to home and lifestyle essentials with impressive carbon credentials, we've got you covered.

After all, in the words of scientist, climate activist and MC UK Sustainability Awards judge Doctor Jane Goodall, "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Ready to meet the most sustainable brands and products in the world right now? Keep scrolling.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards winners 2024

How we judged our entries

For the second year running, we partnered with B Corp sustainability advisory Seismic to analyse and evaluate the entries and select our winners alongside the Marie Claire UK team of experts.

A leading force for change within the corporate sector, Seismic is committed to helping corporations understand and meet their sustainability goals, and we're delighted to have their expertise on board again this year, setting us apart from other industry awards and ensuring all our winners are championing genuinely sustainable practices.

The expertise doesn't end there, however. We've also put together a guest panel of over 50 of the most high-profile sustainability experts, company founders, thought leaders, consultants and activists in the business. Find out more about our judging panel, here.

Once again, the entrants have been asked to submit evidence of their commitment to their sustainability claims, which were rigorously reviewed by our panel to prove the credibility of claims. We assessed factors such as human rights in supply chains, promoting circularity in the life cycle of products, reducing or reusing water, and use of packaging or food waste, alongside many more.

So, if you're ready and willing to commit to meaningful change in your consumption, without further ado - keep scrolling and click the categories below to find out our winners.

• Beauty, health & wellness
• Fashion
• Food & drink
• Homes & lifestyle
• Motors
• Travel & leisure
• Parenting.

An insight into last year's awards...

Check out our 2023 winners here, and find out more about the past judges, too.

We couldn't be more excited to bring you this year's award winners, and we hope that these pages can help us all move towards greater awareness in our consumption, making small changes that add up to a big difference.

And you'll be pleased to hear that we've offset the carbon footprint of our (virtual, of course) awards ceremony by planting magrove trees in partnership with Nula Carbon, while the winners receive a carbon-neutral bamboo trophy.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

The irony that our collective desire to see and experience all that our world has to offer can have such a negative impact on the very things that draw us to those locations in the first place isn’t lost on us. Travel may broaden the mind, but reputationally speaking, it’s not exactly synonymous with sustainability.

The good news is that things are changing, though. Research, such as this study from travel giant Booking.com, revealed that 76% of travellers want to holiday more sustainably.

A guilt-free getaway means more, however, than simply reusing your hotel towels and recycling your water bottle on the flight – we’re talking meaningful, actionable changes that will make a real difference both for the planet and for future generations.

In that spirit, we’ve scoured the market to find the very best sustainable travel
options, from luxury destination holidays to staycations with the kids. Scroll on for the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2024 Travel & Leisure winners.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Travel & Leisure winners for 2024

1. Destination

WINNER: Sani Resort

Who? If you’ve got kids (and even if you haven’t), it’s likely you’ll be familiar with Sani Resort. Comprised of five hotels on Halkidiki’s Kassandra peninsula in Greece, the company is renowned for family-focused luxury.

Why? Sani Resort has been Greece’s first certified carbon-neutral resort since 2020. Awarded the World’s Leading Luxury Green Resort by World Travel Awards 2023, it has worked hard to have sustainability at its heart.

Its Sani Green programme focuses on improving the resort’s sustainability performance, from energy efficiency and use of renewables to water conservation and sustainable procurement. Impressively, the resort is powered by 100% renewable electricity, and over 60% of Sani’s produce comes from within 100 miles of the resort.

The brand has clearly defined eco-targets, from net zero by 2030 to zero plastic and zero waste by 2024, with commitments to increasing renewable local energy capacity and reducing carbon emissions.

The resort offers eco-trips to guests, and supports a variety of biodiversity projects, as well as supporting local charities, monitoring local dolphin populations and its non-profit, Bee Camp.

“Overall, [the resort has] very strong water initiatives in harmony with the beautiful Greek islands,” notes Sustainability Awards judge and Brand x Society founder Angela Farrugia. “Sani has provided a clear pathway to agritourism and lets visitors know that this is an important part of their stay.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: St Helena

2. Eco-travel provider

WINNER: AE Expeditions

Who? Established in 1991, AE Expeditions is a B Corp-certified cruise company offering once-in-a-lifetime guided expeditions to the most remote corners of the world.

Why? The company is rightly proud of its B Corp certification, which it achieved in 2024. AE Expeditions has been carbon neutral since 2021 and sustainability is a broader core business focus for the brand.

Its commitment to responsible and respectful travel is displayed in AE Expeditions’ drive to operate as ethically and transparently as possible, balancing people, environment and profit, while considering the wider impact of business decisions across the board. The business has partnered with a sustainability food programme in Argentina that works with local organic and regenerative farmers, and with Eyesea, a specialist non-profit that maps marine pollution.

“AE Expeditions demonstrates a robust commitment to sustainability in the travel industry,” says Olivia Hill of our Sustainability Awards partner, Seismic. “It has forged strong partnerships in its destination regions, fostering social and economic benefits for local communities. Its environmental dedication is evident in innovative vessel designs that reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Achieving B Corp certification and publishing an impact report further solidifies its sustainability leadership.”

“AE Expeditions has clearly taken care to limit its fuel consumption, measuring daily fuel reports so that it can manage and optimise its approach effectively,” adds judge Charlotte Horler, founder of Nula. “What’s more, I was impressed at its approach to food waste on its ships.”

“An impressive business that’s really innovating in key areas of its business, such as ship design and waste reduction, while simultaneously supporting critical causes – like Oxen Network – and getting 80% of its supply chain signed up to its code of conduct. A great impact report,” agrees judge Amy Nelson-Bennett of Positive Luxury.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Explore Worldwide

3. Holiday With Kids - Abroad

WINNER: Go2Africa

Who? Founded in 1998, Go2Africa is an African-owned safari company with a difference, offering tours and safaris across the continent.

Why? A member of the B Corp-certified Nawiri Group, Go2Africa is run by people who are African born and raised, with the aim of immersing guests in the magic of Africa while keeping 100% of its profits in the continent.

Its trips are designed to help support local communities and conservation projects, with each safari carefully vetted, so you can be sure that once your trip is over, you’ll have contributed to preserving the eco-systems beyond your stay.

“As an African company, Go2Africa doesn’t just make sure you experience the trip of a lifetime,” notes Marie Claire UK contributing fashion editor Penny Goldstone, “it makes sure all profits stay in Africa too, to go towards helping support local communities and conservation projects among other things.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sani Resort and Terre Blanche Hôtel Spa Golf Resort

4. Holidays With Kids - UK

WINNER: Lovat Parks

Who? Founded in 2018, Lovat Parks offers family-friendly holiday parks across Norfolk, Suffolk, the New Forest and Cornwall. With a choice of safari tents, shepherd’s huts and glamping lodges, there’s something for everyone (dogs included).

Why? Lovat Parks is committed to doing staycations differently. It’s trialling solar panel systems for its holiday homes, with the aim of having 12 that are totally energy self-sufficient in 2025.

The company builds lasting relationships with its communities, holidaymakers and owners, with a vision to protect the future and build a better tomorrow. It partners with local charities and supports ecological monitoring in its parks and the surrounding areas. Lovat Parks has been B Corp certified since 2020.

The parks also offer insect hotels (a hit with the smallest of visitors), alongside
little touches such as recycled wooden surf boards, and even a bug splat count.

"Lovat Parks should be seriously proud of the work they're doing in the eco-travel sphere - as the first holiday park group to be B Corp Certified in the UK, they're making changes in an industry that could definitely do things more sustainably. I love how easy it is to see the steps they're taking to build a better tomorrow on their website, too," shares judge and Senior Health and Sustainability Editor Ally Head.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Luxury Cottages

5. Hotel - Local Group

WINNER: Lemala Camps & Lodges

Who? Lemala Camps & Lodges is a leading provider of unique, boutique accommodation in northern Tanzania and Uganda. It offers intimate tents, luxury lodges and refined villas, from which guests can explore some of the world’s most famous wildlife regions.

Why? Lemala Camps & Lodges prides itself on striving to be one of Tanzania’s top eco companies, following the strictest of guidelines in conservation, education and empowerment. It is fully invested in renewable energy; with state-of-the-art power systems it operates 100% off its grid, with zero emissions.

The company is committed to the highest standards and to conducting its business in a socially responsible and ethical manner, with sustainability and respect as top priorities. The majority of its staff come from local communities, and it invests in local charities and communities to drive change.

“Really love this application and the ethos of the business,” says betternotstop founder Hannah Cox. Fellow judge, Harriet Vocking of Eco-Age agrees. “Lemala Camps & Lodges has an authentic approach to sustainability, which is admirable,” she says. “The wide range of initiatives, from water to energy, have a localised approach which empowers the community and respects the natural environment. The plastic and waste initiatives really set Lemala apart.”

“It seems to have a true commitment to an almost no-plastic policy, which is
impressive,” Isabella Charlotta Poppius, UK ambassador of One Tree Planted. “Also, the low water waste/re-use water initiatives are impressive – there’s lots of detail to the sustainable practices in every different facet of the business. It’s so important also to have local and low-impact food and beverage options in hospitality businesses and Lemala seems to be doing this right.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: PHĀEA

6. Hotel - Global Group

WINNER: 1 Hotels

Who? Launched in 2015, 1 Hotels is a mission-driven luxury lifestyle hotel brand inspired by nature. The brand has 10 sanctuary-inspired offerings across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, with more in the pipeline. Enjoy a blissful stay rooted in holistic wellness and sustainability.

Why? 1 Hotels was inspired by the simple idea that those who travel the world should also care about it. The brand cultivates the best of sustainable design and architecture, and prides itself on offering extraordinary comfort and levels of service, while committing to carbon off-setting and local partnerships.

1 Hotels upholds this vision through considered, nature-led designs at each of its properties (its hotel in London’s Mayfair features living walls and over 1,300 plants), while its farm-to-fork culinary approach supports local communities and minimises food waste.

“1 Hotels has fully considered every single aspect, creating a brand that truly cares for the planet and its guests,” says Marie Claire UK editor and Awards judge Sunil Makan. News and features editor Mischa Smith adds: “1 Hotels has a holistic approach to sustainability that runs through the business.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels

7. Hotel - Independent

WINNER: Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa

Who? Whatley Manor is a quintessentially British luxury hotel nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. Choose from one of its 23 individually designed rooms or suites and rejuvenate at the award-winning spa, safe in the knowledge that you’re staying at the UK’s first climate-positive hotel.

Why? In 2019, Whatley Manor’s owners committed to creating a sustainable business that delivers a luxury guest experience while reducing its negative impact on the environment. It’s the first hotel in the UK to balance its total greenhouse gas emissions with the purchase of carbon credits, investing in a bioethanol cookstove programme in Kenya.

The hotel is a member of NOW Force for Good Alliance and operates with a robust environmental policy and strong team culture invested in the hotel’s environmental goals.

Whatley is externally audited by EarthCheck – the world’s leading scientific accreditation body for travel and tourism – achieving EarthCheck Silver 2022 and retaining it in 2023 and 2024, with a goal to achieving gold in the future.

The brand employs its own sustainability officers to ensure all business decisions are considered through the lens of their stringent environmental goals, and it’s committed to giving back to the community.

“Whatley Manor’s holistic commitment to sustainability sets a high bar for the industry,” says Amy Bourbeau, co-founder of Seismic. “As the UK’s first climate-positive hotel, it demonstrates leadership through actions like comprehensive supplier audits, guest engagement programmes, staff training, and sustainable restaurant practices as recognised by its green Michelin star.”

“Whatley Manor has been a leader in sustainable hospitality for years, but is clearly still making ongoing improvements,” adds Positive Luxury’s Amy Nelson-Bennett. “Particularly impressive is its year-on-year carbon emission reduction, and efforts to reduce water use and improve water management. A bonus point for having sustainability in its top navigation online.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Datai Langkawi and PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore

8. Hotel - National Group

WINNER: room2

Who? London’s first “hometel”, room2 is an innovative, eco-friendly hotel in leafy Chiswick, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. (It has three other locations in the UK, with more planned.) Perfect for long or short stays, each room features its own kitchenette, while there’s also an on-site cafe and bar.

Why? Sustainability is woven through every decision at room2. The brand is proud to be the first net zero hotel in the world, with all emissions reduced and rebalanced to zero.

The hotel generates 100% renewable power from geothermal and solar sources. It’s also single-use plastic free, sends zero waste to landfill and is ultra energy efficient – the team even make their own honey on the roof.

It also has two so-called “lab rooms”, in which guests’ use of the rooms is tracked to ensure the brand is constantly improving its eco-credentials. Last but not least, the hotel has a Gold Green Tourism rating – an internationally acknowledged certification and an indicator of good environmentally-friendly practice.

“Hotels needn’t be harmful to the planet, and room2 is doing an amazing amount to make sure all aspects of their business are as planet friendly as possible,” says Maire Claire UK’s sustainability editor Ally Head. “Its internal sustainability campaign, Team Planet, is also a great and innovative way to further educate its staffers on sustainable business practice and living,” she adds, while Makan praised the company’s “great brand mission”.

9. Spa

WINNER: Chiva-Som

Who? Luxury spas don’t get much greener than Chiva-Som in the Gulf of Thailand. Meaning ‘haven of life’, the wellness sanctuary first opened its doors back in 1995 as an antidote to the fast-paced city life in Bangkok; it has been synonymous with sustainable luxury ever since.

Why? Since its foundation, Chiva-Som has been dedicated to operating at the highest environmental, ethical and sustainable standards. The brand’s approach is based on six dimensions: energy efficiency, water efficiency, resource efficiency (including a zero-waste approach), sustainability knowledge, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability acknowledgement.

Chiva-Som is committed to local social initiatives, such as sustainability education programmes in the local community and local supplier relationships. It also leads a community development organisation spearheading the rehabilitation of the local mangrove ecosystem and organises local events, such as beach clean-ups.

The spa has worked hard to reduce its plastic footprint, installing an on-site water bottling facility that produces mineralised water in glass bottles, and it’s consistently aiming to reduce electricity, waste and water consumption.

Hannah Reiss of B Lab praised the brand’s “high-impact initiatives”, and co-judge Sara Simmonds of The Impact Innovator agrees. “The spa has clearly laid out every angle in which they think about sustainability from a fully holistic point of view,” she says. “From using rainwater and purifying wastewater to protecting biodiversity and ensuring the entire spa minimises impact, to using local and organic produce, and local products. Every part of the customer and resorts sustainability journey has been well thought through and implemented.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Titanic Spa

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

You’d be forgiven for assuming the motor industry isn’t the most eco-friendly of spaces – after all, domestic transportation is the UK’s biggest source of greenhouse gases, accounting for around 33% of yearly CO2 emissions in 2023, with domestic passenger car emissions the largest offender. That’s why this category in our Sustainability Awards is so crucial.

Yes, in an ideal world, we’d all car share, have electric vehicles or ditch driving altogether, but this isn’t always practical. Motor transport isn’t going anywhere, so we all need to take responsibility for minimising its impact as much as we can.

With this in mind, we’ve scoured the market for the companies that are leading the charge (pun intended) in eco-friendly driving, so you can be sure that each time you step behind the wheel, you’re minimising the impact on our planet. Drumroll please, for the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2024 winners in
our Motors category...

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Motors winners for 2024

1. Eco Car App

WINNER: Octopus Electroverse

Who? Launched in 2020, Octopus Electroverse is Octopus Energy’s innovative electric vehicle charging app. Partnered with over 725,000 EV chargers on its ‘Electroverse’, once you’ve joined (and you don’t have to be in Octopus Energy customer to use the app) you’re able to easily and quickly locate EV charging stations and facilities across the UK.

Why? The electric vehicle market has changed dramatically over the past few years, meaning consumers are requiring – and demanding – more in terms of infrastructure. Octopus Electroverse is working to make charging EVs on the public network simpler, with an interactive global map that shows charge points and their availability, a route planner and in-car support for EV drivers.

All the app features are free, and the brand works hard to reduce costs for users, passing on discounts when energy prices drop (it does happen, occasionally) through its Price Plunge service. You don’t even need to log in to access the global map.

All in all, this is a company that truly seems to be putting planet before profits, utilising its knowledge and expertise to help us all become more eco-conscious – in their words, they’re “driving forward a greener future together”.

Marie Claire UK editor and Sustainability Awards judge Sunil Makan praises its approach: “This digitally innovative B Corp brand has made a concerted effort to help drive the electric revolution forward, making the move away from carbon fuels more convenient and accessible,” he says.

2. Eco City Travel

WINNER: Uber

Who? We’re surely all familiar with the ride-hailing app Uber by now. The US-based multinational leads the charge in on-demand transport.

Why? Electrification is Uber’s number one priority, with the company aiming to be globally all-electric by 2040. It’s transparent around how it plans to achieve this: investing US$800 million in resources to help their drivers go electric through EV discounts, driver incentives, and charging initiatives.

Uber has partnered with car manufacturers and hire companies to try to improve access to more affordable EV options. The company’s UK-based Clean Air Plan raised £145 million for drivers to put towards the cost of an EV, and it is partnering with energy companies to provide drivers with access to fast and affordable charging.

In London alone, Uber has invested £5 million to build chargers across the city, and is inspiring and encouraging both its drivers and customers to go electric with the launch of the Rider Emission Savings project – a new in-app feature that allows riders to track the impact of their estimated carbon emissions and see the total emissions they’ve saved by taking Uber Green or Comfort Electric options.

“Uber is promoting positive behavioural change on a daily basis for millions by building emissions savings into the app, which is empowering and incentivising consumers to make the right choices for the environment,” says Marie Claire UK editor-in-chief Andrea Thompson.

“It’s really refreshing to see the steps Uber is making to reshape their business model and reduce their carbon emissions,” adds Marie Claire UK sustainability editor Ally Head. “I particularly applaud how much its invested to encourage its drivers to use electric cars and their work with local councils to help ensure charge points are accessible across more areas of London.”

3. Electric Car

WINNER: BMW Group, MINI Countryman

Who? The MINI story started in 1946, when Charles Cooper and his son John founded the Cooper Car Company. The latter became a racing driver and Formula 1 team owner, and created the MINI Cooper as the brand’s racing car. Today, the MINI is a British design icon and an eternally popular motor.

Why? A worthy winner in the electric car category, the MINI Countryman has been designed with sustainability at its heart – right down to the use of materials inside the car. The dashboard and door panels feature 90% recycled polyester for the first time, while the steering wheel and seats are made from a new plant-based leather, Vescin, which is not only made from recycled materials, but is itself fully recyclable.

The BMW Group plant that produces the car, has four on-site wind turbines for energy, while a battery storage farm ensures that surplus energy is captured and stored for later use. Additionally, the cars are painted using a new overspray-free method, reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption. Even the wheels have an option of being made from up to 70% reclaimed aluminium, and their aerodynamic design optimises the vehicle’s electric range (up to an impressive 287 miles per charge).

“BMW is to be commended for adding so much detail to the scrutiny of its various sustainability claims, rather than just adding links to websites, particularly the level of detail around its water management at its global plants – I was taken by the monsoon water being collected in India to provide 100% of plant water requirements,” notes judge Erin Baker of Autocar. “I like the fact it is sourcing its critical minerals directly, and that it tracks and traces Scope 3 emissions.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Volvo EX30 and Renault ZOE

4. Green Emission Initiative

WINNER: BMW iX5 Hydrogen Prototype Fleet

Who? A second nod for the BMW Group in this category – its iX5 Hydrogen fleet is the winner of our Green Emission Initiative award.

Why? BMW is undertaking forward-thinking research into hydrogen fuel cell technology as an alternative fuel source. It’s been exploring the potential of hydrogen vehicles since the 1980s and last year launched its BMW iX5 Hydrogen prototype fleet to pave the way for potential series production.

While a production vehicle won’t be available until 2028, the iX5 Hydrogen pilot is an important first step on the road to creating a sustainable alternative to not only traditional fossil fuels but to battery electric cars too.

The vehicle offers zero local emissions and can be driven up to 313 miles on a single refuel – and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is high on the company’s list of priorities. “Hydrogen is the missing piece in the jigsaw when it comes to emission-free mobility,” Oliver Zipse, CEO of BMW AG said of this. “One technology on its own will not be enough to enable climate-neutral mobility worldwide.”

“This is a company that has made a long-term commitment to transform every area of the business to limit its impact on the environment – from supply production and packaging to supply chains and corporate culture. A worthy winner,” notes Thompson.

5. Sustainable Interior

WINNER: Volvo EX30

Who? Founded in 1927, Swedish car giant Volvo is synonymous with refined, luxurious safety and reliability.

Why? With the introduction of the EX30 model, it’s clear that Volvo is committed to reducing all aspects of its carbon footprint. The brand has thoughtfully considered its use of materials with the interior design of the EX30, reducing the number of components – there are no switches on the doors (these are now housed in the centre of the car), while a single soundbar renders multiple speakers unnecessary.

The materials used internally are either recycled or natural, and entirely leather-free. Instead, the brand features Nordico upholstery, which it describes as a “progressive and technically advanced material created with textiles made from recyclables such as PET bottles and bio-attributed material from forests in Sweden and Finland”.

Each model boasts its own unique, innovative finish, from dashboard trim inserts made from recycled PVC window frames to woven flax and even denim fibres reclaimed from the offshoots of recycled jeans – Volvo has made anything and everything work in this truly impressive, sustainability-focused vehicle.

“Volvo has made an impressive commitment and investment in the traceability of the products used in their vehicles,” says Thompson. “The blockchain technology significantly boosts transparency of the raw material supply chain, empowering customers to make informed conscious choices.”

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

We all know that how we choose to live impacts our environment. From choosing to fly less, to driving eco-friendly cars, to trying to reduce food waste, there are many things we can all do to live more sustainably – and it’s likely not as complicated as you think.

Research from the Committee on Climate Change shows that a whopping 40% of UK emissions come from households, and it’s clear that the daily choices we make at home really do add up. Installing solar panels and a car charging dock are all very well (if you've made the necessary steps to install either, we applaud you), but there are also smaller, more affordable swaps we can all try that will really make a big difference.

With this in mind, we’d like to introduce the winners in the Home & Lifestyle category of this year’s Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Home & Lifestyle winners for 2024

1. Household essential

WINNER: Who Gives A Crap

Who? Who Gives A Crap is a B Corp-certified brand that offers sustainable alternatives to traditional toilet paper, tissues and kitchen towel, using 100% recycled paper or bamboo fibres.

Why? If, like us, you’ve never really given much thought to the environmental impact of what we use on our nether regions, allow us to enlighten you. Toilet roll production is notoriously bad for the environment. Firstly, it’s a single-use product, but more crucially, the processes involved in its production can be pretty devastating, too. Every year, millions of trees are cut down to make toilet tissue, while gallons of water are used to produce it.

With its catchphrase “Good for the planet and good for our bums”, Who Gives A Crap is changing the face of loo roll for good. Known for its cheeky, colourful designs, the brand produces a range of toilet paper, kitchen roll and facial tissues from 100% recycled paper.

B Corp-certified since 2016, Who Gives A Crap’s eco-credentials aren’t limited to its product: its packaging is 100% plastic-free, shipping is carbon neutral and the company donates 50% of its annual profits to its water, sanitation and hygiene partners.

The brand is determined to make the process fun, too, encouraging a younger, more cash- and green-savvy crowd.

“Who Gives A Crap is a brilliant example of using innovation for good, setting the benchmark and shaking up its industry to offer an alternative, truly
sustainable norm,” says Sustainability Awards judge and Maire Claire UK’s
sustainability editor, Ally Head. “One of the first certified B corps I remember buying, all aspects of its business are thought through, from employee benefits, to supply chain practices, to input materials. I commend its production supply-chain audits, with both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) criteria, too.”

2. Eco-friendly cleaning brand

WINNER: Eco-Mate

Who? A small British start-up based in rural Rutland, Eco-Mate provides all-natural, eco-friendly household cleaning products in 100% plastic-free bottles. If you’re after laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, washing up liquid and rinse aid that doesn’t harm aquatic life and the environment, Eco-Mate is for you.

Why? While there are more eco-friendly cleaning brands out there now than ever before, our pick of the crop is Eco-Mate. The brand has developed an innovative paper bottle which is not only plastic-free, it also doesn’t contain any metal. Instead, it’s made from sustainable waste sugar cane pulp, with a lid of bamboo and recycled cork.

And what’s in the bottle is just as impressive. Eco-Mate uses only 100% natural, biodegradable, vegan ingredients in its cleaning products – no forever chemicals, here. Plus, it donates 20% of its profits to ocean clean-up charities.

“Eco-Mate is doing an awesome job,” agrees Awards judge and COAT Paints co-founder Rob Green. “The brand’s plastic-free products and energy-neutral operations show it’s really committed to a greener future. It is definitely leading the way and inspiring others to do the same.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Neat

3. Eco-friendly decorating brand

WINNER: Crown Paints

Who? Crown Paints was originally established in 1850 and has built a reputation across the UK and Ireland for producing quality internal and external paint.

Why? The brand has a multi-pronged approach to sustainability, from ensuring 100% of its owner-operated premises runs on renewable energy from certified sources to being the first UK paint manufacturer to introduce a paint can made from 100% recycled plastic. In 2023, it launched Project Possible, committing itself to a programme of actions to make a positive difference to people and the planet.

The brand is driven to improve its environmental impact across the entire product lifecycle, including formulations, manufacturing and packaging design, as well as across its logistics network. It has ambitious targets for increasing its recycled content and a commitment to be net zero by 2025.

“Crown Paints’ sustainability initiatives are expansive,” says Marie Claire UK news and features editor Mischa Smith. “As the UK’s first paint manufacturer to achieve 100% recycled packaging across many ranges, the brand has since introduced a paint can recycling scheme and has, among other initiatives, an ambitious carbon reduction plan.”

4. Pet brand

WINNER: Tuff Pets

Who? Tuff Pets started in 2018 with its flagship product, Heavy Duty Dog Poop Bags and has since expanded its green pet offerings to include hygiene products and treats, too.

Why? When it comes to eco-friendly pet products, there’s not a great deal of choice available, making what Tuff Pets is trying to achieve even more meaningful.

The brand has a clear commitment to sustainability – it is working towards reducing waste and energy, and offsetting its carbon emissions. It’s actively reducing the size and components of Tuff Pets’ packaging, while consistently seeking ways to make its products greener.

“Pet waste products aren’t the easiest to make sustainable, and it’s great that Tuff Pets is making the necessary steps,” says Head.

5. Progress towards circularity

WINNER: John Lewis

Who? The John Lewis Partnership was established over 100 years ago and has long been one of the UK’s best-loved department stores.

Why? As an established, high-quality home and lifestyle brand, John Lewis has built itself a reputation for fairness and sustainability. But it’s the brand’s commitment to circularity that makes it a stand-out winner in this category.

The company made a public commitment that by 2028, all new, own-brand John Lewis products will meet circularity criteria – often by using by-products from partner brand Waitrose’s farming practices. For example, John Lewis mattresses contain otherwise wasted wool sourced from Waitrose sheep farms, while 100% of the leather used in the manufacture of its own-label sofas and chairs will come from the UK higher welfare farms that supply Waitrose beef.

“From cutting down on food waste to using recyclable packaging and focusing on human rights, they’re really leading the way,” says Green. “It’s great to see such a big retailer making a real difference for the planet and its communities.”

“As a work in progress JLP has made great strides to ensure it’s celebrating sustainability in all facets of its business, both consumer facing and supply chain,” notes Brand x Society founder Angela Farrugia. “As a leading retailer of general merchandise this encompasses a huge remit and can only be successful if board renumeration is tied to the net zero target – there’s no visibility to this element, but general progress is strong.”

6. Small Business

WINNER: MAIE

Who? Founded in 2022, MAIE is a luxury, ethical furniture brand that designs and produces ‘forever’ pieces as an alternative to traditional furniture companies.

Why? MAIE designs made-to-order pieces, manufactured by local craftspeople using natural, non-virgin materials. It takes every aspect of the life of those materials into consideration, with all offcuts repurposed into accessories. The brand offers a ‘second life’ service as well as a lifetime guarantee on furniture pieces, while its signature fabric is woven from recycled ocean plastics.

“MAIE is doing innovative work in the home sphere, and I commend that ethical supply chain and sourcing principles are a ‘non-negotiable starting point’,” says Head. “Its entire brand ethos is rooted in sustainability and creativity, and I love its hyper-local approach to production, as well as the designs.”

“Community-driven MAIE is dedicated to preserving and reviving crafts, and
by being entirely demand-led, it massively reduces waste,” adds Smith.

7. Sustainable Home Accessories & Furnishings: Flowers & Plants

WINNER: Bloom & Wild

Who? B Corp-certified online florist Bloom & Wild was born in 2013 after co-founders Aron Gelbard and Ben Stanway were inspired to create an affordable, luxury flower delivery service with a difference.

Why? Bloom & Wild is clearly committed to sustainability. It’s been carbon neutral since 2020 and aims to be net zero by 2045. The brand is working towards improving working conditions in the flower industry by offering ethical benefits to its growers in Kenya, and has raised over £650,000 for its charity partners.

The brand is on a mission to reduce its impact: its packaging is 100% recyclable and it hasn’t sent any stems to landfill since 2015. Bloom & Wild really is living out its own instruction to “care wildly”.

“Incorporating a carbon budget into its design briefs is just one of many innovate initiatives Bloom & Wild should be proud of,” says Angela Moran of Silentnight. “This, along with the genuine partnership they’ve developed with their suppliers in Kenya, demonstrates a high level of determination, commitment and passion to sustainability.”

8. Sustainable Home Accessories & Furnishings

WINNER: Spark & Bell

Who? Brighton-based lighting company Spark & Bell started life in 2015 after founder Emer Gillespie went in search of unique and affordable lighting solutions for her home. Unable to find any, she created her own. The brand has gone from strength to strength since, designing, hand-making and supplying stunning, eco-friendly products that utilise circular design processes.

Why? Spark & Bell has structured its whole business model on the principles of sustainability and circular design. Its ethos is centred around the whole life of the product, with the aim to minimise waste and impact on the planet.

The brand is rightly proud of its B Corp certification and its carbon neutral status on Scope 1 and 2 emissions. It works primarily with local artists, designers and manufacturers – last year, 85% of its spend was within a 200-mile radius. Furthermore, members of its team personally volunteer with local beach cleaning charities and it contributes to eco-friendly causes.

“Spark & Bell is really going the extra mile, thinking about the whole life cycle of its products,” says Moran. “Particularly impressive is that it’s felt confident enough in its products to extend their warranty to 10 years. The employee initiative with the marbled plastic is truly novel and shows both passion and innovative thinking.”

“I love this business – it has a great ethos,” adds Hannah Cox of Better Business Network and betternotstop. “The work it does with local makers is fantastic.”

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Here at Marie Claire UK, we're huge fans of fashion. But our (borderline obsessional) interest in all things sartorial comes with a caveat: we want the clothes we buy to be as kind to our planet and its ecosystems as possible.

Fast fashion has an undeniable impact on the environment. According to research conducted by the UN Environment Programme, the clothing industry accounts for up to 8% of global carbon emissions – and to put that figure into context, that’s roughly the same amount as all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

But there is some good news: 57% of British people consider sustainability in fashion to be important, according to the UK Fashion and Sustainability Market Report 2024. With this in mind, we’ve scoured the industry for the leading changemakers who are as committed to people and the planet as they are to profit.

Keen to meet brands that put people and planet before profit? Then keep scrolling to meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2024 winners in the Fashion category.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Fashion winners for 2024

1. Accessory brand

WINNER: MĀRĪCĪ

Who? Aptly founded on Earth Day in 2020, this London-based luxury accessories brand creates heritage, plant-based handbags as an alternative to traditional leather and synthetics pieces.

Why? High-end handbags don’t get more environmentally-friendly than MĀRĪCĪ’s stylish offerings. At its heart is a circular design concept rooted in sustainability, offering innovative plant-based alternatives.

In addition to B Corp certification, the brand prides itself on creating practical and timeless designs made from revolutionary materials using traditional artisanal techniques.

“I love this non-leather product,” notes Sustainability Awards judge Maria Chenoweth of TRAID. “These bags look super luxurious and would hold their own in the luxury goods industry.”

“The company has strong principles on materials and manufacturing practices, and it’s really nice to see high-end retailers such as Selfridges backing them,” adds fellow judge Smruti Sriram, of Bags of Ethics.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: O My Bag

2. Activewear

WINNER: BAM

Who? BAM has been quietly revolutionising the activewear market since 2006, creating wearable and comfortable athleisurewear that stands up to the demands of working out, be it hiking, cardio or yoga.

Why? Despite being a small player in the industry, BAM continues to lead the way in 2024, with innovative, lower-impact fabrics and a goal to eliminate basic fibres by 2030. With 69% of textiles being virgin synthetics cast from unsustainable crude oil, BAM is challenging the status quo by using 95% unique, nature-based fabrics such as Sila (which incorporates lower-impact yak wool) and PFC-free water-repellent Agallea. It is committed to harnessing the latest technology to reduce its footprint, and in 2023 launched its award-winning BAM DNA labelling, which offers full traceability for each product’s manufacturing and supply.

BAM consistently achieves B Corp certification and 13% of its product range is now 73 Zero (diverting some of the 73% of all materials that are sent to landfill) and certified recyclable by the Circular Textiles Foundation. In 2024, the brand is focused on further reducing its impact as it works towards a net zero goal.

“BAM is a shining example of how to produce planet-friendly activewear that
actually performs, too, which is no mean feat,” says Maire Claire UK sustainability editor and Awards judge, Ally Head. “The sector is notoriously unsustainable, and getting its materials spot on to support you through your sweat classes while also putting the planet first should be commended. It’s also impressive that it has measured 95% of its supply chain back to the source fibre or field, showing its dedication to a fully traceable supply chain.”

3. B2B Service or Innovation

WINNER: Movopack

Who? Movopack provides sustainable, eco-friendly and reusable packaging to online outlets – think cardboard box alternatives.

Why? Given that the average European generates 188kg of packaging waste each year, it’s clear a solution is needed. Our judges were impressed by Movopack’s commitment to innovation and scaling the business in order to legitimately tackle the issue of ecologically harmful waste packaging.

Movopack’s packaging solutions embrace the principles of the circular economy: rather than being produced and discarded after each use, its packaging can be reused up to 20 times, significantly reducing carbon emissions (75%), energy (72%) and water consumption (75%).

The brand has a clear goal to manage over nine million packaging units by 2027, shifting away from single-use packaging and setting a new standard in packaging consumption.

“For me, this is a truly innovative solution to a problem that is scaling in terms of negative environmental impact,” says judge Lynda Petherick of the British Fashion Council. “While the solution may not be as ‘beautiful’ as some of the entries, the aggregate impact of this sustainability innovation is clearly articulated. The business is also scaling and I hope that its participation and positioning through these awards helps Movopack expand its proposition into a greater number of retail businesses.”

“MovoPack’s innovative approach tackles a massive problem in ecommerce: single-use plastic packaging,” adds Amy Bourbeau, co-founder of our Sustainability Awards partner, Seismic. “By championing circularity in a user-friendly way, it ensures reusable packaging actually gets reused. Its positive impact, backed by rigorous lifecycle assessments, demonstrates B2B innovation with the potential to transform the industry and create lasting positive change.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: NATIVA™ and Salvation Army Trading Company

4. Clothing

WINNER: Everlane

Who? Founded in 2011 by American entrepreneur Michael Preysman, Everlane is an online-only retailer with a timelessly neutral aesthetic. The brand is committed to purposeful design, functional beauty and conscious craftmanship, including responsible manufacturing practices.

Why? Everlane demostrates a strong commitment to sustainability that is aligned to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The brand has three guiding pillars – Keep Earth Cool, Keep Earth Clean, and Do Right By People – and it displays a clear commitment to doing good while looking good. In 2023, its use of preferred materials increased to 80%, with significant progress in sourcing organic, recycled, regenerative and traceable fabrics.

Meg O’Hara, founder of resale and rental platform Rites, praised the company’s “holistic view of sustainability and clear, measurable goals”, while Seismic’s Ro Egglesfield says: “Everlane sets the standard for sustainable fashion. Its robust supplier policies, innovative practices, and commitment to worker wellbeing demonstrate a holistic approach that prioritises both people and the planet.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: NoLoGo-Chic and Aspiga

5. Denim

WINNER: Fanfare Label

Who? Independent, sustainable womenswear label Fanfare is an award-winning, circular fashion brand aiming to transform the way we buy, wear and discard clothing. It focuses on denim – a material with an exceptionally high environmental cost – paving the way for more planet-friendly fashion.

Why? Prior to setting up the label, founder Esther Knight established relationships with recycling plants and charities to enable her to put sustainable and ethical practices in place. Fanfare reuses and recycles denim from landfill to create unique and contemporary collections. The brand has a clear commitment to transparency, and is open with its goals and mission.

“Fanfare is a great example of how sustainable and circular clothing doesn’t mean you have to compromise on creativity,” says Marie Claire UK fashion director Lily Russo-Bah. “From repurposing, to restoring and recycling pre-loved items, to keeping production local, Fanfare has a 360 approach to sustainability.”

“Fanfare proves that ethical, sustainable brands can be covetable,” adds Marie Claire UK fashion editor Natalie Hughes. “I love how the brand incorporates rescued, repurposed and recycled materials into each and every one of its products, 90% of which are made locally in its east London studio. This is a fine example of a small, independent brand that others should be looking to.”

6. Fabric Innovation

WINNER: Mela

Who? Female-owned vegan leather goods brand Mela produces elegant and ethical handbags and accessories. It is passionate about helping women look good while doing good – and we can’t say fairer than that.

Why? It’s clear that Mela is truly committed to sustainability. Its bags are crafted by Tuscan artisans in a family-owned factory using its own ingenious leather alternative, which is derived from apple leftovers from the juicing industry. It’s safe to say our judges were impressed.

“Mela is doing an excellent job as a sustainable vegan leather brand,” says Sara Simmonds of The Impact Innovator. “It’s not using plastic leather, but food-waste leather, which is brilliant; it also pays living wages and is B Corp certified. It’s clear every part of its sustainability journey has been thought through and been well implemented – the brand is walking the sustainability walk rather than simply talking about it.”

Fellow judge Cat Lee of The White Company adds: “Mela is a fantastic brand with a very positive ethos. There’s been a huge amount of work behind the creation of the material, an amazing innovation of vegan leather without the use of plastic – not an easy feat – while even the metal components are made using non-toxic materials. Mela is committed to fantastic donation initiatives that work to both remove ocean plastic and to plant trees, and it’s great to see the factory used is very close to the material production site, too.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Wuka

7. Footwear

WINNER: EMU Australia

Who? EMU Australia is best known for its sheepskin boots, slippers and accessories, with a focus on comfort and sustainability above all else.

Why? Drawing inspiration from the Australian life and landscape, EMU Australia’s commitment to sustainability shines through all aspects of its production. From innovative design through to 100% natural materials, this is a company investing in quality that lasts.

“EMU Australia demonstrates a true passion for developing a sustainable business by tracking its environmental footprint by reducing targets for water,” says Marie Claire UK fashion writer Sofia Piza. “Additionally, the brand educates its customers online through easy-to-follow graphics that hold information about the brand and its journey. With a strong ethos, it shows a strong sense of commitment and focus on achieving its goals.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Schuh

8. Jewellery

WINNER: Oushaba

Why? Oushaba’s self-professed mission is to “breathe new life into forgotten materials”, so don’t be surprised to see repurposed circuit boards as necklaces, while old phone charger plugs are turned into stunning earrings. It prides itself on championing sustainable methods and ethical practices, with a truly circular process – the brand even offers a repair and warranty service, designed to ensure your pieces last as long as possible.

“Oushaba has excelled at considering all aspects of sustainability when establishing its product and business, evidenced by being awarded the
Butterfly Mark from Positive Luxury,” remarks Petherick, while Harriet Vocking of Eco-Age comments: “The vision for Oushaba is very inspiring, and its dedication to circularity really sets it apart in the market. The e-waste focus is particularly unique and has amazing potential to shift the industry.”

“Oushaba shows an innovative approach to sustainability, setting a new standard for the jewellery industry. By transforming e-waste into jewellery pieces, it demonstrates a commitment to circularity and resourcefulness. Its dedication to ethical sourcing and social responsibility further solidifies its position as a leader in sustainable jewellery,” notes Egglesfield.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Monica Vinader

9. Luxury Brand

WINNER: Anya Hindmarch

Who? Founded in London in 1987, Anya Hindmarch’s luxury goods brand is synonymous with impeccable design and creativity.

Why? As fun as they are functional (Rich Tea biscuit-themed clutch, anyone?) Anya Hindmarch’s cult bags have near-iconic status in the industry, while Dame Hindmarch is known for her pioneering and forward-thinking approach to sustainability – who can forget 2007’s I’m Not A Plastic Bag initiative?

The brand is proud to have signed up to the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action; it also offers a capsule rental collection. Additionally, its factories are regularly checked to ensure compliance with its code of conduct.

“Anya Hindmarch’s commitment to sustainability is holistic, meticulous and totally transparent,” comments Hughes. “The brand’s 2007 I’m Not A Plastic Bag initiative was pioneering, imaginative and contributed to real change, helping with the change in the law that led to retailers charging for plastic bags.

“Anya Hindmarch has only continued to innovate and evolve its sustainability initiatives,” she continues. “Most notably, it launched its Return to Nature collection of fully compostable bags made from fully traceable leather. Every aspect of the process has been deeply considered and shared with the brand’s customer base. There’s also the I Am A Plastic Bag collection, which makes use of used plastic bottles and old windscreens, diverting them from landfill. This is a luxury brand that is doing real work in reducing its environmental footprint in an honest and open way.”

“Anya Hindmarch has shown that luxury brands can have a significant impact on the way consumers view sustainable products and, with this long-standing initiative, reusable shopping bags,” adds Russo-Bah.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mood of Thought

10. Multi-brand retailer

WINNER: Wolf & Badger

Who? Wolf & Badger is a B Corp-certified global marketplace for ethical clothing, jewellery and homewear brands. It has stores in London, LA and New York, alongside an extensive online presence.

Why? Offering carefully curated collections, Wolf & Badger is home to over 2,000 independent brands, with a view to building a community of ethical brands and conscious consumers. Founded in Notting Hill in 2010, it has grown into a globally recognised brand with a clear commitment to sustainability: its vision is for a “fair and frictionless” future for retail. Its annual Impact Report is available to read on its website.

“It’s wonderful to see a multi-brand retailer champion sustainability and ethics while supporting smaller, independent brands,” says Hughes. “From the brand-vetting process to its annual impact reports, this B Corp company’s approach is thorough and transparent.”

Piza agrees. “Wolf & Badger upholds its strong ethos and purpose in nurturing a community of ethical brands with conscious consumers,” she says. “A certified B Corp, it skilfully vets brands through its platform against an obligatory Happy Worker Guarantee to ensure the brands it stocks uphold its principles.”

11. Progress towards circularity

WINNER: COS

Who? High street stalwart COS has long been associated with understated luxe looks in a neutral aesthetic. From city chic to denim, it consistently nails timeless classics that last.

Why? Again, COS is focused on the circularity of its pieces, from conception to length of life – 95% of the materials it uses are sustainably sourced or recycled, and in 2023 it launched its Resell, Restore and Repair initiative, which includes an online market for customers to sell pre-loved COS items. In addition, it invests in non-profit organisations to ensure gender equality in its supply chain.

“It’s positive to see COS having different initiatives to address circularity, especially cotton recycling,” says Amy Tsang of The Mills Fabrica, while Chenoweth notes that “COS clothing is more thoughtful with its design and materials when compared to other high street brands, therefore its product should have a good and desirable resale market.”

We'd like to see clearer communication around its in-store recycling initiative as sometimes, donor discounts on buying more clothes may not align with sustainable practices. Overall, though, the brand is making progress towards some clearly articulated eco-friendly goals.

12. Re-commerce

WINNER: Reskinned

Why? The pre-loved clothing market has been picking up pace for a few years now, and brands such as Reskinned are making the reduce, reuse, recycle trifecta easier to achieve than ever. By providing all three in one easy-to-use and innovative marketplace, Reskinned creates more opportunity for clothing rehoming as an alternative to landfill.

“The 360 approach Reskinned is taking to rehome and repurpose unwanted clothes through brand takeback schemes and upcycling is a crucial development in how we view sustainability,” says Russo-Bah.

“It’s a really impressive initiative that allows pieces to receive a second chance
while promoting circular fashion,” agrees Piza. “Facilitating the circulation of pre-loved clothes and giving sustainable fashion a future, Reskinned aims to
educate and reach audiences to promote its ethos and has done this successfully. A clear and spectacular example is its collaboration with Sweaty Betty, which repurposes worn-out activewear.”

13. Rental

WINNER: John Lewis

Who? We’re all familiar with high street mainstay John Lewis: its flagship London store opened on Oxford Street back in 1864, and since then it’s become nothing short of a British institution, standing for quality, value and fairness. In a bid to further its sustainability credentials, the brand has recently launched a fashion rental service.

Why? John Lewis Fashion Rental was developed in response to the need to provide consumers with more sustainable fashion solutions. Currently available for womenswear and childrenswear, the brand is expanding its rental offering to include bags, accessories and maternity wear, with the menswear rental recently launched, too. The judges praised its holistic and meticulous approach to sustainability.

“John Lewis has shown significant progress in overhauling the way it operates as a business in order to meet its sustainability commitments,” notes Russo-Bah. “While there are still some improvements needed to meet its circularity targets, the expansion of fashion rental, together with the introduction of the circular design collection and steps taken to make all own-brand product packaging recyclable, reusable or home compostable, are very promising.”

