As someone who lives near the ocean, I am constantly in awe of its beauty and never miss the opportunity to witness a beautiful sunrise. However, something else I constantly witness is the amount of waste and rubbish washed up along our shores. From glass to nappies, plastic bottles and even hair ties - something today's guest is all too familiar.
Please join me in welcoming Jessie from Eco Ocean and EverCircle who recently caught up with me to talk more about the ocean and how she is determined to protect our beautiful oceans and the planet at large!
W&CF: Thank you for catching up with me, Jessie. I am so inspired by your commitment to sustainability and your mission towards a circular economy. Can you share more about yourself and what first fuelled your passion for sustainability?
Jessie: My passion for sustainability began with my deep love for the ocean. After moving to the coast, I saw firsthand how pollution was affecting our marine environment. I realised that I was also contributing to the problem when I’d lose items like jewellery, hair ties, and surf fins while surfing. This made me aware of how even small actions can impact our waterways. My love for surfing and being in nature sparked a strong desire to protect what I treasure most. Over time, this evolved into a commitment to sustainability and the circular economy, pushing me to create solutions that minimise waste and positively impact our planet.
W&CF: As a surfer and ocean lover, it was a no-brainer for you to start working with Surfers for Climate. For anyone who isn’t familiar with their mission, can you share more about the Surfers for Climate initiative and how it aligned with you?
Jessie: Surfers for Climate is an Australian charity dedicated to turning the tide on climate change. The initiative unites the surfing community to be part of the solution by working with like-minded communities and businesses. It’s all about educating and inspiring people to take better care of our oceans, which aligns perfectly with my personal mission and values. Being involved allows me to contribute to the bigger picture of protecting the environment we all cherish.
W&CF: Your brand Eco Ocean contains salon-quality hair care products that leave minimal impact on our planet. What inspired your brand's inception, and what makes your range different from others on the market?
Jessie: As an ocean lover, I often struggled with dry, frizzy hair after spending time in the water, and I noticed my friends were hesitant to join me because they didn’t know how to manage their hair. I started Eco Ocean to solve that problem and encourage more people to enjoy the ocean with me. Our haircare range is carefully formulated with high-quality ingredients that nourish and protect hair while minimising environmental impact.
What sets Eco Ocean apart is our commitment to the circular economy. For example, our eco-hair ties are made from repurposed bicycle inner tubes and can be recycled through our take-back program, reducing waste and creating a sustainable cycle. I’ve since expanded the range, and every product I design is rooted in circular economy principles, ensuring we not only provide salon-quality hair care but also make a positive impact on the planet.
W&CF: Your award-winning Eco Hair Ties have been designed using up-cycled rubber from bike inner tubes. What sparked this innovative idea, and did you have a personal need for a more sustainable hair accessory?
Jessie: Seeing hair ties littered everywhere was frustrating; they’re a small but pervasive form of pollution that often goes unnoticed. As someone who spends a lot of time in the water, I wanted a product that aligned with my values and provided a sustainable alternative. The idea of redesigning a simple hair tie into something environmentally conscious really took off. It wasn’t just about creating a product—it was about reducing waste, fitting into the surf lifestyle, and making a positive impact on the environment.
Inner bike tubes are notoriously hard to recycle, and the bike industry is often overlooked because their waste volumes are lower compared to the auto industry, but they too need our support. As a cyclist, I was surprised by the waste generated by my own bike use, and I saw it as a no-brainer to look at this waste as an opportunity for material sourcing. By repurposing inner tubes into eco-friendly hair ties, we’re not only tackling a recycling challenge within the cycling community but also turning waste into a valuable resource. This approach perfectly aligns with my mission to create practical, sustainable products that reduce our environmental footprint.
W&CF: It is music to my ears that your hair care range is vegan, cruelty-free, palm oil-free, and contains natural and certified organic ingredients. Did you face any challenges when formulating your hair care products, and how did you ensure they met your sustainability values while providing salon-quality performance?
Jessie: Formulating products that align with our sustainability values while maintaining salon-quality performance was definitely challenging. Sourcing ingredients that were both effective and met our ethical standards took time and dedication. We collaborated closely with formulators who understood our commitment to using natural, certified organic, and sustainable ingredients. Testing and refining our formulas was a crucial part of the process, ensuring that every product met our high standards without compromising on performance or our environmental values.
