Allday Goods Raises $1M to Turn Plastic Waste into Kitchen Knives

Jan de Vries · 2026-03-26

Here's a story that feels like a breath of fresh air. Allday Goods, a kitchenware brand from East London, just secured nearly $1 million in funding. Their mission? Turning plastic waste destined for landfills into high-quality kitchen knives and goods. They're planning to use this capital to scale up, launch new products, and expand into new markets. ### The Funding Round and Backers The investment round was led by FIGR Ventures. They were joined by Anotherway Ventures, Machroes Holdings, and a group of angel investors. Notably, existing backer Tom Gozney of Gozney Pizza Ovens reinvested. The board of Allday Goods, which included founder Hugo Worsley and Gozney, now welcomes FIGR to the table. Founder Hugo Worsley couldn't hide his excitement. "This is a huge moment for us," he said. "We've built Allday slowly and intentionally over the past few years, so having people we genuinely admire backing the next chapter feels incredibly special." ### From Garden Shed to Global Brand Worsley's journey started in a humble place—his parents' garden shed. As a former chef, he began experimenting, using an old toastie machine to melt plastic milk bottle lids for knife handles. He built a loyal following almost overnight. His London pop-ups had queues, and online drops sold out in minutes. He tested the waters with a simple Instagram post announcing 100 knives. They sold out in 76 seconds. That was the moment Allday was truly born. ### Craftsmanship and Global Manufacturing What sets these knives apart is a serious commitment to craft. The blades are manufactured in some of the world's most renowned knife-making hubs: - Solingen, Germany - Somerset, UK - Sakai, Japan - Sheffield, UK The company uses three distinct steel types across its ranges: - **Everyday Range:** X50CrMoV15 high-quality stainless steel. - **Forged Range:** 52100 high-carbon steel from Sheffield, known for being super sharp. - **Sakai Range:** Aogami 2 blue paper steel from Japan, considered one of the best steels globally. ### The Heart of the Matter: Sustainability This is where the magic happens. Every knife handle is made from recycled plastic that was headed for the landfill. The process is straightforward but powerful: collect, wash, shred, and melt. The result? Each handle has a unique, one-of-a-kind pattern. So far, the company claims to have saved over 52,700 pounds of plastic waste. ### Building a Cult Following The brand's success isn't just about funding. They're already profitable with minimal outside investment. They've collaborated with big names like Ottolenghi, Soho House, and Paul Smith. They've been featured in major publications like Esquire, which is actually where FIGR's Portfolio Director, Ellie Craig, first discovered them. Craig has been a fan for years. "Drops selling out in seconds and a community that can't stop talking about the brand – this is what a cult following looks like," she said. She believes Hugo and the team have built something special on a foundation of sustainability, craft, and unique design. "Now is the moment to take Allday from cult status to a kitchen staple." FIGR's approach is refreshing. They saw a founder-led brand built through hands-on material experimentation, not just slide decks. Their plan isn't to redirect the brand but to recognize and support what's already working brilliantly. It's a vote of confidence in a company that's proving you can build a premium product while doing genuine good for the planet.