The Handbook’s monthly Eco Edit round-up is back for September and this month offers a really special initiative if you’re looking to enjoy fashion more consciously. Oxfam’s Second Hand September is running until the end of the month, encouraging everyone to re-wear, resell, donate and snap up some killer buys in your local charity shop. There’s also a new pre-loved collection launching from one of the world’s leading high street retailers, a shower gel changing the face of refill beauty and cosy socks that are 100% recycled and 100% cosy – autumn is just around the corner, after all
Scroll to find out what’s making September’s Eco Edit cut…
H&M Launch Pre-Loved Initiative
H&M is one of the high street behemoths positively striving for positive change when it comes to sustainability. They work with some of the best-recycled fabrics on the high street, from Lyocell to Tencel, offer rental services for some pieces in their flagship Regent Street store and have been collecting wanted clothes, shoes and other textiles from customers to ensure they get re-worn, reused or recycled.
Now they are launching a pre-loved fashion initiative in their Regent Street store, with pre-loved pieces, from denim to dresses, trenches to knits, with up to 90% off and new garments being added daily.
H&M Pre-Loved Will Be Available To Shop The Regent Street Flagship Store From 6th October 2023.
Hm.com
Elizabeth Scarlett Collaborates With Influencer Kate Spiers
One of our favourite homeware brands, Elizabeth Scarlett, has joined forces with fashion and interiors Insta star, Kate Spiers for a charming collection of autumnal accessories.
Comprising cute pouches, wash bags and stocking filler-worthy eye masks, each piece is hand embroidered with stunning dahlia flowers originally hand painted by Elizabeth herself. Plus, each piece sold will help to fund the brand’s mission to protect the world’s planet wildlife, with an aim to raise £2 million for wildlife conservation by 20230.
Pieces start from £25. Shop the collection online at elizabethscarlett.com
Support Second Hand September
There’s still time to get involved in Oxfam’s Second Hand September, which encourages fashion lovers to embrace shopping pre-loved goods in a bid to reduce waste, take a stance against climate change, and help create a fairer world – all while looking super stylish.
You do one thing in your life and it can change the world around you. And I know that I have done that by shopping for second hand clothes.
– Miquita Oliver, Oxfam’s Second Hand Ambassador, UK
There is countless ways to help, whether that’s something as simple as rewearing and restyling your existing wardrobe or donating or shopping at your local charity shop.
With the fashion industry being one of the world’s worst offenders of greenhouse gas emissions, this is a simple and fun way to do something small in the hope of big change.
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN SECOND HAND SEPTEMBER AT oxfam.org.uk
Socko, The UK’s First 100% Recycled Socks
Goodbye Indian summer, hello sock season. Along with dressing in layers, cosy nights in and the return of pumpkin-spiced lattes, we’re looking forward to not having to have perfectly pedicured toes for the next six months and instead, slipping into snug socks for a bit.
So, we were thrilled to hear of the UK’s first 100% recycled sock brand, Socko. Made in Leicestershire, each pair is made from waste materials sourced from UK mills that would otherwise be heading to landfill. Super soft but hardwearing, and available in a plethora of textures and colour combos, they are the ideal stocking filler to bookmark this Christmas.
We also love the fact each pair comes with a swatch of yarn and a darning needle incorporated into the plastic-free packaging so you can repair them yourself – sustainable and satisfying.
Socko Socks start at £18 per pair. Shop online now at socko.shop
Eco-Conscious Hotel, The BoTree, Opens In The Heart of Central London
Positioned right at the point where Soho, Marylebone and Mayfair all meet, this new London hotel opening offers people visiting the capital a stylish, practical and above all, conscious hotel to book into.
As part of the Place III Hotels, The BoTree is the first of the group’s luxury experiences with 199 rooms, 30 of which are incredible suites, stellar service and epic interiors. But it’s the hotel’s dedication to offering a “Conscious Luxury” that is going to set them apart.
The BoTree has already achieved an Excellent rating in the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings (BREEAM), and the hotel is committed to reducing its resource and carbon footprints year on year, embracing digital options and new technology wherever possible.
In addition, the hotel has partnered with brands who look for positive change, such as Jo Loves, so rest assured the rooms are going to smell incredible. The interiors are not only Instagram-worthy but have been chosen with the planet in mind, from the vegan leather headboards to the eucalyptus Tencel bedding,
RATES START FROM £600 FOR A DELUXE ROOM.
TO FIND OUT MORE OR TO BOOK ONLINE VISIT thebotree.com
Wild Cosmetics Launch Body Wash With Compostable Bottle
We expect you to have already heard of Wild’s award-winning natural deodorant – it’s the UK’s number one offering – but news just in, they have segued into shower gel too.
The inner refill pouch can naturally biodegrade in under six months – that’s faster than a banana skin.
Over 2.5 years in the making, Wild’s latest product uses two clever packaging innovations. Firstly, a compostable refill made using the natural waterproof properties of bamboo, and plant starch from agricultural waste, which biodegrades naturally after six months, leaving no lasting harm to the planet. In fact, it even breaks down quicker than a banana skin! Secondly, the outer case is a super chic aluminum bottle designed to last a lifetime and sit pretty in your bathroom space.
With horrifying stats that the average person uses 19,665 plastic cosmetics bottles throughout their lifetime, and only 50% of bathroom waste making it to recycling bins, here’s a chance to make small changes in your own day-to-day routines.
PLUS The Handbook has an exclusive code for readers to avail of 33% off their first order! Use code HANDBOOK33 at checkout.
SHOP THE WILD COLLECTION AT Wearewild.com
