Upcycled scrunchies & hair accessories made in Canada

By Courteney

Last Updated:

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!

Where To Find Upcycled Scrunchies & Hair Accessories Locally Made in Canada Blog Post

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 Upcycled Scrunchies Made From Fabric Waste
[image source: 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!


Chubby Fem Thrift

Chubby Fem Thrift's Lacey Snow Goose Scrap Scrunchies
[image source: 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!


Scrunchies from Scraps

Scrunchies from Scraps' Soft Purple Eco-Friendly Upcycled Scrunchie Made From Deadstock Material
[image source: 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.


Gracious Goodness

Gracious Goodness' AMELIA Satin Unicorn Rainbow Upcycled Scrunchies
[image source: 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!


Elis ReThreads

Elis ReThreads' Upcycled Scrunchies in Different Patterns
[image source: 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!


The Halo Effect

The Halo Effect - Upcycled Scrunchies
[image source: 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!


Mama + Mini Designs

[image source: 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.


Brkln & Co.

Brkln & Co - Upcycled Scrunchies
[image source: 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!


Upcycled Headbands

BusyLizzy Boutique

BusyLizzy Boutique's Upcycled Headbands, The Ultimate Headband
[photo source: 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!


Elis ReThreads

Elis ReThreads' Upcycled Headband
[photo source: 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.


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!

4 thoughts on “Upcycled scrunchies & hair accessories made in Canada”

  1. 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.

    Reply
    • 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!

      Reply

Leave a comment