How green are your credentials? Are you ecologically aware right down to the watch you wear? As today is Earth Day we are featuring Sprout Watches, a brand of watches greener than freshly rain soaked grass.

All Sprout Watches are compliant with CPSIA standards and are lead-free and phthalate-free. The corn resin used is in line with the American ASTM D6400 legislation and with the EuropeanEN13432 legislation concerning the compostable materials.

Sprout Watches green credentials

Corn Resin

The resilience of corn resin is similar to that of normal synthetic plastic, and therefore is highly durable. If composted, corn resin is 99% biodegradable in water and carbon dioxide (just in one year). As a derivative of corn, it comes from a renewable source and in its production no petroleum products are used.

Organic Cotton

Cotton cultivation is carried out by using chemicals and toxic products. In fact, it requires the use of large amounts of pesticides, which have a huge impact on the environment. It’s one of the harvests that generates the highest rates of pollution and some of the substances used are considered the most toxic in the world. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is cultivated by using methods and substances that have a low environmental impact and without the use of toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilisers.

Bamboo

Bamboo is considered eco-friendly on the basis of its properties such as being a natural fibre not synthetic, having the fastest growth (it belongs to the herb family) that absorbs greenhouse gases; and is quickly renewable as it can be reborn only 3-5 years after harvest. In addition, its cultivation requires no chemicals, pesticides or fertilisers.

Mineral crystal

Plexiglas – a type of synthetic plastic – is used for most of the glass of low to mid priced watches. The glass used in the production of Sprout Watches, however, is made of mineral crystal, a type of glass derived from sand, which can be recycled.

Mercury-free battery

Mercury is recognised as a neuro-toxin, harmful both to humans and animals. Exposure to even small amounts of mercury, can cause serious health problems over time and damage the brain, liver, lung, and during pregnancy, to the baby’s growth. Sprout Watches use only mercury-free batteries.

Recycled materials

Sprout Watches packaging is made from 80% of recycled materials. In fact it’s not only recycled its recyclable.

Despite the green credentials and the extra care in making the watches, Sprout come in at only 39 Euros – around £33.00 only, so they also fall under the affordable watch category.