Meet The Innovators – Ecojiko

Plastic sponges and microfibre cloths are known to leave traces of microplastics in our water system that will take hundreds of years to biodegrade. These microplastics can be inadvertently digested by sea life, damaging or destroying aquatic creatures, while ending up back in our food chain.

We caught up with Katy at ecojiko to find out why all of our products are made from natural materials that biodegrade easily.

What inspired you to create your brand? How did the business start?

Over the last few years I became annoyed at the amount of plastic used for everyday items in the home and I wanted to create my own sustainable eco brand, but full time work commitments had always held me back. Whilst furloughed in 2020, at the start of the pandemic, I realised it was now or never! I researched and trialled a number of products from many suppliers and then started to design the ecojiko brand.

What makes your products special? What is the thing that separates you from your competitors?

Based in rural Lancashire I have always wanted our products to show how the nature and countryside surrounding us inspires the brand. We can also personalise our products with shop logos, names etc which sets us apart from other eco brands on the market. Our personalised products and eco scrubbers with ‘eyes’ add personality and humour to the range which I think separates us from our competitors.

I am also keen to maintain the small family business character to the company and not copy larger brands.

What about your products is sustainable and plastic free? How and what have you changed or altered to make the products zero plastic, zero waste or sustainable?

Many of the larger brands sell wood / bamboo brushes with plastic bristles. We ensure that all bristles are made from sisal which is 100% biodegradable. All of our products could be placed into the compost after use and will biodegrade.

Our stock is always shipped to us by train or sea to reduce carbon emissions.

We ensure that all of our packaging is made from recycled and recyclable cardboard, and our mailing bags are biodegradable. We reuse boxes and packaging for wholesale wherever possible.

What is your best seller or favourite product in your line?

The Kitchen Starter Kit is very popular and we will be introducing more sets in the coming weeks.