14. Small business

WINNER: Wild Clouds

Who? Independent, female-owned business Wild Clouds was established in 2021. The brand is committed to slow fashion, producing seasonless, 100% vegan and plastic-free clothing that caters to diverse identities and body types.

Why? Wild Clouds has a robust design and repair promise, developed with the ultimate goal of creating long-lived circular clothing. It also offers a made-to-order service for those who don’t fit into its current size range. The brand prides itself on seeking to minimise its environmental footprint at every stage of the process, from inception to long life, while also committing to self-set targets.

“Keeping production small but still keeping prices accessible is very hard to do, so this feat is commendable,” praises Isabella Charlotta Poppius of One Tree Planted. “Its made-to-measure service is great – if a customer wants something more tailored and flattering to their body shape, that should always be an option. It’s also amazing to see that the brand is fully plastic-free, down to the trims, buttons and so on. Fabulous.”

“Wild Clouds shows us the power of inclusivity in sustainable fashion,” adds
Bourbeau. “It caters to the underserved and embraces those of us who live
beyond the gender binary. The brand also shows strong environmental commitments through certifications like B Corp, OCS (Organic Content Standard) and OEKO-TEX. A deserving winner.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Biophilica

15 . Supply chain

WINNER: SMO (Single Mine Origin)

Why? With the price of gold at an all-time high, it’s more vital than ever to be able to establish a responsible supply chain that excludes criminal activity and negative environmental impacts.

SMO is the only initiative in the world to recognise the world’s most responsible mines and keep its gold segregated throughout the supply chain. Every ounce of SMO gold is fully traceable back to its mine of source, cultivating a viable solution for positive and large-scale, industry-wide change.

“Increased transparency in this sector is critical to improving the social and
environmental outcomes for countries and communities with mineral wealth,” explains Bianca Hanscombe of Aviva. “The nuanced approach for the complexities of differing regions is noted as it allows good practice to flourish, even in challenging environments.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Wellicious

16. Swimwear

WINNER: KŌRARU

Who? Founded by Romanian model and designer Oana Romaneiro, KŌRARU (inspired by the Japanese word for coral) is a premium sustainable swimwear brand. KŌRARU is committed to crafting slow fashion for a circular world. It produces stylish, luxury swimwear using technical fabrics designed to stand up to the demands of their use.

Why? Modern swimwear and sustainability haven’t always gone hand in hand; designs are often made from synthetic materials that are now known to shed ecologically harmful micro fibres, and not always built to last. KŌRARU is starting to make waves in sustainability by creating beautiful items that hold their value and style, reducing the need to buy new each year. Its line is crafted from ECONYL (regenerated yarn from nylon waste), and top marks also go to its recycled packaging.

“KŌRARU is a great premium luxury swimwear brand with a strong end goal of circularity,” notes Piza. “With a transparent supply chain and evident dedication to upholding its sustainability practices, the brand has clearly innovated with poly bags that are made from the same fabric as medical capsules to avoid traditional plastic packaging. It’s shown that change can be possible by finding creative and scalable solutions in order to uphold its core values.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Antoninias

17. Underwear

WINNER: The Very Good Bra

Who? Launched in May 2019 by founder Stephanie Devine, The Very Good Bra is the world’s first plastic-free bra. Developed in response to Devine’s own search for a wire-free bra during her treatment for breast cancer, the brand is completely waste- and toxin-free, using no nylon, polyester, synthetic fabrics or elastic in its extensive range of lingerie and nightwear.

Why? It’s no small feat to use all-natural components in lingerie, but this Australian brand is dedicated to being zero waste – so much so, in fact, that its bras can even be eaten by worms.

“Its comprehensive approach encompasses not just circularity and product innovation but also a highly ethical supply chain,” says Miriam Sibide of Brands on a Mission. “It demonstrates an unwavering commitment to sustainability by choosing 100% plastic-free, botanically sourced materials and ensuring transparency about its practices.

“The Very Good Bra is clear about its stance on sustainability, prioritising it over expanding its product offerings, and maintaining high ethical standards in its manufacturing processes,” she continues. “Its dedication to reducing
environmental impact through every stage of the product lifecycle and through various platforms exemplifies the highest sustainability practices.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Studio Pia

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

It’s no secret that what we eat and drink has a huge environmental impact. According to research, such as this study published in the journal Science, food production – and by this, we mean production, processing and distribution, as well as consumption – accounts for around 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The good news is that reducing our food and drink-related impact is simpler than you might think, and making small tweaks to our diets can add up, resulting in real change for the planet. It’s not just about eating more plants, either – although there's no denying that that can be a great place to start.

The WWF advises a multi-pronged approach, you see, which includes reducing your food waste, diversifying your diet, and moving to a more (but not necessarily exclusively) plant-based way of eating, as well as choosing more sustainable items to purchase and consume.

Keen to learn more about making more sustainable food choices? Keep scrolling. Below, we share the nine genuinely sustainable food brands to know about right now. Congratulations to each and every one of our Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2024 Food & Drink winners and the worthy runners up.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Food & Drink winners for 2024

1. Alcohol - spirit

WINNER: Anaë Gin

Who? Premium French organic gin brand Anaë Gin was founded in 2021 by Pauline Raffaitin. It produces 100% organic, vegan gin using French grapes, with links to renowned champagne house Bollinger.

Why? Anaë Gin is rightly proud of its sustainability credentials. In addition to following set target reductions for energy and waste, the brand is committed to carbon offsetting and empowering local communities. And its dedication to sustainability extends to all areas of its product – from the gin itself to a 100% recyclable bottle and French cork stopper.

“This is a brand that has worked tirelessly to reduce its environmental impact across production, packaging and workforce, from working only with small independent French producers to its 100% infinitely recycled bottles,” says Marie Claire UK editor and Sustainability Awards judge Sunil Makan. “It has done this while keeping the high integrity of the product.”

“An incredible brand, Anaë Gin has covered all areas of sustainability and ethical trade,” notes fellow judge, Marie Claire UK sustainability editor Ally Head. “I would feel fully confident as a customer that this brand is actively practicing what it preaches here. In addition, the case study of the decomposing products was fantastic.

“The honesty of its findings was also refreshing as its team talks through what has been changed to make it fully compostable and what they know they need to do in the future,” she adds. “It’s both Lenzing and GOTS [textiles] certified, and uses natural rubber for elastic and OEKO-TEX certified metal. I feel the customer communication here is great.”

2. Drink brand

WINNER: Yogi Tea

Who? For more than 50 years, Yogi Tea has been creating herbal teas based on the ancient, holistic practice of Ayurveda. The brand has over 50 blends, from sweet, soothing Chai to green and black varieties.

Why? A solid commitment to sustainability shines through the brand – compostable tea bags, climate-neutral shipping and 100% FSC packaging are a given – and it’s rightly proud of its B Corp certification.

“Yogi Tea is highly sustainable, achieving 92% supply chain transparency, carbon neutrality, and innovative packaging solutions while promoting regenerative agriculture and ethical labour practices,” says vegan chef and author Bettina Campolucci Bordi. “Its comprehensive efforts include environmental education, community empowerment, and certifications like B Corp and FairTrade.”

“Yogi Tea stands as a great example to aspiring net neutral or regenerative companies on how to grow and mature in not only a sustainable way, but how to do more and be a good community citizen as well,” adds Alexandra Dawe of the Rainforest Alliance. “Through its foundation, it obviously funds some interesting community-based projects that go beyond the supply-chain relationship they have with the producers. It also sources ingredients from internationally recognised standards. The fact that its traceability is so mature, but it is still looking for ways to do more is to be encouraged.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: NEO WTR

3. Food brand

WINNER: Tilda

Who? Founded in 1970 in response to the rise in immigration in Britain, rice brand Tilda has been a popular household name ever since.

Why? The first B Corp-certified rice producer in the UK, Tilda is committed to ecological, environmental and economic sustainability. Its key values of respect, community, productivity and ownership ensure the brand is continually working towards improvements, while all its suppliers must adhere to Ebro Foods’ (Tilda’s parent company) Code of Conduct.

“Tilda is a highly sustainable business that tracks and sets reduction targets for water, waste, energy and GHG emissions, promotes a transparent supply chain, and supports regenerative agriculture,” notes Campolucci Bordi. “The company ensures ethical and environmental practices through comprehensive supplier codes, uses 100% renewable electricity, and actively engages in community and employee initiatives to foster sustainability and wellbeing, with an aim to achieve net zero emissions.”

Our Sustainability Awards partner Seismic was similarly impressed by the brand’s clear vision. “As a beloved household brand, Tilda’s innovative farming practices are poised to influence the rice growing sector at large,” says Seismic co-founder Amy Bourbeau. “Its use of alternate wet dry (AWD) rice farming together with integrated natural pest management methods have great benefits for its stakeholders, from increased margins and income for farmers, to reducing methane gas emissions by up to 50%.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Pip & Nut

4. Small Business

WINNER: nibs etc.

Who? nibs etc. was formed in 2018 by self-proclaimed snack obsessive Chloë Stewart. The brand creates innovative, nutritious and tasty snacks using food-waste by-products – namely, the pulp left over from juicing fruit and vegetables.

Why? With food waste responsible for 8% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, nibs etc. is paving the way for creating truly useable solutions to upcycling leftovers.

“nibs etc. is taking strides to eliminate food waste within day-to-day snacking, and I applaud it for working directly with its manufacturers, being smart with its use of waste by-products, and local sourcing,” says Head.

Marie Claire UK news and features editor Mischa Smith agrees: “The UK’s first upcycled snack brand, female-owned nibs etc. aims to turn manufacturing by-products into snacks that are healthy and resourceful.”

5. Sustainable Restaurant

WINNER: Riverhouse Restaurant

Who? Located in a boutique hotel on the banks of the River Thames in the leafy London suburb of Richmond, Riverhouse Restaurant has a focus on sustainability and zero-waste cooking.

Why? Riverhouse Restaurant is proud to say it has sustainability at the heart of everything it does. Prioritising local, organic and seasonal ingredients, the restaurant is working towards becoming a Net Positive Hospitality business within the next five years.

“I think Riverhouse’s 360 approach to sustainability and lowering its carbon footprint should be applauded,” says Head. “From reducing its water usage, to being mindful and innovative with food waste and local suppliers, to tracking energy, it is addressing sustainability in all areas of its business.”

“Riverhouse Restaurant has evidenced its dedication to a more sustainable and ethical hospitality sector. From eradicating straws and cutting down on single-use plastics to more ambitious projects like reducing water intensity, it is taking steps in the right direction across multiple touchpoints,” adds Smith.

6. Wine Producer

WINNER: La Crema

Who? Founded in 1979, California-based La Crema is a family-owned winery producing sustainable luxury wines at scale from grapes grown across California and Oregon.

Why? The winery is committed to halving its carbon emissions alongside implementing targets for water conservation and also transitioning 100% of its estate vineyards to regenerative farming practices. Having identified its packaging to be responsible for its largest carbon emissions, it transitioned to using 50% recycled glass material and lowered its bottle weight by 11%, reducing glass emissions.

A unique Tesla stationary battery system reduces the winery’s electricity use during peak times, while its rainwater catchment system saves over half-a-million gallons of rainwater every year. The site even has its own sheep and chickens grazing across the vineyard, operating as natural pest control, weed eaters, organic matter producers, and topsoil aerators.

60% of the estate vineyard properties are left unplanted to allow natural habitats to thrive, and allow the vines to become part of the land’s biodiversity ecosystem.

“This is a company that is truly innovative and committed to protecting energy, land and water resources for the long term without compromising on excellence,” says Marie Claire UK editor-in-chief Andrea Thompson.

“It’s great to see La Crema running its business in a forward-thinking and innovative way,” agrees Head. “Wine growing and winemaking can produce a lot of waste, so its commitment to using cutting-edge practices to protect land, energy and water should be applauded. Its work on regenerative farming, carbon sequestration and solar power generation is also impressive.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Canned Wine Co.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

It’s well known – and documented – that the beauty industry has a sustainability and waste problem. The responsibility shouldn’t just fall on consumers to practice good habits. Rather, it lies with the brands to make choices that protect consumers, workers and the planet.

While there are no perfect solutions to the sustainability problem (yet), there are innovative, forward-thinking and effective ones. That’s why, at Marie Claire UK, we’re all about championing brands doing the work to make the industry a more sustainable and ethical place.

We’ve crowned fifteen winners, as well as some brilliant highly commended brands, in the Beauty, Health & Wellness category of this year’s Sustainability Awards, with winners showing outstanding progress in categories such as Fragrance, Oral Care and Period Care. You want to know about the most sustainable brands on the market, right? Keep scrolling.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Beauty, Health & Wellness winners for 2024

1. B2B Service or Innovation

WINNER: Conserving Beauty

Who? Conserving Beauty is an innovative waterless beauty brand led by sustainable supply-chain expert Natassia Nicolao Grace, which aims to make looking after our planet both fun and accessible.

Why? Conserving Beauty has so many impressive initiatives and accomplishments under its belt, including patented technologies such as InstaMelt and NanoDOTE. The former is a water-soluble polymer material used as a make-up wipe; the latter is a smart material used to place over a spot that slowly dissolves into the skin (acting as a simple patch).

Conserving Beauty works with a number of organisations to ensure ethical and sustainable usage of water, raw materials, supply chains, animal protection and human rights, with its own internal targets, too. The brand is incredibly transparent about the entire life cycle of its products. It is truly setting the benchmark for other companies out there.

“A truly innovative business solving the waste problem within the beauty industry,” says sustainability advisor Ele Ward, one of our judges for this year’s Sustainability Awards. “Conserving Beauty understands the need for innovation within sustainability, while also holding a people-centric approach to business.”

2. Cruelty-Free Brand, Skincare: Face & Body

WINNER: LUSH

Who? Many know Lush for its epic bath bombs, but its values go much further than that. The company has long been a pioneer for cruelty-free beauty, with a policy on protecting animals that’s been in place since its inception.

Why? It goes without saying that all Lush’s products are cruelty-free, as well as being 100% vegetarian and 95% vegan. “We believe that animal testing is not acceptable. We recognise that customer safety is of importance but that this can be assured without the use of animals,” Lush states. In addition to its commitments to cruelty-free initiatives, its sustainability report focuses on packaging, raw materials, waste and recycling, energy, water and communication (as it relates to transparency with consumers). The brand’s ethos is “leaving the world lusher than we found it” and it’s doing a great job at sticking to that.

“Lush has always been a leader when it comes to sustainable and ethical beauty,” says Awards judge Paige Tracey of Soil Association Certification. “The ingredient map that allows users to see exactly where they are sourcing ingredients from is really good. I would, however, like to see an extra level of assurance on this traceability from a third party, as for much of their traceability and sourcing we are just trusting Lush’s word that they source from these places – e.g. blockchain with a company like Provenance.”

Tracey also praises the brand’s full-circle approach to sustainability: “[Lush's] take-back scheme for packaging which incentivises users with a free product is really good,” she says, “and I like that it’s sourcing recycled plastic as well as reusing these pots, thinking down to the level of its shop fronts.”

3. Cruelty-Free Brand, Make-up

WINNER: delilah

Who? Founded in 2014, British make-up brand delilah has focused strongly on sustainability and ethical sourcing from day one. It stocks a wide range of cosmetics, including skin tints, blushers, bronzers, lipsticks and brushes.

What? delilah doesn’t participate in animal testing or sell in any markets that require animal testing, meaning it’s 100% cruelty-free. This extends further to the brand being fully vegan with none of its products containing any animal-derived ingredients.

“This animal test-free, vegan, and paraben-free brand is approved by PETA’s Global Beauty Without Bunnies programme, meaning that no tests on animals were conducted for any of the ingredients or formulations in its products,” says Ingrid Newkirk, founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “Today’s consumers increasingly value ethically produced beauty, and delilah is meeting this demand.”

“delilah has made clear changes and commitments to being more environmentally friendly over and above what many colour cosmetic brands have done. A very admirable effort and I look forward to seeing where the brand goes next,” Tracey notes.

“delilah is a true champion of cruelty-free, people-tested and vegan beauty,” says Ro Egglesfield, of sustainability advisory Seismic. “Its refusal to sell in markets which require animal testing demonstrates that activism and beauty can absolutely go hand-in-hand.”

4. Deodorant

WINNER: Make Waves

Who? Make Waves is at the forefront of sustainable deodorants – it launched as the UK’s first refillable deodorant. “Kind to your skin. Kind to the planet. The brand is constantly looking for ways to be better,” says Marie Claire UK editor Sunil Makan.

Why? Rather than an afterthought, sustainability and ethical practices were the founding principles of Make Waves. Key practices include a local supply chain entirely based in the UK; working solely with sustainable partners (B Corp-accredited or actively focused on sustainable solutions); investing in the future; using low-impact ingredients; and recognising inclusive sustainability.

“All aspects of the supply chain – upstream and downstream – are well designed to have minimum impact on the environment and maximum performance so that consumer habit change actually happens,” says judge Anuradha Chugh of B Lab UK. “[It has] transparent and well-evidenced sustainability commitments.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: AKT

5. Fragrance brand

WINNER: Miller Harris

Who? Miller Harris is a British fragrance house founded in 2000 by perfumer Lyn Harris. Committed to pushing creative boundaries and adhering to sustainable practices, the brand proves that conscious luxury can flourish.

What? With a motto of “80% done is better than waiting for 100% perfect,” Miller Harris understands that sustainability is about consistency and making small changes for a big impact. As well as operating with a transparent supply chain and on a circular model, the brand is cruelty-free, does environmental education, adheres to ethical human rights and labour conditions, and so much more.

“I have long admired the sustainability and environmental efforts of Miller Harris,” says Marie Claire UK executive beauty editor Shannon Lawlor. “It really champions sustainability without any sort of greenwashing, meaning it doesn’t use these claims to sell more product. The products stand on their own two feet, with longevity and luxury coming first, but knowing all of this goes on behind the scenes is truly fantastic.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sana Jardin

6. Multi-Brand Retailer

WINNER: Counter Culture Store

Who? Counter Culture Store is a health, beauty and wellness retailer on a mission to make it easy for consumers to shop and discover sustainable and ethical products within that sphere.

Why? Home to over 130 sustainable and ethical beauty products, Counter Culture Store operates a brand eligibility framework, which enables it to assess whether a brand adheres to its standards before onboarding it to their platform. In addition, the retailer helps elevate brands on the site by offering a number of business initiatives.

“A great idea that makes it easier for consumers to make more considered purchases,” says Makan of Counter Culture’s approach. Lawlor agrees: “I really love this concept and some of the initiatives, particularly the discounting products near end-of-life and the work from home, remote aspect of employee working,” she says.

7. Ocean Friendly

WINNER: LUSH

Who? Lush has long been a champion for cruelty-free, Fairtrade, freshly made and even naked (aka limited packaging) beauty, as well as looking after our oceans.

Why? This year, Lush became the first global cosmetics brand to switch to Prevented Ocean Plastic, which is certified as recycled from plastic waste collected within 50km of an Indonesian ocean, coastline or major waterway that is otherwise at risk of polluting our oceans. The brand is working with its suppliers, Spectra Packaging, to roll out the initiative globally. In addition to helping prevent plastic waste from entering our oceans, the scheme supports the implementation of an efficient waste management infrastructure and provides income opportunities for local people in various countries.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dr. Hauschka

8. Oral care

WINNER: SURI

Who? There’s a huge issue in oral care right now, with an estimated four billion toothbrushes ending up in landfill or oceans every year. SURI is the certified B Corp dental brand tackling this.

Why? SURI is an electric toothbrush that aims to take care of teeth without creating unnecessary waste. Brush heads are made from corn starch and the bristles from castor oil with the body of the toothbrush crafted from aluminium.

“A disrupter brand focusing on customer experience, durability and circularity. Keeping to a simple design but one that allows repair and the ability to upgrade when new innovation emerges is truly novel. Great attention to detail in all areas,” says judge Angela Moran of Silentnight.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: GudYu

9. Organic Brand

WINNER: Nunaïa

Who? Born from the founder’s decade-long work with local communities in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuadorian Amazon and Peru, Nunaïa is a superfood skincare brand built on the understanding of helping not hindering ancestral land and resources.

Why? The brand uses a regenerative skincare business model, strengthening its entire supply chain using ethical sourcing. It has several certifications, including COSMOS Organic, Leaping Bunny and vegan.

“Nunaia has shown itself to be a real pioneer when it comes to being a sustainable brand. Its use of innovative mycelium packaging – which is completely compostable – is great,” says Tracey. “It has committed to getting its fabrics GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard), meaning they will undergo pesticide residue and other chemical testing to ensure the materials really are ‘organic’.

“It has also had some strong social impacts and is committed to making a positive impact in the regions it sources its ingredients from, going above and beyond what other companies might do,” she continues. “A real stand-out brand when it comes not just to a commitment to organic, but an all-around commitment to making the world a better place.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Pai Skincare

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SAIRA

10. Period Care Brand

WINNER: WUKA

Who? WUKA (Wake Up and Kick Ass) is at the forefront of tackling taboos, stigma and access issues in the period care industry.

Why? By creating reusable period pants, WUKA is eliminating the need for single-use pads and tampons to those who wish to make the switch. The brand also recognises the barriers still facing people with periods today, including around stigmas and period poverty.

The brand is B Corp certified, CarbonNeutral certified, vegan and PETA-approved. In market research, WUKA discovered the life cycle of a pair of its underwear has a carbon footprint up to six times less compared to using pads (four times less for tampons) and can prevent around 200 single-use disposables from polluting our oceans or going to landfill. Co-founder and CEO Ruby Raut also led the charge in including period underwear in the abolishing of 20% VAT tax on period products.

“I’m a fan of WUKA and everything its doing to shake up its industry,” says Marie Claire UK’s senior health, sustainability and relationships editor, Ally Head. “I applaud its use of planet friendly materials, including GOTS organic cotton, recycled nylon and Tencel Modal with zero plastics or added chemicals including PFAs.” News and features editor Mischa Smith agrees: “WUKA’s dedication to circularity, through the use of organic and certified materials, is commendable,” she says.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The better company

11. Progress Towards Circularity

WINNER: Conserving Beauty

Who? A waterless beauty brand leading the way with innovative materials and formulas.

Why? Circularity is hugely important in the sustainable beauty landscape as it tracks practices from conception to end-of-life. Conserving Beauty doesn’t just consider one element of sustainability, it understands the need to encompass all elements of sustainable and ethical beauty.

Judge and Ecovia Intelligence founder Amarjit Sahota agrees, praising Conserving Beauty’s use of sustainable materials. “It is a good approach to circularity,” she says.

“We often talk about the power of collaboration to innovate on sustainability challenges,’ Seismic’s Olivia Hill says. “Conserving Beauty is a brilliant example of a cross-sector partnership. This Australian beauty brand worked with a Scottish manufacturer of dressings for burns’ victims to develop dissolvable, non-toxic solutions to face wipes, sheet masks and pimple patches that are safe for our waterways.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: LUMENE

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Davines Group (Comfort Zone skincare and Davines haircare)

12. Small Business: Multi-Brand Retailer

WINNER: Boop

Who? Boop’s mission is to give products that would otherwise end up in landfill a second chance – an estimated US$4.8bn worth of products are destroyed annually. Boop works directly with brands to take excess stock and discontinued items that, packaging aside, are in perfect condition, and sells them on to beauty lovers at a discounted rate.

Why? Boop is on a mission to save the products that are perfect on the inside but look imperfect on the outside from going to landfill. The retailer has kept over 5,000 items out of landfill in just six months and enabled three brands to strengthen their relationships with charities to ensure unwanted stock is donated instead of destroyed. The retailer works directly with brands to help improve sustainability practices, and educates consumers on sustainable and ethical shopping, with the premise that small tweaks add up to a big impact.

“Boop tackles a critical beauty industry issue head-on: the wasteful practice of discarding imperfect stock,” says Hill. “By rescuing this stock and reselling it at a discounted price, it creates a win-win for consumers and the planet. Its partnerships with major brands are reshaping how the industry deals with excess, demonstrating the power of sustainable business models.”

“Boop is an innovative concept to rescue and reuse imperfect premium stock with potentially significant impacts on waste reduction,” agrees Good On You co-founder Sandra Capponi. “It has some good packaging practices and consumer engagement initiatives to support it.”

13. Small Business

WINNER: NYITA

Who? NYITA is a beauty brand that believes luxury doesn’t have to be at the planet’s expense. It aims to minimise the impact on the environment, support farmers and encourage biodiversity.

Why? The brand was established with sustainability and ethical principles at its foundation. NYITA is mindful of the oils it uses to avoid entire trees and plants being destroyed. It works with community farmers to not only support them and the planet, but to also help give them a full understanding of the supply chain. NYITA gives 10% of profits to support vulnerable people, animals and habitats.

“Nyita’s dedication to transparency and ethical sourcing is a testament to its purpose-driven approach,” notes Seismic co-founder Amy Bourbeau. “Its listing of each ingredient and direct support for farmers exemplify how businesses can be a force for good.”

“An excellent example of a small brand with the right values and purpose,” says gngr bees founder Nathalia Grisard. “You can clearly see the lengths it has gone to in order to certify its product and production. I believe better communication is needed across the brand’s social channels to educate customers about the impact of the production/industry and the same for the website, where it could demonstrate its supply chain more clearly. I am excited to follow this brand and see how it develops.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: My Skin Feels

14. Vegan Brand

WINNER: Authentic Beauty Concept

Who? Authentic Beauty Concept is a haircare brand with three core values: purity, simplicity and a steadfast commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

Why? The brand prides itself on having eco-friendly packaging, responsible sourcing, minimal environmental footprint and a commitment to community initiatives. It encourages circularity with elements like refill bars and partakes in ethical sourcing, such as the Sustainable Guar Initiative (SGI). It’s the main sponsor of Hairdressers Without Borders and is mindful about packaging.

“Lots of boxes ticked here: eco-friendly packaging, responsible sourcing of ingredients, vegan, track waste, track water and refill stations,” says Immaculate Vegan co-founder Annick Ireland.

“Very impressed with what this brand has achieved in a short space of time,” says ethical make-up artist Justine Jenkins, “from the sustainable and educational initiatives, which are driving change for farmers and communities, to its refill stations, and sense of community. There is still more to be done of course, but I have full confidence that they will lead the way and make lasting changes.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Form Nutrition

15. Zero-Waste Brand

WINNER: SBTRCT Skincare

Who? SBTRCT Skincare is a solid, 100% plastic-free, zero-waste, cruelty-free and vegan brand.

Why? The brand is built on the premise of “less is more” and is B Corp certified. SBTRCT’s solid products are also cruelty-free and suitable for vegans with domestically compostable packaging.

“Incredibly impressed with all the initiatives the brand is fulfilling and its third-party certifications – which are expensive and arduous to upkeep, especially for a small business,” says Piper. “The products and packaging are thoughtful, and I love that it’s taken a more holistic view of sustainability with a commitment to paying employees at all levels a fair, living wage and ensuring ingredient sourcing across the supply chain is not only eco-friendly but also ethical.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Ecoalf Wellness

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Having children is one of the biggest life changes there is – arguably the biggest many of us will ever experience. You’re plunged into a sleep-deprived fog of nappies, wipes and unsolicited advice, making it a time when it’s all too easy to reach for whatever solution is to hand that might make your life (a little bit) simpler. Often, these are not the most eco-friendly of choices.

It is possible, however, to parent in a greener way, and what better incentive to be more conscious in the choices you make than raising the next generation – who will undoubtedly be impacted by the climate crisis more than any before them.

With this in mind, we’ve added a new category to the Maire Claire UK Sustainability Awards for 2024: Parenting. Keep scrolling to discover our inaugural winners and the worthy runners-up.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Parenting winners for 2024

1. Babies & Kids Clothing

WINNER: The bonniemob

Who? Founded in 2005 by Tracey Samuel following the birth of her first child, the bonniemob is a GOTS-certified children’s organic clothing brand. Built around the principles of sustainability and circularity – its strapline is “buy once, buy well, pass it on” – the bonniemob’s clothes are bright, breezy and durable.

Why? The brand displays a fundamental belief in sustainability as a guiding principle, informing every aspect of its designs from conception to production and beyond. It is the antithesis of fast fashion – clothes are designed to be durable, so they can be passed down to siblings or on to friends – and the brand is working on a circular side to the business, by helping busy parents to trade and swap clothing.

Impressively for a small brand, the bonniemob prioritises people and planet above profit – fitting our judging criteria perfectly. Its supply chain is transparent and accountable, and it uses only 100% organic textiles.

“I love the brand ethos around longevity on the product and its exceptional
commitment to environmental sustainability,” says Sustainability Awards judge and WUKA founder Ruby Raut. “I love the innovative practices like Zero D printing [to mimic the look of denim], which uses 90% less water, and its dedication to organic cotton certification, but also its rental platform, which aligns to its mission on circular economy as a circular fashion, further highlighting its eco-friendly initiatives.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Elodie Details

2. Kitchen Item or Tableware

WINNER: KAOS

Who? The brainchild of two first-time mums, Norwegian lifestyle brand KAOS was established in 2015 to offer parents sustainable, functional, stylish and cost-efficient baby gear.

Why? KAOS is leading the way for a more sustainable future for babies and kids – without compromising on style. The brand is committed to producing timeless, reusable products that grow with your child. Building everything from scratch, its female owner-operators have spent almost a decade researching their products, with a focus on zero waste and building a circular economy.

The Klapp highchair is one example of this ethos – it’s made from 100% recycled plastic from consumer waste, and boasts 62% lower CO2 than other plastic products.

“I have a KAOS highchair and I love it,” enthuses Awards judge and Marie
Claire UK senior beauty editor Katie Thomas. “When I say that it’s near impossible to find a chic folding high chair that looks smart in your kitchen I’m not exaggerating. This company proves that when you become a parent you don’t have to lose all sense of style. The fact that sustainability is such a focus makes the brand even cooler in my eyes.”

“I love the fact that each design is made using the least fabric or material
possible to avoid waste,” adds contributing fashion editor Penny Goldstone. “Not to mention stylish products that grow with your child so you aren’t discarding items after a few months.”

3. Maternity Fashion Brand

WINNER: For The Creators

Who? For The Creators is a fashion and wellness platform for all stages of maternity. It offers circular fashion for purchase or rental, alongside advice blogs and a membership option, giving it a community feel. It’s motherhood, made modern.

Why? For The Creators’ mission is clear: to help mothers look and do good. It promotes circular fashion, with a focus on renting, reusing and recycling, to reduce the ecological impact of maternity wear. It’s clear the brand wants to have a positive impact on the planet while encouraging mums to look and feel their very best – it only teams up with like-minded brands and plants five trees for every purchase, via a partner.

“There’s nothing more wasteful than buying clothes you’ll only wear for a few months,” says Goldstone. “For The Creators has some stylish options that take the stress away from dressing during pregnancy – when it’s easy to lose your style identity – and the fact that each product listing educates customers on their environmental savings and tree plantation is a bonus. You can buy products too, but I love the rental option.”

“Such a brilliant idea and I wish I had known about this during my pregnancies,” says Thomas. “In fact, I might just get pregnant again so that I can make use of its services.” (We can’t guarantee she isn’t joking – she’s that impressed.)

4. Rental or e-commerce

WINNER: thelittleloop

Who? Thelittleloop is, in its own words, “a library for clothes”. A members-only site for trading and swapping kids’ clothing, it’s a genius idea for cash-savvy parents. And don’t worry – stains, rips and damage are all taken care of for you.

Why? Any parent will tell you that kids go through a lot of clothes. From multiple outfit changes per day to growing out of items in the blink of an eye, it’s eye-wateringly expensive – not to mention notoriously bad for the environment.

What thelittleloop is trying to achieve, then, is nothing short of inspirational – the platform offers clothes to rent, buy and trade-in. Members pay a certain amount each month upfront, and choose the corresponding number of items to reuse. No more hours spent listing items on pre-loved sites: this is a one-stop shop for busy parents. No wonder thelittleloop is the UK’s leading circular marketplace for children from birth to 12 years.

And now that online success is coming to the high street – the brand is set to launch a permanent physical pre-loved pop-up in John Lewis’s flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, bringing it another step closer to its goal to make recirculating kids’ clothes a first, not last, resort.

“This is such a clever idea,” says Thomas, “I have spent so much money on
children’s clothes over the years for them only to be worn once or twice. I
love that you don’t have to worry about stains too.”

“As a mum of a toddler, I’m well aware how quickly clothes get outgrown. I made the mistake of buying lots new when she was born and half of it is now in a box unworn. I wish I’d known about this service then,” adds Goldstone.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: KiDSiE

5. Toys & Education

WINNER: Le Toy Van

Who? Find us a parent who doesn’t own at least one Le Toy Van item. The brand creates child-safe, eco-friendly wooden toys for a range of ages. Good quality, old-fashioned style toys never looked so good – who doesn’t love a dolls’ house?

Why? The OG wooden toy brand, Le Toy Van designs and crafts wooden toys that “spark imagination and development through the magic of play”.

All Le Toy Van products are made using FSC-certified wood and Indonesian rubberwood ethically sourced from sustainably managed forests. The brand works closely with suppliers to ensure the wellbeing of its workers, and partners with One Tree Planted to help restore forests. It has committed to its packaging being plastic-free by 2026.

“I really love these toys, and have many, many of them in my house,” says Thomas.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Micro Scooters

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Ready to meet our incredible line-up of judges for the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2024? Our fourth annual awards are here and set to champion the organisations, brands and products worth knowing about in the sustainability sphere. We've enlisted the help of over 50 leading experts to help us determine who should be awarded the top prizes, featuring some of the most powerful voices in sustainability right now. 

Sustainability is now forefront of consumers' minds, with everyone clued up on how vital it is to make more eco-conscious choices. At Marie Claire UK, we're working with our readers to take action against climate change and build a better future for the planet, from in-depth guides to second-hand shopping to easy ways to live more sustainably through easy everyday swaps.

ENTER THE 2024 MARIE CLAIRE SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS HERE

We've thought long and hard about our judging panel and enlisted the leading experts in the field to judge which organisations and brands are making a difference (a brand spring to mind for you? Enter them into the awards before Friday 19th, here). As well as Marie Claire UK editors who champion sustainability within their work, we've also reached out to plant-based chefs and authors, B Corp founders, eco-business leaders, sustainability podcasters and animal rights activists—all of whom will be looking over your entry. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future. And if you're putting in an entry to the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards for 2024 - we wish you the best of luck.

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2024: Meet our judges

ANDREA THOMPSON

Editor-in-Chief, Marie Claire UK

Andrea Thompson is Editor-in-Chief at Marie Claire UK, which reaches over seven million women on its combined platform. Andrea is currently Vice-chair and DEI at the British Society of Magazine Editors, as well as on the Advisory Board for The Sustainability Show. Andrea's career in journalism spans over 20 years working on titles including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, Channel 4, Glamour and Grazia. In her role as Editor-in-Chief, she oversees content, brand partnerships and campaigns, as well as speaking on the important topics of our time, including sustainability, diversity and gender equality. 

ALLY HEAD

Health, Sustainability & Relationships Editor, Marie Claire UK

Ally Head is at the helm of sustainability content at Marie Claire UK, heading up sustainability content such as deciphering greenwashing, the best B Corp brands and, as a keen runner, which the genuinely sustainable gym wear is worth investing in. Day to day, she advises on sustainability and wellness campaigns for the brand, championing climate activists and qualified experts, as well as writing up news and features detailing the latest happenings in the world of health and sustainability. If she's not working or putting in the miles as a keen marathon runner, she's also a keen presenter with her Decoded Instagram Live franchise spotlighting some of the biggest names in wellness.

ADITI MAYER

Visual Storyteller, Sustainability Activist, and Consultant

Aditi Mayer is a climate activist, sustainable fashion thought leader, photojournalist, and writer. Her work explores the intersections of style, sustainability, and social justice. She's a frequent speaker on social and environmental justice, and her thought leadership has led to her international forums, having spoken at Harvard, Yale and Stanford. Aditi has become a voice in the larger sustainability movement, approaching her work from multiple domains, from grassroots organizing in Downtown LA’s garment district to educating folks on the importance of diverse perspectives. Most recently, she hosted a documentary for Coach’s new series, The Road To Circularity, exploring how fashion can become more circular.

ALEXANDRA DAWE

Director of Corporate Affairs, Rainforest Alliance

As Director of Corporate Affairs, Alexandra Dawe leads a global team that is responsible for the Rainforest Alliance’s external and international communications, public affairs, media relations, and corporate reputation management. A former journalist of 20 years and a strategic communications advisor and trainer of CSOs, NGOs and companies, Alexandra has devoted her career to social and environmental transformation towards a sustainable world. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Bank Track Board, sits on the Advisory board of the Profundo Foundation, and is a member of the Advisory Council of Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam.

AMARJIT SAHOTA

Founder, Ecovia Intelligence

Amarjit Sahota is the founder of Ecovia Intelligence, which is a London-based research and consulting firm that has been encouraging sustainable development since its formation in 2001 and is an expert on global sustainable product industries. For almost 30 years, Amarjit has been undertaking research, analysis and consulting on natural cosmetics, organic foods, and sustainable products—he certainly knows a sustainable winner when he sees one.

AMY BOURBEAU

Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer, Seismic 

Amy Bourbeau is the co-founder and Chief Impact Officer at Seismic, a sustainability advisory that helps businesses change society and fix our planet by being a force for good. Amy specialises in B Corp and how its framework can help organisations improve their impact and meet the high standards required for certification. She started working as the UK’s first B Corp Consultant in 2015 and has been committed to helping the movement grow ever since. Amy has supported hundreds of organisations on their sustainability journeys, with clients including Innocent Drinks, Avon, Lily’s Kitchen, Gousto, The White Company, Finistere and PZ Cussons.

AMY NELSON-BENNETT

CEO, Positive Luxury

Amy Nelson-Bennett is the CEO of Positive Luxury, one of the leading sustainability experts in the global luxury industry. Amy brings 25 years of global experience across business turnaround and transformation, brand and commercial strategy, digital commerce and communications and sustainability best practices gained across media, retail, and luxury goods. Most recently she led the successful turnaround of Molton Brown as CEO and President and joined PE-backed Clive Christian Group to modernise the brand and operations and deliver rapid growth. 

AMY TSANG

Head of Europe, The Mills Fabrica

Amy Tsang spearheads The Mills Fabrica’s UK business and operations, supporting innovators across the textiles/apparel and agrifood tech industries, and building impactful partnerships while growing their community of brands, corporates, VCs, academic institutions and NGOs. Amy also oversees the company’s coworking space in London and curates flagship industry events gathering key ecosystem players and shining the spotlight on startups’ ground-breaking innovations.

ANGELA MORAN

ESG Director, Silentnight 

Angela Moran's career path evolved into becoming a 'bedologist' with the leading UK sleep brand, the Silentnight Group, with a focus in the last ten years on evidence-based marketing around sleep and sustainability. Inspired by the work of John Elkington and Mike Bernes-Lee, she is a key part of the Silentnight team's mission to achieve B Corp certification. When she's not thinking about beds and B Corp, Angela is a community allotment composter and habitat creator.

ANNICK IRELAND

CEO, Immaculate Vegan

Annick Ireland became vegan in 2014 when she adopted her dog Tippi from the Retired Greyhound Trust and made the connection between the pets we love and the welfare of other animals. It was this shift in thinking that led her to see a gap in the market when it came to ethical fashion and style brands, launching Immaculate Vegan in a bid to create a world that is kinder to animals, people and the planet. 

ANURADHA CHUNG

Non Executive Director, Trustee 

Anuradha Chugh champions purpose-driven businesses and has led iconic brands in senior executive roles, most recently as CEO of Pukka, and before that as Managing Director of Ben & Jerry’s Europe, the Global Brand Lead for Dove, amongst others.  Anuradha is in the process of transitioning from an executive career to one where she can use her experience and energy in diverse ways to help purpose-driven organisations thrive. She is also an advisor for a few start-ups and is on the board of F&C Investment Trust, Routes Collective and B Lab UK.

ASHLEE PIPER

Sustainability Expert, Author and TV Personality

Ashlee Piper is a sustainability expert, TV personality and author whose work has been featured on big names like The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly & Ryan and CNN, as well as Vogue, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic and Newsweek. Piper's book, Give A Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. has been hailed as a 'sustainability Bible' by celebrities and reviewers. She's also the creator of the #NoNewThings Challenge, which received a 2022 Silver Stevie Award for Best Nonprofit Innovation.

BETTINA CAMPOLUCCI BORDI

Chef and Author

Bettina Campolucci Bordi is an acclaimed plant-based chef and a huge advocate for plant foods. The author of three popular cookbooks Happy Food, 7 Day Vegan Challenge, and Celebrate, Bettina uses local and seasonal produce to create dishes that nourish the body and soul. She's also carved a niche in recipe development for high-profile brands and the hospitality industry, focusing on maximising the potential of plant foods.

CAROLINE RUSH

CEO, British Fashion Council

Caroline Rush CBE is the Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC). Since she was appointed Chief Executive in April 2009, Caroline has focused on strengthening the British Fashion Council’s network and platforms to connect businesses with global audiences both trade and consumer. During her time in the role as Chief Exec, London Fashion Week has become a globally recognised platform for creative fashion talent. Recently, the BFC launched The Institute of Positive Fashion as an engine room for change, galvanising the industry to address how it can more positively impact the Environment, People and Community

CAT LEE

Head of Ethics, Sustainability and Compliance, The White Company

Cat Lee started her career in finance, before shifting her career towards retail over 15 years ago, specialising in ethics and sustainability for both large and medium-sized British brands including Marks & Spencer and Ted Baker among others. She now leads sustainability, ethics and compliance at The White Company, which recently achieved B- Corp certification. 

CHARLOTTE HORLER

Founder, Nula

Charlotte Horler is a consultant, researcher and founder of Nula, a sustainability engagement agency and her mission is to embed sustainability across the workforce. Through Nula, Charlotte supports leaders to understand how their teams think and feel about sustainability, using a diagnostic service. In addition, she is exploring what a sustainable future of work looks like and how to make a connection with nature a regular feature of both her personal and professional life.

CLARE GODFREY

Head of B Corp & Purpose Integration, Danone UK & Ireland

Clare Godfrey is the Head of B Corp and Purpose Integration at Danone UK & Ireland. PClare has played a pivotal role in certifying Danone's operations in the UK & Ireland, unlocking opportunities for continuous improvement and championing the role that multinationals play. Empowering employees to be a Force for Good through storytelling, particularly concerning their carbon reduction roadmap at the 2023 company conference, was a career highlight.

ELE WARD

CMO and Sustainable Fashion Advisor

Ele Ward is a highly experienced marketer with a focus on strategic partnerships, project management and go-to-market strategy. She has worked with numerous founders and early-stage teams in the B2B and B2C Climate Tech, FinTech and Sustainable Fashion sectors. Today, Ele is CMO of B2B2C alternative asset platform, Ctrl Alt, and works with early-stage fashion startups on the path to launch.

ERIN BARKER

Editorial Director, Auto Trader

Erin Barker is an award-winning motoring journalist and BBC and Sky broadcaster, who writes and edits car content for Auto Trader content as well as Marie Claire, Goodwood, Vogue and Electric Drives. She is the host of She’s Electric, a national roadshow connecting cars and women. Her passions are creating and driving initiatives that are aimed at reducing the gender gap in the automotive industry and pushing the sustainability agenda with car brands and retailers.

GEORGINA WILSON-POWELL

Sustainability Comms Expert and Author

Georgina Wilson-Powell launched pebble magazine in 2016, as part of her mission to normalise sustainable practices and raise awareness of the alternatives to the broken overconsumption model. She is the author of three books on sustainable living, one of which has been a bestseller and sold over 25,000 copies, as well as being a regular speaker, podcast and radio guest and panellist covering sustainable trends, eco-anxiety and how to engage individuals in the climate crisis. 

GILES GIBBONS

CEO and Founder, Good Business

Giles Gibbons founded Good Business 25 years ago, which advises brands, start-ups, foundations, voluntary organisations and social enterprises on strategy, purpose and reputation. He’s worked with organisations as diverse as The Coca-Cola Company, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aesop and WWF, making sure that they keep up with the changing times, and move with the tide rather than against it. Giles also chairs the Sustainable Restaurant Association, the restaurant world’s Michelin stars for sustainability; he chairs the Paraorchestra, an elite disabled orchestra; and Talking Taboos, a charity focused on raising issues hidden by society.

HANNAH COX

Director, Better Business Network & betternotstop

Hannah Cox is the Director of Better Business Network and betternotstop. betternotstop is a sustainable impact agency that helps businesses implement sustainable strategies, policies, and frameworks, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, B Corp Certification, Global Reporting Standards and Carbon Literacy accredited courses. She also founded the Better Business Network, a membership organisation and network for hundreds of purpose-led business leaders, connecting them with others and helping them increase their social and environmental impact through collective action and training courses.

HARRIET VOCKING

CEO, Eco-Age

Harriet Vocking is currently the CEO of Eco-age. Formerly Chief Strategy Officer, Harriet has been integral to the success and growth of Eco-age over the last 10 years. A leader in her field, she helps address the sustainability and ESG issues and opportunities that companies face today with strategic corporate and creative communications, developing global communications or reporting programmes that drive genuine change.

