Are you looking for eco-friendly and sustainable gift ideas? Whether it’s holiday time, a special event, or just a special occasion, here are some sustainable gift ideas for everyone in your life! No need to struggle with what to get the special people in your life, I’ve got you covered!
I’ve worked incredibly hard over the last few years to dramatically reduce the number of items I’m purchasing, this includes items that I gift to others. When I do purchase items, I want them to be meaningful, long-lasting, and have less of an impact on the planet.
Here are 43 sustainable gift ideas!
Sustainable gift ideas for athletes
1. 8000 Kicks Running Shoes
8000 Kicks has created a hemp shoe! If you’re looking for a sustainable gift idea for the athlete in your life, this is such a great one. This shoe is known as the most eco-friendly, durable, and comfortable shoe ever built!
A vegan, waterproof, hemp shoe for $129, that’s a sustainable gift idea you can get behind!
2. Organic Cotton Joggers
Size inclusive, stylish, and organic? This jogger set checks all the boxes, making it a perfect sustainable gift idea for athletes. Choose between a black or brick color for this fit and expect your gift recipient to live in this set! The materials used for this jogger are made ethically and sustainably in Los Angeles, California.
The fabric is soft and incredibly comfortable. This set is also GOTS certified. This means it meets the criteria needed for Global Organic Textile Standards.
This set runs for $74.
3. Reusable water bottle
Reusable water bottles are one of the most iconic sustainable swaps to help reduce the use of single-use water bottles. Give the gift of sustainability with this incredible water bottle. The Hydro Flask comes in multiple colors and keeps water cold for 24 hours. I’ve put this to the test and yes, it’s true! Hydro flasks are durable, reusable, and made of stainless steel instead of plastic. They literally last forever. The specific style of this $49 bottle is great because it is easy to drink while walking because of the straw lid.
4. Luxury Cork Yoga Mat
Here is a sustainable gift idea for the yoga lovers in your life! Every yogi knows the importance of a yoga mat. This gift idea is the perfect way to incorporate mindfulness, athleticism, and sustainability. This mat is made from corks that are eco-friendly and durable.
This mat has an excellent grip and is perfect for yogi beginners or experts! It doesn’t slip even after sweating, but also isn’t so sticky you can’t quickly move positions for your yoga flow. Since the mat is made from corks, it would be a perfect gift along with some wine!
This mat is $89.99 and provides comfort, support, and sustainability, long-lasting quality, and an excellent eco-friendly gift!
5. Earth Bag
What’s a trip to the gym without the perfect gym bag? And nothing says perfect gym bag more than a durable bag made of recycled plastic bottles! Like I mentioned previously in this post, it is almost always best to buy items made from recycled material. It is a perfect way to create something new without actually having to extract new materials.
This bag packs a BIG sustainable punch. Not only is it perfect as a gym bag for the athletes in your life, but it is also great for travel. When trying to be more eco-conscious, reusing items over and over again is key. Having a bag that can be used for multiple purposes accomplishes just that.
According to research, about 90% of plastic is never recycled. The Earth Bag is water-resistant, stylish, and earth-friendly. Give back to the planet while giving to the special person in your life with this bag for $158.
Sustainable gift ideas for foodies
6. The Green Pan Ceramic Nonstick
After finding out about the toxins (PFAS) in traditional Teflon pots and pans, I was committed to making the switch to eco-friendly cookware. While there are several more expensive options, The Green Pan is the most eco-friendly, non-toxic, and affordable option I could find.
These pots and pans can be placed in the oven and have incredible natural nonstick properties from the ceramic. This gift is perfect for the foodie in your life! Keeping harmful chemicals out of our food and environment is important for our health and the health of our planet.
7. Cooking utensils
This sustainable cooking gift pairs perfectly with the Nonstick Ceramic Green Pan Ceramic sustainable gift idea. These non-toxic cooking utensils will bring any kitchen to life! Not only are they more eco-friendly, but they’re also functional and can easily fit into any kitchen style. We use these utensils in our Green Pan cookware daily!
The $30 set is made from wood and silicone making it long-lasting and durable.
8. Vegetarian/Vegan Cookbook
Whether or not the person you’re looking for a sustainable gift item for is vegetarian or vegan, they can still benefit from this cookbook. Limiting the amount of meat we consume is one of the single largest ways to decrease our environmental impact. It doesn’t mean you have to cut out all meat and dairy, but maybe eat it one less time during the day or participate in the classic “meatless Monday”.
Personally, I consider myself a flexitarian where I practice a mostly vegetarian diet and eat meat only on occasion. This $13 book is packed with amazing recipes that still give you that comforting soul food feeling.
I love watching Sweet Potato Soul on Youtube because she gives such great recipes. She believes that vegan food should still taste delicious and be full of flavor.
9. Reusable coffee cup
The cutest coffee cup there ever was! This coffee cup is such a great sustainable gift for the foodies in your life. It is eco-friendly in the fact that it is glass with a cork band to keep your hand from being burned by your warm drink.
