In an effort to be 100% transparent with you, I wanted to include a breakdown of exactly where EB Knits is at when it comes to transitioning over to completely sustainable and eco-friendly materials! I’m continually learning and evolving, but at the moment, for me, eco-friendly means materials that are recycled, organic, sustainable, natural, or biodegradable (see this post for a breakdown of what all these words actually mean). There are a few caveats to each of these categories, such as making sure each of these practices are also ethical and the entire process is planet-friendly. I also prefer to support other small businesses so I do that every chance I can! Suggestions or questions? I’d love to hear from you!

Interested in how exactly the EB Knits item you’re interested in impacts the planet? In each and every product listing under, “Details” you’ll find a list of what exactly makes each item eco-friendly! Also, check out the “vegan“ category in both the in stock and custom sections of the website if you are opposed to animal products.

Yarn - 100% progress

The time has finally come! I completely dove in to exploring sustainable, biodegradable and eco-friendly fibers. With the home collection, I’ve sourced entirely recycled cotton (from t-shirt offcuts) and organic cotton grown here in the U.S. and spun in a North Carolina mill. For more cozy knits like the winter collection (beanies, cowls, mittens), I used natural wool that is ethically sourced and biodegradable. For items that require the ability to machine wash them, like baby or pet items, I use a yarn that is 50 percent cotton and 50 percent recycled water bottles - there are three water bottles picked up from pollution near the oceans in each ball of yarn!

I’m also excited to experiment with alpaca, banana fibers, other recycled content, lyocell and more fibers and see how I can incorporate those into EB Knits! Check out my blog post about yarn fibers I’ve tried and researched for why I’ve chosen these specific materials.

Hang tags + Business cards - 100% progress

I ordered a round of business cards and a round of hang tags from Greenerprinter for your orders. Greenerprinter uses specifically soy and vegetable based ink which is printed on 100% post consumer recycled fiber and it’s all 100% biodegradable and made in the U.S.! Especially with my goal of becoming more eco-friendly, I want to limit the amount of paper included in each package, but I chose to include hang tags in each order so you have more information directly in front of you about the care instructions and materials of your knit accessories. These details are also in each listing for your reference.

Thank you notes - 100% progress

I also include a personal thank you note addressed directly to you, and for this, instead of adding more paper (even recycled paper), I’ve chosen to simply right on the back of the card that’s already included in your packaging that is printed on entirely recycled content.

Packaging - 100% progress

I found this awesome company called EcoEnclose, dedicated to providing eco-friendly and sustainable packaging options! They’re undeterred in their development of the latest eco-friendly technology and materials.

Polymailers - 100% progress

• I have fully transitioned to these polymailers that are made from 100% recycled content AND there are two adhesive strips on each poly mailer so customers can reuse the package before recycling it.

Pick up bags - 100% progress

• If you’re picking up an order or purchasing one from a market, I’ll package it in a 100% recycled paper bag, 90% of which is post-consumer content.

Tissue paper - 0% progress

• I do still have tissue paper on-hand that I will continue to use because it’s I’m totally smitten with it, but also because I do believe in using what I have, rather than ordering new. Once this tissue paper is used, however, I will cease using it in lieu of materials more friendly towards the environment, likely some type of muslin bag.

Hemp twine - 100% progress

• I use this natural hemp twine to attach hang tags and secure orders.

  • “Made from 100% natural hemp. Hemp is a very strong fiber, biodegradable, and compostable. It is a sustainable crop (as compared to materials like cotton and wood for paper) and a renewable resource.” - EcoEnclose

Shipping labels - 0% progress

• I am currently printing shipping labels at home and taping them to your order, however I do have a plan in place to implement recycled labels this summer.

  • I’ll be using the Zero Waste Shipping Labels from EcoEnclose as opposed to printing labels on paper and taping them on each package. These labels are unique because they are “100% recycled and curbside recyclable.” Did you know that the silicone backing on most stickers is difficult to recycle? I sure didn’t! But these labels have a "Recycle Compatible Adhesive, making it easy for recyclers and paper pulpers to process packages with these labels on it.”

EB Knits tags - 100% progress

• I now use cork tags and attach them to all EB Knits items! Cork is actually a biodegradable, sustainable and a natural resource. Cork FTW

Embroidery floss - 100%

• Embroidery floss is what I use to sew my tags on each product. The brand I use, DMC, promises their products are “environment-friendly and safe to use”

Logo stamp - 100%

• My custom stamp is made with sustainable rubber and recycled plastic by Modern Maker Stamps (formerly Creatiate)

Fun extra’s - 100%

• In select collections and for certain promotions, I like to add in a little something extra to your order and, of course, I want to keep these bonus’s environmentally friendly.

  • Wildflower tags by FlowerSeed Paper. These tags are made from tree-free fiber and embedded with wildflower seeds so you actually plant them and flowers will sprout!

  • Oftentimes I’ll include smaller EB Knits items that compliment your selection in your order as an added thank you!

Faux fur poms - 0%

• According to Good On You, a resource explaining fashion’s impact on the environment, most faux fur is made from “non-biodegradable and chemical-laden materials such nylon, acrylic and polyester“

• I have about 100 faux fur poms remaining and once those have all been used, I will move exclusively to yarn poms and continue to research faux fur poms made from actual sustainable materials.