INGRID NEWKIRK

Founder, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

Ingrid Newkirk is the founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-profit organisation founded in 1980 that exposes animals suffering in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade and in the entertainment industry. Ingrid has spoken on animal rights issues across the globe—from the steps of the Canadian Parliament to the streets of New Delhi in India. 

JO SWIFT

Managing Director, Greenhouse Communications

Jo Swift is the director of Greenhouse Communications, as well as an accomplished leader and communications strategist, with over 20 years of experience representing famous businesses, governments, NGOs and charities.

JUSTINE JENKINS

Ethical Make-Up Artist and Author

Justine Jenkins is a highly acclaimed ethical makeup artist with over 25 years of experience working with British and international public figures. She is also a leading sustainable and ethical cruelty-free cosmetic pioneer and ambassador and for the last 12 years has been committed to raising awareness of animal cruelty in the cosmetic industry, working alongside several charities including PETA and Humane Society International. Cruelty-free, vegan, organic and sustainable beauty is her speciality. 

KATIE THOMAS

Senior Beauty Editor, Marie Claire UK

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. She covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand-out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She joined the Marie Claire digital team in 2018, having previously sat on the beauty desks at InStyle UK and Tatler. 

MARY FELLOWES

Founder, Greenwith Studio

Mary Fellows is currently the founder of Greenwith Studio, a B Corp driving sustainable fashion innovation, thought leadership and public speaking, as well as a former editor/contributor at 11 international editions of Vogue—and launched Vogue Turkey.

MISHCA ANOUK SMITH

News and Features Editor, Marie Claire UK

Mischa Anouk Smith is Marie Claire UK's News and Features Editor. Mischa has worked as a journalist, copywriter and content editor for over ten years and has freelanced for titles such as Refinery29 and InStyle. Mischa has contributed cover stories and features to titles including Polyester, Dazed, Stylist and Riposte. Her work spans lifestyle, culture, travel, and fashion and explores what it means to be a woman today.

LISA OXENHAM

Beauty and Style Director, Marie Claire UK

Lisa Oxenham is one of the world's top stylists and art directors with 20 years in the field, leading shoots with some of the world's best photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, influencers and celebrities. She's also a keen public speaker, recently talking for Cognition X.

MYRIAM SIDIBE

Chief Mission Officer of Brands on a Mission

Myriam Sidibe is the Chief Mission Officer and Founder of Brands on a Mission, a certified B Corp aiming to get Brands and Companies to drive impact in health and well-being through their business models. Their current portfolio of clients includes Givaudan, Unilever, Nestlé, Upfield, AbInBev, UN Agencies, Godrej etc. She is also the co-founder and Chair of the Kenya National Business Compact on Coronavirus and the woman behind the multi-award-winning and UN-recognized Global Handwashing Day now celebrated in over 100 countries.

NATALIE HUGHES

Fashion Editor, Marie Claire UK

Natalie Hughes is the Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She has worked as a fashion journalist and content consultant for 15 years, crafting copy and content for magazines and brands including Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Net-a-Porter, Who What Wear, Matches, Glamour, and consulting on strategy for the British Fashion Council, Roland Mouret, Christian Louboutin, and more.

NATHALIA GRISARD

Director, gngr bees

Nathalia Grisard is the founder of gngr bees, a sustainable activewear brand that exemplifies her commitment to conscious movement, wellness, and environmental sustainability. By crafting activewear from waste, gngr bees connects global communities, funds environmental projects and empowers women to find purpose in their movement. Nathalia is a frequent speaker on fashion and environmental sustainability sharing her expertise at universities such as Boston University and Cambridge.

OLIVIA HILL

Head of Sustainability Communications, Seismic 

Olivia Hill is Head of Sustainability Communications at Seismic, a sustainability advisory that helps businesses change society and fix our planet by being a force for good. She has over 20 years of communications experience, specialising in communicating impact with authenticity for consumer goods, retail and B2B companies. Olivia has delivered global B Corp, social value and sustainability communications projects for clients including JDE Peet’s, Danone, Airbus, Ordnance Survey, Duchy Originals, Sipsmith Gin and Woman of the Year. Purpose-driven storytelling sits at the heart of all her communications.

PAIGE TRACEY

Organic Beauty Expert, Soil Association Certification

Paige Traceyis the lead on the communications for Soil Association Certification's Beauty, Wellbeing and Textiles Organic certification schemes. She has been recognised for her strong impact to date in the world of organic and natural cosmetics, being named one of Natural Product News’s '30 under Thirty' finalists for two years running, as well as being named their 2022 Rising Star in 'Who’s Who in Natural Beauty'. Paige is a regular speaker on important panels with beauty industry experts like Millie Kendall of the British Beauty Council, Paige is always raising the profile of certified organic beauty, wellbeing and textiles and the important role they play in securing a more sustainable future.

PENNY GOLDSTONE

Contributing Fashion Editor, Marie Claire UK

Penny Goldstone is the Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, overseeing everything from shopping galleries, trends pieces, fashion week reporting and sartorial news. A self-confessed dress addict, she is committed to buying less but better in a bid to build a more sustainable wardrobe.

RO EGGLESFIELD

Head of Impact Development

Ro Egglefield is Head of Impact Development at Seismic, a sustainability advisory that helps businesses change society and fix our planet by being a force for good. She has over 20 years of international in-house experience leading commercial and ESG teams with sustainability solutions. Ro has supported companies such as Red Bull, Asahi, The Gym Group, WD-40 Company and Monica Vinader. She guides businesses to maximise commercial value and improved impact through pragmatic ESG strategies, Net Zero pathways and meaningful Communication and Reporting journeys. 

ROB GREEN

Co-founder COAT Paints

Rob Green is the co-founder and COO of COAT Paints, the UK’s first carbon-negative and B Corp-certified paint company. Rob’s passion for sustainability meant building COAT as both a design-led brand with high-grade paints and one with conscious environmental and social decisions at its core. Rob’s on a mission to make decorating an enjoyable and environmentally friendly way to create spaces that people love.

RUBY RAUT

CEO and co-founder, WUKA

Ruby Raut, is the CEO & Founder of, WUKA- the UK's #1 fully leak-proof reusable period underwear that completely replaces the need for single-use pads and tampons. A B Corp Certified business, WUKA stands for Wake Up Kick Ass and strives to empower anyone that bleeds by improving access to quality, sustainable period products, eliminating period poverty, and breaking the taboos and stigma surrounding periods. 

SANDRA CAPPONI

Co-Founder, Good On You

Sandra Capponi is the co-founder of Good On You, the leading source for sustainability ratings in fashion and beauty. Since 2015, she’s led the team to rate over 6,000 brands for their impact and partner with global retailers, such as Westfield and FARFETCH, to empower millions of consumers to buy better. With years of experience in corporate social responsibility, Sandra has been long concerned about supply chain issues in big business. She founded Good On You because she sees huge potential in using consumer power to drive industry change.

SARA SIMMONDS

CEO, The Impact Innovator

Sara Simmonds is a leading figure within the world of IMPACT and was voted number one speaker at The Sustainability Show. Sara is also on the advisory boards of the British Beauty Council Sustainability Coalition and The Sustainability Show. Sara has had an illustrious career as an international buyer and pioneer of conscious product innovation. By the age of 25 Sara was a buyer for Harvey Nichols and seeing the waste in what we consume, at the age of 28 Sara became an award-winning impact entrepreneur pioneering the first hand-made sustainable jeans brand Sharkah Chakra.

SHANNON LAWLOR

Executive Beauty Editor, Marie Claire UK

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and Marie Claire's Executive Beauty Editor. As a leading editorial expert and brand consultant. Shannon puts a focus on the sustainability credentials of the products she features, spotlighting brands with refillable beauty products, for example. Before her time at Marie Claire UK, Shannon has over eight years of experience working in some of the woorld's best beauty titles, including Who What Wear, Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29, and Fabulous.

SMRUTI SRIRAM

CEO, Bags of Ethics/ Supreme Creations

Smruti Sriram is the Chief Executive of Bags of Ethics/ Supreme Creations. Supreme Creations is an award-winning manufacturer of reusable merchandise and sustainable packaging and has been at the forefront of reducing single-use plastic bags, and packaging for supermarkets, beauty brands, fashion and retail. The 100%-owned supply chain starts in Pondicherry, India, in which 80%+ of the workforce are female, and several sustainability initiatives like water treatment, tree planting and conservation. 

SOFIA PIZA

Fashion Writer, Marie Claire UK

Sofia Piza is a Fashion Writer with experience working across runway trends, sustainability, creative production, and celebrity fashion news. Born in Mexico and raised in five countries, Sofia decided to settle in London after spending four years at the London College of Fashion, studying Fashion Journalism. These days, you can find Sofia searching the internet for new independent businesses and scouring Vinted and vintage markets alike for the best second-hand fashion finds.

SUNIL MAKAN

Editor, Marie Claire UK

Sunil Makan has over 12 years of experience working in journalism at titles such as Sunil worked at ELLE, InStyle, and Shortlist Media. He's an experienced Editor, Strategist, Content Producer and Art Director, who specialises in fashion, beauty and grooming, lifestyle and culture.

TESSA CLARKE

Co-founder & CEO, Olio

Tessa Clarke is the Co-Founder & CEO of Olio, an app tackling the climate crisis by solving the problem of waste in the home and local community. Olio does this by connecting people with their neighbours so they can give away rather than throw away their spare food and other household items, and lend and borrow instead of buying brand new. Tessa’s TED talk about the power of sharing has been watched over 1 million times, and in 2023 she was awarded the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award, the longest-running award for female business leaders.

TANYA STEELE (CBE)

CEO, WWF-UK

Tanya Steele (CBE) has led WWF-UK since 2017 as its first female CEO, leading an ambitious strategy to tackle the catastrophic global decline in species and habitats. Tanya sees WWF as a critical force for driving change, from wildlife recovery to climate change, the food system and clean oceans. Tanya is also a trustee of the Disasters Emergency Committee and the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance.

There's not long left to go—entries for the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards end this Friday. 

Head to our website to have your say on which brands and organisations we should be championing. 

Sustainability is a part of our DNA here at Marie Claire UK and has been for the past three decades. Writing regularly on everything from intersectional environmentalism to the best B Corp brands, we've won several awards for our work in the process.

This month, we're delighted to announce that our annual Sustainability Awards are back for their fourth year with an extended entry deadline of Friday 19th April.

Designed to crown the brands building a better tomorrow and genuinely doing their bit to make their businesses a force for good, now more than ever, learning how to live more sustainably is of vital importance. 

While we've long championed brands, organisations, and products that are implementing change and shining a light on sustainable innovation, our Sustainability Awards aim to connect you with the real changemakers.

The Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2024 are here

You can now enter the fourth iteration of the awards on our dedicated Sustainability Awards website.

A bit of background for you: here at Marie Claire UK, we’ve been encouraging conscious consumption for over three decades, long championing buying quality over quantity, reusing, and recycling - which is why we’re so keen to shout about the brands who share the same values.

Enter the fourth annual Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2024 here

Why are the awards so important? Well, sustainability, while central to building a better tomorrow, is only getting more difficult to decipher as more and more companies greenwash. Our aim is simple: to commend the businesses going above and beyond to prioritise both people and planet, companies showing sustainable innovation in their products and services, and brands holding themselves accountable in their business operations.

Editor-in-Chief Andrea Thompson says: "I’m delighted to announce the launch of our fourth annual Sustainability Awards, a celebration of the brands, organisations, and products implementing positive changes to tackle climate change."

"At Marie Claire UK, we’ve been encouraging conscious consumption for over 35 years, long championing buying quality over quantity, reusing, and recycling and supporting brands who do the same. I’m so looking forward reading and judging all of the entries and shining a spotlight on the incredible brands out there working hard to make a difference."

Senior Sustainability Editor Ally Head adds: "We're excited to be partnering with B Corp advisors Seismic for a second year, too. Together, we're keen to champion companies showcasing sustainable innovation but also levelling up their business operations to protect both people and planet."

Our fourth annual iteration of the awards follows in last year's footsteps, partnering with B Corp advisors at Seismic for the second year and taking extra steps to assess both the social and sustainable practices of each entry. Supporting us in reviewing entries and judging the winners, we selected Seismic as our sustainability partner because of their extensive understanding of impact across a range of sectors and business models. Seismic is an international team of experts on a mission to help businesses become increasingly impactful forces for good. They bring together B Corp experts, Net Zero advisors and sustainability strategists to help businesses lead the shift.

All businesses will be asked to supply evidence to back up their sustainability claims, and all claims will be thoroughly reviewed and validated. We do this so that we can credibly celebrate the innovations that will drive real change.

If you’re addressing human rights in your supply chain, promoting circularity in the life cycle of your products, reducing or reusing water, packaging or food waste, accessing underserved populations or rethinking environmental behaviours and sustainability challenges, we want to hear from you. There are categories spanning fashion, beauty, health & wellness, food & drink, travel & leisure, homes & lifestyle, motors and a new addition for 2024, parenting.

Not only that, but all entries will be reviewed by a guest panel of over 50 of the most high-profile sustainability experts, company founders, thought leaders, consultants and activists in the business.

Your need-to-knows: 

Watch the video below or click the headings below to scroll through this year's categories in more detail:

• Fashion
• Beauty, health & wellness
• Food & drink
• Homes & lifestyle
• Motors
• Travel & leisure
• Parenting.

Winners are selected by an award-winning judging panel of 50+ of the world's leading sustainability experts, activists, and the Marie Claire UK editorial team, alongside B Corp experts, Net Zero advisors and sustainability strategists from Seismic.

Entries will close on Friday 19th April 2024.

An insight into last year's awards...

Never one to avoid practising what we preach – or shy away from making history – all three of Marie Claire UK’s inaugural Sustainability Awards have been carbon-neutral awards ceremonies. (That's right - even virtual events generate a carbon footprint.)

Partnering with Nula Carbon, a mangrove tree was planted for every one of our attendees, offsetting our carbon emissions.

See who won in 2023 here and watch some of our past judges below.

Ready to celebrate the editor – and expert-approved – brands going that extra mile in working towards a more sustainable future for our planet? So are we – because we truly believe that we can all #StartSomewhere by making better individual choices that can kick-start meaningful, collective change.

With an estimated 120 billion units of packaging generated by the cosmetics industry every single year – and much of it non-recyclable – the urgency for change is real.

Now, more than ever before, consumers expect beauty brands to place as much importance on a product’s impact on the environment as it does on our skin, hair and wellbeing.  

From carbon-neutral certifications and innovative packaging that significantly reduces waste, to cruelty-free formulas and brands banishing animal ingredients from their products, the time when ethics in beauty products came at the expense of efficacy is truly over. 

Here, then, are some of the world’s most innovative, progressive and effective cult beauty, health and wellness brands – and winners of our Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023. 

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023: Beauty & Wellness winners

Candle

WINNER: STORIES Parfums

Who? STORIES Parfums is a beauty brand that mixes luxury and sustainability, creating perfumes and candles in a way that's good for the planet. "STORIES creates beautiful and functional products through a sustainability lens every step of the way," says Sustainability Awards judge and Marie Claire UK Editor, Sunil Makan.

Why? The candles are vegan, animal-friendly, and made without any synthetic stuff. And the brand is all about reusing and recycling, ensuring almost 98% of its production waste gets a new life. 

"This is the sort of thing we want to see in the candle category," says Sustainability Awards judge and Acting Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK, Shannon Lawlor. "A fully tracked manufacturing process with waste recycling as they go, it should be about thinking carefully at every stage rather than quick packaging wins."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Selfmade Candle

Carbon footprint

WINNER: Davines

Who? Italian hair care brand Davines have shown it's committed to sustainability through impactful projects, including its participation with 1% for the Planet.

Why? From using 100% virgin plastic in 2014, to slashing fossil virgin plastic use by nearly 63% through recycled and renewable alternatives, Davines packaging game is strong and focuses on eco-design for lighter, greener solutions that curtail CO2 emissions. With carbon-neutral offices and a dedicated team for packaging research, Davines isn't just a hair brand beloved by discerning A-listers and beauty buffs, it's rewriting the rules for a greener, brighter future.

"Davines is clearly one of the leaders within the sustainability beauty industry and it was great to see their approach to plastic reduction noted in the application," says Charlotte Horler, Sustainability Awards judge and founder of Nula, a sustainability engagement agency. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Comfort Zone

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Tropic Skincare

Cruelty free

WINNER: Fable & Mane

Who? Fable & Mane, founded by Akash and Nikita Mehta, champions cruelty-free beauty with a purpose. PETA-certified, it pledges never to test on animals, and aims to safeguard wild tigers in India through solar-panelled water holes, safety awareness, and community education. 

Why? Fable & Mane products are paraben-, silicone-, and sulphate-free, with a focus on using upcycled and recyclable materials. Its cruelty-free approach resonates through every aspect of the brand, too, with mindful choices ensuring beauty is rooted in compassion.

"PETA-certified, FSC, Vegan: Fable & Mane Fable Fund has donated more than $100,000 to wildlife protection charities and helped 50+ communities, in which they provide education, employment and training to support their tiger conservation mission. Additionally, with the money raised by the Fable Fund, Fable & Mane bought a school bus to teach children about human conflict and living in harmony with the forest. For a small brand, this is an outstanding contribution to animals," says Sustainability Awards judge and Marie Claire UK's Beauty & Style Director, Lisa Oxenham. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Umberto Giannini

Deodorant

WINNER: Susanne Kaufmann

Who? Susanne Kaufmann is a brand committed to leaving a lighter footprint on the planet – a goal evidenced through its intelligent refillable packaging, use of organically-grown ingredients, and dedication to sustainable manufacturing.

Why? Typical of the brand, Susanne Kaufmann's roll-on deodorant isn't just about smelling good: it's about fighting odours without a trace of harmful chemicals. The botanical blend is kind to your skin, thanks to sage's antibacterial benefits and soothing up-cycled barley. But the best part? The packaging is eco-friendly – a chic glass bottle that's 100% recyclable. 

"I love the brand ethos and what they stand for," says Sustainability Awards judge and CEO of WUKA Period Pants, Ruby Raut. "Clearly they are switched on as a brand and have sustainability in their DNA – from production to packaging. I was also super impressed with the amount of information on sustainability on their page, too. Keep up the great work."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dr. Hauschka

Ethical brand/retailer

WINNER: The Body Shop

Who? Founded by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop exists – in its own words – "to fight for a fairer, more beautiful world." With a history of challenging norms, The Body Shop drives change through innovative projects, including its Open Hiring initiative, which offers jobs based on skills, regardless of background, and Community Fair Trade shea project, which helps to empower women in Ghana.

Why? "The Body Shop is the ethical brand winner for its mission and the scale of its impact across all areas of the business. From its Open Hiring scheme and commitment to empowering local communities (I was particularly impressed by its work with Farmer's Voice Radio platforming women's voices in shea butter production), to its transparent and sustainable supply chain, reducing carbon footprint and moving to 100% electric," says Sustainability Awards judge and Marie Claire UK Features Editor, Jenny Proudfoot.

"Crucially, The Body Shop is transparent about the work to come, constantly evolving its practices, and making major commitments – for example, its packaging materials to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030. It's no surprise that The Body Shop is Fair Trade, Fair Wage, FSC, Vegan, Cruelty-free and B-Corps certified."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Balance Me

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Neal's Yard Remedies

Fragrance brand

WINNER: Floral Street 

Who? British fragrance brand Floral Street is leading the way in the industry with its responsible packaging innovations, partnering with like-minded organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society and the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam to support greener initiatives. 

Why? The founder's "less is more" philosophy drives the brand's approach, focusing on reduce, reuse, recycle, regenerate, and refuse. Also good: it offers an immersive scent-school experience to educate consumers about ethical fragrance choices, and works with distribution channels that share their values. 

"With Floral Street, every single step of the process has been meticulously looked at, dissected and adapted to make a successful, sustainable and desirable brand – which at this scale, should be applauded," says Makan. "This fastidious approach to creation is second to none. The products look and smell good, too."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Guerlain

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Nissaba

Innovation

WINNER: Conserving Beauty

Who? Led by 28-year-old Natassia Nicolao, a sustainable supply chain expert, Conserving Beauty is revolutionising the beauty industry.

Why? For starters, the company has introduced waterless innovations, such as the world's first dissolving cleansing wipe and upcoming dissolvable pimple patches using nano-technology. Its commitment to sustainability goes beyond products, too, as it actively manages water and carbon footprints, partners with non-profits, such as SeaTrees for mangrove restoration, and uses responsible packaging. Plus, it has published reports on its own carbon and waste footprints for complete transparency. 

But that's not all: Conserving Beauty's ethical practices extend to partnerships with farmers and manufacturers, making it the first beauty brand with environmental impact funds as investors and an all-female board, including supermodel Elle Macpherson.

"I think this is real sustainability innovation," says Lawlor.

"I like the concept and how they are looking to change the wipes industry," adds Amarjit Sahota, founder and president of Ecovia Intelligence.

Ocean-friendly

WINNER: Phytomer

Who? Inspired by the sea's feel-good sensation, French brand Phytomer is a skincare brand deeply immersed in marine beauty. Whether harvesting algae from the wild or cultivating it in laboratories, sustainability is at its core. The eco-friendly packaging choices champion recyclable plant-based materials, too, from tubes to glass jars. Meanwhile, the prestigious Ecovadis Gold certification and collaboration with non-profit Time For The Ocean highlights Phytomer's dedication to ocean preservation.

Why? "This is a really great application," says Sustainability Awards judge and Head of Ocean Advocacy and Engagement at the Ocean Conservation Trust, Nicola Bridge. "Covering a wide range of sustainability issues, Phytomer clearly spends profits on environmentally friendly innovations. Their meaningful mission statement and artistic collaborations bring the ocean to life through art. I believe this brand!"

Judge Oxenham describes the company's manufacturing plant – a natural and organic place to filter wastewater from the production site by leaning on the power of local plants – as "amazing". Indeed, the quality of the water is so good, the brand is permitted to release it back into the local environment afterwards. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Voya 

Oral care

WINNER: PÄRLA

Who? PÄRLA is the oral care brand on a mission to transform your smile while saving the planet. Founded by dentists with a vision for cleaner teeth and a greener earth, PÄRLA is disrupting the dental industry with its eco-conscious approach. 

Why? Traditional toothpaste tubes linger for 500 years in landfills and oceans, but PÄRLA's game-changing toothpaste tablets and compostable brushes provide an eco-friendly solution. With 20 billion tubes discarded annually and predictions of more plastic than fish in oceans by 2050, PÄRLA uses 100% plastic-free packaging – and the strategy is simple: introduce eco-friendly alternatives.

"Great product," says Bridge. "They have thought about the supply chain as well as the subscription option to reduce the requirement to purchase further glass packaging."

Organic

WINNER: Neal's Yard Remedies

Who? Neal's Yard Remedies, born in Covent Garden, has been a beacon of sustainability in the beauty industry for more than four decades. As the inaugural brand certified by the Soil Association in 1991, it continues to lead with one of the widest arrays of certified organic health and beauty products on the high street.

Why? "Neal's Yard Remedies have always gone above and beyond to have the most positive environmental impact, in addition to the traceability and assurance that comes from being COSMOS Organic certified by the Soil Association. This is clearly demonstrated by their lobbying of the UK Government not to remove the ban on neonicotinoids, and the call to arms they brought around this with the "Save the Bees" campaign," says Business Development Manager for Non-Food at Soil Association Certification, and our Sustainability Awards judge, Paige Tracey.

"In the 'Organic' category, there is no better brand that represents the all encompassing ethos of what the word means. They have given evidence of supporting local communities where ingredients are grown, and growing some ingredients in the UK at their Peacemarsh Factory helps to reduce their carbon footprint even further," adds Tracey.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Rhug Wild Beauty

Period brand

WINNER: WUKA Wear

Who? As the UK's top period underwear brand, WUKA – which stands for Wake Up Kick Ass – has a clear mission: shatter taboos, offer access to sustainable period products, and liberate individuals from period-related constraints.

Why? In a $52 billion global period product market dominated by non-biodegradable products, such as tampons and pads, WUKA offers an eco-friendly solution. Its triple bottom line prioritises "Planet, People, and Profit", eliminating 2 million metric tonnes of annual disposable waste. A B Corp-certified brand, it uses organic cotton, Tencel, and a closed-loop production process – and believes that periods shouldn’t cost the earth.

"I'm a fan of WUKA," says Sustainability Awards judge and Marie Claire UK's Health and Sustainability Editor, Ally Head. "Not only are they minimising wastage by offering a reusable period product, but they produce their pants using a closed-loop production process that minimises waste and reduces environmental impact."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Modibodi

Progress towards circularity

WINNER: Emma Lewisham

Who? New Zealand-based brand Emma Lewisham isn't just another skincare brand – it's a leading a skincare revolution that's great for your skin and the planet. Designed by physiologists, products use up to 30 cutting-edge ingredients to address the complex physiology of the skin. 

Why? The brand has introduced a groundbreaking circular beauty model – called the Emma Lewisham Beauty Circle – which ensures packaging doesn't end up as waste. Instead, by focusing on recycling and refilling, Emma Lewisham produces less trash and fewer carbon emissions.

"When so much of what we put out to be recycled doesn't get recycled, it's clear that the only truly circular system is one which has refill and reuse at its very heart," says Tessa Clarke, Sustainability Awards judge and CEO of Olio – an app tackling the climate crisis by solving the problem of waste in the home and local community.

"Emma Lewisham has clearly worked incredibly hard to develop their reuse system, and, as a result, every reuse item has 74% lower carbon emissions than if a customer had brought brand new. It's no surprise that the wider industry is seeking out Emma Lewisham's expertise in circularity."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Antipodes

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Plantopia

Small business

WINNER: BAV TAiLOR

Who? BAV TAiLOR, founded in 2013 by conscious creative Bav Tailor, is a London-born holistic luxury brand – self-described as a "holistic metasphere" – with a mission to educate and inspire individuals to embrace responsible living and sustainability. The brand offers conscious luxury wellness clothing and accessories ethically made in Italy, along with collaborative artisanal collections supporting global artisans.

Why? Proudly holding certifications like the Butterfly Mark for its sustainability commitment, BAV TAiLOR aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, supports Fairtrade practices through its Artisanal Lab platform, and is actively working on expanding its commitment to climate action by investing in energy-efficient retail and production facilities, and collaborating with key suppliers to offset emissions.

"BAV TAiLOR has a strong mission statement, holistic sustainability efforts, good evidence of tracking impacts and a good mix of third-party verification," says Harriet Vocking, Sustainability Awards judge and CEO of Eco-Age.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Obvs Skincare

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hoopsy

Supplement

WINNER: Form Nutrition

Who? As the UK's sole B-Corp certified supplement brand, Form Nutrition goes beyond post-workout shakes.

Why? Carbon neutral, Form Nutrition also supports the Form Feeding Fund that helps those in need at Bansang Hospital in The Gambia. Other eco-friendly initiatives, such as compostable pouches and being entirely vegan, showcase the brand's commitment to sustainability. Now, it's on a mission to cut down on greenhouse-gas emissions, aligning with the Paris Agreement's 2030 net-zero target.

"What I love about Form Nutrition is, first it's a B-Corp brand – and, from my personal experience, it's a lot of evidence-based work that needs submission to get B-corp verified – and I love their nutrition project in The Gambia. From recollection, Gambia doesn't get much NGO support, so it's great to see a business reaching and supporting a country where support doesn't go far and wide. Great business ethics and sustainable credentials, Form Nutrition is a winner in my eyes; great values and ethos," says Sustainable Awards judge and CEO of WUKA Period Pants, Ruby Raut.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: True Veda

Vegan

WINNER (SKIN): facetheory

Who? Facetheory is a skincare brand that champions affordable, clean, and cruelty-free products, certified by Leaping Bunny, Peta, and B-Corp certification. 

Why? Its focus on creating products that respect both skin and the environment is evident through recyclable packaging and a reduced carbon footprint. Products are made using vegan and sustainably sourced ingredients, and the brand is super-inclusive, ensuring products cater for individual concerns. 

"Good sustainability practices throughout the manufacturing process and packaging," says CEO of Immaculate Vegan, and our Sustainability Awards judge, Annick Ireland.

WINNER (HAIR): Fable & Mane

Who? Committed to cruelty-free beauty, Fable & Mane products are entirely plant-based, putting animals and the environment first. 

Why? PETA-certified, the brand doesn't incorporate animal testing into the development phase or at production level. It won't retail in any country that requires animal testing on formulas, either. What's more, products are devoid of animal-derived ingredients, ensuring its hair products align with a vegan lifestyle.

"This company is available online and in store at Sephora locations. They sell a wide range of hair care products that will appeal to a broad consumer base. And no animals were harmed!" says Ingrid Newkirk, Sustainability Awards judge and founder of PETA.

WINNER (Make-up): delilah

Who? PETA-certified as vegan and cruelty-free, delilah's ethos – "simple to wear and easy to love" – spans its makeup, packaging, and even brushes, maintaining the FSC 'tick tree' logo for eco-friendly materials. 

Why? Since its inception in 2014, the cosmetics brand has remained cruelty-free, embracing people-tested validation over animal trials. And it's not just about makeup – it's into helping the environment, too, with carbon offset schemes demonstrating its holistic approach to ethical and sustainable beauty.

Their products are available online, at Sephora, LookFanstastic, Beauty and the Boutique and in the beauty hall in London's Fortnum & Masons, too. They're also stocked in over 200 leading spas and salons around the UK.

"This company has a wide range of products for face, cheeks, eyes, lips, as well as accessories such as brushes. Most importantly, the products are cruelty-free – vegan and non-animal tested," says Newkirk.

Zero-waste

WINNER: Ethique

Who? Ethique's zero-waste policy aims to counter the staggering 120 billion units of packaging discarded yearly by offering sustainable alternatives. Its top-selling shampoo and conditioner bars, with compostable packaging, have already saved 28 million plastic bottles from landfills. 

Why? It's not just about sustainability: its haircare bars have earned more than 40,000 five-star reviews, proving the brand is loved by the eco-conscious community. And for those who love liquid haircare, its innovative powder concentrates offer the same plastic-free goodness.

"Ethique set out to do business differently – and they've shown that it can also be done better too," says Clarke. "Innovating with shampoo bars and dry powder – in place of conventional shampoo – prevents not only plastic waste but also all the water waste that's used in shampoos. And there has been zero compromises in performance: Ethique really has demonstrated that zero waste is the future."

"Ethique has been a key business challenging the status quo of the beauty industry and it's great to see them continue to innovate. Looking forward to seeing what they do next," adds sustainability expert and Sustainability Awards judge, Ele Ward.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SBTRCT Skincare

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Did you know that, on average, shoppers only wear each item of clothing in their wardrobe seven times before discarding it? Or that the world already has enough clothes to dress the next six generations?

Consumer spending on clothing and footwear in the UK has more than doubled in the past 20 years, reaching £73 million in 2022. Every day, millions of us buy clothes without so much as a second thought about the consequences of those purchases – the factory workers being paid pennies, the hazardous pesticides used to grow cotton, the landfill poisoning the earth and water...

It paints a bleak picture. 

But there are reasons to remain hopeful. There are brands, creators, designers, innovators and entrepreneurs doing their best to steer consumers into a world of buying less and buying better. 

Meet the change-makers shaking up the industry – and the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023Fashion winners leading the way...

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023: Fashion winners

Accessories

WINNER: Elvis & Kresse

Who? Elvis & Kresse, established in 2005, rescues decommissioned fire hoses that would otherwise end up in landfills, and transforms them into stunning bags and homeware. 

Why? As a certified Social Enterprise and B Corp, Elvis & Kresse is dedicated to redefining luxury. It has donated more than £350,000 to charitable partners – including The Fire Fighters Charity and Barefoot College International – saved 307.6 tonnes of materials that would otherwise have gone to landfill, and established eco-conscious manufacturing sites. Simply put: it's making things better.

"A great concept and solid initiatives from a small business that were born sustainability. Very credible," says Amy Nelson-Bennett, Managing Director of Positive Luxury, and our Sustainability Awards judge. 

Bridalwear

WINNER: Sabina Motasem

Who? Sabina Motasem is a responsible, eco-friendly bridalwear and fashion brand that aims to create beautifully designed and cut pieces that feel incredible to wear.

Why? Since the label’s creation in 2007, it has been dressing a cult following of chic brides who appreciate its design-conscience ethos and modern, minimalist style. Sabina Motasem dresses are expertly crafted from natural silks in London factories, minimising its carbon footprint and packaging impact through strategic fabric sourcing and eco-friendly packaging.

Sabina Motasem also engages in charitable initiatives, repurposing fabric remnants for women's empowerment charities, creating baby clothes for refugees, and donating dresses to help prevent child marriage. During lockdown, when all weddings stopped, they were one of only a handful of bridal brands that pivoted to make NHS scrubs. This is a brand clearly dedicated to making a positive impact without compromising on quality or design.

"Short of not producing anything, I don't see many other ways at this point in time that a bridalwear company can be any more responsible or sustainable. Highly impressed by the 360-degree approach they have. They have left no stone unturned," says Mary Fellowes, fashion sustainability expert and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Medusa London

Designer brand

WINNER: Mood Of Thought

Who? Based and designed in London, Mood Of Thought is a high-end British fashion brand that creates inclusive and interchangeable capsule collections crafted from sustainable materials.

Why? Mood Of Thought's ecosystem-based sustainability approach focuses on long-term responsibility and innovation in the fashion industry. The brand sources materials from certified organic, recycled, and surplus materials from LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) fashion houses, minimising resource consumption. 

Digital printing reduces its carbon footprint, with non-toxic inks and minimal water usage, while Innovative 3D knitting creates products without seams, making them compostable. 

AI software optimises material usage, reducing waste, while the brand's partnerships with eco-conscious organisations – like Ecologi, Thrift+, SOJO, and BLANC – support transparent, responsible customer aftercare. 

Production in England minimises transportation emissions. Plus, the company promotes circularity by ensuring product recyclability, upcycling, or biodegradability. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Culthread

Ethical brand/retailer

WINNER: DEPLOY

Who? Established in London in 2006, DEPLOY is a fashion brand who's mission is to 'deploy' expertise in customisation to make fashion more sustainable – and less wasteful.  

Why? A certified B Corp with an exceptionally high score of 149.5, DEPLOY actively contributes towards 12 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and prides itself on designing thoughtfully, sourcing environmentally, producing prudently, upcycling creatively and giving directly to humanitarian charity partners.

"Points were given for the company's B-Corp membership and their high score within the B Corp assessment framework," says Layla Sargent, founder and CEO of The Seam, and our Sustainability Awards judge.

"Their thoughtful approach to both local manufacturing and post-purchase services is impressive. Their low return rate also feels like a point of difference with regard to minimising waste."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Aspiga

Fabric innovation

WINNER: BAM

Who? BAM – Bamboo clothing – is a sustainable activewear brand committed to lowering its footprint and eliminating conventional synthetics from its range.

Why? BAM introduced five innovative fabrics in 2022, aiming to deliver high performance with lower impact. As 69% of textiles are virgin synthetics cast from unsustainable crude oil, the brand seeks nature-based alternatives. BAM's goal is to be impact-positive by 2030, and its styles include designs made from degradable options, like Flexa; nature-based performance fabric Novea; lower-impact Yak wool Sila; PFC-free water repellent Agallea; and the alternative yoga legging, Mallea. With more than 95% organic, recycled, or nature-based fibre usage and continuous innovation, BAM aims to minimise its environmental footprint in the fashion industry and curb polyester emissions.

"Bamboo clothing is not just using sustainable fabrics, they are innovating sustainable technical fabrics – so difficult to do. They are taking huge leaps forward for the activewear market in this textile innovation. Very few companies have been able to innovate sustainable textile fabrics, and sell them at scale, but Bamboo is! It's brilliant. Plus, they are actually using 95% organic or recycled fabrics, which is amazing," says Sara Simmonds, CEO of The Conscious Innovator and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Paradise Textiles

Footwear

WINNER: Hilos

Who? Hilos is the first commercially scaled and tested use of 3D printing technology for on-demand footwear – freeing brands from traditional supply chains and allowing them to make circular products.

Why? With 24 billion shoes produced yearly, 48 trillion gallons of water are used, and a fifth are discarded. Hilos enables brands to create 3D-printed shoe lines without excess inventory, cutting development time from 18 months to 90 days and reducing upfront costs by sidestepping moulds and tools. Using just five parts and 12 steps, its 3D printing streamlines production, while engineered disassembly ensures recycling. This flexible technology facilitates various styles and seasons, preventing stock shortages and boosting sell-through, fostering a sustainable, low-waste, global supply chain.

"Hilos is giving solutions to an industry issue that is too often overlooked. The footwear industry poses a huge problem for sustainable production. Hilos are tackling waste issues, and toxicity and designing truly desirable products to demand, for circularity and low impact," says Emma Slade Edmondson, a sustainability and behaviour-change consultant, and our Sustainability Awards judge.  

HIGHLY COMMENDED: EMU Australia

Jewellery

WINNER: Ethica Diamonds

Who? Ethica Diamonds is a luxury Cornish jewellery brand that specialises in diamonds grown above ground – not mined from the earth – and only uses metals that are recycled or responsibly mined (in the case of platinum).

Why? Awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for the past four years, (following three successful years of being awarded the Feefo Gold standard), Ethica Diamonds' five-star rating attests to its excellence in customer care. What's more, the brand only works with suppliers that adhere to sustainable sourcing and manufacturing processes, avoiding conflict materials and prioritising ethical accountability. 

Ethica Diamonds exclusively uses lab-grown diamonds, gemstones, and 100% recycled precious metals. It supports local communities, prohibits child labour, ensures safe working conditions, and is a member of 1% for the Planet, pledging a portion of its sales towards environmental preservation. 

"The brand has, over the last 12 years, displayed a commitment to staying up to date with how to be more sustainable and environmentally responsible – and, crucially, put it into action [with] recycled gold, lab-grown diamonds and more," says Eshita Kabra-Davies, founder and CEO of By Rotation, and our Sustainability Awards judge.

Kids’ clothing & accessories

WINNER: Or Collective x Zedify

Who? Zedify – the UK's largest cargo bike courier network – is on a mission to help fashion and beauty retailers slash carbon emissions. Now partnering with circular children’s fashion business Or Collective, which curates stylish kids' clothing collections, together, the brands are helping to minimise the environmental impact of the fashion industry by delivering a rotational wardrobe.

Why? Zedify uses electric cargo bikes to deliver packages from Or Collective, saving up to 97% of carbon emissions per parcel compared to diesel vans. Once kids outgrow the clothes, Zedify collects them (again, using electric cargo bikes), and the items are cleaned sustainably. Cargo bikes provide speed, flexibility, and a real Living Wage-employed rider. They're 60% faster and more cost-effective than vans, making them an eco-friendly alternative for retailers at any sustainability stage. With expansion supported by a £5m funding round, Zedify aims to continue reducing inefficiencies, costs, and carbon emissions across the UK.

"This is a business I really want to see do well. A simple but effective concept, particularly scaleable for urban environments. I was very impressed with their treatment of their employees – compensation and benefits above and beyond the delivery industry norm. Their impact may not yet be as large as some other contenders for this award, but as a born sustainability business they are ahead of many in the broader fashion industry in terms of proposition, potential demand and thoughtful/sustainable set-up," says Nelson-Bennett. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kidswear Collective

Progress towards circularity

WINNER: Troubadour

Who? Troubadour is a certified B Corp and London-based brand specialising in minimalist bags and accessories designed for maximum performance. 

Why? The Orbis Circular Collection is the brand's first zero-waste bag collection made from recycled polyester, and, because the bags are made from just one material, the entire product can be recycled at the end of its lifetime. However, this completely circular line of products came from a simple aspiration: to minimise waste. Troubadour staff believe products shouldn't end up in landfill, and instead champion circularity and inspire other brands to adopt similar practices.

"Great to see this brand has created a fully circular Orbis Collection," says fashion editor Zoe Anastasiou. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Cashmere Circle

Re-commerce

WINNER: Advanced Clothing Solutions

Who? Advanced Clothing Solutions – also known as ACS – is the EU's largest Circular Fashion Hub, based in Glasgow. Its mission? To be the leading enabler of the fashion industry’s circular economy in the UK and Europe, transforming the fashion industry away from a make-dispose model.

Why? As Europe's largest circular fashion hub, ACS facilitates rental, resale, renewal, and returns, recovering value from unsellable inventory. This approach reduces waste, carbon emissions, and water consumption. By promoting a 'Zero-Carbon Circular Borrow-Use-Return' model, the company extends garment lifespans, significantly reducing their ecological footprint. Its comprehensive sustainability goals and workplace safety measures also demonstrate a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. What's more, transparent reporting and B-Corp certification reinforce its holistic sustainability approach, paving the way for a greener fashion future.

"It is clear ACS is tackling a range of sustainability issues comprehensively. The range of initiatives to tackle waste – of food, clothing, water, etc – is impressive and the solutions to achieve their goals adopt some great innovation," says Mandeep Soor, co-founder at Bendi, and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Seam

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Vinted

Small business

WINNER: LOVE HERO

Who? Love Hero is a fashion brand dedicated to transparency and sustainability. It describes itself as providing "planet-conscious clothing for ordinary people living extraordinary lives". 

Why? Love Hero emphasises traceability by using known suppliers and collecting documents to reveal the entire garment production process. Its approach is rooted in climate consciousness, encompassing design, production, distribution, and lifecycle. From sustainable fibres and eco-friendly printing to compostable packaging and biodegradable trims, Love Hero aspires to create positive change, celebrating diversity and encouraging an open-source attitude for the industry's transformation in the process. 

"So wonderful to get a strong sense of community and care from this brand," says Slade Edmondson. "A good level of transparency and sharing of knowledge of the supply chain. Looking forward to seeing the brand address the elimination of the use of recycled polyester down the line."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: CERCLE

Supply chain

WINNER: BAM

Who? As previously mentioned, BAM is a sustainable activewear brand aiming to create a fully circular range of activewear by 2030.

Why? BAM is focusing on its supply chain to reduce its environmental impact and provide transparency to customers. Collaborating with Life Cycle Analysis experts, Green Story, it has traced 86% of its supply chain and uses analysis to understand the impact of its clothing. This information guides BAM's strategy, revealing that shipping accounts for 9% of the carbon footprint, while product manufacturing makes up 54%. Meanwhile, fibre production and dyeing contributes to more than 60% of product manufacturing impact, leading to a focus on energy-efficient processing. 

Also good: BAM is piloting real-time impact forecasting to make informed supply choices before orders are placed. Plus, the brand has launched BAM DNA, a service that allows customers to see the impact of garments compared to conventional options, providing supply chain details for transparency and aiding informed decisions.

"A very data-led approach to sustainability, which is 100% necessary for credibility and for true positive impact. They have good partnerships in place to help them create and deliver a strong [service], reducing their adverse impact and seeking innovation. Impressed by their supply chain visibility, mapping and collaborative approach. Clear measurements, targets and progress against them. Thumbs up," says Nelson-Bennett.

Underwear

WINNER: Nudea

Who? Nudea is a thoughtful curation of underwear and sleepwear, created from natural and recycled materials. Each piece is purposefully designed with the perfect fit in mind. 

Why? Not only are Nudea's products made from natural and recycled materials, the brand also collaborates with factories to source sustainable materials and educate customers to make responsible choices. The aim? To help prevent landfill and deliver a successful bra-recycling programme.

Passionate about leaving a better world, Nudea promotes small steps for a sustainable future. With thoughtfully designed products, fitting tools, fair wages, and eco-friendly packaging that reflects its dedication to sustainability, the brand also boasts carbon-neutral status, B Corp certification, and a commitment to sourcing from recycled materials. 

"To say Nudea is an industry leader is spot on – not only is the brand carbon neutral, but carbon positive. B-Corp certified since last year, other brands should follow suit in using responsible suppliers and producing their products in a GOTS and SLCP fully certified factories," says Marie Claire Sustainability Editor Ally Head.

Vegan

WINNER: Mela

Who? Mela is a fashion brand that produces vegan handbags from discarded apple waste. Based in New York, Mela focuses on transforming apple waste into a high-quality, stylish, sustainable material that's perfect for crafting high-quality products. 

Why? Mela's sustainability efforts are centred around its use of Melatex, a bio-based material made from apple waste. Mela rescues discarded apple waste from the food industry, converting it into a powder. This process contributes to reducing water and energy consumption and prevents waste from ending up in landfills. This apple 'leather' is then produced without harmful dyes or chemicals, and hardware is carefully sourced to ensure that it's also free from harmful components.

What's more, the brand uses recycled paper for packaging to minimise waste and maximise its eco-friendly ethos. This commitment to circularity extends beyond materials, too: the brand is launching a pre-loved programme with retailers by the end of 2023.

"This is the best in the category," says Sustainability Awards judge and co-founder of Good On You, Sandra Capponi. "Mela has a high level of supply chain traceability, sources materials close to manufacturing operations, uses apple 'leather', and demonstrates knowledge of production process."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Good Guys Don't Wear Leather

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

According to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), 40% of the UK’s greenhouse-gas emissions come directly from households. So, when it comes to living a little more sustainably, the best place to start is often at home. But we're not just talking about replacing your lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED lights; think seriously about everything from the paint you use, to upcycling furniture and buying eco-friendly cleaning products.

Indeed, while investing in solar panels or elevated insulation delivers on the environment front, you don't have to remortgage to create positive change. In fact, you can still have an impact with smaller, less expensive home improvements. And the following home and lifestyle brands are paving the way, helping consumers to reduce their ecological footprint and make better choices when it comes to creating a happy home that's kinder to the planet.

