01 Sep

Our Favourite Zero Waste Eco-Friendly Scrunchies

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The iconic ‘90s accessory has made its comeback, and we love it. Read the article to discover nine brands making eco-friendly scrunchies that are gentle on your hair and the planet.

The iconic ‘90s accessory has made a comeback

The good thing about fashion trends is that they love to make a comeback. One era in particular was revived a few years ago and has been thriving ever since: the ‘90s.

The 1990s are iconic for many reasons (Britney Spears, The Spice Girls, The Olsen twins—need we say more?), but one stand out accessory has found its way back to our hearts and really stuck around: the (in)famous scrunchie.

While the scrunchie was invented in the 1960s, it only really took off in the late 1980s when singer Rommy Revson patented this more gentle alternative to metal hair ties people were using at the time (naming the creation after her toy poodle, Scunchie, in the process. Yes, the r was added later).

The scrunchie was a hit, making it onto big TV shows like Friends. But by the early 2000s, society’s love for the scrunchie had fizzled, and it was deemed unfashionable at the end of the decade.

We had to wait ten years for the scrunchie to crawl out from its grave and make an unexpected comeback. It’s now worn by celebrities and influencers, including Kim Kardashian and Haily Bieber. And for good reason. The scrunchie is the perfect accessory for every day. Not only is it more gentle on your hair, it has that elevated but effortless feel that can help transform an outfit.

Of course, the scrunchie has captured fast fashion brands’ attention too, and you’ll find plenty of scrunchie options on their websites. But like with many fast fashion items, these scrunchies aren’t the most respectful of people, the planet, and animals. They are often made from harmful fabrics like polyester by people who weren’t paid fair wages.

So we went on the hunt for the best eco-friendly scrunchies out there. The good thing about the scrunchies listed below is that they’re all made from leftover fabrics that the brands reuse. We love OhSevenDays’ (Turkey) pack of three scrunchies that you can mix and match, Girlfriend Collective’s (US) hair ties made from recycled PET plastic, and Elle Evans’ (Australia) quick-drying scrunchies.

Keep reading to discover nine brands making conscious scrunchies that are gentle on your hair and the planet.

OhSevenDays

Rated: Good
A pack of colourful scrunchies by OhSevenDays.

Pack of Three Scrunchies: Mix and Match – Ships internationally from Turkey

Australian-Canadian Megan Mummery started OhSevenDays to promote slow fashion and the “power of circularity”. Based in Istanbul, the brand reclaims end-of-roll fabrics from the city’s garment factories and creates sharp, everyday womenswear that’s as wearable as it is ethical. It makes slow fashion from fast fashion’s leftovers, including these cute and colourful scrunchies.

See the rating.

Shop OhSevenDays.

Shop OhSevenDays @ SlowCo.

Elle Evans

Rated: Good
A woman wearing an eco-friendly scrunchie by Elle Evans.

Three Pack Moss Scrunchie – Ships internationally from Australia

Keep your locks in check both in and out of the water with Elle Evans’ quick-drying scrunchies made from leftover recycled nylon fabric.

Founded in 2013, Elle Evans Swimwear creates beautiful, sustainable, swimwear and activewear for people who care about fashion and the future. The brand uses post-consumer waste fabrics and traces all of its supply chain.

See the rating.

Shop Elle Evans.

Miakoda

Rated: Good
A pack of eco-conscious scrunchies by Miakoda.

The Zero Waste Scrunchie – Ships internationally from the US

If you’re all about that organic plant-based lifestyle, you’ll most certainly vibe with Miakoda and its organic, ultra-cosy active and loungewear. The more ethical and sustainable pieces include stripped-back colours and designs that are all about comfort. Everything is manufactured in an ethical factory in NYC, and all packing materials are eco-friendly.

Miakoda also creates zero waste scrunchies, using small fabric scraps that are created during the cutting process of its garment production and elastic that’s been sitting in its office for over a year with no use. That’s circularity we love to see.

See the rating.

Shop Miakoda.

Shop Miakoda @ Wearwell.

Girlfriend Collective

Rated: Good
A woman using an ethical scrunchie by Girlfriend Collective in her hair.

Scrap Scrunchie – Ships internationally from the US

Girlfriend Collective creates minimal, and luxury clothes made with certified fair labour, certified by the Social Accountability Standard International SA8000. The brand uses eco-friendly materials like recycled polyester as well as low-impact, non-toxic dyes and is entirely Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. The brand creates its more sustainable scrunchies using the same recycled fabric as its bras and leggings to minimise scraps and waste.

See the rating.

Shop Girlfriend Collective @ LVR Sustainable.

Shop Girlfriend Collective.

KOHR

Rated: Great
close up and back view of person with long black hair tied with off-white waffle scrunchie by Kohr

Waffle Scrunchie – Ships internationally from the UK

KOHR is a UK-based slow fashion brand that designs and manufactures in house. The pinnacle of sustainable innovation, it focuses on longevity, versatility and traceability. Made in its unique waffle fabric, this handmade scrunchie is locally made using natural rubber and biodegradable elastic. The perfect touch to an outfit that plants a tree too!

See the rating.

Shop KOHR.

Pansy

Rated: Good
A set of colourful ethical scrunchies by Pansy

Scrunchies – Ships internationally from the US

Pansy is a California-based basics brand that offers organic cotton underwear for all beautiful sizes. The brand also makes these cute scrap fabric organic cotton scrunchies to match your underwear, a style move we fully support.

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Shop Pansy.

Jyoti – Fair Works

Rated: Good
A pair of scrunchies from Jyoti.

Upcycled Scrunchie – Ships internationally from Germany

For those living in Europe, you’re lucky enough to be able to get your hands on the beautiful upcycled scrunchies from Jyoti. Truly embodying ethical fashion practices, this German company provides employment for people from marginalised or disadvantaged groups in India.

See the rating.

Shop Jyoti.

Näz

Rated: Good
A terracotta coloured scrunchie by NAZ.

Scrunchies – Ships internationally from Portugal

Elevate your look and do good with this pack of three scrunchies, 20% of the revenue of which is reverted to NGOs. Näz is a Portuguese fashion brand that aims to make fashion look good, not only on you but on the planet too. It uses a high proportion of eco-friendly materials including GOTS certified organic cotton, and traces most of its supply chain.

See the rating.

Shop Näz.

Nina Rein

Rated: Good
A pair of scrunchies by NINA REIN.

Lyocell Scrunchies – Ships internationally from Germany

Nina Rein is a German brand that creates sustainable business clothing in Europe under fair conditions. The brand’s aesthetic is clean, feminine, and colourful, and each piece includes little details everyone loves. Nina Rein’s more sustainable scrunchies are made from production residues in Lyocell and are available in five fab colours.

See the rating.

Shop Nina Rein.

Nube

Rated: Great
A woman putting a NUBE scrunchie in her hair.

Scrap Scrunchies – Ships internationally from the US

Nube turns recycled plastic into responsible and fashionable scrunchies, designed and made in the US. The brand partners with artists and designers around the world to create prints motivated by the environmental crisis that inspire connection and action. This fully woman-owned business uses a closed-loop manufacturing process by recycling all off-cuts created during the manufacturing process. Find Nube products in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Nube.

Discover more ethical hair accessories

Editor's note

Feature image via Girlfriend Collective, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

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