Green Gifts for People Who Need an Eco-Boost
We all know and love people who don’t care about the environment as much as we do. They may not be knowledgeable about their personal impact or perhaps they just don’t believe climate change is caused by humans. Regardless of which category they fall into, we can buy these people gifts to reduce their environmental impact inconspicuously.
1. SodaStream
This is perfect for the person who loves their carbonated beverages, which almost always come in single-use plastic bottles. A SodaStream allows them to customize their own seltzer/soda creations using water from their tap and reusable bottles. My boyfriend loves seltzer, so one year I got him this starter pack for Christmas so he could always have seltzer on hand without waste.
2. Vintage Items
Vintage shopping produces unique gifts that have a minimal impact on the environment while making the receiver feel special. It will show how much thought you put into their interests and it’s a fun, non-chaotic shopping adventure for you. Look for old books, vintage jewelry, and vintage designer pieces. Antique items that are special to where the person lives are extra meaningful, for example, an old painting of an iconic landscape pre-development or an old history book of the area.
3. History Books About Where They Live/Grew Up
Do your friends/families come from small towns? Some people are visual learners – historical picture books will give them the chance reminisce on what their hometowns used to look like. This may lead them to realize how development has affected their beloved hometowns and the precious environment. It may spark interest in conservation and preservation! These Images of America books show a glimpse of the past in places across the country.
4. Reusable Utensil Set
No one really likes using flimsy plastic utensils. They cheapen a meal and easily break. A reusable utensil set can make the receiver have better eating experience on the go while reducing their waste. This utensil set from Etsy has a fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, straw, straw brush, and napkin for only $20.
5. Gifts for the Coffee Addict
Keurigs are the worst because the little plastic cups create non-recyclable waste. Even the guy who invented the Keurig doesn’t like it. For the person in your life who doesn’t think their coffee waste matters, buy them refillable K-Cups & a bag of organic coffee from a local coffee shop. In attempt to completely eliminate the Keurig from their life, you can get them this $20 french press and a bag of coffee. The only waste produced from a french press is the coffee grounds. Lastly, a vacuum insulated travel mug will keep their drinks hot/cold for so long they they’ll never want to use a disposable cup again! Pair it with an eGift Card to a local coffee shop.
6. For the Person Who’s Willing to Learn
Package Free has a selection of Zero Waste Kits at a variety of price points that make great presents. You could also consider getting them Stasher Bags or Bee’s Wrap. These are good gift options if your friends and family want to reduce their impact but don’t have the time to do their own research.
7. Fancy Bar Soap
Some people prefer receiving fancy lotions and soaps during the holidays. Opt into gifting them bar soaps wrapped in paper so they are truly zero waste. I love the soaps from The Weathered Barn, a small business near me. Find handmade soaps near you and pair them with a wooden soap dish to perpetuate the zero-waste lifestyle! Anthropologie and L’OCCITANE also have a selection of paper-wrapped bar soap sets that smell great.
8. Patagonia and Other Sustainable Companies
If the person you are shopping for doesn’t have much interest in the health of our planet, buy them products from companies that are fully committed to preserving our Earth. For example, Patagonia is an activist company that supports grassroots environmental organizations. You buy someone a Patagonia fleece → they fall in love with the quality → they become regular Patagonia shoppers → they inherently are helping the environment. I created a list of sustainable companies in my How to Gift Sustainably post.
9. A Life Raft
Do they believe all natural resources are there for humans to thoughtlessly consume? Do they think climate change is not caused by humans and refuse to believe scientific consensus that it is? Do they live below sea-level? A life raft would make a great gift so they have a survival method for when rising sea levels and destructive storms destroy our homes and livelihoods!
What do you plan on gifting your friends and family who need an eco-boost? Comment below!
I do not make any money from the links in this post. The links are there to make eco-friendly shopping easier for you.