Flotsam Flo is truly unique. Formed by Kate in 2021, Flotsam Flo creates fashion items such as bags and accessories from waste that cannot easily be recycled, or is impossible to recycle. If we did not use these items, they would end up in incineration or landfill.

Plastic pollution is one of the major environmental issues. Not only is it impacting our health, but it is also threatening our wildlife and oceans. Flotsam Flo reuses and repurposes items that take many years to break down, such as wetsuits, life jackets, paddling pools, marketing banners and inflatables. PVC is one of the hardest materials to recycle, often ending up in the sea or landfill and neoprene can take up to 100 years to biodegrade. It’s a big problem but we would like to do our bit at helping to reduce this, whilst spreading awareness of this issue to others by education.

Items are donated to Flotsam Flo by the community and organisations, but there is one rule; the item needs to be broken or no longer have a use. Flotsam Flo is the last resort before an item goes to waste. We also try and use waste and off cuts from organisations so they don't end up in incineration or landfill. One of these amazing businesses, who have supported us from the start is Fabric Works. One of the items they make are canopies and they send us their offcuts. But they are not posted to us and no special trips are made. My friend Kerensa lives near Fabric Works in Somerset and so she will pick up the offcuts and bring them down to me when she is visiting family.

All items are handmade, here in Cornwall by Kate and there are rarely two items the same. This is not only because of the nature of the material, but due to the different patterns and shapes on each item. What Flotsam Flo creates depends on the items we are given, so if you see an item on our shop, it may be the only one! The stock and items on our shop are ever changing so please keep an eye on our website and sign up to our newsletter for updates.

Most of the packaging for our items comes from shops and the local community; the cardboard boxes, brown paper and packaging is reused for sending out Flotsam Flo items. The tape is biodegradable and able to be recycled, as are the thank you stickers we use. If you buy a Flotsam Flo item, please reuse the packaging where you can and don't forget to send us pictures of your amazing Flotsam Flo items!