Meet the winners of this year's Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards in the Homes & Lifestyle category...

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023: Homes & Lifestyle

Children’s brand

WINNER: Micro Scooters

Who? Selling everything from pre-school scooters and balance bikes, to three-wheelers for children over 5 and foldable two-wheel scooters for kids over 12, Micro Scooters is a company on a mission "to make everyday journeys better". Sounds fun? Fear not: adults can also get their hands on a stylish scooter.

Why? Engineered to last multiple generations, Micro Scooters ensures each and every product is crafted to the highest quality, ensuring models can be revamped and rehomed after even decades of use. The company also transports scooters using next-generation, planet-friendly fuel and works tirelessly to champion behavioural change to reduce our reliance on cars for short journeys. 

Partnered with Carbon Neutral Britain, Micro Scooters became B-Corp certified in 2022, and is now championed as the first carbon-neutral scooter firm. Through initiatives like 1% for the Planet, it also donates a portion of its eco-product sales to vetted environmental non-profits. In short, this is a brand that's continually striving to improve daily journeys for both people and planet.

"An innovative brand dedicated to encouraging consumers to be more sustainable," says Andrea Thompson, Editor in Chief at Marie Claire UK. "An excellent holistic approach to sustainability at every level."

Eco-friendly cleaning

WINNER: Bower Collective

Who? Bower Collective produces eco-friendly household cleaning products that help people to create a more sustainable home with natural household products in reusable packaging – so you never have to compromise on cleanliness.

Why? Bower Collective is a certified B-Corp company deeply committed to sustainability. Its range of effective, natural household and personal-care products are crafted using non-toxic, naturally derived ingredients, encased in considered materials to reduce plastic waste. 

Being carbon neutral, the company sources 90% of its products in the UK and employs closed-loop reusable packaging, BowerPack, to significantly reduce carbon emissions. 

The brand has also partnered with CleanHub to support waste-picking communities in rural India, making a commitment to remove 10,000kg of ocean-bound plastic waste in 2023. Cue an annual 'Bower Beach Clean' to collect plastic waste from the beach, provide data to the Marine Conservation Society, and aid environmental protection. 

"Great to see the impressive loop offer, attention to detail and transparency on ingredients and chemicals, combined with a broader reach into community initiatives. [Bower Collective is] truly ticking all the eco boxes," says Rob Green, co-founder of COAT Paints, and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: YOKUU

Eco-friendly decorating (wallpaper, paint)

WINNER: Lick

Who? Painting its way to a greener future, Lick is a "colour-centric home decor brand" that aims to inspire decorators to discover and develop their interior style, while supporting them to find colours that feel like a reflection of their personality.

Why? Lick offers eco peel-and-stick samples with significantly reduced paint and CO2 emissions, as well as pigment-rich, low-VOC paints for improved indoor air quality. It also curates FSC-certified wallpapers printed with environmentally friendly inks, and offers a range of professional decorating tools made from sustainably sourced, biodegradable materials.

Lick's circular approach involves using excess cut-offs in the packaging process in a bid to avoid wasting materials. It also participates in a Paint Care scheme, working towards reusing or re-manufacturing a significant portion of paint waste.

On top of this, the company collaborates with charities to extend its positive impact beyond products. Projects include helping to remove plastic from the ocean, planting trees, donating water to communities in need, and offsetting CO2 emissions through community initiatives.

"A certified B Corp, Lick upholds rigorous eco-credentials and should be commended. I applaud that their tins can be infinitely recycled and that they provide customers with a circular economy for surplus paint," says Marie Claire UK Sustainability Editor, Ally Head.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: COAT Paints

Eco-friendly laundry

WINNER: Wilton London

Who? Wilton London creates sustainably produced, formulated, locally manufactured cleaning products, filled with premium fragrances packed with essential oils. 

Why? Wilton London's dedication to crafting environmentally responsible, plastic-free laundry products and fully recyclable refill bulk boxes is commendable. But its the B-Corp certification, commitment to fair practices, charitable involvement (partnering with the Hygiene Bank), and focus on reducing its environmental footprint that make it a standout sustainable brand in the household-cleaning sector.

"I was blown away by Wilton London's commitment to its sustainable mission," says Marie Claire UK Features Editor Jenny Proudfoot. "From its plant and mineral-based formulas and biodegradable ingredients to its plastic-free packaging, the brand's eco laundry capsules are truly innovative. 

"Crucially, they are also effective, providing a premium wash with results that rival age-old (and unsustainable) household favourite brands. I was most impressed with Wilton London as a company and their all-round mission, becoming B-Corps certified in 2020. These eco-credentials are certainly well-deserved, with Wilton London working hard to ensure that every aspect of its company is evolving and becoming ever more sustainable, from allocated charity days to their recent move to be carbon neutral."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: eco-mate

HIGHLY COMMENDED: OceanSaver

Eco-friendly materials and design

WINNER: Goldfinger

Who? Goldfinger is a design studio and social enterprise that specialises in crafting bespoke furniture for homes and businesses using responsibly sourced timber.

Why? Yes, bespoke products are created using locally sourced timber and repurposed waste materials, but, as a certified social enterprise, Goldfinger also reinvests profits back into community-focused initiatives (hello, Goldfinger Academy and People’s Kitchen) to help tackle inequalities and food poverty.

Showcasing its commitment to sustainability, the studio is currently pursuing B-Corp and Cradle to Cradle accreditations. In the meantime, its craftsmanship is acknowledged through partnerships with esteemed retailers and hospitality brands, including Selfridges, Soho Home, Gail’s Bakery, Tom Dixon, Whistles, Inhabit Hotels and more.

"The company has remained focussed on the tree/carbon capture element of their business but been clear about translating their mission throughout their supply chain and workforce – this is impressive and has guided them in good design, good people manifesto values and working with good organisations to certify their work. I really like the People’s Kitchen and Academy work," says Sustainability Awards judge and CEO of Bags of Ethics and Supreme Creations, Smruti Sriram.

Eco-friendly pet brand

WINNER: Grub Club Pets

Who? Grub Club Pets creates nutritional superfoods that are great for your pet and the planet.

Why? Grub Club Pets tackles the environmental pawprint of pet food by offering a sustainable swap: replacing traditional protein sources with insect protein. This revolutionary approach drastically reduces CO2 emissions and land use, with insects offering abundant nutrition. 

Approved by the British Veterinary Association, this insect-based pet food can save up to 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per dog each year, contributing to net-zero goals. And Grub Club Pets is on a mission to educate consumers, placing emphasis on the fact that its product is comparable – and often cheaper – than existing high-quality dry and raw diets. 

"A highly innovative product taking on a challenging category of big players," says Ele Ward, the CMO of Ctrl Alt and a sustainability expert. "This company not only provides innovation via accrual offering, but also challenges an industry that is often not thought about regarding sustainability." 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Green Poop Bag

Ethical brand/retailer

WINNER: ProCook

Who? Founded in 1996, ProCook was the first company to sell cookware by direct mail in the UK. Today, it is a B-Corp accredited, publicly listed British success story with 58 stores and a cookery school. The mission? To provide its customers with all the tools to enjoy everyday cooking. 

Why? Advocating against fast homewares, ProCook crafts cookware designed to last a lifetime – often including a substantial 25-year guarantee, minimising the need for frequent replacements.

HQ is eco-friendly, and the brand is committed to plastic-free packaging. On the path to net-zero emissions, it has also partnered with the Woodland Trust, planting trees to offset carbon emissions, and collaborated with Life's a Beach, to help combat single-use plastics through education and beach cleans. 

"ProCook has clearly gone above and beyond to make their kitchenware business as sustainable as possible. They have achieved great things by partnering with Ecologi, The Woodland Trust and Life's a Beach and, I also commend the work they have done locally with Young Gloucestershire to improve young people's employability skills," says Sustainability Awards judge and Business Development Manager for Non-Food at Soil Association Certification, Paige Tracey.

"The principle of making kitchenwear that is designed to last, so less of it goes to waste is excellent and a no-brainer when it comes to sustainability in this industry. They've also taken steps to make packaging recyclable and improve recyclability on site. To make them even more sustainable in the future, I would like to see them start phasing out plastic pieces, including plastic cutting boards that can release microplastics. For now though, very impressive!"

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kaldewei

Green innovation for home/garden

WINNER: Mater

Who? Founded in Copenhagen in 2006, Mater is a sustainable design company that combines circular production with timeless design.

Why? Using innovative technology to transform waste into furniture, while also minimising materials and carbon emissions, Mater creates future classics in a sustainable, responsible fashion that pay homage to the richness of Denmark’s design heritage.

Collaborating with Space Copenhagen, Mater's Matek technology creates furniture from post-consumer or post-industrial waste, designed for disassembly and recycling. Pieces like the Compound chair and Ocean OC2 Chair, which upcycles three beer kegs per piece, further demonstrate its commitment to disrupting waste streams. 

"Really impressive use of circular materials and end-of-life design thinking," says Georgina Wilson-Powell, sustainable living author, journalist and speaker. 

"Brilliant, innovative ideas with an amazing client roster," adds Jo Swift, Managing Director of Greenhouse Communications. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sofology

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Miele

Progress towards circularity

WINNER: Yodomo

Who? Yodomo is a social venture dedicated to promoting the understanding of material reuse through creative making and crafts. In short, it gathers textile waste from businesses and provides it to individuals for crafting.

Why? Yodomo addresses pre-consumer textile waste from the interior design industry by redistributing it to maker and craft communities, fostering circular solutions. It began this initiative in collaboration with the London Borough of Hackney, diverting more than four tonnes of textile waste to be creatively repurposed. This approach promotes repurposing, raises material awareness, builds communities, offers skills training, and creates new markets for upcycled goods. Yodomo connects with local businesses and receives funding to extend its goal: prevent textile waste and reduce carbon footprint.

"Wow, what an amazing organisation. From people to the planet, this business is tackling sustainability from every angle and shows the importance of grassroots work, from employee engagement to working with volunteers," says Ward.

"Yodomo is a business whose journey I look forward to following very closely as have no doubt there's more to come."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: FibreLab

Small business

WINNER: Fill Refill Co

Who? Fill Refill is a family-run business in Northamptonshire that creates refillable, eco-friendly household cleaning products. The mission? To be the most eco-responsible household and personal-care products supplier out there.

Why? Certified as a B Corp, the company donates 1% of its turnover to environmental causes and is part of 1% for the Planet. Also impressive: it uses 500ml refillable bottles made of recycled glass with reusable aluminium caps, promoting circularity; zero-waste bulk refills feature FSC-certified 10L/5L bag-in-boxes; it facilitates home refills through Milk & More's doorstep delivery and supply 20L PCR or 200L bulk drums to over 500 UK stores; chemical-free products are delivered plastic-free, and its collaborates to challenge waste streams and develop eco-friendly alternatives.

"I was impressed by Fill Refill's commitment across the board to sustainability from donations to recycled glass and, of course, their refillable approach. What put them above other contenders though is their approach to traceability within their supply chain and ensuring refills are available to consumers wherever they are. One of the biggest barriers to sustainable behaviour change is the lack of ease of action. Fill Refill appears to be taking this into account. However, it would be interesting to know how many of the individual units purchased were actually returned through Milk & More," says Charlotte Horler, founder of Nula, and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: QUU Design

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Recycled Candle Company

Sustainable homes & lifestyle retailer

WINNER: Rehome

Who? Rehome is a platform that offers an imaginative and sustainable approach to home interiors. Drawing from years of experience in the interiors industry, Rehome offers a marketplace where individuals can find their dream home interior for significantly less than its high-street value. Rehome also facilitates the valuation, selling, and removal of existing home interiors. 

Why? Quality interiors are built to last, but often these will be replaced long before they're out of fashion. Showrooms all over the UK have amazing ex-display kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms that need to be removed and replaced to keep up with the latest trends in design.

B-Corp certified, Rehome champions re-use, offering new, pre-loved, and ex-display home interiors. For every kitchen sold, its re-use saves, on average, 5,000 kgs of carbon. That’s around one year of being carbon neutral for a family of four.

"I love that Rehome is making planet and purse-friendly home renovation an option," says Head. "They're doing what all sustainable businesses should do – that is, making shopping secondhand the simpler, more cost-effective option. A certified B Corp, I applaud them for cutting the carbon footprint of home renovation, not to mention reducing deforestation by reusing household items that have already been made. An inventive and clever business model."

Sustainable lifestyle/home accessories

WINNER: Woolroom

Who? Woolroom is a family-run business established in 2008 with a legacy of 150 years in sourcing top-quality wool and textiles. Recognising the untapped potential of wool for better sleep, Woolroom's mission was to transform this natural fibre into exceptional bedding and mattresses, while also benefiting British farmers and animals.

Why? Since wool – a natural, renewable, biodegradable fibre – forms the foundation of all sleep-related items from Woolroom, its products are naturally sustainable. Not only are they chemical-free and compostable/recyclable at the end of their lifespan, but they're designed to appeal to consumers with features like machine washability. 

Woolroom sources wool from UK farms and introduced a Wool ID traceability programme, allowing customers to trace the wool in their products back to the source farm. The company has also pushed boundaries by creating the world's first Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified, machine-washable organic wool bedding range.

"Woolroom’s communication and transparency of its material and supply chain show their clear environmental operational practices in its company," says Sujata Burman, editor at London Design Festival & London Design Biennale, and our Sustainability Awards Judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: LIGA

Sustainable stationery

WINNER: Coffeenotes

Who? Coffeenotes is a sustainable stationery company aiming to change the way people source, design, manufacture, purchase and recycle stationery.

Why? Offering a genuinely sustainable alternative to traditional stationery, Coffeenotes products are designed and manufactured with a carbon-neutral approach and a commitment to the UN's definition of sustainability. The company utilises paper made from recycled coffee cups in the UK for more than 95% of its products, and the remaining 5% is sourced from European mills using repurposed waste and recycled pulp – all FSC certified. 

This holistic approach considers the entire lifecycle of its stationery (notebooks, notepads and planners), from materials and production methods to end-of-life disposal. 

"Coffeenotes should be commended for their thorough approach to building a business that does good and I love the ingenuity – recycling otherwise waste products and creating something new. It would be great to see them achieve B-Corp certification in the coming years," says Head.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

It's that time of the year again when we roll out the red carpet to celebrate the winners of our third annual Sustainability Awards.

Our mission here at Marie Claire UK is not just to bring you the latest fashion trends and beauty tips, but to empower you with knowledge that drives positive change for planet and people – and this year's awards are a testament to that commitment. 

We've scoured hundreds of brands, organisations, and products to find companies that are truly leading the charge in sustainability and laying the foundation for a better tomorrow. This year, we also teamed up with the sustainability gurus at Seismic (more on this below) to dig a little deeper into the social and sustainable efforts of each application, ensuring a rigorous process that awards the very best in each category.

In a world where every headline seems to be dominated by wildfires and floods ripping through countries across the globe, it's crucial to acknowledge and applaud the brands that are embracing their environmental and ethical obligations. After all, these are the brands that guide us, as consumers, to make wiser choices when it comes to shopping smarter and buying better.

As climate-justice writer Mary Annaïse Heglar asserts, “You can [either] be overwhelmed by the complexity of the problem or fall in love with the creativity of solutions.”

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards winners 2023

This year – for our third Sustainability Awards – we asked environmental and social-impact powerhouse Seismic to support us in assessing the entries and selecting our winners. 

Seismic stood out as our go-to sustainability partner because of its expertise across various sectors and business models. Indeed, with a global team of professionals, Seismic's mission is to empower businesses to become driving forces for positive change, uniting B Corp experts, Net Zero advisors, and sustainability strategists to steer companies toward a greener future.

We asked every business to back up its sustainability claims with evidence before brands were presented to our diverse panel of more than 50 big-name sustainability experts, company founders, thought leaders, consultants, and activists in the field. Then, they dug deep to thoroughly review and validate these claims. It's this meticulous process that ensures we can genuinely applaud these game-changing, sustainable innovations and brands that are genuinely dedicated to making a change.

Ready to dive in? Click the categories below to get up close and personal with this year's standout winners:

• Beauty, health & wellness
• Food & drink
• Fashion
• Travel & leisure
• Motors
• Homes & lifestyle
• Tech 

Of course, the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards aren't just about congratulating the winners – they're about acknowledging the ripple effect they create, too. By embracing sustainable practices, they're inspiring others to follow suit, proving that even small steps can lead to monumental change.

So, get ready to meet the trailblazers who are making waves in the world of sustainability. These are the visionaries who are redefining everyday products while keeping our planet at the forefront of their endeavours. We're excited to share their stories, their passion, and their innovations with you.

An insight into last year's awards...

See who won in 2022 here and watch some of our past judges below.

Ready to celebrate the editor – and expert-approved – brands going that extra mile in working towards a more sustainable future for our planet? So are we – because we truly believe that we can all #StartSomewhere by making better individual choices that can kick-start meaningful, collective change.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

While lots of us are trying to do be more eco-friendly by recycling, using less plastic, and skipping fast fashion, sometimes it's hard to know which everyday choices are truly sustainable.

Thankfully, that's where sustainable technology or "green" apps come in, with tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle becoming instantly accessible on your smartphone.

Now, trying to be more eco-friendly is a little easier. From apps that aim to tackle food waste by helping you plan meals and clothing-alteration services at the click of a button, to platforms supporting global efforts to address climate change by connecting providers and seekers of environmentally friendly technologies, the digital sphere and sustainability are becoming inextricably linked.

Here are the standout companies doing their bit for our planet in the technology industry – and this year's winners of the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards... 

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023: Tech winners

WINNER: Net Zero Now

Who? Net Zero Now exists to provide a simple, credible and affordable route to Net Zero for small- or medium-sized enterprises – and to celebrate and promote those that achieve this vitally important goal.

Why? Developed by Net Zero Now and L’Oréal, the Net Zero Salon Initiative assists salons in calculating, tracking, and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions to become certified "Net Zero Salons". 

The pilot program, involving 17 L’Oréal Salon Partners, indicated that the average salon appointment produces 3.2kg of emissions, and the initiative aims to lower this benchmark to 2kg per appointment, potentially reducing the professional hair industry's greenhouse-gas emissions by 33%. Ultimately, the initiative empowers salons to make environmentally conscious changes while meeting customer demands for sustainability.

"This B2B service is a clever platform with a specific focus and measurable impact," says our judge and TechRadar's Managing Editor, Josephine Watson.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SOJO

Who? SOJO is a clothing repairs and alterations collection and delivery app. The aim? To "revolutionise clothing alterations and repairs for brands and people, making it accessible and effortless to love your clothes for longer".

Why? Tackling issues of waste, pollution, and unfair labour practices by providing end-to-end solutions, SOJO offers repair and alteration services while also supporting B2B partnerships and promoting awareness of ethical fashion. The company's growth and expansion plans emphasise making sustainable fashion accessible and affordable across the UK.

"While there are a few repair apps on the market, SOJO is going above and beyond to tackle issues of waste, pollution, and unfair labour practices," says Marie Claire UK Sustainability Editor Ally Head. "I love that they're making sustainable fashion not only accessible but affordable, too – more of this, please."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Go Jauntly

Who? Go Jauntly’s mission is to become the world’s leading urban walking and nature-connection platform. By harnessing tech for good, it aims to ensure the benefits of walking and nature-access are equitable – making millions more people happier and healthier in the process. 

Why? Go Jauntly prioritises sustainability by promoting walking, active travel, and connecting with nature as effective solutions to global challenges like physical inactivity, poor mental health, pollution, climate breakdown, and biodiversity loss. Its platform aims to improve health, reduce vehicle emissions, enhance our relationship with the natural world, and offer a preventive tool for social prescribers. 

"Go Jauntly is a brilliant, accessible and driven company that focuses on combining the social with the environmental in the sustainability conversation. It is clear that this company is committed to sustainability, with awards and partnerships to prove it. Tackling local issues, like inactivity and pollution, is as important as global ones, and Go Jauntly addresses the common lack of focus sustainability initiatives have on individual people and communities. I'm excited to see what they do next!" says Mandeep Soor, Sustainability Awards judge and co-founder at Bendi.  

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

While more of us are trying to make environmentally responsible travel choices – and swapping flights for trains where possible – discovering genuinely eco-friendly hotels (beyond just ditching plastic bottles of shampoo and encouraging guests to reuse their towels) can be a challenge.

However, some hotels and resorts have started to ramp up efforts to reduce or eliminate their carbon emissions and energy consumption. From organising beach cleanups for guests to take part in, eliminating single-use plastics and switching to energy, we've scoured through the applications for this year's Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards in the Travel category to help make choosing where to stay a little easier.

These are the top sustainable destinations, plus hotels and resorts that nurture nature, maximise their positive impact on the environment, and deliver a more eco-conscious stay...

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023: Travel winners

Destination

WINNER: Sani Resort

Who? Sani Resort is a luxurious collection of five hotels – Sani Beach, Sani Asterias, Porto Sani, Sani Dunes and Sani Club – based in northern Greece's Halkidiki region.

The resort's bay location is surrounded by pine forests and wetlands, with access to seven pristine beaches. Offering high-end amenities, including its own marina with shops, it's a self-contained haven. 

Why? Recognised as Greece's first certified carbon-neutral resort, it boasts a 1,000-acre ecological reserve with 7km of blue-flag beaches, forest trails, and wetlands. The Sani Green program focuses on energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and sustainable procurement. The resort is powered by 100% renewable electricity, recycles materials extensively, and eliminates single-use plastics. 

What's more, Sani is aiming for triple zero goals: net zero by 2030, zero plastic, and zero waste by 2024. It emphasises local sourcing, offers eco-activities, supports biodiversity projects, collaborates on marine life monitoring, and aids local communities. The resort also promotes sustainability, while providing guests with immersive nature experiences and various outdoor activities.

"A really strong application with a clear plan of action, focus on the priority areas and positive progress on the key markers. Sustainability is truly embedded in the ethos and that comes across," says Charlotte Keesing, Director at Walpole and our Sustainability Awards Judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Visit Iceland

Eco-friendly travel

WINNER: Intrepid Travel

Who? A pioneering sustainable tourism company for more than 33 years, Intrepid Travel combines purpose and profit – and is the world's largest travel B Corp. The main aim? To create positive change through the joy of travel. 

Why? By prioritising impact beyond profit, committing to science-based Emission Reduction Targets, and transparently calculating trip emissions, Intrepid Travel's commitment to sustainability is front and centre – and being consistently amped up via various initiatives. Cue partnering with Byway for flight-free travel options, supporting more than 1,000 global suppliers in decarbonising business, and aiming for 50% of tourism suppliers to sign the Glasgow Declaration by 2025. Intrepid Travel has also partnered with USAID to help regenerate Bosnia and Herzegovina through tourism. 

On top of this, the Intrepid Foundation aids communities in times of crisis. After earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, for example, it launched an appeal and matched donations, while also donating all profits made on Turkish trips.

Offering more than 100 Indigenous-led experiences and ethical wildlife encounters, the company's actions showcase a strong commitment to environmental care, community aid, and responsible travel practices, too.

"It is almost impossible to fault anything these guys are doing; they seem to have it nailed in nearly every way possible. It is deeply impressive," says Sustainability Awards judge and sustainability expert, Mary Fellowes.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Borgo Pignano

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Pura Aventura

Holiday with kids

WINNER: Sani Resort

Who? Often described as Europe’s most family friendly holiday destination, Sani Resort is set on Halkidiki’s sun-soaked Kassandra peninsula and has five hotels, each to suit a different budget or style of traveller.

Why? As previously mentioned, Sani Resort is the first carbon-neutral resort in Greece and offers a 1,000-acre ecological haven with blue-flag beaches, forests, and wetlands. The resort's commitment to sustainability includes zero waste goals. 

Families benefit from nature-immersive eco-activities like wetlands exploration, birdwatching, and forest walks. Specifically designed eco-activities for little ones are also available at its kids' and teens' clubs. Also good: the resort collaborates on bee conservation, dolphin monitoring, and biodiversity projects. 

"Sani is establishing itself as the leader in sustainable resorts, acting as an inspiration to others in the sector," says Ilona Alcock, co-founder of Elevate, and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sunlife

Honeymoon

WINNER: JA Manafaru

Who? A favourite among honeymooners and couples, JA Manafaru is an idyllic, five-star private island in the Maldives. 

Why? From partnering with Swimsol to install a solar field that generates power using clean energy to producing drinking water through a sustainable, filtered-seawater desalination process to minimise plastic waste, JA Manafaru showcases its commitment to sustainability through a number of genius initiatives.

By collaborating with Ocean Bottle, for example,  JA Manafaru promotes reusable bottles made partly from ocean-bound plastic, offers refilling stations around the resort, and funds plastic collection. It also collects used batteries from local communities so that guests can pack them off to countries where recycling programs are available. 

On top of this, organic gardens support the garden-to-table concept, reducing carbon emissions. Biodigesters manage food waste and channel the resulting liquid for eco-friendly purposes. And the Coral Regeneration project, led by 'Best Dives', involves guests planting coral frames to help enhance reef growth. 

"A complex and thorough sustainability infrastructure here. I particularly like that the guests are invited to participate in the recycling of batteries. This is a brave thing to ask, but engaging a paying guest in not only considering their own environmental impact, but helping others do the same where they cannot is an inspired and inspiring idea. So many things to be proud of at this resort – it's deeply encouraging," says Sustainability Awards judge, actress and producer, Charity Wakefield.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas

Hotel – global group

WINNER: Iberostar Hotels & Resorts

Who? Iberostar Group is a global tourism company and hotel group with more than 100 four- and five-star hotels across 16 countries.

Why? Its circular economy strategy focuses on becoming waste-free by 2025, carbon neutral by 2030, and ensuring responsible seafood supply by 2025. The company collaborates with entities like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, UNWTO, and UNEP, committing to global initiatives such as the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and the Glasgow Declaration. Meanwhile, achievements include eliminating single-use plastics across the group, reducing its carbon footprint by 10% in 2022, and employing AI to curb food waste. 

"A very strong application across all of the key markers, both internally with the business and wider impact in their environments and communities. Strong strategic plan, clear on their actions and good progress so far across the business. The work to educate and engage their consumers, particularly the next generation is an added feature," says Keesing.

Hotel – independent

WINNER: Volcanoes Safaris

Who? Volcanoes Safaris is the only company in the world to focus exclusively on the gorilla and chimpanzee parks of Uganda and Rwanda. Indeed, it has been at the forefront of reviving gorilla and chimpanzee tourism in the region for more than 25 years.

Why? Since 1997, Volcanoes Safaris has been at the forefront of gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism in Uganda and Rwanda, and its lodges continue to connect local cultures, communities, and conservation. Sustainable efforts, such as utilising solar power, treating rainwater, and upcycling materials to minimise environmental impact also contribute to the company's green ethos.

What's more, over 85% of lodge staff come from neighbouring communities, and Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) furthers its local impact by devising projects that enrich livelihoods, conserve great apes, and reduce conflicts. Notable initiatives include the Kyambura Gorge Eco-tourism Project, Bwindi Bar's community training, and the Gahinga Batwa Village. 

"This is an excellent business leading the way in eco-tourism. We need sustainable tourism to get funds to support the planet's natural ecosystem – and this project shows the way," says Giles Gibbons, founder of Good Business, and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Datai Langkawi

HIGHLY COMMENDED: VALO Hotel & Work

Hotel – national group

WINNER: room2

Who? Founded in 2015 by the Lamington Group, room2 is a unique concept that blends home-style living with hotel amenities, known as 'hometels'. The group currently has locations in Chiswick, Hammersmith and Southampton, with a new site opening in Belfast this autumn.

Why? room2 Chiswick is London's first 'whole-life net-zero' hotel, which means sustainability is at the forefront of business and design decision made – and always will be. 

From generating renewable power from both above and below the ground to being ultra energy efficient (water-saving measures include low-flow pressure showers and a blue roof for rainwater discharge), room2 boasts some innovative sustainability measures. It even produces honey on the roof, aiding biodiversity and supporting 75,000 bees to pollinate flowers. 

"room2 is paving the way when it comes to innovating in this sphere. I commend the fact that low-carbon and circular materials and products have been used throughout, and that they're committed to net zero by 2030," says Marie Claire UK Sustainability Editor, Ally Head.

Spa

WINNER: Jamaica Inn

Who? Jamaica Inn is a beloved family-owned luxury hotel located on a secluded cove east of Ocho Rios. Offering breathtaking sea views, a private beach, and personalised service, it has been leading the way in green luxury for more than 65 years.

What? The Ocean Spa at Jamaica Inn exemplifies sustainability by adopting a holistic approach that minimises its carbon footprint.

Constructed from locally sourced materials, the spa operates without electric equipment or sound systems to preserve the uninterrupted natural ambience. 

Look to the 'Farm to Skin Foraging' experience, where guests sustainably gather ingredients from the tropical gardens for spa treatments, or the numerous CBD-based products sourced from a nearby sustainable farm for further evidence of its eco credentials. 

Elsewhere, the property's sustainable practices include a waste-water system, hydroponic garden, solar panels, and a goal of carbon neutrality by 2025, earning a Green-Globe certification.

"With a sustainable wastewater system, hydroponic garden, solar panels and in balance with nature philosophy, Jamaica Inn Spa [delivers] luxury, with respect for the environment," says Wakefield.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Titanic Spa

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

In a perfect world, we'd all eat organic produce, moderate our intake of animal productsand make responsible seafood choices– while avoiding wasteful packaging and eating seasonallyfrom local producers, of course. But planet-friendly eating often comes with a price tag and, in today's cost-of-living crisis, eating ethically can feel both unaffordable and overwhelming.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the food you choose to eat is responsible for approximately a quarter of your individual carbon footprint. By choosing brands that prioritise ethical sourcing and sustainable packaging, you can actually reduce your environmental impact and actively contribute to mitigating the impact of climate change. Small changes, such as reducing food waste and choosing products with lower carbon footprints can collectively make a significant difference. 

So, from embracing planet-friendly supply chains to spearheading zero-waste initiatives, the following brands are paving the way for a more environmentally conscious industry one bite at a time.

Cue the winners of this year's Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023 in the Food & Drink category...

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023: Food & Drink winners

Alcohol brand

WINNER: Maison Mirabeau

Who? Multi-award-winning rosé brand Maison Mirabeau is co-founded by husband and wife Stephen and Jeany Cronk, who moved from England to Provence, France, to live their dream of making the best rosé wine around.  

Why? In addition to achieving B-Corp certification, the luxury wine brand is rewilding its vineyards, regenerating the soils, and rebuilding biodiversity – the maison even co-founded the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF), promoting soil health and biodiversity, and signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

"Maison Mirabeau’s commitment to sustainability is truly commendable," says Sustainability Awards judge and drinks-brand strategy consultant, Alex Layton. "They state that they ‘strive to have a purpose beyond the bottom line’ – and this is abundantly clear. 

"Since their establishment in 2009, they have gone from strength to strength with their sustainability initiatives. They are a co-founder of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, a vital organisation promoting sustainability and biodiversity in viticulture. They have also signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) on their path to Net Zero and have recently received their B-Corp status with an impressive score of 83.1. Their rigorous and impactful approach to sustainability makes them well-worthy winners of this incredibly competitive category." 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Telmont

Carbon footprint

WINNER: Fooditude

Who? London-based catering company Fooditude is all about bringing company culture to life through healthy, delicious and sustainable workplace food. 

Why? From tracking water, waste, and GHG emissions to holding the Planet Mark certification for four consecutive years and meeting 5% CO2 reduction targets annually, Fooditude is on a mission to slash its carbon footprint. Local sourcing, circular solutions, and regenerative farming further underline its commitment.

"Fooditude's approach to overall sustainability for both people and planet is very impressive, all the way from the way it trains its staff, to engaging with its supply chains to working and supporting its communities," says Sustainability Awards judge and Director of Corporate Affairs at the Rainforest Alliance, Alexandra Dawe.

"This was an incredibly thorough application that scored highly on numerous accounts. From high levels of vegetarian and vegan meals to a kitchen powered by renewable energy, Granuldisk dishwashers, and partnerships with zero-waste organisations, including The Ferm. What's more, its commitment to community demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainability. It was exciting to read about its future plans, such as solar panels, electric fleets and 100% reusable packaging by 2025, but proof of impact is required to score positively in these areas," adds judge Charlotte Horler, founder of sustainability engagement agency, Nula.

Drink brand

WINNER: Belu

Who? Belu is a drinks business that puts people and the environment first. Encouraging everyone to use less by choosing tap or filtered water wherever they can, the company's purpose is to change the way the world sees water. 

Why? Focusing on carbon reductions, a circular economy and its partnership with WaterAid, Belu has been carbon neutral since 2006, and made a 69% reduction in its carbon intensity since 2010. What's more, its products have allowed more than 90 million bottles to be made into new Belu bottles, keeping glass and plastic out of landfill and our oceans.

Alarmingly, statistics show that 1 in 10 people lack clean drinking water, and 1 in 4 lack access to decent sanitation. That's why, since 2011, Belu has partnered with WaterAid, directing 100% of its net profit towards making clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene a reality for all. By reinvesting profits into people and the planet, Belu has contributed £5.5 million to the cause, enhancing more than 366,808 lives. 

"Belu has consistently led the market. They are a genuinely transformative brand trying to move the sector. Excellent," says founder of Good Business and Sustainability Awards judge, Giles Gibbons.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Twinings

Ethical brand/retailer

WINNER: Mindful Chef

Who? When Mindful Chef was founded, the aim was clear: to simplify healthy eating. The brand sought to provide wider access to high-quality, local produce, offering customers the means to create well-balanced dishes that leave them feeling nourished while minimising food's environmental impact.

Why? Mindful Chef's commitment to sustainability earned them a B Corp score of 107.3 (which makes it one of the highest-rated food B Corps in the UK) – reaffirming and supporting its commitment to pursuing purpose, not just profit. The company has also partnered exclusively with like-minded suppliers and fostered a Regenerative Farming Program to help suppliers reduce their own impact.

Mindful Chef has also donated more than 17 million meals to school children living in poverty through its charity partner One Feeds Two, and delivered more than 1.9 million discounted meals. 

"The Mindful Chef is a very impressive company – both socially and environmentally. This is very difficult to achieve," says Dawe. "It is trying to balance being a community-minded service, with sustainability – which also demands support from its clients with their behaviour. Engaging with its external community to improve and adjust its service? I think this is very smart. I would be interested to see if they can scale up and maintain this level of dedication to both people and the planet. Excellent work."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Pow Food

Food brand

WINNER: Hotel Chocolat

Who? Beyond crafting delicious chocolate, Hotel Chocolat has taken a sustainable approach to growing cacao in a way that benefits farmers and communities. 

Why? Having bought a cacao farm in St Lucia almost two decades ago to better understand what it takes to grow sustainable cacao, Hotel Chocolat has worked closely with St Lucian communities through initiatives including the Island Growers Programme, which aids 75 cacao growers, and supports, empowers, educates and rewards them for engaging in farming methods that are nature-positive. The company has now extended these principles to Ghana, paying farmers above market rates and encouraging sustainable practices.

Today, Hotel Chocolat reinvests profits into "gentle farming," supporting 2,500 Ghanaian farmers, promoting education, preventing deforestation, and nurturing climate resilience – ensuring cacao farming is friendly to our planet.

"Excellent progress on all fronts," says Jo Swift, Managing Director of Greenhouse Communications and our Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Little Freddie

Small business

WINNER: Crumbs Brewing

Who? Did you know that 44% of UK bread goes to waste? This was the stat that drove husband-and-wife duo Morgan and Elaine Arnell to create Crumbs Brewing in 2017. Collaborating with a local baker, Chalk Hills, they developed a range of beers using leftover loaves, reducing waste while crafting unique brews. 

Why? From small market beginnings, they've supplied major retailers like Waitrose and John Lewis, repurposing nearly 40,000 loaves and saving more than 4.2 tonnes of CO2e. Sustainability underpins their ethos, and this is reflected in green energy-powered brewing, electric delivery vehicles, planting a tree for every purchase from their online shop and B-Corp certification. 

"Their passion shines through not only in brewing but also in eliminating food, and specifically bread waste. They have recently and successfully gained B-Corp certification and are very open about the fact that this is the beginning of their sustainability journey, rather than the end," says Layton.

"Their mission is clear: they want to ‘make waste wonderful’ by fighting food waste and turning unsold bread into delicious beer. There is an emphasis on reducing their carbon footprint, and they are specific about aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030 (and ultimately carbon negative). 

"There is also a clear progress towards circularity," he adds. "A very impressive enterprise and a worthy winner of this award. Bravo!"

HIGHLY COMMENDED: CLUBZERØ

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Unrooted Drinks

Snack brand

WINNER: Whole Earth

Who? Whole Earth's mission is to create healthy, great-tasting food products with sustainably sourced, natural ingredients and recyclable packaging.

Why? Partnering with the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) since 2018, Whole Earth has helped conserve rainforests, pledging 25% of profits from its Golden Rainforest Edition to SOS, resulting in more than 34,000 trees planted. Committed to sustainability, Whole Earth offers recyclable packaging and introduced Drizzler, a squeezable peanut butter in recycled plastic bottles, which embodies its eco-conscious journey.

"Making nutritious food that is kinder to our planet through addressing problems throughout the supply chain – from labour, to using natural ingredients and better packaging that is recyclable," says Amy Tsang, Sustainability Awards judge.

"Excellent work on packaging and with its support of the ecological work in the Sumatran Rainforest, the soil association and B-Corp certification, it's clearly keeping up the forward-thinking ideal it was founded with," adds actress, producer and Sustainability Awards judge Charity Wakefield. 

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Prodigy

Subscription/meal delivery service

WINNER: Mindful Chef

Who? A double win for the Mindful Chef, which has taken the prize for best ethical brand as well as the best subscription/meal-delivery service, too. Beginning with the mission to make healthy eating accessible and environmentally friendly, the brand has expanded beyond recipe boxes to include frozen meals, breakfasts, and more. 

Why? Collaborating solely with like-minded suppliers and designing recipes adhering to planetary health guidelines, its commitment to sustainability is reflected in the new goal of becoming a regenerative business; one that’s good for people but also truly good for the planet, too. 

"A great example of circular sustainability within the whole business from investing in suppliers/regenerative farming. Waste management by communicating with customers. Impressive commitment to the planet – not just profit," says Bettina Campolucci Bordi, plant-based and sustainable chef, founder of Bettina´s Kitchen and Sustainability Awards judge.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Grubby

Sustainable restaurant

WINNER: Apricity

Who? Aiming to have a net positive impact on the environment, people, and profit, Apricity offers plant-based menus with regeneratively sourced ingredients, low-intervention wines and collaborative circular partnerships with suppliers.

Why? Apricity's commitment to sustainability is further recognised through its participation in the Food Flagship Initiative and substantial donations to social-impact charities.

"This is a company that is very clearly and unapologetically purpose-driven, and carries that purpose through to the core of its operations," says Myriam Sidibé, chief mission officer and founder of Brands on a Mission.

"In the case of Apricity, it isn't just the food itself that is sustainable – it's centring the well-being of staff through real changes in how they compensate, and rethinking their entire supply chain and how to lower the footprint of their suppliers, not just their own restaurant operations. Critically, Apricity also seeks to provide a very public and industry-facing proof of concept for how other restaurants can do better, and do things differently. Finally, I appreciated the practical, pragmatic approach that Apricity has taken to its sustainability work. They do not shy away from the fact that they are constantly learning, changing, and improving, and that there simply is no silver bullet – so until there is, they're going to keep at it."

Vegan brand

WINNER: Ombar

Who? Ombar is on a mission to change the way you think about chocolate. The company challenges the industry norm by championing an ethical supply chain, paying 66% above Fair Trade prices for cacao. 

Why? A B-Corp since 2021, innovation is driven by sustainability, as seen in its Oat M’lk range, which uses British-grown oats to significantly lower its emissions and 100% recyclable packaging. Vegan, palm oil-free, and organic, Ombar is also passionate about raising awareness about important environmental and social issues through its branding and communication, even becoming the first chocolate-bar brand to feature the product's climate footprint on its packaging.

"Really inspiring – especially the B-Corp commitment and climate information on the packaging. Plus, it does taste great," says sustainability author, journalist, speaker and Sustainability Awards judge, Georgina Wilson-Powell.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Transport is the UK’s number-one contributor to carbon emissions and a key climate challenge, but there's hope on the horizon. 

From introducing e-scooters and e-bikes to slash carbon emissions, to offering innovative apps that map out eco-friendly routes with charging points for electric vehicles, these are the brands (literally) driving positive change.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards winners in the Motors category…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2023 Motor winners

Sustainable interior

WINNER: Bridge of Weir Leather

Who? Bridge of Weir Leather, part of the family-owned business Scottish Leather Group, stands out for its unwavering commitment to sustainability: "We take a waste product and turn it into a beautiful product in a circular and sustainable way that allows our customers to reduce their carbon impact on the planet."

Why? Renowned for transforming waste into exquisite automotive leather, it leads the way in reducing carbon intensity, pioneering circular manufacturing, and employing renewable-energy sources. With an impressive 90% reduction in leather's carbon intensity since 2003, the company set a global benchmark with its Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) value of 8kg CO2 e/m2 – the lowest published level in the world. 

Its transparency, ethical standards, and gender-equality practices also highlight its dedication to responsible business. "They're leading the way in sustainable interiors for motors," says Sustainability Awards judge and Marie Claire UK’s Editor in Chief, Andrea Thompson.

Green emission initiative

WINNER: Polestar

Who? Polestar, a Swedish automotive brand, is an exciting car label that's doing some seriously cool stuff to help the planet. Its mission? "We're determined to improve the society we live in by accelerating the change to a fully electric, climate-neutral future."

Why? From designing the Polestar 2 – a car that uses 80% recycled aluminium (cutting 1.7 tonnes of CO2e since its launch in 2020), to publishing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) reports, providing transparency about raw materials and emissions, Polestar is committed to reducing the carbon footprint and overall environmental impact of its vehicles. Most notably, however, it's also striving to produce a zero-impact car by 2030.

"Polestar's Project 0 is so far ahead of the curve in its thinking that it's out of sight of any competition," says Sustainability Awards judge and automotive journalist Erin Baker. "The brand's media communications on sustainability is also impressive. Its honesty and hard work around the supply chain are to be commended; using blockchain to trace materials back to the mine is brilliant, as is its work with [sustainable magnet metal supply chain company] Pensana."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Trainline

Who? Trainline, the UK's largest aggregator of train-operating companies, serves as a one-stop platform for seamless rail travel. Its "I Came By Train" initiative tackles climate concerns by encouraging travellers to switch just one car or plane journey to the train, collectively reducing CO2 emissions. 

Why? In a nation where only 17% recognise the emission savings, Trainline wants to use its unique position to promote green travel, and through the "I Came By Train" campaign – which saw it partner with singer-songwriter Craig David – Trainline is reported to have influenced more than 89% of those who engaged with its content to consider using more rail travel in the future. 

"This is a very smart and psychologically well-informed initiative and campaign, aimed at the (as yet) unconverted and directly reducing high-emission travel with much lower-emission travel in a way that would not happen otherwise," says Sustainability Awards Judge and Managing Director of The Carbon Literacy Project, Dave Coleman. "Worthy of an award for its positivity, its smart thinking, its inclusiveness, and the recognition that reducing emissions is not all about technology, but fundamentally about people like you and me."

Eco city travel

WINNER: Nissan

Who? Nissan has been conducting autonomous driving trials with an electric vehicle in London as part of ServCity, a project that aims to cut congestion, reduce emissions, improve air quality, and enhance road safety.

Why? The research looks at how self-driving cars can promote a more inclusive society by improving access to transport for underserved populations – for example, the elderly, disabled people, and those who live in remote areas without links to public transport.

Indeed, ServCity perfectly aligns with Nissan's long-term vision, Ambition 2030, which aims to create a greener, more inclusive world.

"[With] innovation, and a zero-carbon ambition being delivered rapidly and at scale, Nissan is showing that huge organisations can be nimble and transform the sustainability of their business," says Coleman. "Nissan has a strong track record of sustainability innovation, particularly in the field of EVs (electric vehicles), but innovation alone is not enough and, vitally, Nissan is now implementing those innovations rapidly and at scale. As a result, it is making a really significant contribution to society's drive to reduce emissions and protect our economy, our people and our planet."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lime

Who? Lime, the world's largest shared electric vehicle company, is on a mission to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable and carbon-free. 

Why? With more than 400 million rides taken, Lime has already replaced nearly 100 million car trips, preventing more than 30 million kg of carbon. Users emit around 80% less carbon than comparable car trips, reinforced by renewable energy use. Plus, the company's influence spans the UK, recording 1.5 million riders since 2018 and a 317% year-on-year growth in trips. 

"I'm impressed by the holistic approach to sustainability chosen by Lime, touching every area of the company's e-mobility strategy, from its hardware to its energy provider," says Baker.

"[This is] a really useful service and product that encourages the switch away from car and vehicle usage, reducing emissions, cost and congestion and improving environmental footprint. The organisation is clearly taking its environmental impact seriously and displaying enviable levels of environmental responsibility and sustainability," adds Coleman.

Eco car app

WINNER: Zapmap

Who? Zapmap, founded by Dr Ben Lane and Melanie Shufflebotham in 2014, is on a mission to help people and businesses make the switch to electric vehicles.

Why? Ahead of the EV surge, they crafted an app that enables drivers to locate charging points and embark on longer journeys confidently. Evolving from a spreadsheet to a leading app, Zapmap pinpoints more than 40,000 charge points and boasts more than a million downloads. Meanwhile, innovations like live-status updates, smart-route planning, and integrated payment systems serve to further enhance usability. 

