Sustainable Gifting: 13 Environmentally Conscious Gift Ideas

Our Tips for Sustainable Gifting: 13 Memorable Gift Ideas for The Sustainability-Minded

By Andi Croft

Gift-giving is an essential part of showing our appreciation to the people we love, whether for a special occasion or not. The key to great gift-giving is specificity. You want to ensure that the gift you give them is specific to the person you’re giving it to. With a more particular type of gift, they know that you were thinking of them when you got them the gift.

For example, you might have a loved one who’s really into sustainability. In that case, you want to be conscious of your loved one’s principles before giving them a gift. You don’t want to give your loved one who’s into sustainability a gift that they can’t refuse but fully compromises their morals. Therefore, being mindful of your usual gift-giving practices is a good idea.

By choosing sustainable gift options, we can help reduce our environmental impact while giving memorable gifts to the people we love. With that in mind, here are some gift ideas that you can do for your loved one who is more particular about sustainability.

Also see our sustainable brand guides:

What is Sustainable Gifting?

Sustainable gift-giving refers to selecting gifts that are produced or consumed in an environmentally responsible manner. This practice can include buying locally sourced products or looking for eco friendly gifts by choosing gifts made from recycled materials or renewable sources.

Sustainable gifts are those that are from materials that you can reuse or recycle, and they also reduce waste and conserve resources. Sustainable gifts also help to support local businesses and artisans who make these products with care and attention to detail. By choosing sustainable gifts, we can help reduce our carbon footprint while showing someone we care.

13 Green Gift Ideas

Sustainable Gifting: starry wrapping paper around a gift on a wooden bench
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Now that you know more about sustainable gifting, here are some gift ideas you can try.

1. Non-toxic perfume

A non-toxic perfume would indicate that it’s made from natural ingredients and contains no harmful chemicals. It is a sustainable alternative to conventional perfumes, which often contain synthetic fragrances that can harm your body in some way or even the environment. The businesses that make them create them without using synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or other harsh chemicals.

Often, these non-toxic perfumes are also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly (but not always, so make sure to double-check).

Non-toxic perfumes provide a natural scent that lasts long while being gentle on your skin and the environment. Back in the day, it wasn’t easy to find any form of non-toxic perfume. However, nowadays, these perfumes are more accessible as there are now several brands offering them.

With these perfumes, you can get an enjoyable scent without risking exposing the air around you to harmful chemicals.

2. Stasher bags

Stasher bags are an eco-friendly, reusable, and sustainable alternative to plastic storage bags. They are from food-grade silicone, a non-toxic material, meaning these bags are excellent and safe for food storage. What’s great about these stasher bags made from this material is that you can store hot and cold items.

They come in various shapes and sizes, so you can use them to store all types of items that aren’t just food. Unlike many plastic bags, they are dishwasher safe, and you can reuse them hundreds of times. With their unique design, stasher bags provide a convenient way to store food without needing single-use plastic products, so you’re not generating more waste.

3. Bee’s wax food wrap

Bee’s wax food wrap is a great sustainable alternative to plastic wrap and other single-use plastics. It is from natural ingredients like beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil, and cotton fabric. You can use it to cover bowls, wrap sandwiches, and store food in the fridge or pantry.

Not only does it help reduce waste by reducing plastic wrap usage, but it also helps keep food fresh for longer. Bee’s wax food wrap is a great sustainable gift as it can be used repeatedly and helps reduce the amount of plastic that goes into our landfills. It also helps that these food wraps look cute because they come in different designs.

4. Zero waste year planner and journal

A zero-waste year planner and a journal are thoughtful and practical gifts for anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact. These planners and journals are made from sustainable materials, and they can help users plan and organize their lives in an eco-friendly way.

Some of the benefits of this planner and journal include the following:

  • Reduced paper waste: Many traditional planners and journals come from paper, which can contribute to deforestation and destruction. However, zero-waste planners and journals are often made from recycled or reusable materials, helping to reduce paper waste.
  • Encourages sustainable habits: A zero waste year planner and journal can help users develop sustainable practices by providing prompts and reminders to reduce waste and live sustainably.
  • Helps users stay organized: A planner and journal can help users stay organized and on top of their commitments, reducing stress and promoting productivity.
  • A long-lasting gift: Unlike traditional planners and journals, typically used for a year and discarded, a zero-waste planner and journal can be used for multiple years, making it a more sustainable and long-lasting gift.

