Junior Design Awards / Lifestyle Awards 2026 / 22 September 2026

Best Innovative Eco Product Design | Junior Design Awards 2026

The Junior Design Awards celebrate the very best in design, innovation and style. Discover the winners of best innovative eco product design and find out what impressed our expert judging panel.

Junior Magazine Junior Design Awards Best Innovative Eco Product Design | Junior Design Awards 2026

Winner:GOLD - Best Innovative Eco Product Design

Who:Kitz Heimat

What:Babywearing insert

Why:

Our judges were immediately drawn to these tactile, breathable, 100% organic merino wool gilets. Available in a range of stylish colours and a lovely, muted leopard print, they can be worn as a standard gilet or adapted with a simple zip-on insert that transforms them into a babywearing-compatible garment. We have to say, baby or no baby, everyone wanted one of these vests, and the feedback from the JDA panel was unanimously positive.

"In a world where we’re much more conscious of the fibres we place near our children’s faces, this 100% organic wool babywearing gilet feels as reassuring as it is cosy. Looks fab with and without the insert giving it a long wardrobe life."

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, Junior,@juniormagazineonline

"I absolutely love this. It feels premium, looks beautiful and is one of those products I'd genuinely want to own."

Lauren Webber, Co-founder of The Mum Club @themumclub

"A creative product with genuine sustainability credentials, using natural materials and encouraging extended garment use."

Nicola Perring, Maternity, Baby and Kids’ Industry Consultant @lookin_thenest

"A beautiful vest. Love that it is 100% organic merino wool to regulate the baby's temperature. Easy to put on with no fuss and keeps the baby cosy. The removable insert increases the lifespan of use."

Yin, Stylist and Creative Director @yin.and.eetwins

Winner:SILVER - Best Innovative Eco Product Design

Who:Splash About

What:Happy Nappy Hero

Why:

Our judges were super impressed with this latest product from Splash About, a reusable swim nappy combining practicality, comfort and sustainability. Made from Yulex – an eco-friendly, hypoallergenic fabric that is a plant-based, renewable, and biodegradable alternative to traditional petroleum derived neoprene, this swim nappy is soft and flexible as well as being UV-resistant and shape-retaining. Not only are these nappies more sustainably made but their innovative double-layer construction means they can be worn without a disposable nappy underneath. A win, win situation with the same leak-free confidence we have come to trust from this leading swim nappy brand.

"Wow! What a fantastic development from Splash About. Over 200,000 disposable swim nappies are discarded every week in the UK, taking up to 500 years to decompose in landfill. The Happy Nappy Hero tackles this problem head on. A brilliant step forward in sustainable baby swimwear."

Bonita Turner, Editor of Junior, @juniormagazineonline

"I was fascinated to learn all about Yulex. What an amazing fabric with so many great qualities. No more soggy disposables in the water and it’s great to know that these reusable swim nappies are biodegradable in the long term."

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor Junior, @juniormagazineonline

This is a product that tackles a genuine environmental issue with a practical reusable solution. The use of plant-based YULEX® natural rubber in place of traditional neoprene is an innovative choice that further strengthens the product's environmental credentials while maintaining comfort, flexibility and durability.

Nicola Perring, Maternity, Baby and Kids’ Industry Consultant @lookin_thenest

"Great quality and soft on skin. Material used reduces the risk of skin irritation. Eco-friendly swim nappy that can be reused multiple times, resistant to and chlorine. Looks snug and leak proof."

Yin, Stylist and Creative Director @yin.and.eetwins

Winner:BRONZEKitz Heimat - Best Innovative Eco Product Design

Who:Shnuggle

What:Eco Baby Bath - Cookies & Cream

Why:

Our judges loved Shnuggle’s Eco Baby Bath, made from 98% post-consumer plastic while remaining fully tested to all relevant safety standards and robust enough to hand down through many children. The panel admired the clever bum bump support, helping even newborns sit upright comfortably and easing colic and reflux, plus the compact size that keeps water warm using just two litres. With its sleek design and neutral ‘cookies & cream’ colourway that will fit into any bathroom scheme, our judges agreed that this bath would appeal to parents who valued sustainability, quality and style.

"This is a well-designed product that takes a meaningful step towards using more sustainable materials."

Nicola Perring, Maternity, Baby and Kids’ Industry Consultant @lookin_thenest

"Such a great bath with so many handy features like the foam backrest for extra comfort and its own plug. The promise of a more sustainably made product will appeal to parents who want to help protect the planet for their little ones."

Bonita Turner, Editor of Junior, @juniormagazineonline

"Baby baths are incredibly useful and make life so much easier for parents but there’s definitely the guilt of buying virgin plastic. This 98% post-consumer plastic version is more sustainable and feels like a well-made product that can be passed down."

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor Junior,@juniormagazineonline