When you’re concerned about the environment, it can be difficult to justify buying more things at a time of Peak Stuff and climate change, but it can be just as difficult attending a birthday party, celebrating Christmas or a special occasion without bringing a gift(s)*can be totally awkward*.
This is why we’ve curated this list of eco-friendly and zero waste gift ideas, so you can go along with normal social conventions without looking like a weirdo or having to compromise your environmental and sustainability values.
Purchase single gift items, or buy several and make an eco-friendly gift bundle, whatever you decide, we hope the list below saves you time and inspires thoughtful and planet-friendly gift giving.
And don’t forget to share this page with your social networks and bookmark it for future reference. Here’s to conscious and sustainable living!
Reusables
2. Stainless steel food containers
4. Reusable grocery shopping bags
9. Reusable food wraps (if you’re vegan, check out these vegan food wraps)
10. Parker Reusable Safety Razor
11. Reusable travel cutlery set
Gifts for Her
12. Lily Lolo Laid Bare Vegan Eyeshadow Palette
13. Warby Parker ethically-made sunglasses
14. TOMS shoes
15. Matt & Nat stylish vegan bags
16. EcoTools Vegan Makeup Brushes
17. La Lucia Recycled Cotton Mexican Beach Blanket
18. Sienna Byron Bay Vegan Nail Polish
20. Ethical and eco-friendly underwear
21. Wool & the Gang Knitting Kit
24. Washable and reusable pads
25. The Global Vegan plant-based cookbook
26. USPA Daily Hydration Lotion 60ml
27. Inika Certified Organic Liquid Eyeliner
28. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil
29. Palm Beach Collection Sea Salt Soy Candle
30. “How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion” by Clare Press
31. VETTA Ethical Capsule Wardrobe collection
32. Au Naturale’s Anywhere Creme Multistick (cruelty-free)
33. Blessed By Nature Antioxidant Soothing Eye Serum (vegan)
34. Clover Fields Zero Waste Shampoo & Conditioner Bar (vegan and palm oil free)
35. Ere Perez Jojoba Eye Pencil (vegan)
37. Vanuatu Hand Woven Pom Pom Bag
38. Ethical Sports Bras and Crop Tops
39. Adidas x Parley Eco-Friendly Runners (made from recycled plastic fibres)
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Adidas x Parley Ultraboost Runners 41. Ethically-manufactured jeans
44. “Every Woman’s Guide to Saving the Planet” by Natalie Isaacs, founder of 1 Million Women
45. Peppermint Magazine subscription
- 48. Ethical lingerie
49. Low-tox perfumes
50. Classic sandals from Brave Soles
Brave Soles ‘The Avarca’ sandals
Gifts for Him
51. Pela Eco Biodegradable Non-Plastic iPhone case
54. Men’s surfwear
55. Ethical sneakers
57. Fair-trade and organic cotton socks
58. Will & Bear wide brim hats
59. Reusable “Surf Socks” (zero waste way to get in and out of your wetsuit)
60. Two Good Co. grooming care pack
62. Worthy Handcrafted Skateboards
Gifts for Home
63. Guppyfriend Microfibre Laundry Bag (stops synthetic plastic fibres from clothing entering our oceans)
64. SOL Organics Organic Cotton Bedding Sets
66. The Clean Collective Plastic-Free Kitchen Bundle
67. Zero Waste Organic Laundry Soapberries
68. Ettitude Organic Bamboo Bedding Sheet Set
69. WILD Tasmanian Oak Marley Bench Handmade in Australia
70. Dumbo Feather magazine digital subscription
72. Cora Laundry Ball (to catch clothing microfibres in the washing machine)
73. Crema Joe Stainless Steel Reusable Coffee Capsules/Pods
74. “Zero Waste Home” book by Bea Johnson
75. Love Tea Certified Organic Sleep Loose Leaf Tea
76. The Swag food storage bags (keeps produce fresher for longer)
Gifts for Babies and Kids
77. Shellamy Baby 3-Piece Hairbrush & Comb Set
78. Pure Baby Organic Cotton Clothing
81. Bamboo Organic Kids Adhesive Strips (Band-Aids)
82. One Chew Three Keys To My Heart, Silicone & Beechwood Teether
83. Handmade handpainted wooden dummy chain
84. Organic Muslin Swaddle in Golden Sun
Gifts for Cooks and Food Lovers
85. Eat Me Chutneys Mini Trio Gift Pack
86. Warndu Native Thyme Olive Oil & Wattleseed Balsamic gift set
87 .”Love Real Food” cookbook by Kathryne Taylor features more than 100 Feel-Good vegetarian dishes
88. “Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking” cookbook by Dana Schultz features 101 Entirely Plant-based, Mostly Gluten-Free, Easy and Delicious Recipes
89. “The Oh She Glows Cookbook” by Angela Liddon includes over 100 vegan recipes
90. “World Vegetarian” cookbook by Madhur Jaffrey
91. “One-Dish Vegan” cookbook by Robin Robertson
Gifts for Pets and Pet Owners
92. Nest Bedding made in USA eco-friendly wool/canvas/recycled plastic dog bed
93. Eco Max Biodegradable Pet Brush
94. Ensopet Pet Waste Bokashi Composting
95. “Greening Your Pet Care” book by Darcy Matheson
96. Honest Pet Products Eco-friendly pet toys made from 100% all-natural, hemp fabrics and other sustainable materials
Gifts for Travellers and Outdoor Lovers
97. Samsonite ECO-NU luggage bags made from recycled materials
98. Vivobarefoot outdoor and adventure footwear, hiking and running shoes (makes vegan ones too)
99. People4Ocean ocean-friendly sunscreen
100. Bamboocycles custom-made bicycles made of bamboo
101. Organic Dynamic Eco-Friendly Surfboards made of recycled polystyrene
Recommending reading:
- The Anti-Consumerist Guide to Christmas Gift Giving
- 15 Cruelty-Free and Vegan Xmas Gifts For Eco Beauty Lovers
- Zero Waste Christmas Gift Guide
- 3 Eco-Conscious Ways to Wrap Gifts This Christmas
- Affordable Eco-Friendly Christmas Gifts For The Entire Family (Under $50)
- 10 Affordable Eco-Friendly and Ethical Underwear Brands For Women and Men (USD $29 or Less)
Disclosure: The curated list is based on the writer’s research and does not fully take into account all ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. This list also contains affiliate links. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying particular attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. For more information on our policies, click here.
Title image credit Shutterstock.