"Privately developed, the Zapmap app is a vital resource for EV owners, offering them confidence and convenience, and helping them use their vehicles more efficiently and enjoyably," says Coleman. "As a result, Zapmap is contributing to the surge in popularity of EVs and accelerating the transition away from fossil-fuelled vehicles, reducing the carbon emissions of motorised travel and making a real contribution to societal sustainability for us all. As a result, it fully deserves to be recognised with a Marie Claire UK Sustainability Award."

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Ohme

Who? Ohme is the UK's fastest-growing EV-charging company. Its technology allows electric vehicle drivers to utilise off-peak charging hours and maximise renewable energy availability. 

Why? Ohme's real-time integration with the National Grid not only balances the energy supply but also reduces costs for drivers. "Ohme's ability to… use surplus energy is a real help to the charging network," says Baker. "The company is proactively engaged in a range of panel discussions and marketing initiatives to do more to be sustainable and part of the conversation."

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

The time has come for us to introduce our incredible panel of Sustainability Awards judges. Ready to learn which leading experts will be judging our third annual awards?

Here at Marie Claire UK, we're proud to celebrate the leading brands, organisations and products championing sustainability and doing their bit for the planet. Sustainability has long been at the core of what we do. From advising you on the best sustainable fashion brands to sharing simple sustainable living tips, we're always encouraging you, our readers, to take the small steps necessary to build a better tomorrow.

We even won a British Society of Magazine Editors award last year for our dedication to the planet. 

But back to the judging panel, comprised of over 50 of the leading experts in the sustainability sphere. Alongside the Marie Claire UK Editors, plant-based chefs, B Corp business owners and eco-charity CEOs will all be looking over your entry (no pressure). 

Sustainable living has never been more important, and as the latest IPCC report showed, it's time to act - before it's too late.

Keep scrolling to find out more about all the highly qualified experts that will be judging this year's Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards.

(Brand making a difference? There's still time to enter here).

Meet the judges for the 2023 Marie Claire Sustainability Awards

Andrea Thompson

Editor-in-Chief, Marie Claire UK

Andrea Thompson is Editor in Chief at Marie Claire UK, which has a combined audience of over 7 million women a month across its channels. She has overseen the brand’s journey to a digital-first publication since 2019 and was recently named by We Are The City as one of the UK's top 100 trailblazers for her work highlighting the impact of Covid on gender equality.

Andrea has worked as a journalist for a range of publications over her 20 year career including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Daily Mail, Channel 4, Glamour and Grazia and currently sits on the committee of The British Society of Magazine Editors where she looks after Diversity and Inclusion.

At Marie Claire, Andrea oversees content, brand partnerships and campaigns and regularly speaks at events on topics such as sustainability, women's empowerment and diversity. She is passionate about telling the stories of those often marginalised by the mainstream media and oversaw a feature for the title about rape in the Congo that won the title an Amnesty Media Award.

Ally Head

Health, Sustainability & Relationships Editor, Marie Claire UK

Ally is a leading editor with over five years of industry experience and has worked for the likes of Women's Health, Stylist, Glamour, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, Refinery 29 and more. Day-to-day she writes news and features, advises on campaigns, SEO, and social strategy, and is always first to volunteer to sweat-test the newest fitness trend or share a measured, expert-led take on current sustainability topics. She’s also a keen presenter, hosting her Decoded Instagram live franchise with some of the biggest names in wellness. 

She is always the first to know of the best b-corp brands and can spot greenwashing almost instantly. Her career highlights? Winning the ‘Spirit of Hearst’ award while working at Women’s Health, and being asked to re-visit City University each year to give insight to current postgrads.

Abbie Synan

Freelance writer, sustainable travel blogger & Editorial Co-Director for Impact Travel Social Club

Abbie began her travel career in 2010 with a personal blog, which over the years evolved to a full-fledged career as a sustainable writer. Abbie has spent the last decade prioritising slow travel and writing for numerous publications. Passionate about creating discourse around ethical tourism practices through education, Abbie is a sustainable travel expert for Wanderful, a global travel community.

In addition to her writing, Abbie is the Editorial Co-Director for Impact Travel Social Club, a nonprofit collective which encourages travellers to explore the world while making a more positive impact. She is committed to showing that more mindful travel practices can be incorporated into all types of travel and prioritising people, place and planet is the future of tourism.

Aditi Mayer

Climate Activist, Photojournalist & Sustainable Fashion Thought Leader

Aditi Mayer is a visual storyteller, sustainability activist, and frequent speaker on topics of social and environmental justice. Her work explores the intersections of style, sustainability, and social justice. She has become a voice in the larger sustainability movement, approaching her work from multiple domains: from grassroots organizing in Downtown LA’s garment district to educating folks on the importance of diverse perspectives. 

In 2020, Aditi was named a Fulbright x National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellow and spent 2022 in India documenting the intersections of agriculture and artisan culture in relation to fashion. Her work has been celebrated in the likes of Vogue, National Geographic, The UN, The Guardian, Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, and more.

Amarjit Sahota

Founder & President, Ecovia Intelligence

Amarjit is the founder of Ecovia Intelligence, a London-based research & consulting firm that has been encouraging sustainable development since its formation in 2001. 

He is an expert on global sustainable product industries. For almost 30 years, Amarjit has been undertaking research, analysis and consulting on natural cosmetics, organic foods, and sustainable products. So he certainly knows a sustainable winner when he sees one. 

Amy Bourbeau

Co-founder & Chief Impact Officer, Seismic

Amy Bourbeau is the co-founder and Chief Impact Officer at Seismic, a sustainability advisory that helps businesses to change society and fix our planet by being a force for good. Amy specialises in B Corp and how its framework can help organisations improve their impact and meet the high standards required for certification. 

She started working as the UK’s first B Corp Consultant in 2015, and has been committed to helping the movement grow ever since. Amy has supported hundreds of organisations on their sustainability journeys, with clients including innocent drinks, Avon, Lily’s Kitchen, Gousto, The White Company, Finistere and PZ Cussons.

Alex Layton

Brand strategy consultant & writer

Alex has 15 years of extensive experience in the wine industry, starting his journey in retail at Majestic Wine. Throughout his career, he has successfully spearheaded marketing and communications campaigns for renowned global wine brands and wine regions. Most recently, he was Head of Marketing at Decanter, where he oversaw all aspects of the brand, including the highly esteemed Decanter World Wine Awards and the global events programme.

Driven by a deep commitment to true sustainability in the industry, Alex currently lends his expertise as a brand strategy consultant to drinks brands. Recognising the significant work that still lies ahead, he passionately advocates for true sustainability within the wine industry. Alex's pursuit of knowledge led him to pursue a Senior Leader MBA at the University of Exeter, focusing his work on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion across the global wine industry.

Alexandra Dawe

Director, Corporate Affairs at the Rainforest Alliance

As Director, Corporate Affairs, Alexandra leads a global team that is responsible for the Rainforest Alliance’s external and international communications, media relations, and corporate reputation management. She brings over 20 years of experience in journalism, and as a strategic communications advisor and trainer of CSOs, NGOs and companies. She has devoted her career to social and environmental transformation towards a sustainable world. Alexandra also serves as the Vice Chair of Bank Track Board, sits on the Advisory board of the Profundo Foundation, and is a member of the Advisory Council Social Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. Alexandra earned her post graduate in Journalism from the University of the Arts London, and a Masters in International Relations at the University of Amsterdam.

The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization working in 70 countries to mitigate climate change, protect forests and biodiversity, promote human rights, and improve rural livelihoods. They bring farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers together to change the way the world produces, sources, and consumes, with an integrated approach involving landscape management, certification, supply chain services, and advocacy. 

Amy Nelson-Bennett

Co-CEO, Positive Luxury

Amy is the Managing Director of Positive Luxury, who provide the luxury industry’s leading independent sustainability certification with The Butterfly Mark, alongside data benchmarking, expert advice, and industry-leading reports. Born and educated in the USA, Amy brings 25 years of global experience to Positive Luxury across Brand Strategy, Marketing Communications and Business Transformation gained across media, retail and luxury goods - most recently as CEO of Molton Brown and then the Clive Christian Group.

By championing the alignment of the core principles of luxury and sustainability, she aims to accelerate the actions of the luxury industry and the positive impact they can make as a collective to shape a better society.

Amy Tsang

Acting Head of Europe, The Mills Fabrica

Amy Tsang manages The Mills Fabrica’s UK business and operations, supporting innovators across the textiles/apparel and agrifood tech industries, and building impactful partnerships while growing their community of brands, corporates, VCs, academic institutions and NGOs. Amy also oversees the company’s co-working space in London and curates flagship industry events gathering key ecosystem players and shining the spotlight on startups’ ground-breaking innovations.

Having been with The Mills Fabrica for over 5 years, Amy started out as one of the key members in the Hong Kong founding team. Since 2019, she helped expand the business to the UK by setting up the operations, growing the team and network to drive innovations and support the industry in Europe.

Amy Powney

Creative Director, Mother of Pearl

Amy Powney is a UK-based fashion designer living in London. In 2002, Amy left her home in the north of the county to study Fashion Design at Kingston University. On completing her degree she started working at Mother of Pearl in 2006 as an assistant who swept the cutting room floor. She is now co-owner of the Mother of Pearl business.

In 2017 she won the BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund which enabled her to launch No Frills in 2018. A core collection made from organic and natural materials, with a transparent supply chain, putting social responsibility, respect to animals and low-environmental impact first and foremost. The development of this collection and Amy’s trailblazing mission to create a sustainable collection from field to finished garment and transform the way we engage with fashion forms the subject of Fashion Reimagined, an award-nominated independent documentary released in cinemas and across streaming services globally in 2023.

Everything Amy learnt in creating the No Frills collection is now applied across the entire Mother of Pearl brand making it the most traceable and transparent label in the UK. Amy’s sustainable collections have been shown at London Fashion Week and Copenhagen Fashion Week and are stocked by prestigious global retailers including Net-a-Porter, Harrods, Neiman Marcus and Goop. Through Mother of Pearl, Amy has also embarked on a number of collaborations. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Campaign for Wool, Amy was asked by his then Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, to design a limited edition wool scarf to showcase the sustainable benefits of wool.

Annick Ireland

Founder & CEO, Immaculate Vegan

Annick founded premium vegan fashion marketplace Immaculate Vegan in 2019, after becoming vegan and searching far and wide for style-led ethical & sustainable fashion options. Immaculate Vegan's mission is to make an ethical lifestyle beautifully simple, and they do the hard work of identifying the most ethical, sustainable and beautiful options available, offering 3000+ products from 100+ brands, across Shoes, Bags, Accessories, Clothing, Beauty & Homeware.

She has also worked as a Marketing & Strategy consultant, helping SMEs build their marketing, content and commercial functions. She has spoken at many events and on BBC News, as a spokesperson for vegan and sustainable fashion.

Barbeline Lusandu

Creative Director, Barbeline London

Barbeline is the print designer of Barbeline London. Back in 2014 she started making eco-friendly wallpaper and organic home accessories, which quickly grew to slow fashion, sports and casual wear. She has been using recycled materials to make clothing and accessories, and has now also expanded her brand to Africa. 

She is currently teaching communities in Congo Kinshasa and Lubumbashi  about organic and sustainable lifestyles, which she tells us is such a grace and people are so willing to learn. She teaches the importance of recycling clothing, plastics and other materials.

Bettina Campolucci Bordi

Director, Bettina's Kitchen

Bettina is a Plant Based and Sustainable Chef and author of three successful cookbooks. She is also the Founder of Bettina´s Kitchen and Bettina´s Kitchen Academy where she shares plant-based recipes and teaches others how to become a plant based chef. Bettina also hosts a weekly What The Focaccia podcast talking everything food and how to make more sustainable food choices. 

Bryna Chrsmas

Founder & CEO, Ran By Nature

Dr Bryna Chrismas is an Associate Professor in Exercise Science. Her research focuses on the impact of the climate on health and exercise performance in women. She is also the founder and CEO of Ran By Nature, activewear made in the UK which is both sustainable and inclusive. Ran By Nature is more than clothing – it’s activism. Bryna is passionate about breaking down clothing barriers and gender stereotypes in sports and exercise.

Caroline Rush CBE

Chief Executive, British Fashion Council

Caroline Rush CBE is the Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC). Since her appointment in April 2009, Rush has focused on strengthening the BFC’s network and platforms to connect businesses with global audiences, both trade and consumer. During this time London Fashion Week has become a globally recognised platform for creative and innovative fashion talent. London Fashion Week Men’s was launched in 2012 and more recently due to the global pandemic London Fashion Week merged womenswear and menswear and pivoted to a digital-first event. The Fashion Awards has become the global award ceremony for the fashion industry and raised millions for the BFC Foundation and its charitable projects. 

In 2020, Rush spearheaded the launch of The Institute of Positive Fashion as an engine room for change, galvanising the industry to address how it can more positively impact the environment, the people and communities. As part of this work, Rush and the BFC launched the first ever Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee made up of industry representatives to address key challenges facing minority communities in gaining fair representation within the fashion industry.

Rush is Chair of the UK’s Creative Industry Trade and Investment Board and is also the co-founder of LOCA, a digital platform and global community that allows brands and talent to connect and collaborate more efficiently. Rush is a member of the Conde Nast College Advisory Council and is also Chair of the Advisory Board of Everywoman.

Charity Wakefield

Actress and Producer

Charity Wakefield is an Actress and Producer best known for her role as ‘Georgina Dymova’ in The Great. She's also known for playing ‘Marianne Dashwood’ in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and the BAFTA-winning Wolf Hall. 

She made history as the first woman to play Shakespeare at The Globe in an all-female production of Emilia. When it comes to sustainability, Charity is hugely passionate about environmental issues and is an ambassador for The Woodland Trust, the UK's largest woodland conservation charity.

Charlotte Keesing

Director, Walpole

Charlotte Keesing is a Director at Walpole, the UK's association of British luxury brands. With 15 years of experience in the UK luxury sector, she leads Walpole's international work, corporate affairs and partnerships. Most recently she led Walpole's sustainability strategy and the creation of Walpole British Luxury Sustainability Manifesto.

Charlotte Horler

Founder, Nula; Pathway Lead, WONDR

Charlotte is passionate about the role of behaviour change and imagination in shifting the emphasis from sustainable intention to action. As the founder of Nula, a sustainability engagement agency, she works with teams to help them measure employee engagement in sustainability as well as knowledge levels and confidence in that knowledge to create bespoke action plans.

In addition to Nula, Charlotte is the Pathway Lead at WONDR, a social learning platform for impact founders. At WONDR Charlotte is working to connect these entrepreneurs to sustainable experts and mentors to help accelerate their businesses.

Dave Coleman

Co-founder & Managing Director, The Carbon Literacy Project

After a career in business, IT, and management training and consultancy, Dave co-founded and is now Managing Director of the award-winning, low-carbon culture-change charity The Carbon Literacy Project.

After graduating with a degree in Biochemistry, Dave began his career with accountants Deloitte, spent 12 years at an award-winning UK IT company, then founded and spent ten years as a management trainer and coach in his own practice in the commercial sector. As a former trustee and non-executive director of Friends of the Earth in the UK, in 2011 he co-funded and now leads low-carbon culture-change charity The Carbon Literacy Project, and speaks and advocates on climate change issues.

Ele Ward

CMO, Ctrl Alt & Sustainability Expert

Ele Ward is passionate about the role of tech in providing pragmatic solutions to create meaningful change for both people and the planet. Currently CMO of alternative investing platform Ctrl Alt, Ele is focused on bringing exciting sustainability investment opportunities and more to the platform.

Prior to Ctrl Alt, she headed up marketing at leading sustainability solutions provider Cogo and has consulted with numerous climate startups from fashion to carbon tracking.

Emma Slade Edmondson

Sustainability & Behaviour Change Consultant, ESE Consultancy

Emma Slade Edmondson is a Sustainability and Behaviour Change Consultant, Writer and Host. She writes on sustainability and fashion, 'race', Identity and social justice.

Emma has worked with some of the UK’s biggest brands and charities and is the brain behind many of the campaigns that have brought second-hand fashion into the public consciousness. These include Charity Fashion Live, the first show to bring charity shop fashion to LFW - recreating London Fashion Week looks in real-time, using charity shop clothing to highlight the relevance and value of existing textiles. Plus Love Not Landfill, a space created to facilitate 16-24-year-olds consuming fashion more consciously.

A thought leader working across circular fashion and retail, sustainability, marketing and branding, Emma founded ESE Consultancy, a creative strategic marketing agency working to elevate brands, initiatives and organisations who are purpose-driven towards social and environmental good.

Due to her combination of knowledge around the conscious consumer and the inner workings of business driven by ethics and A TEDx Speaker, Emma has been named a Forbes 100 Environmentalist.

Erin Baker

Editorial Director, Auto Trader

Erin is an award-winning motoring journalist and broadcaster. She is currently the editorial director of Auto Trader and covers all things cars for Marie Claire and Vogue. She specialises in the relationship between the female consumer and the automotive industry. Most recently working with Marie Claire's Sustainability Editor Ally Head, on why women are less likely to buy an electric car. 

Eshita Kabra-Davies

Founder, By Rotation

Passionate about changing the way we consume fashion, Eshita Kabra-Davies founded By Rotation, a peer-to-peer social rental app in 2019. Now with over 200,000 users from all over the UK, By Rotation is enabling fashion lovers to lend and rent out other people’s wardrobes, helping save money and the planet at the same time. It's a win-win. It's one of our favourite places to find an online rental dress.

Georgina Wilson-Powell

Sustainable living author, journalist & speaker

A consumer focused sustainability expert, entrepreneur and author with 20 years in the media industry, overseeing global brands’ titles and launching her own media businesses. Georgina is on a mission to make sustainable choices the norm for humans at every level.

She founded pebble, the UK’s leading sustainable living magazine, launched her own eco festival and created a purpose lead online community between 2016-2022 and now is focusing on consultancy, speaking and her own books. The author of 365 Ways To Save The Planet and Is it Really Green? Eco Dilemmas Answered, Georgina sure knows her stuff when it comes to judging sustainability. 

Giles Gibbons

Founder, Good Business

Giles founded Good Business 25 years ago. He advises brands, start-ups, foundations, voluntary organisations and social enterprises on strategy, purpose and reputation. He’s worked with organisations as diverse as The Coca-Cola Company, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aesop and WWF, making sure that they keep up with the changing times, and move with the tide rather than against it. He also chairs the Sustainable Restaurant Association, the restaurant world’s Michelin stars for sustainability; he chairs the Paraorchestra, an elite disabled orchestra; and Shift, A service design agency for the charity sector and Talking Taboos, a charity focused on raising issues hidden by society.

Hannah Reiss

Head of Communications, B Lab UK

Hannah is Head of Communications at B Lab UK, the home of the B Corporation Movement in the UK. B Lab supports a growing community of companies that are using business as a force for good. Before joining B Lab, Hannah worked in the fashion industry as a stylist and consultant, working with individuals and organisations to promote and progress the sustainable fashion agenda.

Hannah Cox

Founder, The Better Business Network

Hannah runs betternotstop, a sustainable impact agency planning to change the world by helping other purpose-driven businesses to create clear sustainability strategies, Using B Corp certification and Global Reporting Standards to create Impact Strategies. Hannah also helped create  the Carbon Literacy for Professionals course for the Carbon Literacy Project. 

As well as being the Founder of The Better Business Network. It is the only purpose-led business community that is focused on helping connect ethical businesses together and increase their positive social and environmental impact. They have access to events, tools, resources and workshops to help them on their journey to having a greater positive impact.

Harriet Vocking

CEO, Eco-Age

Harriet Vocking, CEO of Eco-age, an integrated strategy consultancy creating systemic solutions in line with science, in harmony with nature and in solidarity with human rights. Harriet, formerly Chief Strategy Officer has been integral to the success and growth of Eco-age over the last 10 years. Harriet has extensive experience in developing and delivering brand communication strategies for global businesses. 

A leader in her field, she helps address the sustainability and ESG issues and opportunities that companies face today with strategic corporate and creative communications, developing global communications or reporting programmes that drive genuine change.

Hasna Kourda

Founder & CEO, Save Your Wardrobe

Hasna Kourda is the CEO and co-founder of Save Your Wardrobe, a circular platform that offers users access to a curated eco-system of on-demand aftercare services, including alterations, repairs, eco-cleaning, customisation and up-cycling, thereby extending the life of garments. Its user-facing app uses artificial intelligence to allow garments to be easily scanned, identified and stored in users’ virtual wardrobes, which helps reduce unnecessary repeat purchases.

Kourda was born and raised in Tunisia with strong values of circularity and zero waste. After witnessing how people in the UK are disconnected from the clothes in their wardrobes and the resulting waste driven by such behaviour, Kourda’s idea for Save Your Wardrobe was born. Save Your Wardrobe’s B2B arm supports brands in reaching sustainability and circularity targets through a personalised standalone platform offering an ecosystem of aftercare services. The digitally enabled aftercare solution also grants unprecedented visibility on the full spectrum of consumer behaviours, interactions and wardrobe composition.

Ilona Alcock

Director, Elevate

Ilona is the co-founder of Elevate, the world’s first Carbon Literate business development organisation. With a passion for sustainability, she sits on the Greater Manchester Green City Comms Board, is a trustee of animal welfare charity Feathers Together and is running the first Northern Sustainability Summit.

Through Elevate, Ilona runs a variety of corporate events, from roundtables to large conferences and delivers public speaking and leadership training, facilitates introductions between businesses and has trained over 600 people in Carbon Literacy. Elevate is behind the Northern Gamechangers awards celebrating good business champions from all sectors and has recently launched Elevate The Conversation to identify and promote diverse speakers.

Ingrid Newkirk

Founder, PETA

Ingrid Newkirk is the founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) a globally recognised organisation known for its dedication to establishing and protecting the rights of all animals to live free from oppression and abuse.

Since founding PETA, Newkirk has grown the organisation into the world’s largest animal rights group. Her passion for making the world a better place has seen her speak internationally on animal rights issues and pen over ten books on animal care and how small actions can make a difference.  

Jenny Proudfoot

Features Editor, Marie Claire UK

Jenny is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment, feminism, careers and politics. Jenny started at Marie Claire seven years ago as an intern and has since risen to Features Editor. 

She is now the most published Marie Claire UK writer of all time, having personally written 10% of all articles in the website's 22-year history. She was announced a a 30 under 30 award-winner in 2021 and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.

Jo Swift

Managing Director, Greenhouse Communications

Jo Smith is an experienced agency leader in the communications industry, driving forward the sustainability agenda. The Managing Director for the thriving, mission-led team at Greenhouse Communications in London and Bristol, working on campaigns with environmental and social change at their heart for government, business, NGOs and youth organisations.

Swift's areas of expertise include narrative and messaging, behaviour change, communications strategy, creative campaign development, integrated marketing, media and stakeholder relations, team structure and organisational design.

TAs a trusted advisor to national and global business figures. Swift is proud to be selected to be part of the Reclaiming Agency 2020 cohort, a leadership programme from Purpose Disruptors creating positive change in the marketing industry.

Josephine Watson

Managing Editor - Lifestyle, Tech Radar

Josephine Watson is TechRadar's Managing Editor and also oversees the Lifestyle vertical/ Josephine has previously written on a variety of topics, from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry, joining TechRadar to support general site management.

Sustainability has always been a point of interest for Josephine, especially after her time working adjacent to the energy industry, with a focus on energy transformation. Now, she hopes to see the consumer technology industry transform to be more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Josephine Philips

Founder & CEO, SOJO

Josephine Philips is the founder & CEO of SOJO, a startup re-inventing the clothing repair and tailoring industry. Having launched the UK’s first clothing alterations and repairs app in 2021, SOJO has gone on to raise $2.4m in funding and now works with eCom fashion brands, such as GANNI, to help them reduce returns and increase circularity through an integrated and scalable repair & alteration service.

Kate Hinton

External Relations Lead, Material Focus

Kate Hinton is an award-winning Public Affairs and PR consultant. She is the External Relations lead for Material Focus who most recently raised the issue of disposable vapes and their environmental impact. This is alongside their work on addressing the fastest-growing waste stream – electrical waste. Kate has also led on the award-winning PR for Clean Air Day. 

Starting out as a journalist she has spent the bulk of her career in senior communication roles across a variety of organisations including the Environment Agency, Energy Saving Trust, Greenergy and London First. As a consultant she has a number of clients including managing the public affairs work for Zipcar. And in her spare time she has worked on a number of local projects including: traffic calming campaigns; Chair of Resources for a Children’s Centre; and organises her local annual street party. Prior to this she was a Trustee at Global Action Plan.

Katie Tillard Sharp

Head of Development, Seismic

Katie is the Head of Development at Seismic, a sustainability advisory that helps businesses to change society and fix our planet by being a force for good. Her career began in the beauty cosmetics industry, where she worked with more than 500 beauty brands over a 12-year period. 

In 2020 she became a B Leader - her sole focus now is to support brands and businesses transition to become a force for good. Katie has supported a number of organisations on their sustainability journeys, with clients including Walgreens Boots Alliance, Estée Lauder Companies, LVMH, L'Oreal, Elemis, L'Occitane, Soho House, The White Company, Bamford, Pai Skincare, Neom and Aromatherapy Associates.

Layla Sargent

Founder & CEO, The Seam

Care & repair platform The Seam was founded in 2020 by Layla Sargent in honour of her grandmother, Patricia, a skilled dressmaker for over 60 years who had tailored all of Layla’s clothes when growing up. Layla’s frustration with finding a local tailor after moving to London led her to create The Seam.

The Seam was recently announced as the winner of eBay’s first circular fashion innovator’s fund and secured a partnership with the YNAP Group as its official care and repair partner. Layla believes that keeping clothes in use for longer is crucial in reducing waste and lowering emissions in the fashion industry. The Seam’s mission is to promote a more sustainable and responsible approach to fashion by encouraging people to own and wear their clothes for longer.

Lena Staafgard

Chief Operating Officer, Better Cotton

Lena always wanted a career with purpose. As Chief Operating Officer at Better Cotton, Lena loves that she works for an organisation with a single mission and clear focus that directly benefits smallholder cotton farmers around the world. Lena has a background in sustainability and holds degrees in Politics and Geography, and Environment and Development. She is inspired by commitment and by people who follow their values and passions, even if it means taking the road less travelled.

Better Cotton brings together cotton farmer and producer organisations; textile retailers and brands; spinners, mills, gins and other companies in the cotton supply chain; and representatives of civil society, alongside governments and public authorities to help cotton production become sustainable – and so better for the environment, better for the people who depend on it and better for the sector.

Lisa Oxenham

Beauty & Style Director, Marie Claire UK

An award-winning journalist and creative director, Lisa is one of the world's top beauty editors. A well-respected stylist and art director, she shoots with the highest calibre of photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, influencers and celebrities, creating timeless images and film. With 20 years of editorial experience in beauty, health and wellbeing Lisa is also a popular brand strategist, influencer, entrepreneur and public speaker, most recently talking for Cognition X.

Mandeep Soor

Founder & CEO, Bendi.ai

Mandeep is co-founder of Bendi, which uses ai technology to help textile and apparel companies to monitor environmental and social risks in their supply chains. 

Mandeep has 13 years’ leadership in commercial, consulting and technology startups and £bn+ companies.

Mary Fellowes

Creative director, stylist, editor & sustainability expert

Mary Fellowes is a seasoned professional in the fashion industry - having held prestigious roles such as Vogue Fashion Director and Editor, A-list celebrity stylist and Features Writer. A visionary force within the fashion industry, leveraging her vast experience to create impactful and sustainable change.

Mary made history by launching the first Vogue magazine in a Muslim country and served as the only style editor at The Economist. Her key achievements include dressing Olivia Colman in the first Oscars gown made from sustainable materials, a remarkable collaboration between Prada and Stella McCartney. Mary has also partnered with Livia Firth and Eco-Age, working on editorial projects and the Green Carpet Challenge. Demonstrating her commitment to sustainability, Mary has consulted for The Waterbear Network, the world's first interactive video-on-demand platform dedicated to saving the planet. She further honed her expertise through the Cambridge University CISL program, earning a distinction in Sustainable Business Leadership.

Additionally, Mary Fellowes has demonstrated her expertise beyond the realms of fashion through her diverse ventures. She hosted and executively produced "Sex And Sustainability" for Soho House's The Ned, where she brought together influential figures from the sustainable fashion world. 

Mary has played a pivotal role in driving sustainability initiatives and discussions at a broader level. She spearheaded and moderated an ESG/Fashion Policy workshop in collaboration with the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, alongside industry leaders from manufacturing, textiles, and fashion. This workshop aimed to address the intersection of environmental, social, and governance factors within the fashion industry. Furthermore, she moderated a seminar on sustainability and technology for 150 leaders from the luxury and fashion sectors, organized by the British Fashion Council. Mary Fellowes consistently showcases her dedication to creating a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry through her various engagements and thought leadership.

Millie Kendall OBE

CEO, British Beauty Council

CEO of the British Beauty Council, retail maven and brand creator, Millie Kendall has been instrumental in the success of cult brands including Shu Uemura, Aveda, Tweezerman, L’Occitane and Ruby & Millie. Having worked with the UK’s leading retailers, Millie has been creating and marketing beauty brands for the past 30 year's. Millie was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her services to the cosmetic industry, and an OBE in 2022 for services to the hair and beauty industry.

Olivia Hill

Head of Sustainability Communications, Seismic

Olivia is Head of Sustainability Communications at Seismic, a sustainability advisory that helps businesses to change society and fix our planet by being a force for good. She has over 20 years of communications experience, specialising in communicating impact with authenticity for consumer goods, retail and B2B companies. Olivia has delivered global B Corp, social value and sustainability communications projects for clients including JDE Peet’s, Danone, Airbus, Ordnance Survey, Duchy Originals, Sipsmith Gin and Woman of the Year. Purpose-driven storytelling sits at the heart of all her communications.

Paige Tracey

Business Development Manager, Beauty, Wellbeing & Textiles, Soil Association Certification

Paige is the Business Development Manager for Non-Food at Soil Association Certification, leading on the communications for the organisation’s Beauty, Wellbeing and Textiles Organic certification schemes. She has been recognised for her strong impact to date in the world of organic and natural cosmetics, being named one of Natural Product News’s “30 under Thirty” finalists and also their 2022 Rising Star in “Who’s Who in Natural Beauty”. 

A regular speaker on important panels with beauty industry experts like Millie Kendall OBE of the British Beauty Council, Paige is always raising the profile of certified organic beauty and wellbeing and the important role it plays in securing a more sustainable future.

Prof. Myriam Sidibe

Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission

Myriam Sidibe is the Chief Mission Officer and Founder of Brands on a Mission, an aspiring B-Corp aiming to get brands to drive impact in health and well-being through their business models. She’s also the woman behind the multi-award winning and UN recognized Global Handwashing Day now celebrated in over 100 countries. 

In addition, Myriam is a research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and an honorary Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She’s the author of the best-selling book Brands on a Mission: How to Achieve Social Impact and Business Growth through Purpose and her TED talk The Simple Power of Handwashing has been viewed over 1 million times.

Rob Green

COO & Co-founder, COAT Paints

Rob makes up half of the founding team behind luxury eco paint brand COAT, the UK's first and only Carbon Neutral paint company. Rob has a passion for innovation that delivers a more conscious product or service, challenging the norm and setting new industry precedents. Rob’s on a mission to make decorating an enjoyable and environmentally friendly way to create spaces that people love.

Ruby Raut

CEO & Co-Founder, WUKA

Ruby Raut is a Nepalese entrepreneur and co-founder of WUKA, a sustainable period-wear brand with the mission to make periods better. As an environmental scientist, Ruby was inspired to create WUKA after realising the negative environmental impact of disposable menstrual products and her own experience of menstrual inequity growing up in Nepal. Under her leadership, WUKA has grown into a leading brand in the menstrual health category available in over 30 countries, with customers collectively preventing more than 200 million disposables from going to landfill through the sustainable switch to WUKA.

She has been recognised for her work with numerous awards, including the Queen's Award for Sustainability 2022 and the Starling Great British Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2022 for Sustainability and her period underwear designs have gained hundreds of design and lifestyle awards.

Sandra Capponi

Co-founder, Good On You

Sandra Capponi is the co-founder of Good On You, fashion's leading source of sustainability ratings. Since 2015, she's led the team to rate over 5,000 brands for their impact and partner with global retailers–from Microsoft to FARFETCH–to empower millions of consumers to buy better. With years of experience in corporate social responsibility, Sandra has long been concerned with supply chain issues in big business. She started Good On You because she sees a huge potential in using consumer power to drive industry change.

Sara Simmonds

CEO, The Conscious Innovator

Sara has had an illustrious career as an international buyer and pioneer of conscious product innovation. By the age of 25 Sara was a buyer for Harvey Nichols and seeing the waste in what we consume, at the age of 28 Sara became an award-winning impact entrepreneur pioneering the first hand-made sustainable jeans brand Sharkah Chakra winning Grazia Magazine for Impact entrepreneur of the year, and being shortlisted by Walpole emerging luxury brands. After selling the technology behind the denim brand, by 32 Sara was running a £100 Million buying department for UK retailer River Island, enabling the retailer to cut waste whilst doubling their sales through sharing Sara’s “Hero Product” roadmap. 

The success of her method of cutting waste in the corporate world, saw Sara launch the conscious innovator mastermind method for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to skyrocket their profitability, engage the conscious consumer and build impact. In the last 18 months, the conscious innovator roadmap has already helped 50 business owners build over $10 million in additional revenue and positively impact over 15 000 people with jobs and conscious products.

Shannon Lawlor

Acting Senior Beauty Editor, Marie Claire UK

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and Marie Claire's Acting Senior Beauty Editor. As a leading editorial expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear, Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29, and Fabulous. 

Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.

Shannon always considers the sustainability credentials of the latest beauty launces, so you will never see her recommending a sheet mask, instead, she is more likely to be finding new brands making refillable beauty products.

Smruti Sriram

CEO, Bags of Ethics & Supreme Creations

Smruti is Chief Executive of Bags of Ethics/Supreme Creations. As a second-generation entrepreneur, her family business has become the go-to supplier to world-class brands and retailers from Selfridges, London Fashion Week, Boots, John Lewis and more. Supreme Creations is an award-winning manufacturer of reusable merchandise and sustainable packaging and has been at the forefront of reducing single-use plastic bags, and packaging for supermarkets, beauty brands, fashion and retail. 

The 100%-owned supply chain starts in Pondicherry, India, in which 80%+ of the workforce are female, and several sustainability initiatives like water treatment, tree planting and conservation. Supreme has received awards from HM King Charles III and is the COP 26 Business Ambassador. Smruti has led many collaboration projects for charity including for British Fashion Council, Fashion Trust Arabia, Queen’s Green Canopy. She is a BBC 100 Women, Veuve Clicquot Young Woman of the Year finalist and a scholar from London Business School and Oxford University.

Sujata Burman

Editor, London Design Festival & London Design Biennale

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* Magazine before moving to her current role of Editor at the London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. 

Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, Design Museum and Design Miami. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

Sunil Makan

Editor, Marie Claire UK

With over 12 years of publishing experience, working on print publications and their digital counterparts, national newspapers and digital pure plays; Sunil is an Editor, Strategist, Content Producer and Art Director that specialises in Fashion, Beauty and Grooming, Lifestyle and Culture.

Tessa Clarke

Co-founder & CEO, Olio

Tessa is Co-Founder & CEO of Olio, an app tackling the climate crisis by solving the problem of waste in the home & local community. Olio does this by connecting people with their local community so they can give, get, buy, sell, lend and borrow pre-loved items, as well as give away surplus food. With over 85,000 trained volunteers who collect unsold food from local businesses and redistribute it to the community via the Olio app. Olio has grown to over 7 million users in 63 countries and its impact has been widely recognised, most notably by the United Nations who highlighted Olio as a "beacon” for the world.

Victoria McKenzie-Gould

Corporate Affairs Director, Marks & Spencer

Victoria McKenzie-Gould has been a part of Marks & Spencer’s leadership team as Corporate Affairs Director since 2019, heading-up Colleague Communications, External Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability. She is also the Executive Sponsor for Inclusion & Diversity across the business.

Victoria worked for Rt Hon Sir Tony Blair for seven years; initially as a Special Advisor at 10 Downing Street and then as a Senior Advisor after standing down as Prime Minister. Following this, she served as Group Government Affairs Director at Tesco and Corporate Affairs Director at Britvic.

Victoria is also a Non-Executive Director for Allwyn UK and a member of the Advisory Board for her alma mater, University of Liverpool Management School.

Zoe Anastasiou

Fashion Editor, Marie Claire UK

Zoe Anastasiou is a Fashion Editor with over eight years of experience working across digital publications in New York, London and Australia. In her time, she has covered everything from runway to trends, sustainability and celebrity fashion news. She has contributed to publications including Harper’s BAZAAR and ELLE Australia, as well as Vogue Runway, and was the Fashion and Social Media Editor at Who What Wear UK before joining Marie Claire.

Now that is an impressive line-up. They are ready to judge, now all you have to do is enter to achieve their approval, and a Marie Claire Sustainability Award crown (Reminder: there's no actual crown - that would *not* be environmentally friendly). 

You can enter easily via our website here.

You'll likely know by now that we're passionate about sustainability here at Marie Claire UK. 

We won a British Society of Magazine Editors award last year for our work on sustainability and report on everything from intersectional environmentalism, to the best B Corp brands to shop, to the positive sustainable Tiktok trends.

While we've long championed brands, organisations, and products that are genuinely implementing change and building a better tomorrow, shining a light on sustainable innovation, now more than ever, learning how to live more sustainably is of vital importance. 

That's why we pride ourselves on our annual Sustainability Awards, designed to connect you with some of the best brands in the business who are genuinely doing their bit to build a better tomorrow.

The Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2023 are here

We're delighted to announce that the awards are now open - designed to celebrate brands, organisations, and products with purpose.

A bit of background for you: here at Marie Claire UK, we’ve been encouraging conscious consumption for over three decades, long championing buying quality over quantity, reusing, and recycling - which is why we’re so keen to shout about the brands who share the same values.

Enter the third annual Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2023 here

Why are the awards so important? Well, sustainability, while central to building a better tomorrow, is only getting more difficult to decipher as more and more companies greenwash. Our aim is simple: to commend the businesses going above and beyond to prioritise both people and planet, companies showing sustainable innovation in their products and services, and brands holding themselves accountable in their business operations.

Editor-in-Chief Andrea Thompson says: "I’m delighted to announce the launch of our third annual Sustainability Awards, a celebration of the brands, organisations, and products implementing positive changes to tackle climate change."

"At Marie Claire UK, we’ve been encouraging conscious consumption for over 35 years, long championing buying quality over quantity, reusing, and recycling and supporting brands who do the same."

Sustainability Editor Ally Head adds: "We want to champion companies that not only show sustainable innovation in their products and services, but also hold themselves accountable in their business operations. We can't wait to see your entries."

Our third annual iteration of the awards looks set to be bigger and better than ever, with a new entry process taking extra steps to assess both the social and sustainable practices of each entry. We've partnered with sustainability advisory Seismic to support us in reviewing entries and judging the winners too. We selected Seismic as our sustainability partner because of their extensive understanding of impact across a range of sectors and business models. Seismic is an international team of experts on a mission to help businesses become increasingly impactful forces for good. They bring together B Corp experts, Net Zero advisors and sustainability strategists to help businesses lead the shift.

All businesses will be asked to supply evidence to back up all sustainability claims, and all claims will be thoroughly reviewed and validated. We do this so that we can credibly celebrate the innovations that will drive real change.

If you’re addressing human rights in your supply chain, promoting circularity in the life cycle of your products, reducing or reusing water, packaging or food waste, accessing underserved populations or rethinking environmental behaviours and sustainability challenges, we want to hear from you. There are categories spanning fashion, beauty, health & wellness, food & drink, travel & leisure, homes & lifestyle, motors and a new addition for 2023, tech.

Not only that, but all entries will be reviewed by a guest panel of over 50 of the most high-profile sustainability experts, company founders, thought leaders, consultants and activists in the business.

Your need-to-knows: 

Watch the video below or click the headings below to scroll through this year's categories in more detail:

• Fashion
• Beauty, health & wellness
• Food & drink
• Homes & lifestyle
• Motors
• Travel & leisure
• Tech

Winners are selected by an award-winning judging panel of 50+ of the world's leading sustainability experts, activists, and the Marie Claire UK editorial team, alongside B Corp experts, Net Zero advisors and sustainability strategists from Seismic.

Entries will close on Thursday 27 April 2023.

An insight into last year's awards...

Never one to avoid practicing what we preach – or shy away from making history – both of Marie Claire UK’s inaugural Sustainability Awards have been carbon-neutral awards ceremonies. (That's right - even virtual events generate a carbon footprint.)

Partnering with Nula Carbon, a mangrove tree was planted for every one of our attendees, offsetting our carbon emissions.

See who won in 2022 here and watch some of our past judges below.

Ready to celebrate the editor – and expert-approved – brands going that extra mile in working towards a more sustainable future for our planet? So are we – because we truly believe that we can all #StartSomewhere by making better individual choices that can kick-start meaningful, collective change.

Join us as we celebrate the products, organisations and brands helping to protect the future of our planet.

The wait is over – the winners of the Marie Claire UK’s annual Sustainability Awards, now in its second year, where we celebrate the brands, organisations and products that are taking on the climate crisis have now been announced. 

Sustainability needs to be much more than a trend that brands pay lip service to. That’s why we’re highlighting the businesses that are going above and beyond to protect the future of our planet and make a genuine difference. 

Each entry was judged by some of the best sustainability experts in the industry. Keep reading to meet our incredible panel of judges or watch the video below.

Andrea Thompson

Editor-in-Chief, Marie Claire UK

@andreacanwrite

Andrea has worked as a journalist for a range of publications including The Daily Mail, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Channel 4, Glamour and Grazia, before joining Marie Claire. For much of her career, Andrea has specialised in investigative journalism and loves helping bring to light inspirational stories from people who traditionally have not been given a voice in mainstream media. At Marie Claire, Andrea oversaw a hard-hitting feature on rape as a weapon of war that won the title an Amnesty Media Award, and now acts as as a judge for the awards each year. She regularly chairs events for Marie Claire and mentors young women trying to break into the industry.

Ally Head

Health, Sustainability & Relationships Editor, Marie Claire UK

@allyyhead

Ally is a leading editor with over five years industry experience and has worked for the likes of Women's Health, Stylist, Glamour, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, Refinery 29 and more. Day-to-day she writes news and features, advises on campaigns, SEO, and social strategy, and is always first to volunteer to sweat-test the newest fitness trend or share a measured, expert-led take on current sustainability topics. She’s also a keen presenter, hosting her Decoded Instagram live franchise with some of the biggest names in wellness. She loves marathons and isn’t mad—or so she says. Her career highlights? Winning the ‘Spirit of Hearst’ award while working at Women’s Health, and being asked to re-visit City University each year to give insight to current postgrads.

Alex Layton

Head of Marketing, Decanter

@alexmlayton

Alex has over a decade’s experience in the wine industry across retail, marketing, wine writing and judging. He is currently Decanter’s Head of Marketing with a key part of his role involving the brand’s prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards and global events programme.

Aditi Mayer

Photojournalist, Labor Rights Activist, Sustainable Fashion Blogger

@aditimayer

Aditi Mayer is a sustainable fashion blogger, photojournalist, labor rights activist, and frequent speaker on topics of social and environmental justice. Her work looks at fashion and culture through a lens of intersectionality and decolonization.

In 2014, Aditi had her start in the sustainable fashion movement after learning about the Rana Plaza Factory Collapse. Seeing the fashion industry’s disproportionate impact on people of color globally, Aditi looked to understand the historical and sociopolitical underpinnings that allow the fashion industry to function in a colonial manner, rooted in exploitation and extraction of both labor and the natural environment.

Since then, she has become a voice in the larger sustainability movement, approaching her work from multiple domains: grassroots organizing, brand consulting, journalism, content creation, and more. She serves on the council of Intersectional Environmentalist and State of Fashion. Aditi will be spending 2022 as a National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellow, spending one year documenting the social and environmental impacts of India’s fashion supply chain.

Amarjit Sahota

Founder & President, Ecovia Intelligence

Amarjit Sahota

Mr. Sahota is recognised as a leading expert in international sustainable product industries. He has been doing research, analysis & consulting on organic foods, natural cosmetics, fair trade products, health & wellness products for over 20 years. Mr. Sahota is the founder and president of Ecovia Intelligence, which has been encouraging sustainable development in specialist industries since its formation in 2001. For over two decades, is company has assisted a wide range of clients that range from multinationals, government organizations, to dedicated ethical product companies. The client list of Ecovia Intelligence includes Unilever, Aveda, L’Oreal, Weleda, Arla Foods, Organic Trade Association, Phytotrade Africa, CBI (Dutch government), APEX Brasil, and the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Research and analysis of Mr. Sahota has been quoted extensively in the media, including The Financial Times, The Independent, Forbes, Fortune, BBC World Service, The Economist, Food Chemical News, The Straits Times, South China Morning Post, CNBC News, Nordic Business Report and Asian Business. He regularly delivers papers at international events.

