Let's face it—the holidays often come with lots of stuff. Stuff that eventually ends up in a landfill. But, before you call "bah humbug", hear out these ideas for gifting joyfully and not wastefully.
We give you a roundup of our favorite low waste products to gift. We call it...The Ultimate Low Waste Gift Guide
For the Self Care Junkie
MeowMeowTweet Body Goodies
($14 – $25)
Everything from body cream ($25), deodorant ($14) and repair balms ($14) in super fun, low waste packaging. All products are vegan. palm oil free, small-batch and handmade, and made with organic and non-GMO plants.
Shampoo Bars
($2.50 – $46 (and every price point in between))
These plastic-free and ph-balanced shampoo ($15) and conditioner ($17) bars (not soap!) work great, last a long time, come in formulations for every hair type, and are palm oil free. Plus, their sample packs are excellent stocking stuffers.
Axiology Balmies
($15 – $98)
Multi-purpose, plastic-free crayon sets at every price point. From cinnamon-hued duos ($26) to the super fun super fan pack ($98). Best of all is the red, recyclable and oh-so-holiday box each set comes in.
For the Caffeine Obsessed
Yeti Coffee Mug
($20 and up)
Billions of disposable coffee cups are used each year, and—no—most are not recyclable (because of liners and coffee contamination). Yeti mugs (20 oz Rambler $34.99) are top of the line thanks to easy-to-hold handle, cup holder friendly size and superior ability to keep your java hot for long periods of time.
Driftaway Coffee Subscription (Subscriptions start at $54)
Your favorite coffee lover gets to try flavors (and caffeine) from all over the world packaged in plastic-free compostable material, while you can feel good knowing your purchase supports the Bean for Bean program for coffee farmers, carbon neutral operations, and price transparency.
For the Nature Lover
Bloomscape Potted Plant
($39 and up)
Add to your loved one’s impressive houseplant collection in sustainable style—each potted friend comes in an Ecopot, which is light to ship, certified carbon neutral, and made from up to 80% recycled plastics mostly harvested from the ocean. Remember to consider any kids and furry friends in the home when choosing a plant.
Girlfriend Collective Packable Puffer
($148)
Get your special someone out in nature in this lightweight and layerable puffer that packs down into a built-in bag for when they’re on the go. Perhaps best of all, the lining, fill, and outer shell are made with 100% certified recycled plastic bottles, making it recycled and recyclable. Plus, it comes in inclusive sizing and four chic shades.
For Those on the Go
Tiffin Lunch Box ($25)
Keep your giftee well-fed in low-waste style. Leftovers at a restaurant? Check. You have them over for dinner and wanna send them home with goodies? Check. They just want to pack a nutritious lunch? Clearly. The Two-Tier Tiffin Lunchbox ($25) is made with non-toxic stainless steel, designed to be leak-proof, air-tight, dishwasher safe, and sized to keep whole foods whole.
W&P Porter Utensil Set ($15)
Slim, sleek, and totally adorable. This is the perfect set for a frequent traveler, the avid camper, someone with littles, or anyone who eats on the go. Stainless steel utensils nest in 100% LFGB-certified silicone that comes in a range of pleasing colors, including this of-the-moment terrazzo. Bye, bye, plastic utensils!
For the Fashion Fiend
Adorable Reusable Net Bags
$18
If you’re anything like us, you’ve got reusable bags all over your trunk or home. And most of them are pretty fugly. These simple net bags from Oowlstudio on Etsy are pretty darn adorable and they look small but hold A LOT.
Baleen Zero-Waste Jewelry
Starting at $21
Baleen is out to transform the jewelry industry with its zero-waste production studio in Seattle. For their handmade pieces, Baleen uses recycled metals from a certified mill in the U.S. (that they also send all their scraps back to), as well as unique materials like plant-based cellulose acetate. Plus, they offset carbon emissions for every order shipped.
Kooshoo Scrunchies and Hair Ties
($15 – $25)
Scrunchies, but make it sustainable. Kooshoo scrunchie sets ($20) are 100% fair trade, plastic-free, and biodegradable, featuring GOTS & Fair Trade Certified organic cotton and Fair Trade Certified Natural Rubber. They're hand-dyed in a solar-powered facility in Los Angeles with GOTS & OEKO-TEX certified organic dyes, ship plastic-free, and are absolutely darling. Not confident in the scrunchie comeback? Try a hair tie set ($15) instead.
For the Little Ones
Eco Stars Recycled Crayons
($20)
Did you know there’s a National Crayon Recycling Program? There is. And they rescue all those sad little broken ends of crayons and give them new life as Eco Stars, simultaneously fueling the creative genius of your favorite budding artist.
Green Toys Jump Rope
($10)
… or anything from Green Toys, really.
This jump rope is made from 100% recycled plastic (no BPA, phthalates or PVC) and 100% U.S. cotton, it’s USA-made, packaged with recycled and recyclable materials, printed with soy inks, and easy to clean (even dishwasher safe!). Plus, what’s more fun than jumping rope?
