Slow Travel in Greece

Wasteless Design: Zero-Waste products, made by Vera Bogiari

Wasteless Design

Zero-Waste products made by Vera Bogiari

Vera Bogiari is a dedicated Zero-Waste ambassador. 

She has been designing and creating ethically Zero-Waste products such as Cloth Menstrual Pads and other reusable items since 2018, in Thessaloniki.

Vera realized the need for a healthy and zero-waste alternative to items for personal and daily use, like menstrual pads & cotton make up remover discs and visualized a world with no plastic waste, where eco-friendly products and packaging will evolve to a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and living.

The philosophy behind Wasteless Design

Wasteless Design`s handmade products are made of skin-friendly materials and are free of chemicals and fragrances. Their use reduces the huge volume of disposable items, as they are reusable.

Sustainable, Zero-Waste, and comfortable, Wasteless Design`s handmade products are here to suggest an ethical lifestyle, a fair deal for makers, consumers, and the environment.

Vera is a passionate social entrepreneur and her mission is to spread to the world the principles of the Zero-Waste philosophy and its practical application in our everyday life.

Life Lovers Greece had the chance to interview Vera and get to know the principles of her work and the Zero-Waste philosophy.

Meet Vera Bogiari!

Enjoy Reading!
LLG: How Wasteless Design came to life, what inspired you?

From a very young age, I loved making clothes for my dolls and designing collections giving imaginative names to the sets.

 My creations were made from my mom’s old underwear, tissue paper, popped balloons from my birthday parties, remnants of clothes my grandmother repaired, and everything else in my path that excited my imagination.

I was very lucky because I had the opportunity to study the subject I loved from a young age since I believe that we should try to achieve our dreams as difficult and impossible as they seem to us. 

So in 2010, I started studying Fashion Design at the University for the Creative Arts in England.

In April 2013, while I was a senior and preparing my final collection, a tragic event happened that changed forever how we saw the fashion industry. 

The Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed killing more than 1,100 people and exposing a bitter truth that none of us wanted to acknowledge, that our clothes are often produced under conditions of exploitation and precariousness for workers.

This made me no longer want to work for fashion and was a trigger for me to start researching further issues related to the exploitation of people, animals and nature.

After returning to Greece, I adopted the zero waste lifestyle and later embraced the vegan philosophy. 

I tried other professions until the end of 2017 when I decided to combine the knowledge from my studies and my love for design with my love for the environment and a more ecological, ethical and healthy lifestyle by founding Wasteless Design.

LLG: What is the story of your brand and products?

The Wasteless Design brand has been based in Thessaloniki since 2018 and offers sustainable products for a Zero-waste living.


The reusable cloth menstrual pads we produce are a sustainable alternative to sanitary pads that offer safety with less waste.

Furthermore, you can find on our e-shop reusable make-up remover discs, cloth masks, grocery bags and the range of our products is constantly expanding, always guided by ecological consciousness.

Wasteless Design reusable cloth menstrual pads are made in Greece and the choice of raw materials is based on criteria of their sustainability and fair production. All materials used are plant-based and animal-free. The materials used are:
  • 100% GOTS certified organic cotton printed with low impact ecological and hypoallergenic dyes. GOTS certification ensures that the fabric is manufactured under fair working conditions and without compromising the environment.

  •  Absorbent fleece made of GOTS cotton and bamboo made to order for us in GOTS certified facilities in Kilkis. Bamboo is a crop that regenerates very quickly, consuming very little water and does not require pesticides.

  • Organic cotton with waterproof and breathable film from PUL that makes our sanitary napkins reliable and cool. This fabric is hypoallergenic and certified for use even in baby products.

  • Nickel-free metallic fasteners that are durable without causing allergies.

  • 100% cotton thread that makes the products suitable even for people with allergies to the polyester used in similar products from other companies.

Due to the materials chosen, the reusable cloth menstrual pads of Wasteless Design are comfortable and do not cause sweating, itching, irritation or bad odours.

Apart from the materials, we emphasize on the design of our products combining ergonomy, ecology, and style!

Each item is handmade and designed with the innovative zero-waste pattern technique that makes each piece fit like a puzzle and ensures that most of the fabric is utilized while minimizing fabric waste.

LLG: In-depth, which customers' needs do your products satisfy?

The reusable cloth menstrual pads we produce are a Zero-Waste alternative that offers safety without endangering your health or polluting the environment.

Most disposable sanitary napkins are made of 90% plastic, along with other materials such as glues and synthetic fragrances. Tampons are usually made from a blend of conventional cotton, rayon and polyester and are usually bleached.

The materials mentioned above can contain traces of pesticides, bisphenol A, dioxins, glyphosate, phthalates and other hazardous chemicals while companies are not required to list these substances on product packaging.

According to reports, the use of these substances near such a sensitive gland can lead to endocrine disorders, gynaecological problems, pH imbalances in the area, neurotoxicity, infertility and even cancer.

In addition, most of us are aware of Toxic Shock Syndrome which can be caused by tampon use and can even lead to death.

Fact:

A woman in her life will use an average of 12,000 disposable sanitary napkins during her period producing 150 kg of waste.

By 2017 in the 28 EU member states More than 49 billion pieces of disposable products were used to produce 590,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste.

In addition, it is estimated that these products contribute significantly to climate change by releasing 245,000 tons of CO2 per year.

The companies that produce conventional period products do not take any responsibility for their disposal and the pollution they create.

The information provided comes from the following reports: *Reusable and toxic-free menstrual products report by Zero Waste Europe 2018 *The environmental and economic cost of single-use menstrual products, baby nappies & wet wipes by Zero Waste Europe 2019
LLG: Which is the philosophy behind the Wasteless Design?

Zero-waste lifestyle, ethical production, vegan philosophy and solidarity are the principles on which Wasteless Design is based.

One of Wasteless Design’s initiatives is #givingbackmonthly and every month it donates 5% of its profits to a project or organization that promotes the same values as us.

These projects benefit either the environment or humans or non-human animals in need.

Are you ready to start a more conscious living by using
Zero-Waste lifestyle products?

Check www.wastelessdesign.gr and become a Zero-Waste ambassador, just like Vera!

error: Content is protected !!
en_USEnglish
Skip to content