Handmade Market Canberra's sustainable picks

Put a lid on it make sharing food and memories easy, bright and fun — all without adding to the plastic problem. Each of their products are made in Australia using 100% recycled plastic that otherwise would have gone to landfill. With products ranging from round serving bowls and rectangle serving platters, each product is made to last for years and years. When you’re finished with your serving-ware, you can even return it to them to be recycled again and made into something new.

Dogboy Knives produce artisan knives borne from a desire to create beautiful yet functional pieces using recycled and reclaimed materials. Each knife is hand forged in Brompton, SA by Richard Cooper, using high carbon steel sourced primarily from recycled materials like old files and sawmill blades. The different materials sourced result in the unique shape and function of each individual knife, all forged by hand using traditional techniques to create one-off unique blades. The handles are also made from reclaimed materials, featuring Australian hardwoods and small offcuts of exotic timbers collected from local sawmills and furniture makers.

Two Threads is a Melbourne based label with a focus on slow fashion, small runs and creating beautiful clothing for everyday life. Launched in 2004 by Karen & Sally, they aim to design ethical, sustainable clothing for ageless, modern women, who choose quality over quantity. Every piece is passionately and proudly made in Melbourne, honouring a thoughtful, slow, handmade approach to fashion. Making timless, long lasting clothes Two Threads is committed to quality and integrity at every stage of the making process.

They design with minimal fabric waste and try to use all their offcuts to make other garments for the range.

Upswitch creates imaginative lamps and lighting using recycled objects. Reimagined items include science laboratory equipment, cameras, vintage jars, books and anything in between are re-purposed into modern, functional art pieces that inspire and illuminate.

Each piece is individually handmade in Melbourne by Michael Hanley who is particularly passionate about reclaiming otherwise unloved items and giving them new life.

Downunder Wash Co creates all-natural, Australian-made soaps, cleaning, and laundry products, including innovative firsts like their muscle recovery soap bar and authentic rum shaving bar. Handmade in Tasmania using Australian-sourced ingredients and essential oils, their products are eco-friendly, effective, and packaged in compostable materials. Perfect for those seeking unique, sustainable solutions that work, Downunder Wash Co. is committed to bringing natural cleaning products into every home for a cleaner, greener future.

Sarah Munnings Jewellery is designed with a focus on sustainability and a desire to tread lightly on the earth. Sarah works with recycled materials, refining workshop scraps in-house or sourcing from Australian merchants. Her collections are inspired by conversations with customers about their journeys, what is important to you as a conscientious buyer, and the impact you want to make on the world. Sarah loves working with people from all walks of life, across different budgets and lifestyles, to create jewellery that reflects their personality, interests, and dreams. She’s also passionate about making workshops accessible, tailoring them to suit individual needs and abilities.

Humblee Eco is a small South Australian business, making a range of reusable waxed bags and wraps, along with aprons and tea towels made from hemp fabric. Each of their products are handmade in South Australia, combining practicality with eco-conscious design. Each item is crafted to reduce waste, using organic beeswax and cotton, ensuring minimal environmental impact while supporting ethical, locally made alternatives to single-use plastics.

Spunky Bruiser is for the practical, conscious consumer and self expressive shopper. Their broad range of multi-seasonal offerings are all made in their Eora/Sydney studio from locally sourced recycled materials. They can even include your sentimental textiles in a custom made garment and offer made to measure services too.