Eco-Friendly Hair Ties and Scrunchies to Get You Through Bad Hair Days, Sustainably

For those of us with long hair, scrunchies and hair ties are not just a cute accessory — they’re also necessary! Unfortunately, most of the ones you’ll find at the drugstore are made from synthetic materials, meaning they won’t biodegrade, and are destined for the landfill once they inevitably break.

To avoid buying these plastic-based hair ties, a movement has grown within the zero-waste community in which zero wasters look for scrunchies on the street. They simply pick them up, and toss them in the wash when they get home — basically, free secondhand hair ties. Many other zero-wasters upcycle old pantyhose into hair ties by cutting the legs into thin strips, which can turn one pair of tights into dozens of ponytail holders.

Of course, these guerilla and DIY methods are not for everyone. So, if you are in need of some new hair ties or scrunchies, keep reading for a list of ethical companies using sustainable, natural, and recycled materials to make hair accessories. 

Kooshoo sells scrunchies, hair ties, and headbands made from organic cotton and natural rubber, produced in a Fair Trade-certified facility. You can score these hair accessories in a variety of neutral colors, as well as some brighter hues — I personally use Kooshoo products all the time, and my favorite colorway is the pack of Multicolor Organic Hair Ties. Shop on Kooshoo’s website or EarthHero. Packs of five hair ties go for $15, and packs of two scrunchies cost $20.

Miakoda makes all of its plant-based, sustainable clothing in an ethical factory in NYC. The company started taking small fabric scraps leftover from its clothing manufacturing process, as well as elastic that had been sitting around in the Miakoda office, and combined them to make the Zero Waste Scrunchie. Available in a variety of colors and in two sizes, each handmade scrunchie goes for $5.

Terra Ties makes 100 percent biodegradable hair ties out of natural rubber, organic cotton, and natural dye — so if they eventually break, you can throw them in the compost. The hair ties come in plastic-free recycled packaging, making them truly zero waste. Buy Terra Ties via EarthHero or Amazon for $14.95 for a pack of 27.

If you've ever struggled to yank a hair tie out of your curly or knotty hair, allow me to introduce you to RE.STATEMENT, makers of the Buckle Scrunchie and Original Buckle Hair Tie. The patent-pending scrunchies feature a buckle that you can open, helping you smoothly pull the scrunchie out of your hair. Plus, the scrunchies are made from leftover satin from the hems of formal gowns, helping reduce landfill waste.

Coyuchi is best known for its sheets and towels, but the brand also makes a set of Bare Organic Scrunchies. The scrunchies are made with undyed, organic cotton French terry, and are GOTS and Fair Trade Factory Certified. Since these scrunchies are made from a towel-like material, they're great for perfect for putting up wet hair; Coyuchi also makes a matching Bare Organic Headband ($10).

This article, originally published on March 22, 2021, has been updated.