This drink fits perfectly in a cup holder and is great to travel on the go. Glass cups are sleek, stylish, and efficient. In addition, glass is made from the sand as opposed to plastic which is made from oil. Glass is also non-toxic and doesn’t hold a smell or stain like most plastic coffee cups. This 12oz coffee cup is $32 and would pair perfectly with a bag of fair-trade coffee!
10. Meal prep containers
Meal prep containers are a great sustainable gift idea for anyone, but especially the foodie in your life! Not only are these great to help meal prep, but they’re also great for lunches, to-go meals, and storing snacks on the go.
I love that they are color-coordinated to help keep them organized and the various sizes help to place the right amount of food inside the container. Meal planning/prepping helps to reduce food waste because it is a much more intentional way to think about and prepare food. Of course, because we’re talking about sustainable gifts, these $30 containers are in glass instead of plastic. This makes them microwave safe and non-toxic. They’re easily stackable and leakproof.
This gift would be amazing along with the vegan cookbook mentioned above.
11. Dinnerware
Yes, you can gift dinnerware! Gifting dinnerware is such a great, practical gift. Every single adult uses some form of dinnerware. Not only is it a great way to eliminate the use of single-use dinnerware like styrofoam plates and disposable cups, but it is also a gift you know will be used for years to come.
This dinnerware comes in 18 pieces. It’s lightweight and lead-free, making it perfect for formal or casual dinners. Not only are the dishes durable, but they’re also the perfect vehicle to hold any stylish. The different types of dishes are good for multi-uses and my dishes have lasted for years!
Grab this sustainable gift idea for $85.
12. Avocado hugger
No more brown avoados! This is such a cute sustainable gift. It is considered sustainable because it prevents food waste, but also prevents the need for single-use items to protect your avocado from browning. This $12 gift idea is the perfect addition to any of the other foodie gift items listed above.
Sustainable gift ideas for kids
13. Reusable Stickers
The sustainability piece is in the name! Reusable stickers! instead of having stickers left all over the house (and in my case all over the floor, the furniture, and anything within reach), these stickers are designed to be used over and over again. Equip with a sticker pad, the stickers are a perfect sustainable gift idea for the kids in your life.
These reusable stickers come in different designs with different characters and actually keeps the kids busy. We use these for independent play and on road trips. I don’t have to worry about finding stickers stuck to my son’s car seat and windows when we use them in the car.
Here are three reusable sticker books for $19!
14. Green toys
We love this truck for our little one! It was given as a gift to us and it is one of our son’s favorite toys. It is a recycling truck made and packaged with recycled materials!
This is a perfect way to introduce sustainability to your kids and show them the tangible benefits of recycling. The door on the truck opens and shuts and the different types of recyclables are etched into the truck design.
The $29 truck is high quality and makes a perfect gift for any occasion. Don’t forget to recycle the paper packaging it comes in!
15. Wooden toys
With the rise of interest in Montessori schools and wooden toys, I had to include them as a sustainable gift idea. Until I started making an effort to find wooden toys, I never realized that the majority of toys for our children are made from plastic.
Although plastic is a tough and versatile material, it is also made from oil and takes hundreds of years to break down once it enters the landfill. And, as we know kids’ toys very often end up in the trash.
According to research, wooden toys allow young minds to roam without the distraction of recorded sounds or overwhelming color pallets (source). Here is one of our favorite wooden toys for our son. While this looks like a simple toolset to adults, the imagination it allows a child to build is limitless. My son uses this $25 toy every day – it stimulates his creativity and incorporates STEM learning.
16. Silicone toys
I love this sustainable gift idea for babies! For little babes, silicone toys are the way to go. As mentioned earlier, plastic has a tendency to be more toxic than other materials like silicone. Silicone is soft and versatile allowing it to be the perfect teething toy for our little ones. These soft blocks are $27 stackable, fun, learning tools your toddler or baby will love!
Sustainable gift ideas for her
17. Potted Plant Subscription Box
At the time of the pandemic, more people became interested in planting and gardening. Giving the gift of plants is such a unique and fun way to show love and appreciation to the person in your life. Plants not only transform your home space, they also help to clean the air.
I love this gifting feature because it gives the person options. They can either use the gift to get a subscription box or they can choose specific plants they’d like instead. Gifting plants is the ultimate sustainable gift idea! Click below to purchase a 3-month subscription for $180.
18. Seeds to plant
If potted plants are not the right sustainable gift idea for the person in your life, how about you give them a gift to plant their own? Gifting seeds allows your recipient to have more control over what they plant and where it is planted. If you have any gardeners in your life, this is the perfect gift idea.
These seed packs are $18 and include 13 non-GMO veggies for the gardener in your life!
19. Gift cards
If you’re unsure of what to buy her, grab her a gift card to a place you know she’d love. It’s best to buy something that you know will be used, rather than purchase something that will end up being donated or in a landfill. Gift cards can be from food places, clothing shops, or even from places that offer services.
