3 Plastic-Free Hair Ties That Have a Biodegradable Elastic
How many hair ties have you ever found in the streets? Or at the gym, and at the pool? Or at the beach during a clean-up etc?
We have found countless over the years!
Hair ties are easy to lose, but once in the environment, they litter, and as they contain synthetic materials like nylon, spandex and elastane in the elastic, they can easily reach our waterways and be ingested by marine wildlife and contribute to microplastic pollution over time.
The Environmental Problem with Synthetic Hair Ties
If you think of how many people live on our planet, and how many people have hair long enough to be placed into a ponytail, often even multiple ponytails, you start to realise how many of these synthetic parts are used, lost, and discarded every day around the world. Approximately 5.46 billion hair ties are discarded or lost every year in the United States alone. This translates to roughly 15 million hair ties discarded daily according to statostics by Kooshoo.
Fortunately, there are durable, eco-friendly alternatives that keep your hair secure without harming the planet. Switching to plastic-free hair ties is a simple yet impactful way to reduce waste and support sustainability.
Top 3 Biodegradable Hair Tie Options
In this article, we provide an overview of the sustainable hair ties that are zero waste and compostable, which we came across over the past years.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps us continue the very hard work we put into researching products and solutions.
1. Kooshoo Organic Cotton Hair Ties, Twist Headbands & Plastic-Free Scrunchies
Kooshoo has been the pioneer of hair ties without plastic. In fact, the founders, Rachel and Jesse, invented the world-first hair ties made of organic cotton with natural tree rubber cores back in 2010. Their hair accessories are designed in Canada, and made ethically in a GOTS, Fair Trade and ISO 9001 certified factory in India (owned and operated by nuns) and Japan. As they are made with natural materials, they are biodegradable and gentle on hair, reducing breakage, which is very important if you have kids who scream whenever their braided hair is entangled in rubber bands … sounds familiar?
The word “Kooshoo” means “feeling good” in Norfuk, the language of Norfolk Island. It’s a sentiment that embodies the core values of this brand, which are very aligned with ours!
They ship their products in FSC certified plastic free paper packaging.
Shop Kooshoo
Check the latest price from Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia
Buy from Biome Australia
Related: 6 Plastic Free Makeup Brands Creating Zero Waste Cosmetics without Microplastics
2. Terra Ties Biodegradable Ponytail Holders and Hair Accessories
A new small business that has also created stylish thicker and more durable hair ties made with plant-based rubber and organic cotton that is dyed with natural dyes. Their paper packaging is also plastic free and made with 100% recycled materials.
Check the latest price from Amazon USA – Canada
Related: What is Plastic Doing Inside My Shampoo?
3. Wild & Stone 100% Biodegradable Hair Bands
Wild & Stone is a UK brand that has created a line of natural rubber ties made of 100% organic cotton and natural plant-based rubber. Wild & Stone was started by Kat & Sarah to help rid the world of unnecessary plastics, whilst inspiring other mothers to strive for better work-life balances.
Check the latest price from Amazon USA – Canada – UK
Related: Why You Should be Switching to Plastic free Skincare Brands?
Why Switch to Plastic-Free Hair Ties?
These are the three main reasons why you should be switching to sustainable hair ties made with natural rubber:
- Reduce Plastic Waste: Billions of hair ties end up in landfills yearly. You can do better!
- Healthier Hair: Natural materials cause less friction and therefore less hair breakage. Using soft and eco-friendly rubber bands and hair brushes combined with a plastic free shampoo helps keeping your hair healthy!
- Support Sustainable Brands: Many eco-friendly hair tie companies prioritize ethical production. By purchasing from small ethical businesses you’re also supporting local jobs!
Related: Plastic Free Glitter: Which Cosmetic Glitter Brands are Biodegradable and Compostable?
Personal Tips and Greenwashing Alert:
- Extend the longevity of your hair ties by washing them gently and air-drying, especially if you use in pools with chorinated water or in the ocean with salt water.
- We’ve seen hair ties made of upcycled materials, like upcycled bicycle inner tubes etc., marketed as “plastic-free”. Well, they are sustainable as they support circularity, but they are not plastic-free and do not solve the end of life issue once the products are discarded or lost. Bicycle inner tubes are usually made of synthetic rubbers like butyl, synthetic latex, or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Latex can be natural too, but seen the cost of this product, we believe the vast majority is made of synthetic latex. For these reasons, such hair ties are not plastic free and not compostable.
- Please be careful with scrunchies promoted as satin or 100% mulberry silk. Unless they clearly state that the elastic is made of natural rubber, it is made with synthetic rubber and polyester and therefore, not biodegradable and plastic-free and it’s not home compostable.
Related: 7 Best Plastic Free Face Wash Brands to Supercharge Your Skincare
Conclusion: Swiching to Natural Rubber Hair Ties is Easy!
Making the switch from conventional hair ties is easy. Opt for reusable, biodegradable ties that align with a low-waste lifestyle. Both your hair and the planet will thank you!
