Lefrik

ASK Scandinavia

Finland

ASK Scandinavia is a premium accessories label based in Helsinki. It designs bags and accessories, including totes, shoulder bags, travel bags and baby changing bags, with a clean, sculptural Nordic look meant to outlast seasonal trends. The brand started from a need for more sustainably made changing bags that it could not find on the market. Production takes place in Europe with trusted partners. The brand says all its materials are cruelty-free, traceable and certified, and its founder has used materials such as ECONYL and MIRUM in accessories. Each product has a digital ID, described as blockchain-powered, that verifies origin and authenticity, shows material composition and care information, and makes resale easier. The brand won Recycle the Runway by Global Fashion Agenda. Good On You rates ASK Scandinavia Great overall. It scores the brand Good for planet and people and Great for animals, noting that the whole range is vegan. It also notes that most of the supply chain is traced, that more than half of final production is SMETA audited, and that some workers in final production are paid living wages.

8000Kicks

United States

8000Kicks is a US brand making footwear from industrial hemp for men and women. Its range includes waterproof hemp sneakers, wide toe box styles, hemp Chelsea boots and slip-ons, plus hemp backpacks, hats, socks and wallets. Good On You rates 8000Kicks Good overall, with Great for animals because the brand states its whole range is vegan. Good On You notes a medium share of lower-impact materials such as hemp, action on transport emissions, some recycled packaging and a recycling offer for customers, though it does not report results. On labour, it traces most of its supply chain, has a Code of Conduct covering ILO principles and pays some final-stage workers living wages. The brand runs leftover-stock sales so unsold pairs get worn instead of sitting in storage. During its Kenya Campaign, it donated 10% of every sale to an orphanage to pay for the children's schooling.

GROUNDTRUTH

United Kingdom

GROUNDTRUTH is a UK brand making backpacks, totes, duffles, slings, dry bags and travel accessories for men and women. Its RIKR range covers everyday and travel bags, and its UNDA range consists of waterproof, submersible bags. Products come with a 10-year warranty. The bags are made from the brand's own 100% recycled textiles, and the UNDA range uses repurposed fishing gear. GROUNDTRUTH has also developed patent-pending hardware made with captured CO2 emissions. The company was started by three sisters with backgrounds in documentary filmmaking and artisan textiles, who aim to reduce plastic pollution through their products. Good On You rates GROUNDTRUTH Great, with 5 out of 5 for Planet, 4 for People and 5 for Animals. It holds Global Recycled Standard and Bluesign certifications, uses recycled packaging, and states its whole range is vegan. Good On You found no evidence it ensures living wages in its supply chain.

Ucon Acrobatics

Germany

Ucon Acrobatics is a Berlin brand that designs minimalist backpacks, belt bags, weekenders and other bags for city life. Its product lines include the Air, Moss and Lotus Infinity series. The brand makes many of its products from textile waste, which is turned back into fibre and yarn through mechanical or chemical recycling. Its products are designed with few components, as mono-material as possible and with PFAS-free coatings, so they can be recycled at the end of their life. Some backpacks are made of up to 96% recycled textiles by weight. The company is a certified B Corp, works with PETA and funds the planting of a tree for every order. Good On You rates Ucon Acrobatics Great overall. It scores the brand Great for planet and animals and It's a Start for people. Good On You credits the brand's circular design, dope dyeing and recyclable packaging, and lists it as vegan through PETA. It also says there is no evidence of living wages across most of the supply chain.

Théla

Greece

Théla is a small Greek brand that makes bags and accessories, including totes, crossbodies, clutches, pouches and backpacks. The products are designed for both men and women. Every bag starts as discarded plastic, such as carry bags, food wrappers and packaging film. This plastic is sorted by hand, cleaned, cut into strips and then woven on traditional looms in India that have been used for generations. The brand says it uses no virgin materials and no industrial processing, and its whole range is vegan. Founder Diti also works in sustainability education, running workshops on reuse and writing curriculums for schools. Good On You rates Théla Great overall. It gives the brand Great for planet and animals and Good for people. Its reasons include the use of upcycled materials, circular principles built into each stage of the product life cycle, no plastic packaging and partnerships with women artisans. Good On You also notes there is no evidence of living wages in the supply chain.