Here’s the thing: Going green is not a walk in the park. But we love brands that combine design and quality with sustainability, and there is plenty to choose from. Eco-minded efforts are especially impactful today, as consumers are increasingly willing to adapt to a brand’s sustainability program and live a sustainable lifestyle. 

This week we look at brands — some with long-standing sustainability programs — whose work is helping to move the sustainability movement forward as more people become increasingly eco-conscious. They send powerful signals to their customers about the values of the business and the kind of community they seek to foster.

Here’s a list of sustainable brands, from clothes and sneakers to coffee and ice cream, that can change your life while taking care of the environment.

Thaely

This Dubai-based brand produces “sustainable” sneakers by incorporating recycled materials into their creations.

Inspired by early 2000s basketball sneakers, this vegan brand reuses rubber, plastic bags, and bottles to make sneakers, and recycles paper and waste coffee grounds for packaging. Over 150,000 plastic bottles and 170,000 plastic bags have been recycled so far, and used water is cleaned and conserved. Thaely offers discounts to customers who exchange used sneakers for new ones to encourage a circular economy and minimize their carbon footprint. To know more, click here. 

Eurthlin

Over the past decade, fashion brands have been increasingly focused on sustainability, as the industry’s devastating impact on the planet becomes clear. Designed in Dubai, Eurthlin produces luxury accessories and handbags using vegan materials that don’t sacrifice quality. Promoting cruelty-free luxury, the brand uses faux leather instead of animal leather and GOTS-certified organic cotton for the linings made from natural seeds without harmful chemicals. Supporting this UAE-based brand helps in sustainable consumption and assists in their efforts, such as reforestation. To know more, click here. 

Up-fuse

Up-fuse is a slow-fashion and sustainable brand reusing plastic to create various items, like handbags, streetwear, shoes, and even back-to-school items like notebooks and backpacks. The brand has recycled over one million plastic bags, 400,000 bottles, and 400 tires. All products are manufactured using only ecological and recycled materials, reducing waste. To know more, click here. 

Earthly

Earthly creates mindful fashion with interesting and unique designs. The fabrics are environmentally friendly, and the production process is sustainable. This includes careful water consumption, biodiversity, and waste reduction. They also pay attention to ethical manufacturing. What’s more, for every product sold, Earthly plants a tree. To know more, click here. 

The Giving Movement

This Dubai-based clothing brand makes locally and sustainably activewear and streetwear, aiming to promote conscious, ethical, eco-friendly consumerism. Every item – dresses, skirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and shorts – are made entirely of recycled materials and organic cotton. To know more, click here. 

Cassette

One thing everybody can agree on: We all have to eat. A Parisian-style restaurant with an inviting, mint-green aesthetic, Cassette, which serves customers a blend of good food and music in Dubai, is aware of the massive environmental impact of businesses. Exploring sustainable, innovative ways of feeding people that are good for us and our planet, the cafe uses sustainable building materials for its interior design and local and organic ingredients for its menu, supporting local workers and farmers. To know more, click here. 

Sanderson’s 

For simple and nutritious food – chia puddings and superfood smoothies – head to Sanderson’s. The cafe uses natural and locally sourced ingredients to support a healthy lifestyle. Some ingredients from the kitchen garden are incorporated into their dishes. Besides several measures when it comes to sustainability, the cafe uses recycled water for its kitchen garden. To know more, click here. 

Boca

Boca, a 2023 Michelin Guide restaurant inspired by Spanish cuisine, puts its set of green values into its business – championing local produce for its extensive menu, conscious waste management, valuing resources, and integrating renewable energy. Using a carbon calculator, Boca keeps track of its ecological impact by remaining aware of its carbon emissions and runs entirely on renewable energy. Try their good-looking green herb gazpacho! To know more, click here. 

Hapi

Hapi is an outdoor ice cream shop and all-day diner in Al Khazzan Park in Dubai. The menu also includes breakfast, burgers and salads. Ingredients are sourced locally and follow zero-waste policy. To stay true to its values, it uses cornstarch biodegradable tableware. Its sustainability efforts make for a guilt-free, enjoyable experience. To know more, click here. 

Joe & the Juice

It is a Danish, eco-friendly juice bar and coffee shop. They serve vegan shakes, juices, coffee, sandwiches, and breakfast bowls and try to be as green as they possibly can. Since 2019, Joe & the Juice have employed a tracking system for their food waste, allowing them to reduce their food wastage to 2%. Napkins and cups are made from recycled materials and use wooden utensils and paper straws instead of plastic. To know more, click here.