Pre-pandemic, he presented at BioFach / Vivaness (Nuernberg, Feb 20), Natural Products Masterclass (San Francisco, Jan 20), Cosmoprof Asia (Hong Kong, Nov 19), Organic Food Day Finland (Helsinki, Oct 19), Natural & Organic Products Asia (Hong Kong, Sep 19), Naturals in Cosmetic Science (Manchester, July 19), Cosmetics Business (Munich, June 19), UEBT Beauty of Sourcing with Respect Conference (Paris, May 19), Natural & Organic Products Europe (London, April 19), In-Cosmetics Global (Paris, April 19), and Cosmoprof Global (Bologna, March 19).

Mr. Sahota has degrees in Applied Chemistry and Management Science, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. He has co-authored a number of books on Sustainability and organic products. His latest publication is called Sustainability: Greening of the Cosmetics Industry (Wiley & Sons).

Amy Nelson-Bennett

Co-CEO, Positive Luxury

positiveluxury.com

Amy is the Managing Director of Positive Luxury, who provide the luxury industry’s leading independent sustainability certification with The Butterfly Mark, alongside data benchmarking, expert advice, and industry-leading reports. Born and educated in the USA, Amy brings 25 years of global experience to Positive Luxury across Brand Strategy, Marketing Communications and Business Transformation gained across media, retail and luxury goods - most recently as CEO of Molton Brown and then the Clive Christian Group. By championing the alignment of the core principles of luxury and sustainability, she aims to accelerate the actions of the luxury industry and the positive impact they can make as a collective to shape a better society.

Amy Wislocki

Magazine Editor, Decanter

@decanter

Amy has 30 years' experience in publishing, and has worked at a senior level for leading companies in the consumer, business-to-business and contract publishing arenas. Magazine editor at Decanter, Amy joined the title in October 2000 as editor, aged just 28. Since then she has been instrumental in helping the brand to achieve commercial success in a challenging media climate, and in developing the editorial side of the Decanter World Wine Awards, the world's biggest wine competition. As well as overseeing content planning and production for the print offering, she has also been involved in developing digital channels, Decanter.com and Decanter Premium, and produces regular sponsored guides for clients.

Before her time at Decanter, Amy spent five years at Redwood, a leading contract publisher. While there, she produced magazines for blue-chip clients including Psion and AA before becoming editor of BT Talking Business, a quarterly publication sent to 250,000 small and medium-sized businesses. Prior to that she worked as a writer/researcher at Reed Business Information after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Classics.

Annabel Thomas

Founder, Nc'nean Distillery

@annabelthomas1

Previous strategy consultant, Annabel left her job in 2013 to pursue an ambition to change the way the world thinks about whisky, with the planet front of mind. Unafraid to disrupt the ‘rules’ for conventional Scotch. Nc’nean aims to break down the barriers associated with whisky to encourage a younger, more diverse audience to think differently about the ways it can be produced and enjoyed.

Annick Ireland

Founder & CEO, Immaculate Vegan

@immacultevegan

Annick Ireland became vegan in 2016 after adopting a greyhound from the Retired Greyhound Trust and making the connection between the pets we love and all other animals. Wanting to also wear her values, she searched far and wide for stylish, high quality vegan fashion that was sustainable too – and struggled!

However, after many hours, days and months spent on the internet and Instagram, she discovered that a wealth of beautiful vegan fashion brands were out there, but they were hard to find. So with a background in marketing and business (having worked in senior leadership roles for many large media companies), she realised she could combine her passions by bringing together the best and most beautiful vegan products in the world, and make it easy for others to discover and buy them.

Annick lives in with her partner in North London and, when not hunting out wonderful items from every corner of the globe, she spends her time reading historical crime fiction, going for long walks in nature, and entertaining friends in the garden with a lovely glass of Pinot Noir.

Ashlee Piper

Sustainability Expert, Author & TV Personality

@ashleepiper

Ashlee Piper is a sustainability expert, author, speaker and media personality whose work has been featured on 250+ television segments, including The TODAY Show & Good Morning America, and in VOGUE, The Washington Post, InStyle, & NY Magazine, to name a few. Piper believes in the power of our individual habits and creating the ideal conditions for anyone to make small, sustainable shifts. Piper's book, Give A Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet. has been branded the 'sustainability Bible.' She's consulted on sustainability practices with well-known companies such as airbnb, LUSH, Nissan, and Eileen Fisher, has been a cabinet level advisor to two Massachusetts Governors, and has spoken at the United Nations and TED. She holds a BA from Brown University and a Masters degree in Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford, UK.

Barbeline Lusandu

Creative Director, Barbeline London

@barbeline_

Barbeline initially began her design career in 2012, producing quirky patterned childrenswear, “I have always had a passion for interiors, but when I first started designing the Scandi vibe of clean lines and minimalism was still very much the trend, so I decided to specialise in childrenswear, where fun is at the forefront. Friends would come to our home and say how much they loved the punchy patterns and colour we had in every room but were almost fearful of trying it themselves. I began making cushions and lampshades for them, and encouraged them to be bold, bright and try new things.”

Bettina Campolucci Bordi

Plant Based Chef & Owner, Bettina's Kitchen

@bettinas_kitchen

Culinary wellness guru and social media star Bettina Campolucci Bordi is world-renowned for her wholesome, colourful and internationally inspired cooking.

For Bettina, the benefits and possibilities of plant-based cooking knows no bounds. She has published two cookbooks, Happy Food and 7 Day Vegan Challenge, with her third book, Celebrate, due to be published in September 2021.

With a Norwegian father and Bulgarian/Danish mother, and time spent living in Tanzania, Sweden, Ireland, Spain and the UK, Bettina's recipes are globally inspired.

Bettina's goal is to make plant-based cooking more sustainable, accessible, and delicious for all. She uses local and seasonal produce where possible and loves supporting small farms across the UK.

Bianca Foley

Sustainable Content Creator, Writer and Podcast Co-Host of Sustainably Influenced

@biancaffoley

Bianca, 34, is a proud woman of mixed heritage – Jamaican and Sicilian descent, she attempts to bridge both cultures in everything she does. Bianca first began dabbling in the world of sustainability around 7 years ago with the launch of her first fashion e-commerce business. Around 3 years prior, Bianca started blogging - writing and creating content was the passion project. Now, a full time Digital Content Creator, she has worked with incredible brands. She was featured in a sustainability segment for ITV news in September 2021 and continues to expand her knowledge of the world of sustainability through her podcast, Sustainably Influenced. The podcast was created to help guide people through the minefield of sustainability. The podcast started in January 2020 after the success of an earlier event by the same name the previous year. Over the past 2 years, the podcast has gained notable traction and they have been asked to speak at many events including the Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2021.

Caroline Rush

CEO, British Fashion Council

@97crush

Since her appointment as Chief Executive in April 2009, Caroline Rush has focused on strengthening the British Fashion Council’s network and platforms to connect businesses with global audiences, both trade and consumer. During this time London Fashion Week (LFW) has become a globally recognised platform for creative and innovative fashion talent and more recently due to the global pandemic LFW merged womenswear and menswear and pivoted to a digital-first event. The Fashion Awards has become the global award ceremony for the fashion industry and raised millions for the BFC Foundation and its charitable projects. In 2020, Rush spearheaded the launch of The Institute of Positive Fashion as an engine room for change, galvanising the industry to address how it can more positively impact the environment, the people and communities. As part of this work, Rush and the BFC launched the first ever Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee.

Charity Wakefield

Actor and Woodland Trust Ambassador

@charitywakefield

Charity's resumé boasts a colourful spectrum of critically acclaimed and award-winning projects. She stars in THE GREAT (Hulu/Starz), alongside Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. She's also known for playing ‘Marianne Dashwood’ in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, the Golden Globe and BAFTA winning, and Emmy nominated WOLF HALL, Ron Howard’s Emmy nominated GENIUS; CLOSE TO THE ENEMY directed by Stephen Poliakoff for BBC2, the global phenomenon DOCTOR WHO. She made history as the first woman to play Shakespeare at The Globe in Nicole Charles’s ‘exhilarating’ all-female production of EMILIA. Additional theatre credits include a ‘beautifully executed’ (LA Times) THE CHERRY ORCHARD at the Olivier Theatre at the The National Theatre, THE BLACKEST BLACK at the Hampstead Theatre; CANDIDA at the Theatre Royal Bath and THE RIVALS with Celia Imrie at the Southwark Playhouse. She is an ambassador for The Woodland Trust and is hugely passionate about environmental issues.

Charlotte Keesing

Director, Walpole

thewalpole.co.uk

Charlotte Keesing is a Director at Walpole, the UK's association of British luxury brands. With 15 years experience in the UK luxury's sector she leads Walpole's international work, corporate affairs, partnerships, thought-leadership and most recently led Walpole's sustainability strategy and the creation of Walpole British Luxury Sustainability Manifesto.

Charlotte Horler

Founder, Nula

nula.work

Charlotte is the founder of Nula. Nula started out as a carbon consultancy, working with businesses and individuals alike to understand their carbon footprint and embed nature-based solutions into their sustainability strategy. After spending close to two years talking to businesses about their sustainability challenges, Charlotte has now pivoted Nula to become a new platform on a mission to embed sustainability at the heart of the workplace, making it easy and accessible for every employee to be involved in the solution.Prior to founding Nula, Charlotte spent her career working across the sustainability and development sectors both in the U.K and internationally. This involved a period working for SOKO Kenya, an ethical manufacturer, where she co-designed and implemented an up-cycled, washable sanitary pad project on behalf of SOKO's Community Trust.

Dave Coleman

Managing Director, The Carbon Literacy Project

@carbonliteracy

After studying Biochemistry at the University of Manchester, Dave began his career with accountants Deloitte, spent 12 years at an award-winning UK IT company, then founded and spent ten years as a management trainer and coach in his own practice in the commercial sector. As a former trustee and non-executive director of Friends of the Earth in the UK, in 2011 he co-founded and now leads low-carbon culture-change charity The Carbon Literacy Project, and speaks and advocates on climate change issues.

Donna Okell

B Leader and Founder, Cheshire for Good

@Cheshireforgood

Donna lives in Willington, Cheshire, and first became interested in responsible business when she was a Private Wealth Manager for Coutts & Co. In 2021 she followed her dream of shaping a cleaner, greener, fairer world. She established Cheshire for Good; a unique organisation dedicated to supporting businesses leaders who are committed to making a bigger difference to their people, communities, and the planet. Working with a team of six dynamic, passionate female leaders they inspire, inform, and enable forward-thinking leaders to build businesses for Good - Good for people, Good for the planet, and Good for profit. With her B Leader hat on Donna works with businesses who want to become B Corp Certified. B Corps are a new type of business which meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance. They’re transparent, and legally accountable. In short, they are businesses that walk the talk.

Dr Uchenna Okoye

Clinical Director, London Smiling Dental Group

Dr Uchenna Okoye is a celebrity dentist, well known for her appearance on the makeover show 10 Years Younger in 10 days, previously on Channel 4 and a new series now on Channel 5. She has launched a Luxe beauty dental range ‘MySmile’ based on her experience of treating patients for almost 30 years in her London practices. A dental phobic, her passion is to demystify the whole practice of dentistry for consumers. She feels knowledge is power and uses her platform to educate, engage and encourage consumers to take control of their oral health.

Dr Uchenna is a key opinion leader and ambassador for both dentistry and some dental brands. She is a regular guest on both tv and radio, and features regularly in national papers and magazines. She has a special interest in the effects of hormones especially menopause on oral health and uses Instagram as a medium to answer messages from people all over the world. "It can be hard work, finding the time as I manage my own account but it is totally worth it as I can reach a vast number of people and really make a difference".

Ele Ward

Sustainability and Brand Consultant

@ele.ward

Ele Ward is passionate about businesses who understand the power of brand identity, community and impact. She works with founders and early-stage teams who are focused on building purpose-driven brands. Ele’s mission is to drive for a world where purpose-driven business is the norm.

Ella Robertson McKay

MD, One Young World & Co-Author, How To Make A Difference

@ellarobertson_

Ella is the MD of One Young World, the global forum for young leaders. A UK-based charity, One Young World Ambassadors have impacted the lives of 30 million+ people in every country in the world. Ella is the co-Author of "How To Make A Difference" - the authoritative handbook to effective activism.

Emma Slade Edmondson

Founder ESE Consultancy, Author and Presenter

@emsladeedmondson

Emma Slade Edmondson is a London-based creative director and writer - she specialises in social change and sustainability. In 2020, Emma was named by Forbes as one of the 'Top 100 Environmentalists'. She is the founder of ESE consultancy (which works to elevate brands, initiatives, and organisations that have a desire to do some social or environmental good).Emma is also one half of the popular podcast 'Mixed Up' which explores mixed-race heritage identities and race. Emma openly talks about her experiences as a mixed-race woman of Jamaican, British (part German-Swiss, part Cornish Pirate) heritage.

Erin Baker

Editorial Director, Auto Trader

@schoolrunmumerin

Erin is an award-winning motoring journalist and broadcaster across a range of national and lifestyle titles. She champions the female automotive consumer and specialises in automotive written and video content that engages women.

Eshita Kabra-Davies

Founder, By Rotation

@arentyoueshita

Passionate about changing the way we consume fashion, Eshita Kabra-Davies founded By Rotation, a peer to peer social rental app in 2019. Now with over 200,000 users from all over the UK, by Rotation is enabling fashion lovers to lend and rent out other people’s wardrobes, helping save money and the planet at the same time.

Gemma Styles

Podcaster, Writer and MQ Ambassador

@gemmastyles

Gemma Styles is a relatable voice online and utilises her 8.1 million Instagram followers to raise awareness on the global matters she is passionate about. Gemma hosts the ‘Good Influence’ podcast, which invites discussion on topics that we should be familiar with, such as mental health, sustainability and feminism. Sustainability runs through every choice Gemma makes for both her business and personal life. If something can be done in a more sustainable way, Gemma will ensure it happens. She has launched two successful sunglasses collaborations in partnership with Kenmark, ensuring that longevity and sustainability were a key focus throughout. Gemma studied science and loves to understand the processes and research behind the products she uses and brands she shops from. Gemma is the perfect global platform for brands that are sustainable or are on their journey to becoming more sustainable to elevate their presence with eco-conscious individuals. Her collection with Kenmark Sunglasses was created with sustainability and longevity in mind. Even the case the glasses come in was designed to last longer than your standard case by using more durable yet recyclable materials and can be reused in a multitude of ways, Gemma’s favourite being a jewellery case. Gemma has worked with sustainable brands such as BMW, Organic Basics, Depop, Go Climate and more.

Georgie Hyatt

CEO & Co-Founder, Rotaro

@georgiehyatt

Georgie Hyatt is the Co-founder and CEO of Rotaro, a leading fashion rental platform for brands in the UK. Rotaro is on a mission to make fashion more circular, forever through innovative technology.

Giles Gibbons

Founder, Good Business

Good.business

Giles founded Good Business 25 years ago. He advises brands, start-ups, foundations, voluntary organisations and social enterprises on strategy, purpose and reputation. He’s worked with organisations as diverse as The Coca-Cola Company, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aesop and WWF, making sure that they keep up with the changing times, and move with the tide rather than against it. He also chairs the Sustainable Restaurant Association, the restaurant world’s Michelin stars for sustainability; he chairs the Paraorchestra, an elite disabled orchestra; and Shift, A service design agency for the charity sector and Talking Taboos, a charity focused on raising issues hidden by society.

Hannah Cox

Founder, betternotstop & The Better Business Network

betternotstop.com

thebetterbusiness.network

Hannah runs betternotstop a sustainability impact agency, helping purpose-driven businesses to implement strategies, policies and frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, B Corp Certification and Carbon Literacy to increase their revenue, customer base and employee retention.

betternotstop also runs “The Better Business Network”, a community for purpose-driven business owners and leaders who want to grow their business and make the world a better place. The community helps them grow their network, impact, income and audience while advocating for systemic change.

Hannah Reiss

Marketing & Communications Manager, B Lab UK

@bcorpuk

Hannah is Marketing & Communications Manager at B Lab UK, the charity building the B Corporation Movement in the UK. B Lab supports a growing community of companies that are using business as a force for good. Before joining B Lab, Hannah worked in the fashion industry as a stylist and consultant, working with individuals and organisations to promote and progress the sustainable fashion agenda.

Harriet Vocking

Chief Brand Officer, Eco-Age

@ecoage

Harriet heads up the team at Eco-Age and has lead the sustainability consultancy company since the very beginning. Harriet has extensive experience in developing and delivering brand communication strategies for UK and International businesses. Her wide experience of both in house and agency marketing and communication allows her to add significant value to Eco-Age and its growing international client base.

Ingrid Newkirk

Founder, PETA

@petauk

Ingrid Newkirk is the founder of animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and all its foreign affiliates. PETA works to establish and protect the rights of all animals, and opposes speciesism - a human-supremacist worldview. PETA believes that animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment or abuse in any other way.

Jayn Sterland

Managing Director, Weleda UK

@weledauk

Jayn Sterland had a successful career in fashion before joining green beauty pioneers Weleda in 2008, where she was appointed managing director in 2016. An inspirational sustainable business leader and lifelong environmentalist, Jayn has continuously championed sustainability in business, sharing the company’s near-century of knowledge through her daily work, both as a public speaker and columnist. An energetic activist for social and environmental responsibility and a committed campaigner for cleaner beauty, Jayn has once again been voted into the industry Top 25 ‘Who’s Who in Natural Beauty’ where she has featured in the top 3 since 2013.

Jenny Proudfoot

Features Editor, Marie Claire UK

@jenny_proudfoot

Jenny is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment, feminism, careers and politics. Jenny started at Marie Claire seven years ago as an intern and has since risen to Features Editor. She is now the most published Marie Claire UK writer of all time, having personally written 10% of all articles in the website's 22-year history. She was announced a a 30 under 30 award-winner in 2021 and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.

Jessi Baker MBE

Founder & CEO, Provenance

@provenancehq

Jessi Baker, MBE, is the founder and CEO of provenance.org, the global leader in sustainability marketing technology. Provenance is now working with 120+ leading beauty brands and retailers to power proof-backed impact claims for ecommerce – including Cult Beauty, Douglas, Tropic, The Ordinary, Urban Decay, REN, The Inkey List and Pai.

Jessi is an Art and Science hybrid, with a Master’s in Engineering from Cambridge University and Design from the Royal College of Art. Across the US and Europe, she has worked with many brands on technology and digital design strategy.

Joanna Abeyie MBE

Founder & CEO, Blue Moon

@joanna_abeyie

Joanna is Founder and Director of Blue Moon — an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Consultancy and Executive Search Process.

Karen Hamilton

Global VP Sustainability, Divisions, Unilever

Karen Hamilton

Karen has over 20 years’ experience of driving market share and catalysing innovation in 100+ countries.

In 2010 she spearheaded the creation of Unilever’s groundbreaking Sustainable Living Plan, which has been the company’s north star sustainable business strategy for 10 years. Committed to deepening its commitment to sustainable business, in 2021 the company launched the Unilever Compass, a fully integrated corporate strategy, which Karen helped to shape. She works with Unilever’s leading brands, such as Dove, Hellmann’s and Sunsilk, to bring their purpose to life and embed sustainability into product innovation.

Karina Marriott

Stylist, Writer and Content Creator, The Style Idealist

@styleidealist

Karina Marriott is a Stylist, Writer and Content Creator based in Bristol, inspiring, encouraging and empowering women to style themselves in a way that makes them feel most confident. By creating regular styling reels from the comfort of her own home, she brings her community along with her each morning to get ready. Whether that be making an outfit stand out with bold gold jewellery, a colourful dress or the best figure-hugging trousers she’s found that week, Karina is there to give you her advice on all things styling. After opening up about her struggles with low self-esteem, Karina also uses her platform to highlight lessons she has learnt over the years; from self-discovery, body acceptance and confidence, to relationships and career changes. As well as her expert fashion tips and styling recommendations for midsize women with curves, Karina’s candid, funny and feel-good content is regularly featured in publications such as Sheerluxe, Glamour Magazine and Who What Wear. Karina has partnered with brands including John Lewis, H&M, Mejuri and Lancome, to name a few.

Katie Thomas

Senior Beauty Editor, Marie Claire UK

@katie_thomas_hayne

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. She covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She joined the Marie Claire digital team in 2018, having previously sat on the beauty desks at InStyle UK and Tatler. She's obsessed with skincare, loves low-maintenance hair and wears more jewellery than the Queen.

Kristina Buckley Kayel

Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council (North America)

@onlynaturaldiamonds

Kristina Buckley Kayel is the Managing Director of the Natural Diamond Council’s North America. She is responsible for steering and implementing NDC’s marketing, communications and digital strategy, its research and insights activity, as well as supporting and partnering with retailers and trade organisations.

Lena Staafgard

Chief Operating Officer, Better Cotton

Lena always wanted a career with purpose. As Chief Operating Officer at Better Cotton, Lena loves that she works for an organisation with a single mission and clear focus that directly benefits smallholder cotton farmers around the world. Lena has a background in sustainability and holds degrees in Politics and Geography, and Environment and Development. She is inspired by commitment and by people who follow their values and passions, even if it means taking the road less travelled.

Lisa Oxenham

Beauty & Style Director, Marie Claire UK

@lisaoxenham

An award-winning journalist and creative director, Lisa is one of the world's top beauty editors. A well-respected stylist and art director, she shoots with the highest calibre of photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, influencers and celebrities, creating timeless images and film. With 20 years of editorial experience in beauty, health and wellbeing Lisa is also a popular brand strategist, influencer, entrepreneur and public speaker, most recently talking for Cognition X.

Mandeep Soor

Co-founder, Bendi

@mandeepsoor

Mandeep is a climate tech entrepreneur and co-founder of the fashion-sustainability-tech company Bendi, which helps apparel brands to understand and reduce their environmental and social impacts. She was an early employee at the AI/data science startup Pivigo helping companies to use AI to accelerate growth as well as the British Business Bank and the Boston Consulting Group.

Martyn Odell

Owner, Lagom Chef

@lagomchef

A self titled food waste disruptor Martyn has carved a market for himself by bringing his positive, upbeat vibes to peoples homes, teaching them how to create less food waste in their home. Eat the food you but, save the planet.

Michelle Miles

Founder, Sustainable Wedding Alliance

@sustainableweddingallianceuk

Michelle is the founder of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, a purpose driven organisation driving sustainable change in the wedding industry. The Alliance works with businesses of all sizes to help them to understand sustainability, what it means for them, and how they can develop long term sustainable strategies, that will benefit people, profit and planet. Businesses that become members are assessed on their sustainability processes and procedures, and receive a personalised action plan to make appropriate changes. Membership also includes accreditation, for those businesses who achieve a minimum standard.

Michelle is passionate about creating a more sustainable wedding industry, through education, support and accreditation.

Michelle is an Associate of the Institute for Environmental Management & Assessment and has a Foundation Certificate in Environmental Management.

Millie Kendall OBE

CEO, British Beauty Council

@milliekendall

Millie is the CEO of the British Beauty Council and Director at Brandstand Communications. During her career as a retail maven and brand creator Millie Kendall has been instrumental in the success of cult brands including Shu Uemura, Aveda, Tweezerman and L’Occitane. In 1997 she founded and created makeup brand, Ruby & Millie cosmetics and was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to the cosmetics industry. In 2018 she co-founded the British Beauty Council, a non-profit organisation that aims to support a successful, innovative, and inclusive British beauty industry.

Myriam Sidibe

Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission

@myriamonamission

Myriam Sidibe is the Chief Mission Officer and Founder of Brands on a Mission, an aspiring B-Corp aiming to get brands to drive impact in health and well-being through their business models. She’s also the woman behind the multi-award winning and UN recognized Global Handwashing Day now celebrated in over 100 countries. In addition, Myriam is a research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School and an honorary Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She’s the author of the best-selling book Brands on a Mission : How to Achieve Social Impact and Business Growth through Purpose and her TED talk The Simple Power of Handwashing has been viewed over 1 million times.

Natalie Glaze

Founder, Stay Wild & By Glaze

@natalieglaze

Natalie Glaze is a UK sustainable lifestyle blogger and the Co-Founder of Stay Wild Swimwear. With a passion for the ocean, Natalie has co-created Stay Wild, a premium swimwear company that use regenerated ocean plastic bottles into their fabric. Sustainable fashion and a conscious lifestyle are at the heart of Natalie’s motivations. Natalie is a strong advocate for slow fashion and often showcases amazing second-hand finds. As an avid fan of reading, Natalie founded the Book Swap club last year, an opportunity for people to get together to discuss their favourite books and spread positivity through her community.

This year Natalie was named on Forbes 30 under 30 list to add to her list of business and sustainability credentials.

Penny Goldstone

Fashion Editor, Marie Claire UK

@pennygoldstone

Penny Goldstone is the fashion editor at Marie Claire, overseeing everything from shopping galleries, trends pieces, fashion week reporting and sartorial news. A self-confessed dress addict, she is committed to buying less but better in a bid to build a more sustainable wardrobe.

Rob Green

COO & Co-founder, COAT Paints

@coatpaints

The paint guy and half of the founding team behind luxury eco paint brand COAT, Rob has a passion for innovation that delivers a more conscious product or service, challenging the norm and setting new industry precedents.

Ruby Raut

CEO & Co-Founder, WUKA

@rautruby

Growing up in Nepal, Ruby traditionally used old sari rags while on her period, which were very sustainable but uncomfortable and often caused embarrassing leaks. Arriving to the UK in 2010, Ruby was overwhelmed by the wide range of menstrual products available, however none were reusable. While studying for her Environmental Science degree, Ruby decided to create the UK’s first period pants - WUKA are now stocked in over 400 UK stores, including Sainsbury’s and Superdrug, and in over 20 countries. Ruby also launched a campaign calling on the government to remove the tax on period pants.

Sarah Spiteri

Editorial Director, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors, Period Living

@sarah.spiteri

Sarah Spiteri is the award-winning editorial director of Future's high-end home interest media brands, Homes & Gardens and Livingetc. She has been writing and editing luxury design, interiors and lifestyle content for more than 15 years and is now focused on driving global growth on all platforms. Sarah is passionate about making a brighter future through sustainable style choices. Also an ad hoc interior designer and creative consultant, she regularly hosts industry events, judges product awards and mentors journalists looking to break into media.

Sophie Robinson

Business Development Manager, Beauty, Wellbeing and Textiles, Soil Association Certification

@soilassociationbeauty

Sophie is the Business Development Manager on the Beauty, Wellbeing and Textiles team at Soil Association Certification. Her desire to understand and improve supply chains stems from a practical upbringing spent gardening, crafting, and creating potions with her mum (an aromatherapist and seamstress). In 2014 she harnessed this passion for well sourced quality products by moving into her first systems role within the organic sector. A qualified nutritionist with an MSc in Gastronomy, her interest in the food system and its’ pitfalls led her to consider the health and systemic impacts of what we are putting on our bodies and into our homes by way of cosmetics, cleaning products, home furnishings and clothing. Sophie still mixes potions for her skin and hair but is relieved there are now so many amazing products on the market she can let an expert formulate most of her routine!

Stephanie de Heer

Global Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, Rainforest Alliance

@rainforestalliance

Stephanie de Heer is the Rainforest Alliance’s senior director of marketing & communications. With more than 15 years of experience in communications and PR, de Heer leads a global team that enables people to understand and engage with the mission and impact of the Rainforest Alliance.

Sujata Burman

Editor, London Design Festival

@sujataburman

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* Magazine before moving to her current role of Editor at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

Sunil Makan

Acting Editor, Marie Claire UK

@sunileo86

With over 12 years of publishing experience, working on print publications and their digital counterparts, national newspapers and digital pure plays Sunil is an Editor, Strategist, Content Producer and Art Director that specialises in Fashion, Beauty and Grooming, Lifestyle and Culture.

Victoria Prew

CEO, HURR

@victoriaprew

Victoria Prew is the Co-Founder and CEO of HURR, the fashion marketplace changing the way we wear. Recognised as Forbes “30 Under 30”, Prew was the first to tap into the booming circular economy, spearheading rental fashion and shifts in Millennial and Gen-Z behaviour.

HURR is on a mission to reinvent ownership and provide all the short-cuts to a sustainable wardrobe. Disrupting the £21 billion UK fashion industry, HURR has been named one of the world’s “Top 50 retail-tech startups”.

Innovative initiatives are driving climate-neutral vehicles forward for a greener future. Here are the motor industry’s most sustainable movers and shakers

With the rising cost of petrol, electric cars – while nothing new – are seeing a boom in popularity. But just how green are low-emission vehicles? And how long until they rule the road?

As businesses around the world turn their attention to reducing the effect their products have on the environment and air quality, car manufacturers are having to move away from traditional materials that are hard to recycle – such as leather and plastics – and look for quality alternatives instead.

From electric to fully climate-neutral cars, here are the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards winners in the Motor category…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Motor winners

Best electric car

Winner: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ID. Buzz

Enabling families and adventure-seekers to travel in a zero-emission, stylish, and comfortable way, the ID. Buzz marks an iconic moment for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, becoming the first all-electric vehicle in its history.

With a leather-free interior and the use of recycled materials in many places – including seat covers and floor coverings – the ID. Buzz combines sustainability with comfort. Manufactured using sustainable components – think battery housings and wheel rims made from green aluminium and tyres from low-emission production – there are also future plans to include second-life battery systems and battery recycling, which will allow for more than 90% of raw materials to be reused in future products.

Taking around 30 minutes to charge the battery from 5% to 80%, vehicle-to-home charging is integrated, reducing the reliance on using off-grid energy to charge home appliances. 

“Second-life plans for the ID. Buzz, combined with fantastic design, prove that electric vehicles with built-in sustainable futures don’t have to be the hair-shirt option,” says our Sustainability Awards judge and Auto Trader editorial director, Erin Baker. “Bi-directional integrated charging also gets a big tick from us.”

“A leap ahead of its competitors and competitively priced, with a plethora of storage configurations for every purpose, it makes zero-emission vehicle replacement a reality for commercial fleets,” adds Dave Coleman, Sustainability Awards judge and managing director of the Carbon Literacy Project. 

Highly commended: Škoda Enyaq iV

Best eco app

Winner: Tesla

The Tesla app lets you access your Tesla vehicle and energy products from anywhere. You can lock and unlock the car, check for software updates and, in cold-weather conditions, precondition and defrost your vehicle directly from the app. 

But aside from being able to view your charging history, find charging stations near you, and request roadside assistance, the app also cleverly works with Tesla’s energy products, such as Powerwall, so you can monitor how your grid connection and solar system are working together to provide energy to your home. 

“Alongside all the normal features you’d expect from a car app, Tesla offers a monitor energy production feature, which allows you to view your solar system’s energy production and home usage, too. Neat. It clearly illustrates how energy is provided, educating you on the reality of both energy usage and wastage, too,” says Sustainability Awards judge and Marie Claire UK’s health, sustainability & relationships editor, Ally Head.

Best for eco travel

Winner: Citroën Ami

Arriving in the UK this year, Ami is the first vehicle from Citroën designed completely with cities and urban areas in mind. With the UK expanding and introducing new emission zones and vehicle restrictions to improve air quality, Ami is positioning itself as the solution for tackling pollution and offering an affordable transport solution for cities. 

Ami is 100% electric, emits zero emissions, recharges in just three hours, and is ideal for traversing areas where space is limited, taking up almost half the parking space compared to an average-sized vehicle. Designed to be 100% recyclable in the future, with a battery that is 85% recoverable, Ami will be priced well below any electric vehicle currently on sale.

“Citroën’s urban mobility solution gets a yes from me – the brand has created what they call a new take on clean urban mobility and I applaud that they’re making moves to offer a more affordable, clean-mobility solution. Promising to be small enough for city living, it’s the ideal winner for this category,” says Head.

Best green-emission initiative

Winner: Polestar 0 Project

Swedish electric performance car brand, Polestar, is leading the car industry in sustainability with its goal to create the first completely climate-neutral car by 2030. By reducing emissions throughout the supply chain and production, Polestar doesn’t want to rely on low-carbon solutions or misleading offsetting schemes. Instead, it’s aiming to eliminate all emissions from raw-material extraction, material manufacture, product manufacture and end of life – which means having to completely rethink everything the team knows about making a car.

“Project 0 is a truly innovative and responsible initiative, in that it is both positive and disruptive, and seeks to remake automotive manufacture into a zero-carbon industry – involving customers, partners and suppliers working together. It initiates the practical steps needed if the automotive sector is to evolve into the sustainable form needed for our economy and society to survive,” says Coleman.

Highly commended: Volvo Car UK #ZeroOmissions

Best sustainable interior

Winner: Polestar O2

In the new Polestar O2, recycled polyester is the only material used for all the soft components of the car’s interior (foam, adhesive, 3D-knit fibres and non-woven lamination). This simplifies recycling and aids greater circularity, while also reducing weight and waste. The different grades of aluminium used throughout the chassis are also labelled to make them easier to recycle.

“I love the sound of the Polestar O2 and really rate that recycled polyester is the sole material used for all the soft components of the interior, marking a significant step towards greater circularity,” says Head.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

From eco-boosting beauty brands to planet-friendly wellness wins: introducing the green game-changers every industry insider has on their radar right now

It’s widely acknowledged that while the beauty, health and wellness industries are designed to benefit people, they often lack the same consideration for the planet.

That’s why the brands celebrated here in the Beauty, Health and Wellness category are commended for their work to halt the industry’s negative impact on our environment, without affecting the quality or efficacy of their products. 

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Beauty, Health and Wellness winners…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Beauty, Health and Wellness winners

Best ocean-friendly brand

Winner: Biossance

Biossance’s commitment to ocean perseverance is tangible in every aspect of the brand, and judge and Unilever’s global VP for sustainable business, Karen Hamilton, was particularly impressed with the company’s industry-disruptive development of an alternative to shark liver oil squalene. For years, the industry has relied on the harvesting of sharks for this, but now Biossance has created a sugarcane alternative that’s bioidentical to shark squalene without touching the oceanic ecosystem.

Indeed, all Biossance formulations are Green Lab-certified, which is the gold standard for sustainability practices for responsible use of energy, waste, and water. And it doesn’t stop at what’s inside the bottle, either: the label is also committed to eliminating packaging that is harmful to the world’s oceans, opting for FSC-certified conscious packaging and recyclable and compostable bottles and tubes. Oh, and that sugar cane that’s used for the squalene alternative? It utilises the waste from outer cartons. Genius.

Highly commended: epiic hair care and Pura

Best organic brand

Winner: Dr. Hauschka

“Organic and nature are in Dr. Hauschka’s DNA,” says Marie Claire beauty & style director Lisa Oxenham. “I love everything about this brand – from its wondrous products to its sustainable ethos and ethical commitment. It works hard to respect the earth’s ecosystem.”

Indeed, all Dr. Hauschka products are 100% natural, free from silicones, PEGs, synthetic preservatives, dyes and fragrances, and every product in the range is certified by NATRUE, which is an international association that aims to protect and promote natural cosmetics worldwide. We also love that Dr. Hauschka formulations consist solely of ingredients that are either fully biodegradable or water-neutral.

Highly commended: Rhug Wild Beauty

Best zero-waste brand

Winner: SBTRCT

Judge and CEO of the British Beauty Council, Millie Kendall OBE, commended SBTRCT’s elevated quality and design, proving you don’t have to skip any element of the finished product when you eliminate waste from your production line. Indeed, instead of using vast amounts of water to create its beauty products (like most brands), SBTRCT’s formulations are completely water-free.  

It’s not just your shower arsenal that SBTRCT has covered, either: the innovative brand is always pushing boundaries with first-to-market products, including the world’s first solid retinol and vitamin C serum bars last year.

Highly commended: REN Clean Skincare and ħanini skincare

Best cruelty-free brand

Winner: Herbal Essences

Being such a global name in the haircare space, Herbal Essences embraces its duty to use the brand’s scale and platform to create effective products that don’t harm those we share the planet with.

After becoming PETA cruelty-free certified in 2019, it has continued to work out ways to not only ensure that no part of the product journey encounters any tests on animals anywhere in the world, but it is also committed to producing responsibly and making decisions to protect the planet as a whole.

“This vibrant haircare brand is a consumer favourite for all the right reasons,” says Marie Claire Sustainability Awards judge, Ingrid Newkirk. “We at PETA are delighted to include Herbal Essences in our Beauty Without Bunnies programme.”

Highly commended: Biossance and Simple

Best vegan brand

Winner: Tropic

Double-winner Tropic is all about ensuring everything it does positively affects people and the planet. The brand is fully vegan and cruelty-free, and 2020 saw the launch of its broad-spectrum, water-resistant sun-protection range, which was formulated using certified reef-safe ingredients. To add to its impressive roster of eco credentials, Tropic is the first beauty brand in the UK and Europe to be awarded the Protect Land + Sea seal of approval for its sun-protection line, too.

“Tropic is a trailblazing brand that delivers on efficacious and luxe-feeling formulas, without compromising on ethics. It also treats the earth with the respect it deserves,” adds Oxenham.

Highly commended: FFØR and Codex Beauty Labs

Best sustainable fragrance brand

Winner: Floral Street

Floral Street really believes in the eco-responsibility of brands running through the entire life cycle of a product, from inception to purchase; it is also vegan and cruelty-free, certified by PETA and The Vegan Society for using environmentally friendly ingredients, and demands a completely ethical supply chain. The brand uses low energy and water extraction of raw materials, too, while glass is recycled back into the production process to ensure nothing goes to waste. Also good: Floral Street opts for vegetable and soy-based inks and laser-etched printing plates with no chemicals for the finishing touches, and customers benefit from a refill station at its Covent Garden store, cutting down waste from future purchases.

Marie Claire editor and judge Sunil Makan says: “We love the ‘care for the planet’ ethos of this forward-thinking brand. Every step of the way is full of conscious and eco-friendly decisions – and the products smell pretty incredible, too.” 

Highly commended: STORIES Parfums and Altra

Best sustainable candle brand

Winner: Pott Candles

There’s no doubt that sometimes candles can feel like a frivolous buy when you think about the number of jars that might make their way into landfill every year. But with Pott, one pot is all you need. “A great brand– I love the focus on refills, plus use of locally produced pots and vegan waxes,” says our Sustainability Awards judge and founder of Immaculate Vegan, Annick Ireland.

The hand-thrown candle vessels are natural, made in the UK, and house any of the Pott refills – so you can switch out a summer scent for a warming tonka as the nights draw in as soon as you’ve finished it. The wax is 100% natural and scented only with natural essential oils, too.

Highly commended: The Forager’s Candle

Best ethical brand

Winner: Tropic

“This is my winner,” says judge and Soil Association’s business development manager, Sophie Robinson. “Tropic have such an incredible, multi-faceted and holistic approach to everything they do. They are changing the way goods are produced, supporting traditional knowledge and local producers, whilst working to improve education, gender equality and ensuring culture is celebrated.” Indeed, when you look at the company’s credentials, it’s not hard to see why Tropic has been crowned best ethical brand. Being ethical comprises kindness to nature, animals and fellow humans, and doing everything possible to make the planet a better place – which sums Tropic up nicely.

From working with United World School Partnership to developing two products in response to the coronavirus pandemic and gifting more than 50,000 products to NHS workers, the brand is on the pulse of what society needs. With the beauty business often impacting carbon emissions, Tropic is also on a mission to lower its own, which it did this year despite selling more products – surely proof that there is a way to make money and impact the planet positively.

Highly commended: Sana Jardin and Dr. Bronner’s

Best supply chain

Winner: L’OCCITANE

L’OCCITANE’s sustainable supply chain is central to its business strategy and a core commitment to people and the planet. The household favourite has developed an efficient and sustainable manufacturing process that transforms natural and organic ingredients into consumer products, with as little impact as possible to the environment. The supply chain has four pillars that it relies on: traceability, sustainability, fairness, and quality. 

“L’OCCITANE is doing some great work in terms of sourcing organic and Fairtrade ingredients – a deserved winner because of its wider impact [compared to] its rivals,” says Marie Claire judge and founder of Ecovia Intelligence, Amarjit Sahota.

Highly commended: Neal’s Yard Remedies

Best for carbon footprint

Winner: BYBI

BYBI has a very clear mission when it comes to its carbon footprint: already completely carbon-neutral, the company aims to be carbon-negative within the next three years – meaning the company absorbs more greenhouse gases than it emits.

“When judging this category, I wanted to see a holistic approach to cutting carbon footprints,” says judge and founder of Nula, Charlotte Horler. “I wanted brands to talk about their operational footprint, how they are engaging their supply chain to reduce emissions and, ultimately, the innovations that they are embedding into their product and packaging processes that make them a real leader in the category. BYBI ticked all those boxes for me. They are clearly pushing to disrupt the beauty industry with their products, but without forgetting to push for high standards across their manufacturing units.”

And, with the recent launch of Glowcurrant Booster – the world’s first-ever carbon-negative skincare product – the brand seems to be making incredible headway.

Highly commended: Davines and Ethique

Best progress towards circularity

Winner: Green Salon Collective

Foils, hair, chemical ingredients and tonnes of water. The salon industry is a huge contributor to waste and, for a long time, very little of it would be recycled – instead, up to 92% would head straight to landfill. Now, Green Salon Collective is helping with more eco-friendly practices to create a circular economy. How does it work? The brand recycles 100% of the foil, tubes and hair from salons while offering the salon a 100% zero-to-landfill service on plastic, paper and general waste. Genius.

“Recycling all these elements of salon waste is truly disruptive and taps into an area I’m sure many of us won’t have even considered in the past, says Marie Claire Sustainability Awards judge and podcaster, Gemma Styles. “Having worked in a salon previously myself, I know how much waste can be produced and how difficult it is to recycle through standard means – this could make a real difference.”

 And it doesn’t end there: Green Salon Collective uses all of its profits to support local charities, such as FoodCycle and Haircuts 4 Homeless, as well as financially support rewilding projects.

Highly commended: The Body Shop and Garnier

Best sustainable innovation

Winner: Boots ‘Recycle at Boots’

Who doesn’t love it when a household name makes a stamp with sustainability, proving that you can be green and global? The Recycle at Boots scheme is the first of its kind on the high street, aiming to transform the habits of the nation when it comes to recycling their beauty buys. The scheme enables customers to recycle products and get rewarded for doing so – a win-win in our book. No matter where you bought the product, simply bring along at least five empty products and Boots will give customers 250 Boots Advantage Card points when they spend £10 or more. 

Since its launch in 2020, more than a million products have been recycled through this scheme and 19 tonnes of plastic have been returned to store. Incredible.

“The Recycle at Boots scheme is everything a new sustainable initiative should be encouraging – long-term shifts in consumer behaviour on a national level. The scheme succeeded in making it simple for consumers to easily recycle hard-to-recycle products, which would have ended up in landfill otherwise, whilst also rewarding customers for their efforts,” says Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief and awards judge, Andrea Thompson. 

Highly commended: Garnier

Best sustainable beauty, health and wellness retailer

Winner: Naturisimo

Since its inception in 2008, Naturisimo has worked hard to keep the selling and shipping of beauty products as sustainable as possible in a world where people expect everything delivered instantly. It curates products carefully and has partnered with sustainability communications software experts at Provenance to promote transparent, honest claims around sustainability from brands to prevent labels that greenwash entering the site. When it comes to distribution, its eco-friendly packaging is designed to be fully recyclable and biodegradable – in fact, everything down to the ink is environmentally conscious and plant-based.

“I’m really impressed with how far this company is going to be as sustainable as it can be,” says Marie Claire senior beauty editor and judge, Katie Thomas.

Highly commended: Elysian Theory

Best new sustainable brand for make-up

Winner: Seeds of Colour

A lot of the time, sustainability is down to the way you utilise what’s already available out there, which is something at the core of Seeds of Colour. The brand sources waste organic fruits and vegetables from the British countryside and transforms the plants into the botanical pigments used in its products.

The lineup is curated from a selection of richly pigmented balms suitable for all skin types; plus, the multi-use aspect makes for a much more slimline make-up bag.

Thomas says: “I’m obsessed with the fact that these are plant-based make-up products, coloured by nature. I love the multi-use products in aluminium packaging, too, and the fact that with every purchase, a tree is planted to help restore ecosystems.”

Best new sustainable brand for bladder care

Winner: Jude

“I really like that they’re coming up with a sustainable alternative to an everyday product,” says Thomas. When we think of bladder care the same old-school brands and marketing campaigns come to mind, but Jude’s MO is to put a stop to that with its fresh, fuss-free approach to incontinence. After all, it’s something that affects 1 in 3 women, but has long been a taboo topic and a huge issue for waste. Thankfully, Jude pads are fully degradable within 100 days and the sustainability of the brand doesn’t stop there: the supply chain uses 80% solar energy and the packaging is either biodegradable or recyclable with a low-carbon footprint.

Best new sustainable brand for sex toys

Winner: Love Not War

Judge Hannah Cox picked this winner because of the “innovative way they’re bringing sustainability to a new market.” And while Love not War asserts that pleasure is important, it’s also clear it shouldn’t come before the earth. Clever. Indeed, the brand is on a quest to make the pleasure market more sustainable, with more consideration going into the production, packing and materials used for its sex-toy range. Case in point: Love not War opts for recycled or recyclable materials, but specifically aluminium because of how easy it is to recycle. Where plastic is unavoidable in small instances, the brand chooses certified BioPlastic. And as for the packaging, everything down to the soy ink for text is looked at through a sustainability lens.

A major issue for the sex-toy industry is the trickiness of repairing the product post-use, but Love not War offers a repair and recycle service for all its toys, which come in two parts for easy access.