A zero-waste year planner and a journal are practical and meaningful gifts to help your loved ones reduce their environmental impact while staying organized and productive.

5. Custom book

If you’re interested in getting a gift for book lovers, you should consider getting a custom book.

Making a custom book can be an excellent gift for sustainably-minded people because it allows you to choose a book that aligns with your interests and values. You can select a book about sustainability or environmental issues or choose a book by an author who supports sustainable practices.

By choosing a custom book, you can also support local bookstores or independent publishers who may prioritize sustainable practices in their operations.

A custom book is a thoughtful and sustainable gift for someone who values reading and sustainable living.

6. Compost bin

If you know someone who loves gardening, a compost bin can be a practical and sustainable gift that helps them start composting at home.

Composting is an excellent way to make something out of your waste and create nutrient-rich soil for gardening. Aside from that, you don’t have to add litter to landfills while reducing your home’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Overall, it’s a great addition to their gardening arsenal.

7. Reusable grocery bags

Reusable grocery bags make a great gift that you’re sure your recipient will have a use for often. They’re made from sustainable and durable materials, which are much better for the planet than single-use plastic bags.

It also helps that they’re roomier and sturdier than plastic bags. And they’re easy to fold up and store, making them convenient to bring along when shopping, or they can keep them in the glove box or bags to have one any time.

8. Zero waste sunscreen

Zero-waste sunscreen makes a great gift for those who prioritize sustainable living. It serves as a less harmful overall alternative to your usual sunscreens. The issue with these regular sunscreens is that they contain chemicals that can harm marine life and even bleach the corals in the sea.

These sunscreens are from natural and organic sources that are safe even when you get in the waters. Additionally, they often come in plastic-free packaging, which reduces waste and promotes sustainability.

9. Succulent gift

Succulents make great sustainable gifts for several reasons.

Firstly, they are deficient in maintenance and require very little water and care compared to other plants. They are less likely to be thrown away due to neglect, which reduces waste.

Secondly, succulents are often locally sourced and grown, which means they have a lower carbon footprint because they aren’t from far away.

Finally, succulents are a great way to bring a touch of greenery anywhere, especially in smaller, more compact spaces. This fresh aesthetic addition makes it a perfect gift for anyone who loves nature and sustainability.

10. Biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes

A biodegradable bamboo toothbrush is an excellent sustainable gift idea for several reasons. Bamboo proliferates, making it an eco-friendly alternative to plastic toothbrushes that take hundreds of years to decompose.

The biodegradable bristles of bamboo toothbrushes prevent them from contributing to plastic pollution in oceans or landfills. They are often packaged in eco-friendly materials like recycled paper or cardboard, reducing waste. Encouraging the use of biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes can inspire loved ones to make sustainable choices and reduce their environmental impact.

11. Digital subscriptions

Giving digital subscriptions as gifts is an excellent choice for eco-friendly individuals. Using digital media provides a sustainable option for media consumption and reduces paper waste in your home. Additionally, many digital subscriptions cover various sustainable topics and environmental issues that can encourage others to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

12. Wildflower seeds

Wildflower seeds make a great sustainable gift because they promote biodiversity and support pollinators. They provide habitats for various species of insects, birds, and small animals when they grow. They are also easy and low-maintenance to include in any garden because they don’t require much watering or maintenance.

Besides, wildflowers also reduce their carbon footprint by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By gifting wildflower seeds, you’re giving a sustainable gift and gift that can bring beauty and life to any space.

13. Experiences

Experiences allow you and your loved one to enjoy something new while enjoying each others’ company. For example, sustainable travel is one of the best ways to give your loved one a memorable experience while aligning it with their sustainable mindset.

The great thing about them is that you don’t generate waste with these experiences, but they are still a gift worth remembering.

Final Thoughts on Sustainable Gifting

These unique gift ideas are a great way to make sure that your loved one can enjoy a gift without having to feel like they are contributing to harming the environment. Consider trying these gifts out for yourself if you’re interested in finding more sustainable gift ideas to get them a gift that thinks about your loved one well.