Eco-Friendly Hair Ties
Where to find biodegradable hair ties and scrunchies that are strong enough for athletes
Image: Rido, Adobe Stock
If you’re an active person with long hair, chances are you go through a lot of hair ties. Have you ever considered what happens to these stretchy spheres when you toss them in the trash bin? Traditionally hair ties are made from materials such as synthetic rubber and polyester, meaning they can take decades, maybe even centuries, to decompose.
Several companies make biodegradable hair tie options that will keep the hair out of your face during your favorite activities without contributing to pollution.
*this post contains affiliate links. Read our affiliate policy.
Terra Ties
Terra Ties are made of 100 percent biodegradable materials, including natural rubber and organic cotton that are dyed with natural dyes. They also use packaging made from 100 percent recycled materials. Editors note: I personally use these hair ties, I find them to be quite sturdy and strong enough for all of my athletic pursuits.
Kooshoo
A commitment to sustainability is built into the fabric of Kooshoo. They create hair ties, scrunchies, and headbands made from biodegradable materials such as certified sustainably sourced organic cotton and FSC Natural tree rubber certified by Fair Rubber Association. Their hair ties come in a variety of styles and colors.
Tentree Scrunchies
If you prefer scrunchies for holding your hair back while you’re out there adventuring, Tentree makes upcycled scrunchies composed of 45 percent recycled polyester, 30 percent TENCEL™ Lyocell and 25 percent organic cotton. Ten Tree also gives you the option to add carbon offsets to your purchase.
While your hair tie might seem like a small decision in terms of environmental impact, keep in mind that synthetic rubbers and polyester can take about 20 - 200 years to decompose and can contribute to the 14 million tons of plastic pollution that end up in the ocean each year. As you begin to live more sustainably, make sure you tell your friends about your decisions and their impacts and don’t forget to vote for politicians and policies that will make our planet a nice place to live for centuries to come.