Best new sustainable brand for skincare

Winner: indē wild

Sustainable skincare brands are now more popular than ever, but they aren’t all built with equal consideration to the planet. Enter: indē wild, a brand created in 2021 by influencer Diipa Büller-Khosla, whose focus is on creating a conscious ecosystem. All ingredients are ethically sourced, vegan and cruelty-free, and the packaging is FSC-certified. Plus, all the glass-bottle vessels are completely recyclable – and look and feel beautiful.

“This brand combines the finest Ayurvedic superfoods with quality, active ingredients,” says Oxenham. “Büller-Khosla is empowering women with affordable skincare, while also championing conscious beauty.” 

Best new sustainable brand for haircare

Winner: object

Water is a huge part of every beauty regime, but at home – and during production – it’s a massive strain on our environment. So, if you could reduce the amount used, why wouldn’t you? Object has arrived to make things that bit easier on the planet with its solid shampoos and conditioners, which use just 0.5% water in production, while still being excellent for cleaning our hair. The packaging is zero-waste, compostable and recyclable, and made from up to 50% recycled cotton repurposed from the clothing industry.

“This is an innovative new brand that puts sustainability at the forefront, and has built a strong community of like-minded devotees who champion their values around social reform and ethical consumption. We loved their zero-plastic, compostable and recyclable packaging and ambitious targets to be carbon-positive by the end of 2022. It’s no surprise they have been recognised by top industry regulators for the work they do,” says Thompson.

Best new sustainable brand for oral care

Winner: Amaku

It’s a tough stat to swallow, but did you know that every year in the UK 300 million toothpaste tubes end up in landfill? Amaku is aiming to end the unsustainability of oral care with its toothpaste tablets. When a customer orders a month’s supply, they receive 62 tablets in a glass container with an aluminium lid, which is fully recyclable. From then on, customers can subscribe for top-ups, which are posted in sealed compostable paper pouches. Water-wise, these tablets contain none, so the production process is as environmentally-friendly as possible and our twice-daily oral hygiene routine becomes more sustainable.

“I love that Amaku is shaking up oral healthcare with its ingenious use of alternative, natural ingredients. Plus, I’m a fan of both the refill scheme and glass containers to minimise waste,” says Marie Claire’s health, sustainability & relationships editor and awards judge, Ally Head.

Best new sustainable brand for kids

Winner: Love Ocean

Aptly launched on World Ocean Day 2021, this brand was created by founder Gabi Jennings after watching her children play in the surf on her favourite beach on the Isle of Wight. Their natural instinct was to pick up any rubbish or debris that had washed up on the shoreline. So, through Love Ocean, she now strives to positively impact ocean life before the younger generation is affected beyond repair.

The packaging is made from recycled ocean plastics, and the label’s signature, one-time purchase whale tail bottle is designed to be kept and refilled – a cute homage to the aquatic life Jennings aims to preserve, and encouragement for customers to sign up for regular pouch refills delivered to their door every three months. “Their eye-catching design creates conversations between kids and parents on ocean conservation,” adds Hamilton.

Best sustainable brand for oral care

Winner: SURI

The name SURI is a contraction of ‘sustainable rituals’ which is apt for this oral-care brand that makes our daily brushing habits more sustainable without compromising on how well we clean our teeth. It’s a concept that seems long overdue when you consider that every year, more than 4 billion toothbrushes are thrown out and up to 99.9% cannot be recycled.

Thankfully, SURI is working to change that with its brush heads and bristles, which are made from plant-based materials like cornstarch and castor bean oil – alternatives to commonly used petroleum-based plastics often favoured by brush brands. The modular design is durable and made to be easily recyclable (the handle is made from aluminium) and can be taken apart and repaired, unlike most electric toothbrushes on the market.

As Hamilton says: “[This is a] first in oral care; pioneering sustainability in electric toothbrushes. It even switches off automatically when you have brushed your teeth for the required 2 minutes!”

Highly commended: Amaku

Best sustainable supplement brand

Winner: Form Nutrition

Your post-gym protein shake has never been so good for you and the planet. “Form’s compostable/plastic-free packaging and re-use program make it stands out,” says actor and awards judge Charity Wakefield. “It’s vegan, it’s pioneering, it’s visionary and it’s accessible. It feels urgent and competitive, youthful and forward-thinking. The product itself is excellent, has longevity, and I am sure it will fuel future green campaigners in all they do to help the planet revive and renew through this difficult period.”

The company has been striving for sustainability excellence since its inception and has been a registered B Corp since 2018, along with being certified Carbon Neutral and Ocean Positive. No detail goes amiss with Form’s quest to cause less impact on the planet, even down to the innovation in shipping boxes, meaning they close without the need for plastic tape and open easily with a tear strip. 

Highly commended: The Nue Co. and Beauty Kitchen

Best sustainable CBD brand

Winner: Kloris

The CBD market has really expanded over the past few years, but none matches quality and sustainability like Kloris. Case in point: it uses compostable plant fibre cellulose wrap instead of plastic wrapping on all bathing products, so no single-use plastic ends up in the ocean, as well as unbleached, recycled Kraft card on PEFC/FSC-certified materials, so all packaging is easy to compost. Plus, the products are super-efficacious. “The Kloris CBD products work and can help with everything from anxiety and insomnia to menstrual cramps and backache. Their formulas are biodegradable, contain raw ingredients, and they consider the size of every production run to minimise ingredients and materials being wasted,” adds Oxenham.

Highly commended: Mindful Extracts

Best sustainable period brand

Winner: Mooncup

There’s no denying that Mooncup was a gamechanger in making period products more sustainable. The Brighton-born company was the world’s first medical-grade silicone menstrual cup and certified ethical-period product brand when it launched in 2002. Now, thanks to its worldwide customer base, 3 billion fewer tampons and pads have ended up on beaches and waterways over the past 20 years. The brand also puts people at the centre of the company goals, with suppliers selected following a rigorous process, including an ethical and environmental criterion. “This brand is not only innovative but shows how far a business can go to truly put people at its heart. Sustainability doesn’t stop with the product,” says sustainability consultant and MC judge Ele Ward.

Highly commended: Aisle and Modibodi

Best sustainable salon

Winner: Gina Conway Salons & Spas

As Aveda’s first sustainability ambassador, Gina Conway has left no stone unturned when it comes to making eco-friendly decisions for her salons. From low-voltage lighting to water restrictors and working with Green Salon Collective to sort, recycle and compost salon waste. All team members also have to complete the Sustainable Stylist Certification and a Pledge To The Planet contract setting out their commitment to positive change when they join the business, ensuring that the whole company is aligned in its mission to make the planet a better place. As judge Millie Kendall OBE says, Conway is a “brilliant voice of the industry”.

Highly commended: Ora Hair and Anne Veck Oxford

Best sustainable deodorant brand

Winner: AKT

“I love that they tested this on dancers, so it has been put through its paces,” said our Sustainability Awards judge and dental aesthetics director, Dr Uchenna Okoye. And it’s an important test. Natural deodorants have been shunned for years for not performing during high-intensity exercise, forcing consumers to choose between performance or sustainability. Now, AKT uses natural formulations made in the UK with scents inspired by scenes in nature, and the packaging is first-of-its-kind, using aluminium for the tube and caps to ensure products can be easily recycled.

Also good: AKT is free from aluminium chlorohydrate (aluminium salts) – an ingredient found in many other antiperspirants that is thought to block sweat glands and potentially harm aquatic animals and marine life. Instead, AKT uses a natural blend of plant and mineral powders that is invisible on the skin and absorbs natural perspiration.

Highly commended: We Love The Planet

Best for sustainable packaging

Winner: Ethique

Far from just paying lip service to sustainable packaging, Ethique has designed boxing and labels that can be buried to nourish your garden. Clever, eh? And, as managing director of Positive Luxury and MC Sustainability Awards judge Amy Nelson-Bennett says, “A fully compostable product? That’s something I’d like to see more of.” Indeed, while compostable packaging is good, at-home compostable packaging is even better, because it makes the process more fuss-free and convenient for consumers. Indeed, when Ethique packaging is placed into your compost bin, or buried in the ground/pushed into a plant pot, it will break down and provide nutrients, contributing to the soil’s ecosystem. Products are also made sans acid, chlorine, laminates or plastic, and are printed using vegetable inks so worms and insects stay safe, too.

Highly commended: Codex Beauty Labs, Antipodes and Skingredients

Best sustainable-packaging brand for make-up

Winner: Juni Cosmetics

“Juni has taken the iconic lipstick and pioneered a fully-recyclable pack,” notes Hamilton. The brand was created by make-up artist and former model Madeleine White, who was keen to bridge the gap between premium and green beauty. The brand is 100% plastic-free and recyclable at home, but customers can also send back their empty packaging. This then gets professionally cleaned and put back into the brand’s manufacturing system for reuse.

The outer packaging is also sustainably-crafted, with labels and mailer boxes free from plastic, and picked to streamline the number of materials used in the packing and delivery process. Cartons are made from FSC- and PEFC-certified uncoated card, too, and secured using biodegradable water-based glue, decorated with vegan-friendly, plant-based inks. What’s not to love?

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Sustainability literally starts at home, so here are the groundbreaking lifestyle brands building a brighter future for people and the planet this year

Figuring out how to make your home a little greener can feel overwhelming. Sure, you can replace standard light bulbs with LEDs and install a smart thermostat, like those offered by Nest or Hive. But once you start thinking about larger investments, such as solar panels, replacing windows and switching wood fires for electric iterations, ‘going green’ starts adding up – and it can be hard to know where to put your money first.

Luckily, there are lots of small ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home, and in the garden, too. From choosing eco-friendly paint to investing in an at-home composter. Cue the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 winners in the Homes and Lifestyle category…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Homes and Lifestyle winners

Best for carbon footprint

Winner: Earthly Biochar

Biochar (pronounced bio-char) is a brilliant soil improver and offers a method of carbon capture that anyone can do, meaning it has the potential not only to help plants grow better and stronger, but also to remove carbon from the atmosphere. 

Launched in 2018, Earthly Biochar is the UK’s leading supplier and it’s on a mission to make biochar more accessible to all. As well as scaling up the production of biochar in the UK – so everyone from landscapers to amateur gardeners can easily source it and reduce their carbon footprint – Earthly Biochar has designed and produced a unique biochar kiln, so people can also make their own biochar.

Ally Head, health, sustainability & relationships editor at Marie Claire UK and Sustainability Awards judge says: “A company at the start of something great, Earthly Biochar is a brilliant concept – a soil improver that captures carbon and turns gardens, flowerbeds and house plants into ‘carbon sinks’? Neat.”

Highly commended: COAT Paints

Best for eco-friendly materials and design

Winner: Naturalmat

With the exception of steel springs, all the ingredients that go into a Naturalmat product are 100% natural, organic where possible, and from a sustainable resource that is harvested according to Fairtrade principles. Each mattress is made by hand in Devon and is designed to last. Its Mattress for Life initiative offers customers the option to refurbish, recycle or donate their mattresses when the time comes – making Naturalmat the first mattress brand in the UK to offer such a service, and representing a huge step in its quest to become a fully circular business.

“Naturalmat’s historic and personal goals of sustainability showcase how innovative sustainable thinking can be a driving force from the onset of a company. The way Naturalmat supports the local community also drives the UN’s Global Goal 11,” says Sujata Burman, digital editor at London Design Festival and our Sustainability Awards judge.

Best progress towards circularity for homes

Winner: Bower Collective

Founded with a clear vision to eliminate plastic waste and create a more sustainable world, certified B Corp Bower Collective makes sustainable home and personal care products from natural, cruelty-free ingredients – all packaged in reusable and recyclable refill pouches.

Plus, each Bower Collective order arrives with a pre-paid returns envelope, so the pouches can be reused and properly recycled. To date, this has allowed the company to save more than 20,292kg of plastic waste from landfills. The label also donates to protect 1m² of endangered seagrass through its partnership with the Marine Conservation Society and is on track to be carbon-negative by the end of 2022.

“I love Bower Collective,” says Head. “A certified B Corp and 2021 MC Sustainability Awards winner, they go above and beyond to ensure all aspects of the business are sustainable, from reusable and recyclable refill pouches to the pre-paid returns envelope they send to make sure you properly recycle through their closed-loop packaging system. Fun fact: their world-first circular packaging solution means they refill the same packaging up to 10 times.”

Best progress towards circularity for kids

Winner: The TOY Project

By reducing waste, preventing products from going to landfill, and recycling unwanted toys, The TOY Project is on a recycling mission – and giving toys to children who really need them in the process.

The initiative also raises money to gift toys to children, families, communities and organisations in need, including hospitals, libraries and schools.

“A genuinely sustainable and ethical business that champions a truly circular approach and encourages parents and customers to totally reconsider their attitude to toy consumption. It’s great to see a toy business so committed to changing attitudes and abandoning the ‘throw away’ attitude so prevalent in this industry,” says Sunil Makan, Marie Claire editor and Sustainability Awards judge.

Best sustainable home tech/gadget

Winner: The Wiser System

More than 50% of each home’s fuel bill is often used for heating the space and generating hot water, so looking at new ways of controlling this can have a big impact on your bills. Cue Wiser – a smart multi-room heating system that presents a great long-term investment by only heating the rooms you’re using. It also features clever smart modes such as Eco and Away Mode, which work out the most economical way to run your heating and reduce temperatures when your home is empty, enabling you to set budgets and control spending.

Hannah Cox, founder of betternotstop and The Better Business Network, plus a MC Sustainability Awards judge, says: “The cost of living crisis and rising energy prices make this a good idea for those that want to measure and mitigate in the coming years.”

Highly commended: Miele G 7000 Dishwasher

Best green innovation for home/garden

Winner: Hozelock EasyMix 2-in-1 Composter

Using compost is one of the key cornerstones of gardening – it enriches the soil, retains moisture and reduces the need for chemical fertiliser. However, making compost is often considered to be complex and time-consuming. Enter: the new Hozelock EasyMix 2-in-1 Composter.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the EasyMix 2-in-1 Composter is manufactured using 90% recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable, so you can compost kitchen and garden waste, help prevent food waste from being sent to landfills, and improve soil quality safe in the knowledge you’re not also adding to the problem. Suitable for a range of garden sizes, this quick-to-compost hero product also features a lockable lid to help prevent any pests and unpleasant smells.

A fan of its seriously impressive functionality, COO and co-founder of COAT Paints, Rob Green, calls it “the simple solution to composting; everyone should have one”.

Highly commended: Methven UK Aio Shower System

Best eco-friendly decorating brand

Winner: COAT Paints

COAT is proudly championing a new way to paint that’s simple, eco-conscious, and rooted in doing right. Unlike most paints produced, the entire COAT range is entirely water-based, ultra-low VOC (2g/L), odour-free and vegan. 

Operating off a unique zero-waste system, COAT paint is made to order and offers recyclable ‘Peel & Stick’ swatches, which are 95% less wasteful than a traditional tester pot, using just 8ml of paint to make. Its packaging is completely recyclable, too (even the aluminium tin) and the brand offers a 360-degree-recycling programme to ensure customers can return empty tins or leftover paint for reprocessing. 

“COAT isn’t just a carbon-neutral paint brand but a regenerative company – I really rate that its aim is to contribute more to the world than it takes. The company’s smart solutions make its carbon-neutral offering seem almost effortless (though I’ve no doubt it isn’t). It’s also the first certified Climate Positive paint company in the UK and is now B-Corp pending, too,” says Head.

Highly commended: YesColours

Best sustainable stationery

Winner: Cadeaux Paperworks

Contrary to popular belief, most wrapping paper isn’t recyclable. So, in February 2020, Cadeaux Paperworks was born as an agent of change in the single-use paper industry. The goal? To help the public understand the harm non-recyclable paper does to the environment, whilst providing them with fun, well-designed, sustainable alternatives. After all, just because a product is sustainable and good for the environment doesn’t mean that it must be brown, bland and boring.

“A fun, innovative and eco-friendly brand committed to making sustainability more exciting, Cadeaux offers end-to-end wrapping paper, notebooks and more with the earth in mind. I love that all suppliers are UK-based, all products are packaged in a recyclable or compostable way, and that the company is proving it is possible for businesses like this to become the norm and not the exception,” says Head.

Highly commended: Papier

Best platform for good

Winner: WaterBear

Launched in December 2020, WaterBear is the first network of its kind: a free, interactive video and digital platform dedicated to the future of the planet, while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Available in 194 countries via waterbear.com, the app, Apple TV, Roku and Samsung TV Plus, WaterBear has built a network of more than 140 NGOs and partners, given members access to more than 300 campaigns, produced 36 impact films and 20 WaterBear Original Productions, plus curated more than 1,000 award-winning documentaries.

WaterBear’s ethos is built around the increasing need for sustainability, food procurement, and less energy usage and waste. It champions cost-effectiveness, minimal travel, local talent, and a focus on unearthing untold stories. Unsurprisingly, it is also in the process of becoming a B Corp.

“WaterBear is essentially Netflix but for eco-docs and founded by Oscar-winning documentary maker My Octopus Teacher’s Ellen Windemuth,” says Head. “Not only are you educating yourself by choosing to stream on the platform, but you’re also encouraging sustainable practice in the film and TV industry, too. The company strives to make all originals Albert-certified, encouraging the global industry to reduce the impact of production.”

Best for eco-friendly cleaning

Winner: Toilet Fizzies

Georgia Cleary set up Toilet Fizzies in 2020 during the first national lockdown to create an eco-cleaning alternative to the existing products that use harsh chemicals. A Toilet Fizzie is a cube-shaped version of a bath bomb, specially designed for use in your toilet. Now suppling almost 30 refill shops and online eco stores, as well as retailing from her own website, all the packaging is plastic-free and recyclable.

Sustainability expert, author, speaker and MC Sustainability Awards judge Ashlee Piper says: “I like the idea and have seen it gain traction over the past few years. I really appreciate that all of her ingredients are sourced from the same county and that she hand-delivers items to local shops, thereby cutting down on emissions, too.”

Highly commended: byMATTER and Spruce Refillable Cleaning Products

Best for eco-friendly laundry service

Winner: Oxwash

Did you know washing your clothes is rapidly polluting the planet? Or that a single wash cycle uses anything between 50-80 litres of water? A study conducted by Oxwash, Vanish and The Prophets shows that washing machines in the UK use about 360 billion litres of water yearly – that’s enough to drain Lake Windermere.

Thankfully, Oxwash is shaking up the laundry industry, and proving that we can wash our clothes with no net impact on our ecosystems and communities. Depending on where you live in the UK, the company will collect your laundry and ironing from your doorstep – by bike (so, no emissions) – before washing your items using a state-of-the-art, low-impact washing technology that saves 2kg CO2 emissions per 12-kilogram wash.

“Utterly brilliant. Forward-thinking, community-based, energy-cutting washing solutions, for all types of clothing and needs. A brilliant sustainable model with high aspirations to improve even more,” says actor, Woodland Trust ambassador and MC Sustainability Awards judge, Charity Wakefield.

Best for eco-friendly laundry at home

Winner: bide

Bide produces truly sustainable laundry powder with a big social impact. Instead of making its laundry powder in factories, it brings factories to the kitchen tables of historically marginalised people. This distributed manufacturing model also ensures that production of product is in close proximity to consumers, which further reduces the carbon impact and stimulates hyper-local economies.

Also good: each non-bio laundry powder product has been handmade using UK-sourced, vegan, non-toxic and cruelty-free raw ingredients. Packaged in 100% pre-recycled and recyclable/bio-degradable paper pouches, bide refuses to ship internationally – stating that its international expansion will be driven by replication of its UK manufacturing model in local markets.

“This is the full package of cleaning products that are better for the planet. I love how accessible the website is, making eco cleaning seem fun and easy. Excellent that they are compostable and recyclable and plastic-free. It makes changing lifestyle look easy!” says Wakefield.

Highly commended: Kair

Best for eco-friendly pet grooming

Winner: Digby Dog by Bramley

You might be familiar with the Bramley range of hand soaps and creams, but did you know it also has its very own dog-wash collection for muddy paws? Kind to your dog’s coat and gentle on your hands, Digby Dog by Bramley is made from naturally derived ingredients, and the packaging is 100% recycled, recyclable or biodegradable.

“ A strong winner, this product line is made from essential oils and natural botanicals packaged with 100% recycled, recyclable or biodegradable paper. I like that all products are made in the British countryside, too, reducing carbon footprint,” says Head.

Best for eco-friendly pet accessories

Winner: Sparkles the Dog

At a time when dog sweaters were all produced from acrylics and polyester, Sparkles the Dog made the decision to only use natural materials for its pet apparel and accessories.

Since 2006, the company has been committed to using only renewable natural fibres that can be traced back to their origin. On top of manufacturing and distributing locally where possible, the label also takes advantage of carbon offsets and works with transport partners to identify the most environmentally friendly way to deliver garments. But the biggest positive environmental impact? The quality of the apparel, which encourages customers to buy once and buy well.

“ It sounds like Sparkles the Dog has been ahead of the trend since launching, always prioritising sustainable practice not just because it was best for the planet, but because it was best for the dogs, too. Its whole business model is carefully thought through to minimise waste and maximise positive impact,” says Head.

Best for eco-friendly pet-waste supplies

Winner: Beco

One of the biggest environmental headaches with having a dog is how to dispose of its daily waste. With more than 24 million poop bags being used every year (and mostly ending up in landfills), Beco carried out a survey, which revealed 96% of pet owners in UK dispose of bags in park bins or domestic waste – and realised there was an urgent need to create an environmentally friendly bag for these waste streams. 

Fast forward to today and its moto, ‘Love your dog, love our planet’, rings true throughout all its products. Offering both compostable bags – made from plant-based cornstarch material and PBAT (a biodegradable polymer) – and poop bags made from 100% recycled plastic (hello, leakproof), all packaging is made from recycled cardboard, too.

“Climate-neutral certified and with an impact report clearly available on its website, Beco has long been striving to make eco-friendly pet-waste supplies the norm,” adds Head.

Highly commended: Project Harmless

Best sustainable lifestyle accessory

Winner: Holistic London

While fragrance remains a luxury industry, the supply chain is far from fair. Thankfully, Holistic London wants to change that. Aiming to do more than just transform your mood and help you feel good, the label wants to make fragance better for all and give back to the farmers who grow the beautiful ingredients by working with a traceable, ethical and sustainable value chain.

For every product sold, a tree is planted and carbon-reduction projects are backed. Candles and bath salts are plastic-free, the packaging is glass and aluminium, and the carton boxes are FSC-compliant. The brand also uses eco-friendly, responsibly sourced soy wax – and nothing else. “Holistic London is championing [the UN Sustainable Development] Goals 3,5 and 8, working with women and the local community,” adds Burman. 

Highly commended: The Handmade Soap Company Home Fragrance

Best sustainable homes and lifestyle retailer

Winner: AKOJO MARKET

AKOJO MARKET sells handmade accessories, jewellery, homeware and fashion items from carefully selected, independent African designers, with each designer promoting local craftsmanship, a commitment to sustainability and a transparent way of working. AKOJO MARKET also offsets carbon emissions using Nula Carbon and, for products that have too great a carbon footprint to reach customers, the label holds these products on consignment in bulk to avoid shipping one at a time.

“A brand with the potential to truly reshape the market, I love that AKOJO MARKET champions artisan makers and female founders in sub-Saharan Africa. I also applaud its robust due-diligence processes before on-boarding brands – it is one of the standout facts for me,” says Head.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

From directional denim to sustainable swimwear, meet the forward-thinking fashion brands reducing the environmental cost of our wardrobes right now

It’s not really news to anyone that fashion is a major contributor to climate change. In fact, as the second most polluting industry in the world, fashion brands – both luxury and high-street labels alike – are now vying to be more sustainable.

From upcycling and renting to choosing garments made from recycled polyester or discarded fabrics, there’s been a seismic shift away from fast fashion. What’s more, these innovative brands are devoted to repurposing old clothing to craft new designs, and coming up with carbon-neutral alternatives to reshape fashion into a less wasteful industry. Time to meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Fashion winners…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Fashion winners

Best sustainable denim brand

Winner: FRAME

Denim is considered one of fashion’s most environmentally damaging categories. Why? Denim is made from cotton, and most cotton requires huge amounts of water to produce.

Enter FRAME, which recently launched its Pure collection. Made with 100% biodegradable organic cotton, it uses 98% less water in its production compared to traditional denim processes. Responsibly washed – think no bleach, no potassium, no permanganate, no stone-washing, all while using water-saving machinery – FRAME is constantly seeking and inventing eco-conscious materials and production methods, and looking holistically at what stages in the denim lifecycle are ripe for innovation.

“The brand is disruptive not just because of its commitment to conscious and low-impact design and production, but also because the denim design aesthetic is one that has the potential to appeal to a broad but fashion-forward audience, meaning that it has the potential to attract, inspire and educate a younger generation, and impact on a broad rather than niche level,” says Emma Slade Edmondson, London-based creative director, writer, and Marie Claire Sustainability Awards judge.

Highly commended: Fanfare Label

Best sustainable swimwear brand

Winner: AWAY THAT DAY

Creating stylish bikinis and one-pieces that are kinder to the environment, AWAY THAT DAY masterfully utilises Econyl – a regenerated nylon that’s collected from landfill and our oceans. The brand also runs a ‘Recycle your swim’ initiative, which offers an easy and rewarding way to recycle old, unloved or worn-down swimwear (from any brand). Also good: every order is packaged in a compostable, biodegradable bag made from corn starch, while mailer bags are crafted from 100% recycled paper.

“Any brand made in the UK gets a thumbs up from me, and I especially like AWAY THAT DAY’s slow approach to fashion. Crafting swimwear from eco-friendly, regenerated nylon and delivering their products in 100% compostable packaging – what’s not to love?” says Marie Claire’s health, sustainability and relationships editor, Ally Head.

Highly commended: Arloe

Best sustainable swimwear brand for kids

Winner: FOLPETTO

Made for children aged between 6 months to 12 years, FOLPETTO is an ethical, sustainable, UV-protective swimwear brand made with 100% recycled yarn from post-consumer materials, including discarded carpets, abandoned fishnets and other plastic waste collected from the sea.

Promoting a circular economy, the label has eliminated the use of new fibres from non-renewable origins and is committed to using renewable raw materials in all its packaging. 

“A brand committed to minimising their environmental impact through every area of production and promoting a circular economy – all without compromising on the look and feel of their garments. We were impressed by their continued efforts to eliminate the use of new fibres from non-renewable origins and to shift consumer attitudes in their sector,” says Marie Claire Editor-in-Chief, Andrea Thompson.

Best sustainable underwear brand

Winner: Nudea

The design-led, B Corp-certified underwear brand Nudea was founded in 2019 with a focus on thoughtfully designed garments engineered for comfort and long-lasting results. As such, Nudea is a carbon-neutral company and responsibly manufactures pieces out of premium fabrics crafted from recycled yarns – all of which are sourced and manufactured within Europe. 

The brand’s commitment to sustainability also includes easy-to-use tools to deliver on fit for conscious, responsible shopping, plus recyclable packaging, with a public transport-only eco-delivery option in major cities from May 2022. 

“Nudea’s use of sustainable materials and commitment to garments that fit well and last years (so you can buy better but buy less), is something that is very important. I also love its bra recycling programme, which is innovative and encourages less waste,” says Natalie Glaze, founder of Stay Wild and By Glaze, and Marie Claire Sustainability Awards judge.

Highly commended: Stripe & Stare

Best sustainable high-street brand

Winner: Superdry

With “impressive reductions in carbon emissions over a five-year period, and a well-known global brand,” By Rotation founder and MC Sustainability Awards judge Eshita Kabra-Davies declares Superdry as the winner of the high-street category.

While the high street is full of ‘more sustainable’ promises, Superdry is clearly addressing its material impact. From launching its first 100% fully recycled collection in September 2021 (which uses up to 25% less carbon and 95% less water to produce), to using 100% recycled filling in all its padded jackets from December 2020, the label has also expanded its vegan trainers offering and switched to 100% renewable electricity across all global stores and offices.

Highly commended: OMNES

Best sustainable designer brand

Winner: Phoebe English

Since launching her eponymous brand a decade ago, Phoebe English has taken a pioneering approach to sustainability, whether that’s by reducing her seasonal collections from quarterly to annually, using deadstock materials or organically certified fabric, developing zero-waste pattern-cutting techniques or operating a garment-repair service.

The brand also runs educational workshops on sustainable practices – sharing its learning principles, research, supply chain information and databases – and has solely used local British manufacturing for the past decade.

“Phoebe is a definite lead in this regard,” says Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council and a Marie Claire awards judge. “She has not only focused on [the sustainability of] her own brand, but has also created a community through WhatsApp to share insight with like-minded brands and individuals.”

Highly commended: Reformation and EVARAE

Best sustainable accessory brand (handbags)

Winner: Mashu

Rejecting the fast-paced nature of the fashion wholesale calendar (which expects constant newness and a minimum of four collections per year), Mashu decided to slow things down with a new seasonless structure and remain aligned with its mission to create desirable accessories that don’t harm people, animals or the planet.

PETA-approved, Mashu creates bags using Piñatex (a leather alternative made from the leaves of the pineapple plant), BioVeg (a recycled polyester made from plastic bottles and plant-based materials) and recycled cotton, plus a whole range of other vegan materials, including grape and apple ‘leathers’.

“Not only ethically created, but also beautiful and chic to style with any outfit over and over again,” adds Kabra-Davies.

Best sustainable accessory brand (footwear)

Winner: EMU Australia

Iconic footwear brand EMU Australia may have started off as post-surf essential with its natural sheepskin boots, but now the label makes a whole range of high-quality footwear from merino wool, leather and Australian sheepskin – always working with natural materials and not creating or consuming too quickly. 

“EMU Australia has had sustainability at its core from the very beginning and is an indisputable future-shaper in ethical fashion,” says Marie Claire features editor and judge, Jenny Proudfoot. “Its commitment to making quality products that last is commendable, all while using the finest natural materials (recyclable, reusable and biodegradable), employing the most sustainable practices, and working closely with ethical Australian farmers. Not to mention, the end result is perfection – my go-to for a comfy and luxurious slipper.”

Best sustainable accessory brand (eyewear)

Winner: Good Citizens Eyewear

If you’ve switched working from the office to WFH, chances are you’ve ditched your contacts and become reacquainted with glasses. Looking for a new pair? Meet Good Citizens Eyewear.

Born over a family dinner, Harry (8) and Archie (6) were upset about the plastic waste piling up in the world and pestered Mum and Dad to step up. Together, they devised a plan to help untrash the planet and launched Good Citizens Eyewear, which turns one single-use bottle into a pair of 100% recycled frames. Each pair is also carbon-negative, locking away 10kg, which is double what they use to build.

“We love the brand’s four guiding principles that ground every business decision they make. These are smart and clever products that don’t disappoint in the style stakes,” says Marie Claire editor and Sustainability Awards judge, Sunil Makan.

Best sustainable watch brand

Winner: OBAKU Denmark

OBAKU Denmark cleverly recycles pre-loved saris from Mumbai into beautiful, colourful, and unique watch straps. Every sari makes about 100 straps – and no two are ever exactly the same. 

In addition to upcycling, the brand launched its charitable Watches for Life programme in 2012; achieved Obton’s CO2 neutral emblem for offsetting 786,160 kg CO2 yearly through solar-plant investments; and supports the Recycle, Reduce and Reuse programme in its offices and factories. 

Penny Goldstone, Marie Claire fashion editor and Sustainability Awards judge says: “I love the all-rounder approach to this business. The straps are stylish, use unwanted saris, and a percentage of the sales goes to supporting better education for children in Mumbai.”

Best sustainable high-street jewellery brand

Winner: With Love Darling

In Jane Goodall’s words: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” With Love Darling is a jewellery label that believes in wearing the change you want.

A carbon-neutral brand, all materials are recycled, all packaging is made from recycled paper, all workshops are Fairtrade, and the company’s artisans are paid in accordance with the Living Wage Index, too. Also good: With Love Darling jewellery is handmade and produced sustainably in workshops in developing countries, creating income and opportunity for some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

“A gorgeous jewellery company that is carbon-neutral, plants a tree with every order and gives a fair wage to women in rural areas of Kenya, China and India – what’s not to love?” says Goldstone.

Best sustainable luxury jewellery brand

Winner: Monica Vinader

Sustainable jewellery brand, Monica Vinader, made the bold move to use only recycled gold and silver in the manufacturing of its jewellery, reducing carbon emissions by more than two-thirds in the process. By 2021, the brand had reduced its use of single-use plastic in the supply chain by almost 90%. 

With a jewellery recycling scheme that encourages a circular economy, Monica Vinader offers lifetime repairs, a 5-year warranty on all products, and funds a biodiversity, carbon-capture project – preserving 7 hectares of former agricultural land in Holkham.

Walpole director and Marie Claire awards judge, Charlotte Keesing, places Monica Vinader as the firm winner of this category, citing “being accepted into the UN mentoring programme recently, clear journey and progress,” as key reasons for its success.

Highly commended: Matilde Jewellery

Best zero-waste brand

Winner: Upcycle Labs

“There’s nothing Upcycle Labs can’t recycle and reuse to give them a new lease of life – whether that’s as decorative objects or store fittings,” says Goldstone.

From bags and dresses to shoes, lipsticks and jackets, Upcycle Labs takes fashion waste, such as customer returns and offcuts, and converts 100% of it back into products for resale using only water and calcium. Utilising a unique process, Upcycle Labs eradicates the need to burn waste or add to landfill ever again – because once the product has served its second useful life, it’s simply returned to be made into something else.

Best fashion innovation

Winner: unspun

Unspun was founded on the question, “How might we build on-demand?”. Flipping the fashion industry’s practices on its head – so that nothing is produced until it’s needed – a customer purchases first and a product is made for them second. 

Here’s how it works: unspun’s innovative software creates a perfect-fitting pattern from a customer’s body scan and chosen design, then its hardware takes that information to weave yarn into 3D forms – automating the clothing-production process, eliminating seams and eliminating waste. 

Ten times faster than knitting, this invention brings a manufacturing and business model that is on-demand, custom-designed, custom-fitted, zero-inventory, zero-waste, seamless, and just plain genius to the market.

Host of the Good Influence podcast and Sustainability Awards judge Gemma Styles says: “A highly disruptive manufacturing innovation, the combination of body-scanning technology, 3D-weaving innovation and manufacture on-demand structuring [makes this] a very impressive entry.”

Highly commended: LOOP Digital Wardrobe

Best ethical brand

Winner: Pala Eyewear

“Pala Eyewear truly gets me excited about what is possible in business with purpose. They show the power of putting people and planet first,” says MC Sustainability Awards judge and sustainability and brand consultant, Ele Ward. 

Founded on a mission “to see the world better”, Pala encapsulates the B Corp values of a better outcome for people and planet. By buying a pair of Pala glasses, you’re not only buying sustainable eyewear, you’re also helping to fund vision centres, dispensaries and screening programmes across Africa. 

A pair of spectacles is widely accepted as one of the most cost-effective poverty alleviating tools you can give someone, and with Africa home to 73% more blind and visually impaired people than any other region in the world, Pala focusses on where the problem is greatest.

Highly commended: Untouched World

Best vegan brand

Winner: OSIER

Producing chic bags made from apple peels and satin scarfs crafted from 100% recycled materials, OSIER is a creative, independent brand living for sustainable, timeless and ethical design. In fact, all of its products are designed and hand-manufactured in Europe and made from the finest vegan materials.

The mission? To revolutionise the fashion industry with a focus on sustainability, transparency and quality. From sourcing to manufacturing and packaging, OSIER’s products aren’t just ethical and vegan, but beautiful too.

“I love that every element of the bag has been considered in its sustainable production process, from the repurposed apple waste in the vegan leather to the 100% natural and non-toxic buttons,” says Goldstone.

Best supply chain

Winner: Bags of Ethics by Supreme Creations

“This brand deserves to win for me,” says founder and CEO of Immaculate Vegan and MC awards judge, Annick Ireland. “It has been going for a long time and works with so many suppliers, so its impact is large and changing how other brands work. I love its commitment to plastic-free, vegan and sustainable materials, non-toxic dyes, sustainable manufacturing, creating local living-wage jobs in India, high level of factory auditing, and giving back programmes. This brand has it all.”

Indeed, for nearly 25 years, Bags of Ethics by Supreme Creations has been reducing single-plastic use and introducing sustainable, natural, and ethically made alternatives to disposable everyday items. In 2004, it was one of the key suppliers following the Courtauld Commitment (a pact made between government and retailers to reduce single-use plastic waste), to supply reusable shopping bags at affordable prices at the checkout for British retail. This is the label responsible for the famous Tesco ladybird jute bags, the first-ever Fairtrade cotton shopping bag with the Co-Op, and iconic totes for London Fashion Week, Nike, Dior and Selfridges. To date, it has helped reduce more than 16bn plastic bags and energised a reusable culture.

Highly commended: Reformation

Best for carbon footprint

Winner: Reformation

Since 2009, Reformation has pushed the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future, operating at 100% carbon-neutrality since 2015 (long before most brands), with the ambition of becoming fully Climate Positive by 2025 (a feat attempted by few). 

Certified Climate Neutral, Reformation puts sustainability and carbon reduction at the core of everything it does, investing in green building infrastructure to minimise its waste, water, and energy footprints. In 2019, the label also launched Carbon Is Cancelled – a series of programmes that provide easier ways for everyone to connect to solutions. Now, online consumers can purchase Climate Credits that Native Energy will direct towards verified carbon-offset projects.

Sophie Robinson, business development manager on the Beauty, Wellbeing and Textiles team at Soil Association Certification and MC Sustainability Awards judge says: “This is my choice. A cyclical, holistic, and innovative approach which gives the consumer control and transparency. The use of independent third parties to verify claims is also positive.”

Highly commended: Vaayu

Best progress towards clothing circularity

Winner: BAM Bamboo Clothing

With a shocking 73% of clothing ending up in landfill or incineration plants, BAM created a first-of-its-kind, circular 73 Zero range that ‘closes the loop’. This means creating a zero-waste process using recycled materials to make clothing that can, at the end of its use, be 100% recycled again. 

Offering a free take-back scheme for its 73 Zero range, BAM jackets have a QR code printed on the inside, so even if you buy it second-hand, you can send it to the right place to be recycled. 

Better still, the 73 Zero insulated jacket retails at £165 (whereas similar jackets that don’t close the loop cost upwards of £400), making circular clothing more affordable, too. 

“I love this brand for looking at alternative materials that are better for the planet,” says Rush. 

Highly commended: WearMyWardrobeOut and MariaLoriaDesigns

Best progress towards footwear circularity

Winner: schuh

As a brand, schuh isn’t just a carbon-neutral organisation, it’s also big on encouraging reuse and recycling. Launched in October 2019, the Sell Your Soles scheme allows customers to hand in their unwanted pairs of shoes to schuh stores. Meanwhile, Too Big For Your Boots gives customers the opportunity to donate outgrown kids footwear – and the brand accepts footwear donations regardless of where they were initially purchased and irrespective of their condition. 

Both initiatives are run in partnership with textile-reuse experts Recyclatex and offered across all 123 stores in the UK and Ireland. Plus, for every tonne of shoes collected, Recyclatex donates a sum of money to schuh, which is then passed on to its sustainability charity of choice, World Land Trust. 

Rush says: “I love that the campaign is up-front and centre and looks at changing consumer behaviour around recycling.”

Best for sustainable fabric

Winner: Nobody’s Child

London-based fashion label, Nobody’s Child is aiming to revolutionise women’s fashion by making responsibly made – and affordable – clothes. Indeed, 93% of its current collections are made using responsible fabrics, such as Lenzing EcoVero, organic and transitional cotton, and recycled synthetics.

On top of its commitment to sustainable fabrics, the company has also partnered with an independent third-party organisation to map out its end-to-end carbon emissions; invested in circularity; joined forces with the online resale platform Re-Fashion to give clothes a second chance; and funded reforestation in partnership with TreeSisters.

“Nobody’s Child takes a pragmatic approach to materials choice, with clear guidance on preferred and banned materials. Its commitment to improvement shows in the use of transitional cotton and limited use of recycled polyester,” says Lena Staafgard, chief operating officer at Better Cotton and MC awards judge.

Highly commended: Rolling In Roses

Best sustainable clothing and accessories brand for kids

Winner: Little Green Radicals

Little Green Radicals is blazing a trail for the ethical fashion revolution with its long-lasting playwear. A Fairtrade pioneer, it became one of the first companies to use the Fairtrade-certified cotton label in 2005. 

The cotton used is 100% organic, which is better for kids, better for farmers and better for the planet, as it’s grown without harmful pesticides, uses less water and has less impact on the environment. 

The SuperLoop initiative also gives customers money back for returning pre-loved clothes, and keeps clothes out of landfill by renting them out. Meanwhile, the label’s planet-friendly recycled rainwear has helped save almost 90,000 plastic bottles from landfill, and its latest innovations include an adaptability range for children with disabilities, recycled nylon swimwear, plus an expanded range of products made from leftover fabrics.

“Organic, plastic-free toys, recycled rainwear, compostable bags. What’s not to love?” asks actor, Woodland Trust ambassador and Sustainability Awards judge, Charity Wakefield.

Highly commended: Pop My Way

Best rental brand for kids

Winner: Babu

“These children are going be better dressed than all of us,” says Ashlee Piper, sustainability expert, author, speaker, and MC judge. “Babu definitely serves a more niche market, both with its offerings (designer kids’ clothes) and the service’s cost (about as much per week as some services are per month). But I appreciate its approach to creating curated capsules each month for different children’s ages and genders, as opposed to having a bevvy of clothing folks can choose from – and its cleaning and recycling practices are extensive.”

Babu is the UK’s first rental subscription service focusing exclusively on designer baby and kids’ fashion. Designed for boys and girls aged 0-4, Babu offers monthly capsule collections of carefully selected pieces, conveniently delivered to your doorstep. Plus, the label has partnered with Xetrov to ensure that none of its worn-out clothes ever end up in landfill – no matter what fabric they are made from. 

Highly commended: SuperLooper

Best re-commerce brand

Winner: Go Thrift

“Second-hand shopping is ideal for reducing waste and extending the lifespan of items, providing successful platforms for the resale market is certainly positive for the planet,” says Styles.

Go Thrift started out as a husband-and-wife team selling a few vintage dresses on eBay, and has now become one of the UK’s leading used-clothing retailers, offering an alternative to fast fashion and all its pollution. Genius.

Highly commended: Parker Lane Group

Best sustainable small business (clothing)

Winner: Hanna Fiedler

Inspired by the modern culinary movement – where chefs’ tables and open interaction between the chefs and guests have revolutionised the dining experience – Hanna Fiedler aims to create a unique and engaging luxury experience that takes clients on a journey, sharing the love and attention to detail that goes into the creation of each of its designs.

Constantly striving to improve the way it works and finding solutions to be a more responsible, mindful brand with a positive impact on the fashion industry, designs are not only beautiful but filled with intention and purpose.

“Hanna Fiedler’s transparent approach to impact reporting has to be commended. With objectives, targets, challenges and SDGs all clearly communicated, customers and suppliers can get a better understanding of where the brand is now and how they plan to improve. Love it!” says Hannah Reiss, marketing and communications manager at B Lab UK and a MC awards judge.

Highly commended: rho

Best sustainable small business (underwear)

Winner: Eartha Underwear

From ensuring the farmers producing fabrics are paid and work in safe conditions, to limiting the impact on marine life when the garment is washed by consumers, Eartha Underwear garments are designed to last.

Not only does Eartha use plastic-free packaging and innovative materials, but it also donates to multiple reforestation projects and is currently developing a framework with Leeds Business School to make sustainability implementation easier and more accessible.

“Every aspect of Eartha Underwear has been considered to make sure it is impacting the planet as little as possible. I like that the collections are only available in limited runs and that the company strives to use innovative materials, too. I look forward to following their journey towards creating 100% biodegradable underwear,” says Head.

Highly commended: ONE Essentials

Best sustainable small business (accessories)

Winner: LUXTRA

Using plant-based vegan leathers to make timeless accessories, LUXTRA’s range of handbags, backpacks, wallets and other small accessories for both men and women is crafted from vegan-friendly materials made with pineapple, apple, cactus, and corn-based ‘leathers’. Hand-made in Italy, items can also be personalised by London artist, Rachel Joy Price – famed for her bright and bold hand-painted lettering – for special, one-of-a-kind gifts. A certified B Corp, LUXTRA shows it’s possible to create a brand that is kinder; one that can produce beautiful products (that last a lifetime), while also taking care of people and the planet.

“It’s great to see a small company with ambition and innovation at its heart. Whilst continuously pioneering plant-based materials, LUXTRA is considering the full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of its products and the ways in which it can support local communities,” says Reiss.

Highly commended: Lilac Tree

Best sustainable small business (kids)

Winner: SuperLooper

Renting is a no-brainer for parents who love fashion but feel bad about buying too much. As we know, babies grow very quickly, so instead of buying and owning their clothes that are only worn a few times, why not rent them for as long as you need, then swap them for the next size up?

SuperLooper is a pre-loved baby-clothing rental service encouraging families to recycle hardly worn clothes and keep them in circulation for longer. In short, this is a circular, economy-inspired, anti-fast-fashion social enterprise created so parents can dress their babies in lots of lovely clothes without the guilt of over-consuming.