20. Manicure/Pedicure
I think I speak for most women when I say giving the gift of being pampered is always in season. If you’re really just not sure what to get the woman in your life, a manicure and a pedicure is a pretty foolproof route. I consider manicures and pedicures sustainable because you’re most often supporting a local business and it is not a wasteful gift that will end up in the landfill. Giving a service as a gift is an excellent sustainable gift idea.
If going into a salon is not preferred for the woman in your life, try giving her the gift of a spa day and at-home pedicure instead!
Related Post: At Home Spa Date Night
21. Wine
Have you tried winc? I love their organic and sustainable wine! Gifting sustainable wine is a thoughtful gift idea because it’s generally seen as a gesture of kindness. Winc is my favorite because it is a wine membership that allows you to shop for different types of wine each month. I love it because I can try out different styles of wine from different locations around the world. My favorite wines are sustainable and organic wines. They’re smooth while still having a bold taste and no after taste.
22. Bracelet
Give a gift that gives back! This bracelet is made from recycled plastic, recycled glass, and stainless steel. 4Ocean has a mission to stop plastic waste with this Overfishing Recycled Bracelet. Each bracelet removes one pound of trash from our oceans.
23. Poplinen
Poplinen is one of my favorite sustainable fashion brands. Clothing from Poplinen is carefully chosen and created with sustainable fabrics and ethical work conditions. Poplinen works to decrease textile waste by trying to use and repurpose all fabrics used in the process. Their clothing is so soft and high quality. My poplinen pieces are part of my capsule wardrobe because they can easily pair with anything and are long-lasting.
24. Soap Bars
Using soap bars is another way to decrease plastic waste. Soap bars pair great with candles (see below) for gifts! They smell incredible and you can mix and match scents that your gift recipient will enjoy. Dr. Bronner’s is one of my family’s favorite soap bars. They’re nontoxic and work on so many skin types even people with sensitive skin can enjoy. If it’s available to you, visiting a local soap-making company or local farmers’ market for soaps is an awesome sustainable gift idea. Hand-made soaps are unique and thoughtful.
25. Candles
As mentioned above, you often can’t go wrong with candles. Even if the person happens to not burn candles in their home, candles can act as beautiful decor as well. When choosing candles, be sure to choose non-toxic candles! These are candles made from soy, beeswax, or vegetable-based. Below are some of my favorite soy-based candles.
Here are some of my favorite candles from small businesses:
Sustainable gift ideas for him
26. The Solar Black Solios Watch
This watch is an incredible sustainable gift for any man in your life. Not only is it solar-powered, but the minimalistic look of this watch also makes it a perfect staple in any wardrobe. Solios dedicates efforts to restore one acre of rainforest for each watch sold!
27. 8000 Kicks
This sustainable gift idea is super cool for the men in your life. 8000 kicks is made from strong Hemp fibers and the soals are made from an algae bloom. These shoes are so comfortable and durable. These $129 shoes are minimalistic but still stylish!
28. Wallet
Cork is a sustainable material that many don’t think about! This cork wallet is such a unique and sustainable gift idea. For only $21, this wallet is durable and flexible! It fits easily in pockets and is lightweight.
29. Clothes
Purchase clothes from an eco-friendly company like Earth Hero.
Check out their collection of clothing below.
30. Ties
The perfect tie for the man in your life. This tie is sustainably sourced and made of 100% recycled Polyester. When possible, it is always encouraged to buy items made from recycled material. Why? Part of the reason our recycling system isn’t great is that there is no market for many of the items we would like to recycle. If no one is buying items made from recycled materials, it will be hard for recycling haulers to continue to collect that material from customers. In addition, using recycled materials reduces our need to extract virgin materials from the Earth to make new items. It is a perfect way to reuse materials already made.
Check out this beautiful sustainable gift idea from Nordstrom for $98.
Experience gift ideas
31. Zoo ticket
32. Aquarium tickets
33. Amusement park tickets
34. Wine tasting
Here is an idea for wine tasting at home!
35. Hiking/camping trip
36. Picnic
37. Beach house stay
38. Garden tour
39. Massage
40. Grove Collaborative Subscription
DIY gift ideas
41. Relaxing Bath Soak
Here is the recipe for the most relaxing homemade bath soak. Make a large batch of this soak and place it into upcycled mason jars! I got this recipe from Sweet Potato Soul’s Instagram. This bath soak is so incredibly relaxing. Its detoxing and helps with reducing inflammation. Check it out below:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup sea salt or Himalayan salt
- 1/3 cup ground mustard
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 tbsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 15 drops of lavendar essential oil
- 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
42. Bake
43. Granola
Download this gluten-free granola recipe below. It’s so yummy! Place it in an upcycled glass jar for the perfect, zero-waste, delicious gift!
I hope you enjoyed this blog post all about sustainable gift ideas for everyone in your life!
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