W&CF: I love that all your products are thoughtfully packaged in eco-friendly, reusable tins or recyclable packaging. Other than sustainability, what inspired your packaging concepts?
Jessie: Beyond sustainability, our packaging was inspired by the desire to create a product experience that feels special and lasting. We wanted packaging that people would feel good about reusing or recycling, contributing to the circular economy. When I started the business, I was living in my van, so I also needed packaging that travelled well, was durable, and fit my on-the-go lifestyle. Our eco-friendly tins and recyclable materials not only minimise waste but also reflect our brand’s ethos—maintaining a high-end, beach-inspired aesthetic that resonates with our community of ocean lovers while being practical for life on the move.
W&CF: Whenever you develop a new product, you use regenerative design thinking. Can you give us an insight into this process and why it’s a non-negotiable for you?
Jessie: Regenerative design thinking is about creating products that don’t just minimise harm but actively contribute to restoring and regenerating the environment. For us, it’s non-negotiable because it aligns with our mission to not only reduce waste but also give back to the planet. This approach influences everything from sourcing upcycled materials to designing take-back programs. It’s about thinking beyond the product’s life cycle and considering how we can positively impact the environment at every stage.
W&CF: In addition to your hair care range, you have over 10 years of experience in the sustainability space and also offer services that help businesses adopt sustainable practices that positively impact our planet. Tell us more about EverCircle and why you felt called to offer Circular Economy Assessments?
Jessie: EverCircle was born out of a desire to expand our impact beyond just oceans and products. Initially focused on ocean-friendly haircare, I wanted to take the brand further and address sustainability on a broader scale. EverCircle reflects this evolution, aiming to help businesses adopt sustainable practices that positively impact all aspects of the environment, not just our oceans. I’m deeply drawn to collaboration and believe that working together is key to driving real change.
Our Circular Economy Assessments provide businesses with the tools and insights needed to transition towards more circular models. By offering this service, we’re helping future-proof industries, reduce waste, and open up new revenue streams, all while making a positive impact on the planet. It’s incredibly rewarding to see businesses embrace these changes, collaborate, and thrive sustainably.
W&CF: Sustainability is a buzzword that gets thrown around, but people may not be familiar with the term Circular Economy. Can you explain what a Circular Economy is and the core principles that make up the Circular Economy model?
Jessie: The circular economy is a transformative model that moves away from the traditional linear approach of “take, make, dispose.” It focuses on keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, maximising value before recovering and regenerating products at the end of their life cycle. Core principles include:
- Reusing: Extending the life of materials, like our upcycled bicycle tyre hair ties.
- Reducing Waste & Emissions: Minimising energy use across all business practices.
- Responsible Manufacturing: Adopting sustainable production methods.
- Efficient Use of Resources: Using natural ingredients and materials like oils, butters, linen, and bamboo.
- Recycling: Ensuring all packaging is recyclable and minimises waste.
W&CF: Sustainability goes beyond product packaging. Can you share a checklist of what people should be looking for when it comes to ensuring the products they are purchasing are sustainable and support a circular economy?
Jessie:
- Where and how are the products made?
- What materials are they made from?
- Are these materials recyclable or compostable?
- What happens to the product at the end of its life?
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What kind of packaging does the product come in?
FAST FIVE:
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Favourite place in the world: Any coastline where I can surf and soak up the ocean’s energy.
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The beauty or self-care product you can't live without: My Hair Drops—they’re incredibly versatile and not just for hair. I use them as a body oil, face serum, hair treatment, and even for after sun skin and scalp care.
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Song that lives rent-free in your head: “Don't Race” by Peep Temple—it’s always stuck in my mind.
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A life-changing event or experience: Spotting whales for the first time when I moved to Jervis Bay—it was an unforgettable moment that deepened my connection to the ocean.
- Who or what inspires you the most in life? The ocean—it’s a constant reminder of the beauty we need to protect.
W&CF: Thanks so much for chatting with us, Jessie. We’ve loved learning more about you and EverCircle!