If you’re looking for low/zero waste hair elastics or other hair accessories, you should check out these 8 Canadian businesses listed below that make upcycled scrunchies and headbands from scraps and deadstock fabric that would otherwise go to waste.
They make wonderful, unique, low waste gifts for yourself or your loved ones. So, if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, birthday present, party favour, wedding party thank you gift, or just a treat for yourself, you should definitely check out these awesome Canadian businesses!
Just an FYI, these scrunchies and headbands are all about 97% upcycled, since the fabric is all material that was destined for the landfill. The other 3% (or less) that’s not upcycled, is the new elastics, thread, and in some cases the labels.
The issue with using pre-used elastics is that the quality of elastic is generally poor and it is difficult to source used elastics with enough reliability for consistent orders. So, most of the upcycled scrunchies are made with new elastics, unless a high quality used elastic is found.
However, if you’re interested in a scrunchie or headband that’s made with a used elastic, simply reach out to the businesses and ask if they can do a custom order for you, because it never hurts to ask!
Upcycled Scrunchies
Waste Knot
Waste Knot’s sustainable scrunchies are made from scrap fabrics from local Toronto and Hamilton brands — Earthology, an organic food wax wraps brand, and Sara Duke and Hutchison, clothing companies based in Toronto and Hamilton, respectively.
In addition to Waste Knot’s classic scrunchies, you can also order WK Wedding Party Sets, as thank you gifts for your wedding party!
- Shipping from East York, Toronto, ON | Shop all Waste Knot upcycled scrunchies
Chubby Fem Thrift
Chubby Fem Thrift is an online thrift store that sells plus size clothing. With the clothing that is too damaged to mend, sell or donate, they make scrap scrunchies like these lacey goose ones, so that nothing goes to waste!
- Shipping from Edmonton, AB | Shop all Chubby Fem Thrift upcycled scrunchies
Scrunchies from Scraps
Scrunchies from Scraps’ eco-friendly scrunchies are handmade using fabric scraps from tailors, dressmakers, and sewers, as well as deadstock fabric from Fabcycle and Our Social Fabric, Canadian textile recycling initiatives and online “waste” fabric stores.
- Shipping from Toronto, ON | Shop all Scrunchies from Scraps upcycled scrunchies
Gracious Goodness
Gracious Goodness’ upcycled scrunchies are made from secondhand fabric that’s either donated, purchased from a secondhand store, or made from her children’s old clothes. You can purchase “big” or “mini” scrunchies, like the ones pictured above!
They also donate 50% of their proceeds to a different charity each month, and so far they’ve donated $1,000 to different Canadian charities!
- Shipping from Edmonton, AB | Shop all Gracious Goodness upcycled scrunchies
Elis ReThreads
Elis ReThreads’ upcycled scrunchies are made from pre-loved fabrics and they come with or without a tail. All of their scrunchies are made to order. Simply message them on Instagram to inquire about placing your order. To reduce waste and be a zero waste shop, the leftover fabric ends are used to create dog beds for the local SPCA!
- Shipping from Welland, ON | Custom order upcycled scrunchies from Elis ReThreads
The Halo Effect
All of the scrunchies by The Halo Effect are upcycled; the majority are handmade from 100% recycled fabrics and the rest are handmade from scraps leftover from when they turn their t-shirts into crop tops.
The Halo Effect also donates 3-5% of their profits to Eco Organizations to help preserve our planet!
- Shipping from Winnipeg, MB | Shop all upcycled scrunchies from The Halo Effect
Mama + Mini Designs
Mama + Mini Designs handmakes scrunchies from 100% upcycled fabric. Their scrunchies come in four different sizes: mama, mini-large, mini-medium and mini-small.
- Shipping from West Kelowna, BC | Shop all upcycled scrunchies from Mama + Mini Designs
Brkln & Co.
Brkln & Co.’s upcycled scrunchies are all handmade using pre-loved clothing and fabric scraps. As well, their packaging is plantable so once you’ve unpackaged your scrunchies, you can plant the seed paper and watch it grow!
- Shipping from Markham, ON | Shop all upcycled scrunchies from Brkln & Co.
Upcycled Headbands
BusyLizzy Boutique
The Ultimate Headbands by BusyLizzy Boutique are made from used fabrics, specifically secondhand t-shirts, that have been donated to local thrift stores but cannot be re-sold due to damage like holes or stains. After laundering the t-shirts, the good sections are used to create these versatile Ultimate Headbands which can be used as headbands, cowls, hair ties, or face coverings.
The fabric scraps from the headbands are even used as stuffing in BusyLizzy’s other crochet projects to reduce waste even more!
- Shipping from Mono, ON | Shop upcycled headbands from BusyLizzy Boutique
Elis ReThreads
Like Elis ReThreads’ scrunchies, their upcycled headbands are also made from pre-loved fabrics and the leftover fabric scraps are used to create dog beds for their local SPCA! They come in three styles — wrap, knot, and tie headbands — and three sizes — baby, child or adult. As well, all of their headbands are made to order. Simply message them on Instagram to ask about placing an order.
- Shipping from Welland, ON | Custom order upcycled headbands from Elis ReThreads
We hope this round-up of Canadian businesses that make upcycled scrunchies and headbands is helpful for your Christmas, birthday or just because shopping this year!
If you’re looking for some reusable gift wrap to wrap your upcycled scrunchies with, check out our zero waste gift wrap by Canadian brands blog post. We also have a list of low waste greeting cards that are made in Canada with most of them being made from paper waste just like how the scrunchies are made from fabric waste. Also, the two blog posts are Christmas oriented, but both the gift wrap and greeting card brands sell more than just Christmas designs.
If you know of any other Canadian low-to-zero waste businesses that upcycle fabric into hair accessories, please let us know in the comments.
Happy Holidays!
What an amazing collection of eco-kind-preneurs! I am honoured to be in such good company and thrilled that consumers, and makers alike are keen to help in any small way to make sustainability (and reuse) a top priority. Thank you so very much for including our Ultimate Headband in your collection.
You’re very welcome Elizabeth! We’re so happy that Bruna introduced us to you at The Village Refillery a couple of months ago. It’s always great to find new, amazing brands!
So happy to learn about hopeful companies like these!
Yes, so are we! And as we find more we will certainly add them!