“SuperLooper is a great example of how simple waste reduction can be. I love their encouragement of circularity and, further, that they’ve kept rental costs down to make a more eco-approach affordable for all,” adds Head.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Offering everything from innovative energy solutions to community-based conservation initiatives, these planet-positive destinations are blazing a new trail for eco-conscious travellers

Post-pandemic, meaningful travel experiences have never been more in demand and our newfound appreciation of The Great Getaway coincides with a spike in positive-impact exploration. Indeed, a recent survey conducted by Expedia shows that up to two-thirds of all globe trotters now seek sustainable holidays that deliver eco-focussed accommodation, green transportation solutions, and an authentic commitment to sustainable practices that go beyond lip-service initiatives.

Thankfully, the winners in our Travel & Leisure category have been ahead of the curve in driving positive change and disrupting the industry’s status quo for years. Leading the charge for considered travel, these trailblazers not only help to protect the planet, but also champion local communities and cultures to ensure travellers can enjoy mindful experiences that really don’t cost the earth. Presenting the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Travel and Leisure winners…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022: Travel and Leisure winners

Best sustainable hotel (independent)

Winner: room2 Chiswick

Located in the heart of London’s leafy Chiswick, room2 is the world’s first whole-life net-zero ‘hometel’, meaning that all carbon emissions associated with its creation – from conception to construction and beyond – have been reduced and rebalanced to deliver a zero-carbon footprint.

Launched in December 2021, room2 Chiswick is 89% more efficient than typical UK-based hotels and has set a new global industry standard for environmental responsibility. Cue advanced technology to deliver solar and ground-source heat pumps, which convert 100% of the energy needed for heating and cooling; ultra-low-flow pressure showers and a ‘blue roof’, which discharges up to 50,000 litres of rainwater into the drainage system; plus a green roof made up of 200 tonnes of soil to promote biodiversity and provide extra insulation. There are also two on-site lab rooms, so that the hotel can constantly refine and improve its systems and a bespoke in-room recycling programme to ensure 100% of waste is reprocessed or converted into energy off-site.

“This space really impressed me – it was clearly built with the intention of sustainability in mind,” says Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert and Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards judge. “The commitment to the lab; utilities that only work when someone is in the room; composting and recycling in the hotel; a zero-waste commitment; locally crafted furniture; net-zero emissions – and all this in a large-capacity hotel in the middle of a city like London? It’s pretty groundbreaking and I hope more hotels go down this route.”

Highly commended: Raithwaite Sandsend

Best sustainable hotel (national group)

Winner: Phāea Resorts

Taking a nature-positive, human-centric approach to hospitality, Crete-based Phāea Resorts – comprising Cretan Malia Park, Blue Palace, Village Heights Resort and Koutouloufari Village Holiday Club – is committed to delivering a thoroughly authentic, eco-friendly stay for guests. From serving fresh, organic produce from local growers who champion regenerative farming practices and running each site on 100% renewable energy sources, to partnering with local schools to deliver lessons on the natural world for a future generation of environmentalists, Phāea utilises tourism to support both planet and people.

What’s more, it boasts a plethora of green accreditations, including FSC-certified wood for furnishings, Rainforest Alliance coffee, EU Ecolabel-endorsed cleaning products, and the Green Key seal of approval for its eco ethics and community-focused ethos.

“Well done to the team at Phāea Resorts for building a business model that’s in line with all 17 of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and for putting sustainable development at the forefront of its operations since day one,” says Ally Head, Marie Claire’s health, sustainability and relationships editor and Sustainability Awards judge. “More hotels should be using monitoring systems for greenhouse-gas emissions and solar panels to heat their water.”

Highly commended: Creta Maris Beach Resort

Best sustainable hotel (global group)

Winner: Accor

In March 2021, Accor – which manages prestigious brands, including Fairmont, Raffles, and Banyan Tree – became the first major international hotel group to set long-term, science-based targets to reduce its carbon emissions in line with the 1.5°C ambition of the Paris Agreement. By November 2021, COP26 saw Accor pledge to ban single-use plastic for guests by the end of 2022 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 – again, becoming the first international hotel group to do so.

What does all this mean in practice? Well, guests can expect everything from energy-saving lamps and waste-water treatments to carbon-absorbing paint and extensive recycling programmes (Fairmont even supports honey-bee health through its Bee Sustainable programme, which features live hive monitoring and in-depth honey analysis). And, given the scale of the company, Accor is set to make a positive impact on the industry’s footprint, fast.

Highly focused on reducing waste across its portfolio, Accor impressed founder of UK for Good and Marie Claire Sustainability Awards judge Donna Okell, who says: “Accor is leading by example. Its commitment to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism demonstrates a clear understanding of the most challenging social and environmental issues facing the tourism industry today – and it’s redefining what ‘good’ looks like to the sector both globally and locally.”

Highly commended: 1 Hotels

Best sustainable spa (international group)

Winner: Habitas

An experience-led, sustainable hospitality brand, Habitas boasts five destination hotels across the globe, with Habitas Bacalar being its latest ‘home’ to launch last year. Overlooking Mexico’s striking Lake Bacalar, wellness has been woven into the fabric of this green-focused, Mayan village-inspired build, with therapies carefully designed using local ingredients, and guests encouraged to immerse themselves in the practices of Mayan culture and botanical medicines.

With its own onsite apiary, the hotel also cultivates its own honey from melipona bees and works with local cacao farmers to source ingredients for customised wellness and spa treatments. Meanwhile, Habitas RISE – the brand’s philanthropic arm – focuses on lagoon and stromatolite conservation, sustainability, and empowering local communities in the Bacalar region through educational events and the creation of micro-economies, including sourcing from local farmers.

“Habitas is paving the way for sustainable tourism and environmental consciousness is woven into every element of their philosophy, including their intimate spa – from a design to cause minimal impact on the earth to the commitment to eliminating single-use plastic,” says Lisa Oxenham, Marie Claire’s beauty and style director and Sustainability Awards judge.

Best sustainable spa (independent)

Winner: The Spa at South Lodge

Part of an independently owned, family-run set of charming country-house hotels, The Spa at South Lodge is Exclusive Collection’s most eco-focused spa offering. Set in the stunning South Downs, it became B Corp-certified in 2021 as a result of its Sustainability and Environmental Policy pledges to purchase environmentally responsible products and use renewable energy and planet-friendly suppliers. And it doesn’t stop there: from electric tuk-tuks to transport guests around the property and electric car-charging points for arriving staycationers, to the wildflower spa roof and swimming pool with natural filtration, The Spa at South Lodge has implemented an impressive combination of tech and natural tools to tackle waste and minimise its environmental impact – including two biomass boilers which run on wood pellets to heat the hotel’s water and swimming pools.

The team also donates leftover food to those that need it most in the area via Olio, and uses Vegware products (fully compostable foodservice packaging) and HuskeeCups (recyclable cups made from waste coffee husks) throughout the property.

“The sole purpose of heading to a spa is relaxation. The Spa at South Lodge has given its customers the chance to further relax knowing that it does everything in its power to make their stay as sustainable and environmentally conscious as possible, which I think makes the whole thing even more relaxing,” says Katie Thomas, Marie Claire’s senior beauty editor and Sustainability Awards judge.

Highly commended: Titanic Spa

Best for eco-travel

Winner: Byway

Offering hyper-personal, slow-travel holidays, Byway is the world’s first flight-free travel platform helping green-minded globe trotters to explore Europe sustainably – and hassle-free. Powered by dynamic technology, the site creates personalised multi-stop trips that have been optimised for enjoyment instead of speed. Unsurprisingly, this approach is making a big impact on carbon emissions, with Byway bookers saving more than 48,200 kg of CO2 (the equivalent of 289 trees) in the past year alone compared to their normal carbon footprint. In a genius move, the brand is also introducing carbon labelling to help customers make carbon-favourable swaps while they explore.

Also commendable: Byway is a Real Living Wage Employer; match-funds employee donations to causes (most recently the DEC appeal for Ukraine); and is a member of both Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency and Travel by B Corp. During Veganuary, the brand even launched the world’s first vegan-optimised holiday builder to help travellers cut carbon across both transport and diet.

“What excites me about Byway’s approach to travel is the potential to make slow travel mainstream,” says Charlotte Horler, founder of Nula and a Marie Claire Sustainability Awards judge. “With carbon labelling on the horizon, hotspot avoidance and train travel made more accessible, I’m looking forward to seeing Byway use data to scale even further over the next few years.”

Highly commended: Intrepid

Best sustainable destination

Winner: Costa Navarino, Greece

Lauded for its sustainability credentials by the World Travel & Tourism Council, Costa Navarino is one of the Mediterranean’s most eco-friendly and unspoilt destinations thanks to its commitment to protecting Messinia’s natural beauty, local communities, and strong sense of heritage.

Featuring three water reservoirs, Europe’s largest olive-tree transplanting programme, and one of the highest biodiversity levels in the continent, Costa Navarino also runs a monitoring and protection initiative for the loggerhead sea turtle, and contributes to a pioneering programme to support the only European population of African chameleons in the Gialova lagoon. Now, together with Stockholm University and the Academy of Athens, Costa Navarino has established NEO (Navarino Environmental Observatory) – a dedicated space to research and educate travellers on the region’s unique climate and environment.

“Costa Navarino is looking at all goals and analysing the effects of the pandemic [to] move forward and reach its sustainability goals,” explains Sujata Burman, digital editor at London Design Festival and a MC Sustainability Awards judge. “I [also like that it] has a good focus on the community, with research to develop environmental education.”

Best sustainable ski destination

Winner: Laax, Switzerland

The weather in Laax may be ice-cold in winter, but the fight against irreversible climate damage is heating up nicely. The Swiss ski destination, famed for its relaxed vibes and freestyle ethos, has pledged 100% carbon neutrality by 2030, and aims to be the first snow-sports destination to reach this ambitious target.

Working alongside the Greenstyle Foundation – a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment, this beautiful region already benefits from an e-shuttle service and the ‘Last Day Pass’, a ski pass designed specifically to slow glacial melt. This clever initiative enables visitors to purchase a biodegradable, locally produced wooden pass, which then funds sustainable projects that push back the last day of the Vorab Glacier by 10 minutes – and offsets approximately 1 tonne of CO2 in the process.

“Aiming to be the first snow-sports destination to become carbon neutral, Laax is making lots of innovative moves to highlight the impact of global warming and educate guests on how to live more sustainably. Riders Hotel – one of the area’s most popular properties – even offers a free clothes-repair service,” adds Head.

Best sustainable travel experience

Winner: Trans Bhutan Trail

A game-changing, not-for-profit sustainable-tourism initiative, the Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) is restoring a unique piece of Bhutan’s cultural heritage and reopening 250 miles of one of the world’s most historic walks to adventurers keen to experience this beautiful country’s past, present and future – while also supporting the locals who live alongside it.

Last open to travellers 60 years ago, the TBT provides a chance for smaller, more remote communities to reap the economic benefits of tourism, and champions independent enterprises, such as homestays, campsites and restaurants, to help create employment opportunities for local guides, drivers, and cooks. Rather refreshingly, Bhutan – the world’s first carbon-negative country – is also dedicated to ensuring low-impact trekking on the trail remains environmentally and ecologically friendly to ensure it preserves not only traditional cultures, but protects the delicate ecosystems it intersects, too.

“The TBT is an innovative and disruptive sustainable tourism initiative that has the potential to have wide-reaching impact in Bhutan – not merely on tourism, but in the preservation of its history and culture,” says Myriam Sidibe, chief mission officer for Brands on a Mission, and MC Sustainability Awards judge. “It is highly integrated and aligned with Bhutan’s wider tourism strategy, as well as global Sustainable Development Goals.”

Best for a sustainable holiday with kids (abroad)

Winner: Sani Resort

As the first certified carbon-neutral resort in Greece since 2020, Sani Resort is leading the charge for green, luxury stays in Europe. And no wonder, given its magical location: set in a 1,000-acre ecological reserve, the resort boasts 7km of Blue-Flag beaches, more than 20km of lush forest trails, and 270 acres of nature-rich wetlands to explore.

There’s also a ‘Sani Green’ programme on offer, which encourages guests to reconnect to the surrounding wilderness through eco-focused, expert-guided outdoor activities, including olive harvesting and beekeeping. If you or your little ones love birds, you can enjoy the resort’s complimentary birdwatching tour through the wetlands, too, where more than 225 species of our feathery friends now thrive. Sani’s wide-ranging club activities are also popular with kids (4-17) and designed to teach enquiring minds about the power of nature.

“What really makes Sani Resort stand out is its environment-focused activities for kids, which teach the next generation all about ecosystems, recycling and other ways they can protect the planet,” says Andrea Thompson, Marie Claire’s Editor-in-Chief and Sustainability Awards judge.

Highly commended: Creta Maris Beach Resort

Best for a sustainable holiday with kids (UK)

Winner: The Lakes by Yoo

Set amongst 850 acres of lakes, meadows and woodlands, The Lakes by Yoo offers nature-loving families a luxury, wild oasis without compromising on its environmental values. Indeed, sustainable living lies at the heart of the estate’s ethos, with conservation and ecology embedded in the brand’s DNA. Case in point: more than 500,000 trees have been planted; bees have been cultivated; and millions invested to create an ecologically respectful environment that includes an on-site farm – where all the animals have been rescued, including The Lakes’ resident pigs and goats. Families can even stop by the chicken coop to collect fresh, organic eggs, or the herb and vegetable garden where heritage varieties are grown from seeds, offering a true farm-to-table experience.

Afternoons are for discovering the arboretum helping to re-wild the local area, wading through the estate’s eco-ponds, or watching the skies for a glimpse of herons and nightingales – species The Lakes by Yoo has created dedicated habitats in order to support their breeding. The use of natural, local materials, such as Cotswold stone and locally woven willow, have also been used throughout the interiors to ensure its aesthetic blends seamlessly into the landscape.

“Conservation and ecology are at the core of this beautiful oasis,” agrees Penny Goldstone, Marie Claire’s fashion editor and Sustainability Awards judge.

Best for a sustainable honeymoon

Winner: Villa Hotels & Resorts Sun Island Resort & Spa

Set on one of the largest Maldivian Islands and home to thriving biodiversity and marine life, Sun Island Resort & Spa is a luxury eco-resort that weaves sustainability into every aspect of its five-star offering.

Its signature restaurant Zero, for example, boasts ingredients grown in the property’s own Villa Park gardens to ensure dishes are served with zero food miles. Elsewhere, energy and water usage is constantly monitored to avoid waste; eco-cleaning products are used to limit environmental pollutants; and an environment manager and dedicated committee have been tasked to work towards achieving carbon neutrality across the resort.

“Being Green Key-certified, it’s clear that this resort takes its responsibility to the environment seriously, and has been independently verified,” says Michelle Miles, founder of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance and MC’s Sustainability Awards judge. “Plus, its zero-miles, farm-to-fork approach to food, and aim to be entirely carbon-neutral is excellent.”

Highly commended: Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

Coveting a green big day to reduce the climate impact of your nuptials? Say ‘I do’ to the sustainable wedding brands creating eco-conscious celebrations

Over the past decade, the interest in ‘green weddings’ has bloomed from including a couple of eco-conscious elements, like biodegradable confetti or online save-the-dates, to ensuring the entire celebration reflects the couples’ sustainable interests.

From finding wedding venues that use non-disposable tableware and glasses, and hiring caterers who use locally grown ingredients, to decorating the venue with pre-loved decor and renting bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos, green-nuptial options are soaring.

Of course, planning a sustainable wedding can seem a little daunting, so we’re here to help you navigate the world of green-wedding planning with confidence. Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards winners in the Wedding category…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Wedding winners

Best sustainable bridalwear brand

Winner: Sabina Motasem

Showing that choosing green doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on style, quality or price, Sabina Motasem creates beautiful bridal dresses that are both kind to the planet and pocket.

Made from natural, plant-based materials, Sabrina Motasem’s Green Collection reflects the brand’s bestselling Couture Collection – they’re made in the very same ateliers – but features specially sourced eco-fabrics of circular viscose and cupro blends derived from sustainable wood and pulp.

Sustainability Awards judge and founder of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, Michelle Miles says: “It’s great to see they are working on being regenerative rather than just neutral.”

Highly commended: Andrea Hawkes and Nola London

Best sustainable florist

Winner: Amaranté London

Learning how harmful the fresh-flower industry is to the planet is what initially propelled CEO and founder Kiran Seehra to establish Amaranté London. Disgusted by the detrimental intensive farming practices that come with selling fresh flowers, she strived to find a better, more sustainable alternative.

Eliminating the need for intensive farming, Amaranté London only farms flowers when they are in season, while every arrangement is hand-crafted and made to order, meaning that they only ever pick what they sell and nothing is ever left to waste. Making every purchase a carbon-negative one, the label’s profits are also put towards good causes, backing global reforestation efforts through planting two trees with each order.

“ Well done to Kiran for building a business built on ethically sourced and made-to-order bouquets, lowering carbon footprint and waste in the process,” says Sustainability Awards judge and Marie Claire UK’s health, sustainability & relationships editor, Ally Head. “I also love that Amaranté London was founded on social inclusivity, with 80% of its workforce being female, 58% within an ethnic minority, and 37% with a recognised disability.”

Best sustainable wedding-cake supplier

Winner: Love from Lila

Proving that cakes (and, in particular, wedding cakes) can look and taste absolutely phenomenal, whilst also being as sustainable as possible, Love from Lila doesn’t limit its sustainability creds to just baking with free-range eggs. 

Running since 2015, Love from Lila uses locally sourced, British, seasonal ingredients and reduces food waste through carefully managed recipes – offering ‘offcuts’ into the community through food-sharing initiatives. The brand also minimises its carbon output by purchasing ingredients in bulk and employing an eco-friendly provider to host the website – the sort that uses green-energy sources and offsets its carbon.

“It’s great to see that founder Lila is not just passionate about wedding cake, but passionate about making wedding cakes that are genuinely planet-friendly, too. She’s thoughtful and eco-conscious about every aspect of her business, from produce to production,” says Head.

Best sustainable wedding caterer

Winner: Lettice Events

Providing beautifully presented, seasonal food for sustainable luxury private and corporate events, family run Lettice Events has continued to adapt and evolve since its inception in 1995. Championing the importance of eating responsibly sourced produce, Lettuce Events started working with Foodsteps, the leading provider of environmental-impact assessments for food businesses, to understand its own carbon emissions and learn how best to reduce them.

This year, to further reduce its carbon footprint, the brand is also working with a food-waste digestion system, Orca, which uses the biological process of enzymatic digestion as a food-waste solution.

“A simple yet smart company, Lettice Events call themselves an industry leader in their approach to food waste and I can see why,” says Head. “I love that they’re working with Foodsteps and am excited to see what changes are made to lower emissions in the future, too.”

Best sustainable wedding venue

Winner: Hayne House

As you can probably imagine, with every wedding also comes a vast amount of ‘stuff’ – most of which ends up in the bin at the end of the wedding weekend. Hayne House, a 35-acre wedding venue in Kent featuring a stunning orangery, picturesque gardens and charming country house, is actively taking responsibility for its impact on the environment, and raising awareness in its immediate sphere of influence at an industry level to drive positive change. 

Hoping to encourage other businesses and venues to commit to the race to zero, Hayne House is on a mission to prove that weddings do not have to come at a cost to the planet. From replacing windows and removing single-use plastic, to switching to renewable energy and launching a couples reward scheme that encourages better choices, Hayne House has made a long-term commitment to sustainability. And, for every wedding it hosts, it also makes a donation to the Kent Woodland Trust, too.

“I love Hayne House’s A Wedding Doesn’t Have to Cost the Earth initiative and all of the small yet vastly important steps they are taking to make one of the most wasteful sectors less wasteful,” says Head.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

From compostable coffee pods and powerhouse plant-based solutions, to zero-waste apps reshaping the industry, here are the food and drink heroes helping us to tackle climate crisis from our kitchen tables

The question of what we should and shouldn’t eat to help combat climate change has never been more important – nor so confusing.

Don’t eat meat. Avoid dairy. Actually, some meat is OK, but not red meat. In fact, cheese is worse than chicken. Just go vegan. No, just eat more plants. But don’t leave any food waste.... with such mixed messaging – and so many different options on offer – it’s hard to make the right decisions when we shop.

Thankfully, these food and drink companies have shown they’re committed to putting the planet first – and are reshaping how we grow, process, package and transport food to ensure that the industry contributes positively to climate change. So, without further ado, here are the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Food and Drink winners…

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2022 Food and Drink winners

Best sustainable-packaging innovation

Winner: Halō Coffee

Halō Coffee knows that a better coffee experience doesn’t need to cost the earth. Focusing on taste and sustainability, Halō created the world’s first bio-plastic-free, fully compostable coffee pods and beans. This ensures that the entire product is home-compostable, meaning you can indulge and dispose of the boxed packaging in your home compost, then watch it disappear in as little as 28 days.

“This, in my opinion, is innovation at its finest – spinning on its head what we already know to be sustainable and changing the status quo to make a product that’s truly planet-friendly. Being able to enjoy a product and then fully dispose of it in your own home could – cost permitting – be the future,” says Sustainability Awards judge and MC’s health, sustainability & relationships editor, Ally Head. 

Highly commended: Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka

Best sustainable food brand

Winner: allplants

Founded as a response to the fact that, for the future health of our planet, humans must dramatically reduce their reliance on animal products, allplants is on a mission to inspire everyone to eat greener.

As one of the earliest brands to become a B Corp back in 2018, allplants recently improved its accreditation from “Good” to “Outstanding”, putting the brand in the top 0.1% of all UK-based food companies for sustainability.

Between 2016 and 2021, it also served 4 million plant-based meals – saving 15,000 tonnes of CO2 (the equivalent of preventing 180 million plastic bottles being made), 10 billion litres of water, and 18,000 acres of land (equivalent to 10,000 football pitches), and is committed to reducing food waste, too.

“This is an amazing example of a brand and business making sustainability a totally mainstream product,” says Sustainability Awards judge and founder of Good Business, Giles Gibbons.

Highly commended: Sharpham Park

Best for carbon footprint

Winner: Minor Figures

Recently B Corp-certified, Minor Figures was the first 100% plant-based-milk company to go carbon neutral in 2018 – and its sustainability efforts extend well beyond carbon offsets. Using 100% renewable energy for the UK office and manufacturing, the company has reduced its shipping emissions to Australia by 27% since it started producing its Oat M*lk locally in 2021. The label has also entered the zero-waste space with Oat M*lk refill dispensers (aka Bag in Box), which are popping up in local package-free stores all over the UK.

“Minor Figures and its sustainability mission is certainly worthy of a Marie Claire award,” says Marie Claire UK features editor and Sustainability Awards judge, Jenny Proudfoot. “From becoming the first plant-based-milk company to go carbon-neutral, to its work supporting projects with biodiversity and social equity co-benefits, this brand is leading the way in sustainability. This is especially true in terms of its carbon footprint, with Minor Figures identifying the best way it can have an impact – restoring land and planting trees, and making that a priority in its development. I was particularly impressed with how much the company is guided by its followers, with customers choosing which projects the company should invest its carbon credits into.”

Best ethical drinks brand 

Winner: Karma Drinks

This small company has a big mission: to make the most ethical soft drinks in the world. Good to the planet, good for the people who grow the ingredients, and as good for you as a fizzy drink can be.

“Karma Drinks is truly a brand built on strong ethical values. They offer several programmes that help to protect nature and improve the lives of the people that grow the ingredients; they also go beyond the average and see it as their responsibility to do things differently. When looking at their website, there is one main message: Karma Drinks is here to change the way we produce and consume, and that is reshaping business values – it is an inspirational way of doing business for sure,” says Stephanie de Heer, our Sustainability Awards judge and Rainforest Alliance’s senior director of marketing & communications.

Highly commended: Journey’s End Vineyards

Best ethical food brand 

Winner: The Ethical Butcher

Dispelling some of the myths around the impact of meat production on our planet, The Ethical Butcher sources meat from forward-thinking farmers who are using practices that actively regenerate biodiversity and soil fertility – showing that meat production can be a restorative, climate-positive force for good.

“For people that want to keep eating animal-based products, then this is the way to go. Farm the land as it used to be, sequester carbon and let animals eat what they were meant to. Sustainability-wise, this comes high on the list,” says our judge, and plant-based chef and owner of Bettina’s Kitchen, Bettina Campolucci Bordi.

Best vegan brand

Winner: Minor Figures

Double-award winner Minor Figures not only wins the ‘Best for carbon-footprint’ category, but also ‘Best vegan brand’. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, Minor Figures is the sum of everyone who makes it up – in fact, the company initially decided to become a vegan brand because its head product guy, James, went vegan, and it either had to follow suit or risk losing its top taste-tester. Campolucci Bordi says: “Great company; great ethos; I especially love their big milk machines in the zero-waste shops.”

Best zero-waste brand

Winner: Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is a free-to-download app fighting food waste. The B Corp-certified company connects people with surplus food from restaurants, cafes, bakeries and grocery retailers, so that their delicious leftover food can be bought at a reduced price and not thrown away. 

In the UK, the app works with more than 20,000 partner food businesses offering surplus food, including major brands like Greggs, Greene King, Morrisons, LEON, Pret A Manger and Starbucks, alongside beloved independent establishments, such as Planet Organic, Bread Ahead Bakery, Ottolenghi, and many more.

“Helping to fight food waste on a global scale, Too Good To Go has done an amazing job at normalising buying leftover produce from restaurants, supermarkets, and so on, at a reduced price,” says Head. “They promote zero-waste living every day by selling food to their community of 55 million customers. But they’re doing more than that, too – certifying as a B Corp in 2019, they’ve developed food-bank partnerships and even launched a global initiative to eradicate food waste thanks to date-label confusion.”

Highly commended: Gather

Best sustainable snack brand

Winner: nucao

A plant-based chocolate bar, nucao from the nu+ company is made using only responsibly sourced, organic ingredients – and the brand is on a climate-positive mission too, committed to planting a tree for every bar sold or sampled.

Proving that climate-positive snacking is the way forward, the company has also developed plastic-free, biodegradable-foil packaging, which, when disposed of properly, can decompose in months – sparing tonnes of plastic over the years from ending up in our oceans.

“It’s great to see a brand with sustainability at its core, not only are they offsetting their daily carbon emissions via reforestation and carbon sequestration, planting nearly 11,000,000 mangrove trees since 2018, but have their sights set on a B Corp-certification soon, too,” says Head.

Best for eco-friendly kitchen tools and accessories

Winner: Wild & Stone

Wild & Stone’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to live more sustainably, creating easy-to-adopt, usable and stylish alternatives to commonly used plastics in our homes and lives.

Its sustainable, fun ‘Over the Rainbow’ Weaning Suction Plate was born from the challenges the team experienced when weaning their children; consciously made from sustainably harvested FSC-certified Moso bamboo, the suction design makes weaning baby- and parent-friendly.

“I was really impressed with Wild & Stone’s Weaning Suction Plate. After identifying the plate as a commonly used household plastic, the brand made it its mission to create a sustainable alternative, and the end result speaks for itself. Sustainability is clearly at the heart of everything Wild & Stone does and I am extremely excited to see what it does next,” says Proudfoot.

Best sustainable spirit brand

Winner: Canaïma Gin

Canaïma produces a small-batch craft Amazonian gin dedicated to protecting and preserving its environment and the local communities within it.

As part of its sustainability mission, Canaïma Gin donates 10% of its sales to NGOs and charities that protect the Amazon and its indigenous people, including Saving The Amazon and the Terra Viva Foundation.

Sustainability Awards judge and Decanter magazine editor Amy Wislocki says: “An impressive range of initiatives, which meet many of the 17 of the UN’s [Sustainable Development] Goals, Canaïma Gin is taking positive action on climate change, community growth, gender equality and also addressing poverty, among other things. Looking holistically at the whole process – from replanting trees to sourcing ingredients locally and donating to local charities – it’s a great exponent of joined-up thinking, and a force for positive change in a part of the world that has come to symbolise the urgent need for action.”

Highly commended: Cantium Gin

Best sustainable wine producer

Winner: Journey’s End Vineyards

Award-winning South African winery, Journey’s End, is committed to sustainable farming practices as well as environmental and ethical projects to help the local community. As the second wine farm in South Africa to convert to solar power in 2014, it is also certified by Fairtrade, Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA), and has recently become recognised as a WWF Conservation Champion, too.

In addition to this, Journey’s End founded its own NGO Foundation in 2020 to help tackle worsening hunger and poverty in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The Foundation funds and provides more than 30,000 meals a week to those in need through a network of soup kitchens and has served more 1.7 million meals since its inception.

“Journey’s End has the complete package and has been a key, leading player for sustainability within the global wine world. Almost every element of sustainability has been covered from both a people (including ethical) and planet perspective. A hugely impressive operation and one that has deserved its recognition over the years,” says Alex Layton, head of marketing at Decanter and Sustainability Awards judge.

Highly commended: The Uncommon

Best sustainable non-alcoholic-drinks brand

Winner: DASH

Using wonky fruit and vegetables to naturally infuse water with a dash of flavour (also free from sugar, sweeteners and calories), DASH aims to combat the important environmental issue of food waste.

B Corp-accredited, DASH is one of the fastest-growing drinks brands in the UK. Its cans and bottles are made from recycled aluminium and glass, and each drink has a carbon label to help consumers understand the carbon impact of their purchase.

“Great to see a healthy, aspirational, sustainability soft drink going mainstream,” says judge Gibbons.

Highly commended: Minor Figures

Best sustainable tea brand

Winner: Pukka Herbs

From being Fair for Life-certified and donating 1% of everything it sells to environmental and social initiatives, to sourcing organic ingredients and becoming carbon-neutral in 2019, Pukka Herbs is serious about sustainability.

“Pukka Herbs has made sustainability a core part of the brand – it is not just a ‘nice to have’, but truly part of its DNA. It is B Corp-certified as well, which is a recognition of its efforts as a company. The way Pukka Herbs has managed to work through the supply chain, highlighting the different positive impacts along the way is impressive and inspirational,” says de Heer.

“They manage to zoom in on some of the most challenging issues we face in tea today and have presented, in a clear and concise way, how they are taking responsibility. I particularly like how they balanced showing what they are doing themselves, and how they are working with relevant partners and other organisations to jointly take responsibility. It shows they recognise that sustainability can only be achieved if we all work together. Pukka leads the way for many others.”

Highly commended: Twinings

Best sustainable subscription/food-delivery brand

Winner: Mindful Chef

Mindful Chef is the UK’s top-rated healthy recipe-box service. The aim? To make healthy eating easy.

A certified B Corp, all its ingredients are sustainably sourced and, for every meal sold, the company donates a school meal to a child living in poverty (the brand has already donated 12 million meals – the equivalent of feeding 60,000 children for a year).

In December 2021, it also became the first recipe-box company to put carbon labels on recipes, and as part of its mission to become net-zero by 2030, it joined forces with ClimatePartner – an independent, climate-action solutions provider – to enable customers to select recipes that are in line with the WWF’s target of reducing dietary-related emissions.

“An excellent business, bringing health and sustainability together,” says Gibbons.

Highly commended: Earth & Wheat

Best sustainable drinks-subscription brand

Winner: Draught Drop

Draught Drop is the UK’s first draught beer and wine-delivery service and aims to provide its customers with the best quality draught beer and sustainably sourced wines, for up to 80% less carbon emissions compared to single-use alternatives.

Draught Drop’s reusable bottle scheme works just like a milk float: customers receive two 1 litre bottles of fresh beer from its selection of 25 local partner breweries in reusable glass bottles. They can then enjoy three and a half pints and, when done, they simply leave their bottles on the doorstep to be swapped for a refill on their next order.

Annabel Thomas, founder of Nc’nean Distillery and MC Sustainability Awards judge, says: “Absolutely brilliant solution to packaging in the drinks industry – the first step to a truly circular economy. If only the whole world could work like this!”

Best sustainable food and drink retailer

Winner: Bother

Bother is out to change the way Britain shops, making it better for people and the planet. Its convenient service helps you keep on top of all the household essentials like pasta, loo roll, laundry powder and toiletries.

Net Zero Carbon-certified, Bother also plants trees for every order thanks to its partnership with Ecologi and the Million Tree Pledge (enough to offset everyone who works there).

“An innovative idea turning how we shop on its head, Bother is a B Corp on a mission to make stocking up on eco-friendly household essentials simpler for us and safer for the planet. The start-up is net-zero, carbon-certified and on its way to being carbon-negative, too,” says Head.

Best sustainable fast-food brand

Winner: The Vurger Co.

Fast-food company The Vurger Co. offers a 100% vegan menu, uses 100% compostable packaging (and waste from packaging is, arguably, one of the biggest issues within the fast-food industry) and works with partners to ensure a zero-to-landfill policy. Sourcing as much as possible from local suppliers, The Vurger Co. has been touted as the future of fast food – and, from what we can see, for good reason.

“I was completely blown away by Vurger's commitment to the environment with its sustainable focus running through every part of the restaurant. The menu is 100% vegan with a strong focus on championing small and local brands, the packaging is 100% compostable, there are no plastic bottles on-site and a zero-to landfill policy. Going even further, they only use sustainable energy, actually powering their restaurants with the green energy made from their waste. This is the way forward. Pioneering brands like The Vurger Co. are what the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards are all about and I am so thrilled that they are being recognised,” says Proudfoot.

Best sustainable restaurant (independent)

Winner: Fallow Restaurant

Offering an environmentally conscious menu, complete with plant-based alternatives that deliver a ‘root-to-stem’ approach, Fallow Restaurant in London’s Mayfair presents creative, low-waste dishes that aim to support producers in a tangible way.

B Corp-certified, its Sapling Fund initiative has also seen more than 2,000 saplings planted in and around the UK, and offset more than 50,000 metric tonnes of future carbon.

“It’s all about the details at Fallow,” says Sunil Makan, Marie Claire editor and Sustainability Awards judge. “We have to applaud them for their innovative approach to giving surplus ingredients a complete makeover.”

Highly commended: The Buxton

Best sustainable restaurant (group)

Winner: Lussmanns Sustainable Kitchen

Lussmanns is founded on the fundamental belief that it’s possible to be ethical and profitable, while making sustainable dining accessible to everyone and consistently delivering great food, service and value.

As one of the only restaurant groups currently in the UK to be completely Marine Stewardship Council-friendly, Lussmans takes a holistic view of sustainability. Plus, in addition to ethical food provenance and green energy, the restaurant group recycles everything, and gives back to the community by supporting a range of national and local fundraising initiatives.

“Lussmans is clearly committed to its green mission, even rebranding as ‘Lussmanns Sustainable Kitchen’ last year. From its ethical food provenance and green energy to sustainable waste management and commitment to giving back to the community, this is truly a brand with a purpose,” adds Proudfoot.

Marie Claire UK has determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands is published in good faith.

The wait is over - meet the eco-friendly businesses making a difference.

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do here at Marie Claire UK. From reporting on the brilliant female change-makers tackling climate change head-on, to expert-led guides navigating carbon footprint, ethical fashion brands, and sustainable beauty buys, sharing insight into how to live more sustainably has been one of our core pillars for years.

That's why we're so proud that it's time to reveal the winners of our second annual Sustainability Awards, a celebration of the brands, organisations, and products that are genuinely implementing change and building a better tomorrow.

As we all become more eco-conscious, it’s more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the brands that are acknowledging their environmental and ethical responsibilities – and helping us as consumers to shop smarter and buy better.

Meet the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards winners 2022

To help you start making the small day-to-day decisions that’ll have a lasting impact on our planet, we tasked a trailblazing judging panel, made up of over 50 of the world’s leading experts, thought leaders, and sustainability activists, to select the businesses that are actually committed to effecting change.

With more than 90 subcategories to sift through, our insiders scrupulously selected the brands that are truly worth their sustainable salt across the below categories.

Watch the video above or click the categories below to meet this year's winners in more detail:

• Fashion
• Beauty, health & wellness
• Food & drink
• Homes & lifestyle
• Weddings
• Motors
• Travel & leisure

Your need-to-knows:

• Winners were selected by an award-winning judging panel of 50+ of the world's leading sustainability experts, activists, and the Marie Claire UK editorial team.
• View the 2021 sustainability directory here.

An insight into last year's awards...

Never one to avoid practicing what we preach – or shy away from making history – not only was last year Marie Claire UK’s inaugural Sustainability Awards, it was also our first-ever carbon-neutral awards ceremony. (Yes, even virtual awards generate a carbon footprint.) 

So, in partnership with Nula Carbon, we offset our carbon emissions by planting a mangrove tree for every one of our attendees.

See who won in 2021 and watch some of our past judges here:

Ready to celebrate the editor – and expert-approved – brands going that extra mile in working towards a more sustainable future for our planet? So are we – because we truly believe that we can all #StartSomewhere by making better individual choices that can kick-start meaningful, collective change.

Last week, we hosted our inaugural Marie Claire Sustainability Awards. Spotlighting over 60 of the world's most sustainable innovators, change-makers and tastemakers across the fashion, beauty, food & drink, travel & leisure, motors, health & wellness and homes industries, not only did this mark MC's first ever awards dedicated to sustainability, it was also our first carbon-neutral event.

Yep, despite already keeping our environmental impact to a minimum by hosting a virtual ceremony, we went a step further and offset our inevitable carbon emissions in association with Nula Carbon. Here's how we pulled off our first carbon-neutral event – plus some expert tips on sustainable living and curbing your own carbon footprint, too.

MC Sustainability Awards: how we offset our carbon emissions

Never ones to sidestep practicing what we preach, we partnered with Nula Carbon to offset the emissions from our first ever Sustainability Awards. How, you ask? Well, by analysing our carbon footprint before setting about putting it right.

"Virtual awards are a great way forward, and they already reduce your emissions by a huge amount. One of the key areas that emissions come from with events is transport – whether that's transport of goods or transport of people," explains Nula Carbon founder Charlotte Horler. "Because you're eliminating people commuting to an event in London, you probably reduce your emissions by about three times, which is amazing."

Nula Carbon believe that carbon offsetting goes much further than just planting trees. (Although they do plenty of that, too.) Taking a holistic approach to carbon offsetting, Nula's Carbon Credits – which can be bought by businesses and individuals alike – help the communities on the ground who are protecting our forests. "When you buy carbon credits, you're essentially helping to keep carbon where it's meant to be, which is in the trees and in the soil, while also supporting land owners and communities," says Charlotte.

When it came to calculating, and subsequently offsetting, the carbon cost of the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards, Nula Carbon meticulously factored in everything from the distribution of our zero carbon bamboo awards, to the heat and power used in the homes of our virtual attendees during the ceremony. Talk about no stone left unturned.

In total, Nula estimates that before offsetting, the emissions of the MC Sustainability Awards were just over 347kgCO2e. (That's roughly the equivalent of driving from London to John O'Groats and back in a car.) By offsetting these emissions, Nula will protect 0.1 acres of dryland forest in the Kasigau project in Kenya on our behalf. Pretty neat, right?

5 key ways to reduce your carbon footprint

Carbon footprint isn't just another sustainability buzzword or ill-defined greenwashing term. Simply meaning how many greenhouse gases you have added to the atmosphere, it really matters – both on an individual level, and a collective one. Here, Charlotte breaks down what we as individuals can do to start somewhere, reduce our carbon footprint, and effect lasting change on the planet as a result.

1. Switch your energy provider

Let's start simple. A staggering 40% of UK emissions come from households – so it's hardly surprising that switching energy providers is one of the best ways to greatly reduce our carbon footprint. "That's a really easy win for you to choose," says Charlotte.

2. Make your money matter

"Switching your bank account is one of the best things you can do," says Charlotte. "Because [lots of] banks still invest in fossil fuels, arms, cigarettes – all of these things that have a damaging effect on people and the environment." But, she insists, you shouldn't just stop with your current account.

According to Make My Money Matter, by selecting a greener pension provider, you could actually cut your carbon 21 times more than going veggie, giving up flying and switching energy providers. Those are some pretty hard stats to ignore.

3. Change up your diet

"I don't like to say don't do this or don't do that – I don't think that's very productive or helpful," says Charlotte. "But what I would say, if you do have the means or capability and you want to eat meat, be conscious of where you're buying it from. Particularly because we're so passionate about forest protection, a lot of the feed for certain meat comes from the Amazon. If you can find meat that's been farmed really well, but you're not ready to give up meat, that's a step in the right direction."

4. Take public transport

Even if you're lucky enough to own one of the best electric cars, try leaving it at home in favour of public transport once in a while. Additionally, says Charlotte, "If you can limit some of the short haul flights you might take – to Edinburgh, or to France, for example – that's also really great. Because yes, your long haul flight is going to have far higher emissions, but a huge concentration of emissions come from just take off and landing. So the more we can limit those shorter flights, the better."

5. Be an active citizen

"We really want everyone to be advocates for the climate," says Charlotte. "You don't have to be shouting and screaming about it, but if you can, sign a petition, be a part of a citizen's assembly, share and promote a brand that is rewilding your local community park – things like that really do go a long way. Take a small step, and remember that it counts. Adding your voice to the noise is so important." Here, here.

Ready to reduce your carbon footprint? For more information on Nula Carbon, head to their website or follow @nula.carbon.

Despite its concern for the wellbeing of people, the health and wellness industry often fails to consider the welfare of the planet. But the incredible brands awarded here in the Health & Wellness category of the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards are on a mission to set that right.

From the first climate-positive CBD patches, to period pants that are significantly reducing the number of single-use disposable hygiene products ending up landfill, these deserving winners recognise that a healthy future for the environment makes for a healthy future for everyone.

Here are the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards 2021 Health & Wellness winners...

Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards Health & Wellness winners

Best CBD Brand

Winner: Una Patches

Despite being three months old, Una Patches is a brand that's already making waves in the health and wellness industries. Biodegradable, vegan and sustainably packaged, its patches have impressively earned the company the title of first climate-positive CBD brand.

Also boasting a completely traceable pipeline and carbon neutrality, the Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards judges were impressed by Una Patches's commitment to making high-quality CBD that doesn't negatively impact planet or people.

Don't let that have you believe that the product is any less effective, though. "I literally love these. Fuss-free and really effective, the patches are the best CBD product I have tried," says Holly Rains, Marie Claire UK's Digital Editor and Sustainability Awards judge. A winning endorsement for a winning brand – we can't wait to see what Una Patches does next.

Highly commended: KLORIS

Best Sustainable Supplement Brand

Winner: Ancient + Brave

It isn't hard to see why Ancient + Brave was recently declared the number-one bestselling health and wellness brand at Selfridges. The ingredients in its nutrient-rich supplements are sourced from environmentally conscious, sustainable, and organic suppliers where possible, and transparency is at the heart of everything it does.

Touted as a brand that "seems to be ticking all the right boxes" by MC's Health, Sustainability & Relationships Editor Ally Head, Ancient + Brave is also a proud member of the ESG Mark and 1% for the planet, and has recently submitted an application to become a certified B Corporation.

There are thousands of supplement brands out there that purport to be sustainable, but Ancient + Brave truly has the eco credentials to back it up. And frankly, we can't get enough.

Best Sustainable Fitness Supplement Brand

Winner: Form Nutrition

In a wellness industry intent on looking inwards, Form goes against the status quo by striving to bring social conscience to its customers. The first and only UK B Corp-certified supplement brand, Form aims to allow people to be the best version of themselves – both through taking care of their body, and by caring for the earth.

The latter is made all the more easy by Form Nutrition's fully sustainable packaging (you won't find an ounce of plastic here) and commitment at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2019 to accelerate the reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero by the year 2030 – that's 20 years ahead of the 2050 targets set in the Paris Agreement, FYI.

Favoured by Dr Marta Antonelli, sustainability expert and MC Sustainability Awards judge for being "mindful of others and of the planet", Form Nutrition's sustainable smarts continue to impress.

Best Sustainable Accessory Brand

Winner: LARQ

LARQ's vision is simple: to combine innovative technology with inspirational design to help people across the globe access pristine drinking water easily and sustainably.

The brand's flagship product, the LARQ Bottle, purifies water on the go using chemical-free and non-toxic UV-C LED light, along with patented PureVis technology, to neutralise 99.9999 per cent of germs, protozoa, and other harmful, odour-causing bio-contaminants in just 60 seconds – hello, gym water bottle of dreams.

On a mission to disrupt our dependence on single-use plastic water bottles, LARQ also support a number of global efforts to address the climate crisis, and has so far saved one million ocean-bound single-use plastic bottles and prevented 3.3 million pounds of plastic waste.

It has also introduced carbon-neutral shipping to reduce its carbon footprint by a staggering 7.8 million lbs. Pioneering in both design and ambition, our Sustainability Awards judges agreed that it was a no-brainer that LARQ should take home Best Sustainable Accessory Brand.

Best Sustainable Period Brand

Winner: Modibodi

Chances are you've heard of (or already own several pairs of) Modibodi's leakproof underwear. Offering customers the opportunity to make a positive impact just by changing their undies, the brand has so far sold more than 3.5 million pairs, and saved billions of single-use disposable hygiene products like pads and tampons from landfill in the process.

Crafted from sustainable materials like bamboo, Merino wool, organic cotton and recycled nylon, Modibodi works with environmentally and ethically-sound producers to create pants that are not only of exceptional quality, but are planet-friendly from conception to consumer too.

"Modibodi has long been doing great work to reduce the plastic waste from conventional period products," says Malaika founder and our judge Noëlla Coursaris Musunka. "They have a strong commitment to using lower impact materials and ensuring its suppliers are audited in line with third-party certifications, and they use compostable packaging too. Its sustainability strategy also aligns with the UN Global Goals."

Highly commended: Mooncup

Highly commended: Aisle

Marie Claire UK have determined the award winners in accordance with the judging criteria and with the information provided by the entrants. All information provided by the winning brands are published in good faith.