If you’re worried about all the waste that comes with the holidays, whether it’s the carbon footprint of shipping, the plastic wrapping of gifts or unwanted presents tossed in the trash, you’re not alone. This year, you can easily reduce holiday waste by changing the way you give gifts.
By using leftover boxes, paper bags, unbleached twine, and recycled tape, you can reduce the amount of wrapping paper that ends up in landfills. Or, if you don’t have spare packing materials, try putting your gift in a tote bag and voila, two gifts in one.
according to what You are a gift, and the general rule for living a more sustainable life is to buy less. However, there are some gift ideas that can go a long way toward reducing waste, such as reusable bags, Swedish dishcloths, and more. From eco-chic to simple home items, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite eco-friendly gifts that are actually sustainable.
Trying to reduce paper waste? You need a bidet. The Tushy Classic 3.0 is our pick for the best bidet attachment because it’s easy to install and use. But if you really want to cut down on toilet paper, you’ll want a bidet with a dryer. Check out our picks for dryer-equipped seats in the best bidets.
One of our all-time favorite sustainable products, these beautiful silicone mats can replace the aluminum foil and parchment in your life. They are infinitely reusable, non-stick in nature, and can be used in a variety of baking and recipes.
You can stop using single-use plastic bags with this beautiful pack of three Stasher Silicone Reusable Bags. These bags are kitchen wonders that can be microwaved, frozen, boiled, put in the dishwasher or even used in the oven. We’ve tried them ourselves and will never use regular Ziploc bags again.
If you know someone who is still using plastic water bottles, help them become more sustainable with this Hydro Flask. It’s stylish and will keep your drinks hot or cold for hours on end. Want more ideas for reusable water bottles? Check out our full guide here.
Composting is an easy way to drastically reduce your home’s carbon footprint. Just collect your food scraps in this bucket—it has a charcoal filter to keep out odors—and dump them at your local compost spot.
Once you realize how much single-use plastic is in your kitchen, you’ll want to find as many alternatives as possible. Bee’s Wrap is an alternative to plastic wrap, made from organic cotton and beeswax for all your storage needs. Read our full review here.
If you’re the type who likes to give practical gifts, give your loved ones something they’ll actually use, like this recycled toilet paper from Who Gives A Crap. This TP is more sustainable than traditional toilet paper, and it works just as well. Read more about why we love this toilet paper and who gave the crap here.
When you wash dishes, traditional sponges release microplastics into the water, where they can get moldy and lay on the counter. Switch to this eco-friendly dish brush, which features a replaceable, compostable brush head with bristles made of tampico fiber.
Elevate your shower experience with Good Time’s Low Waste Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Wash. These soaps are 100% plastic free, 100% cruelty free, and have 100% carbon neutral shipping, so you can buy with confidence. Not to mention donating 50% of profits to charities working on clean water initiatives.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch at the office or grabbing a quick bite on the go, it’s always a good idea to have reusable cutlery on hand so you don’t have to use single-use plastic cutlery. The set even comes with a clip so you can attach it to your backpack or keys for easy access.
Airtight and leak-proof, this stainless steel container is another option for storing leftovers or even taking it to the office as a lunch box, so you can even toss a can of soup in your bag with confidence. It comes in seven different sizes, ranging from 8cm to 26cm.
Allbirds crafts shoes from a variety of earth-friendly materials, including vegetable leather and ethically sourced wool. Plus, the sneakers are machine washable and stylish. Read our full review here.
Girlfriend Collective is one of our favorite sustainable fashion brands because of its clothes made from recycled water bottles and its ultra-inclusive sizing. Check out these compression high-rise leggings that belong in every eco-conscious person’s wardrobe.
With Pela’s wide range of compostable protective cases, your technology can be sustainable, too. Made from proprietary materials including bioplastic elastomers and linen straws, these cases protect your phone while remaining stylish and sustainable. Additionally, Pela has a wide selection of cases for iPhone and Android phones.
Cotopaxi is a certified B Corp that produces stylish colorblock clothing and gear. We’re partial to its 28-litre travel bag, which is the perfect companion whether you’re a college student or on a jet-setter.
Everlane takes great pride in producing what they call “Clean Denim,” which is made from organic cotton and produced in some of the cleanest factories in the world. We love the look of these classic Cheeky Jeans, and they’re available in three different shades and a variety of sizes.
Patagonia is rooted in activism and environmentalism, and these core values are evident in everything the brand produces. This stylish fleece is made from 100% recycled polyester and has Fair Trade certified stitching.
Another Girlfriend Collective must-have, this racer back bra is available in 10 colors and 11 sizes.
Another Patagonia classic, this cozy fleece is made from 100% recycled polyester for a vintage look.
This signature fluffy down jacket from Cotopaxi features 800 fill power and a DWR finish to keep you warm and dry in winter.
Rothy’s has been crafting shoes and other accessories out of plastic bottles for years, but styles of its signature shoe will never go out of style. Check out these pointed-toe flats, which come in a variety of colors and sizes.
Naadam makes gorgeous, sustainable 100% cashmere sweaters—and they’re only $75. Need I say more?
The traveler in your life will love this ultra-durable luggage from Patagonia. It’s made from 100% recycled main fabric, comes in a variety of colours, and holds up to 100 liters, so you can take it on all your adventures.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, this fleece hoodie from Everlane is the most comfortable winter coat you could ask for.
Keep you cozy all winter with this beanie made from 100% recycled water bottles.
Compared to traditional sunglasses, these sunglasses emit 33% less CO2, 34% less water and 82% less waste. Plus, once you’re done with them, you can send them back to Pela for upcycling in the brand’s Pela 360 program.
Nothing brings an outfit together like white sneakers. But this pair from Thousand Fell is more sustainable than your average shoe. Featuring recycled uppers, recycled rubber insoles, recycled laces, and other earth-friendly materials, when these shoes reach the end of their life, you can send them back to Thousand Fell through their Recycle Now program, which gives you a $20 credit Credit every pair of sneakers you recycle.
It can be hard to keep track of all your daily essentials, but not this compact, lightweight and stylish fanny pack from Patagonia. Made from 100% recycled materials, this beautiful bag will hold your phone, keys, lip balm and anything else you need.
Outerknown is a great sustainable fashion brand, and their colorful down jackets are a perfect example, featuring a 100% recycled polyester shell and Responsible Down Standard certified down insulation.
