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58 Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Gifts (2023)

Zero Waste Gifts

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Are you looking for eco-friendly & zero waste gifts, ideal for environmentalists and people who want to live more sustainably?

I’m excited to share with you the ultimate list with many ideas, for Christmas, birthdays, and other holidays.

And if you aren’t sure what to get, it’s always better to ask the person what they need/what. They can give you a few ideas and from there, you can decide what to get. That’s much better, instead of buying something, just for the sake of it.

You can also think outside of the box, and consider getting consumable gifts, or experience gifts. I have articles for both, with many ideas, so click on the links above to get more ideas.

Alright, without further ado, let’s jump right into the list with eco-friendly gift ideas.


Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts: Beauty & Personal Care


1. Eco-friendly makeup

Good for: Women | Price: $12 – $50

This is a great idea for your friends, that are into makeup. There are a few cool eco-friendly makeup brands that sell sustainable & vegan products. The ones I found are (links to Earth Hero):

2. Sustainable menstrual products

Good for: Women | Price: $14 – $42

Menstrual cups are a fantastic eco-friendly alternative to single-use period products. It reduces a lot of waste, and saves lots of money, too. AllMatters (the one that I use), Lunette Cup & Ruby Cup are all great options. If you think that the menstrual cup is too extreme, then you can get reusable menstrual pads or period underwear.

3. Zero waste oral care

Good for: Men & Women | Price: 4$ – $47

A perfect gift for anyone who’s into reducing their waste & switching to plastic-free alternatives. Here you can choose between:

4. Shampoo & conditioner bar

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $12 – $55

Another great gift idea for eco-friendly enthusiasts. There are plenty of different options. Some of my favorite brands include:

5. Safety razor

Good for: Women & Men | Price: ~ $30

The safety razor is another fantastic gift, great for both women & men. Single-use razors can get up to $268 for just 5 years. So, gifting a reusable one to someone will help that person reduce a lot of waste and save money. A few options include:

safety razor gift

6. Skincare 

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $12 – $77

If you know someone well enough and know what he/she uses for their skincare routine, then this might be a great gift choice. There are many options here, and you can get individual products or a bundle: 

7. 4OCEAN bracelet

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $20

A few years ago, my good friend Claudia gifted me a 4OCEAN bracelet for my birthday. 4Ocean’s mission is to stop the 16 billion pounds of plastic that enter the oceans each year and remove the one that’s already there. When you purchase a 4Ocean bracelet, you subtract 1 pound of trash from the sea and coastlines. 

The bracelets are made with 90% post-consumer content and up to date, 4Ocean bracelets have pulled 2,247,704 pounds of trash from our oceans and coastlines to date–and it keeps growing every day.

4ocean bracelet gift
image from 4ocean

8. Plants

Good for: Women & Men | Price: From $20

Plants are a safe choice, and good for also last-moment gifts. There are so many different ones, and for your friends who struggle to keep their plants alive, you can get succulents or cute cactus.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts: Clothing

9. Pajamas / Sportswear 

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $39 – $69

You can surprise someone with either a cute pajama set or sportswear, depending on the person and what they would like more. You can check the following options:

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Image by ARMEDANGELS
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Image by ARMEDANGELS
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Image by THOUGHT
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Image by PACT

10. Undies

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $12 – $60

For sustainable underwear, there is a wide range of cool brands, such as:

11. Socks

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $45

Pair of socks – a usual gift, when you don’t know what else to get? Not anymore! 

These pairs of socks give back to non-profit organizations that plant trees, protect our oceans, and conserve rainforest trees.

The socks are Fair Trade Certified, Vegan Certified, and made from organic cotton fabric blend. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

12. Sneakers 

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $87 – $150

For a cool new pair of sneakers, you can check SaolaVeja, or Ethletic.

These footwear brands are eco-friendly, and they sell vegan sneakers made from recycled polyester, organic cotton, natural rubber, etc.

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Image from Earth Hero

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts For kids

13. Crochet dolls

Price: $22 – $70

There are various great options for crochet dolls. My favorite are these unique, sweet, handmade crochet dolls by a seller on Etsy. 

(disclaimer: this seller is my amazing grandma. I couldn’t miss sharing with you her unique creations.)

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14. Arts and crafts box

There are various art boxes, but the one I found looks entertaining – it is great for kiddos who enjoy making shapes with eco-dough, drawing with crayons, learning origami, and even making candles. You can check it at Earth Hero. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

15. Recycled colored pencils & notebook

If a whole box is too much, and you know the kid likes drawing, you can just get recycled pencils and a notebook ($10 OFF coupon). 

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Image from Earth Hero
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Image from Zero Waste Store

16. Meal maker dough set

This eco-friendly dough set comes with many things, including – spaghetti extruder, cheese stamp, tomato stamp, sauce cutter, bread pieces, dinner plate, forks, and more. 

The playdough is made from organic flour and is non-toxic, while the dough molds are made from 100% recycled plastic.   

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

17. Shape & Sort game

This non-toxic wooden set includes colorful blocks in different shapes that your little one will play with. 

The set is made from sustainably harvested rubberwood trees and surplus sawdust chips from previous productions.

It is colored with organic pigments, water-based dyes, and soy ink.

This game is ideal for ages 12+ months. It is a game that also encourages hand-eye coordination, mobility, and other cognitive skills!

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

18. Origami kit

This origami kit contains 36 sheets of eco-friendly paper and offers plenty of options for following directions to transform a flat piece into fun, folded creatures.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

19. House playset

This PlayHouse Playset is made from 100% recycled plastic from used milk jugs! The house has two levels, and it comes with extra toys. 

When I was a child, my aunt made me a DIY toy house out of paper, and I remember I loved it. So, that’s an even more sustainable and affordable DIY idea.

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Image from Earth Hero
Gifts That Help The Environment,zero waste christmas gifts,zero waste Christmas gifts that help the environment
Baby me & my DIY house playset 

20. Giraffe teether toy 

For the tiny ones, you can get a natural rubber toy for soothing painful gums. The Giraffe toy is made from eco-friendly natural rubber that is BPA-free and non-toxic.

The toy is lightweight, soft, and durable, encouraging healthy oral development.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

21. Children’s book 

Find a great selection of children’s books made of sustainably sourced wood:

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

22. Kid’s water bottle

Another cool idea is to get a super cute, leakproof, lightweight stainless steel water bottle for kids.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

23. Baby shampoo & wash

This baby shampoo & wash soap bar is gentle, moisturizing, vegan, with organic materials, and does not contain harsh chemicals. It is an excellent gift for new mums. 🙂 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Zero Waste Store

24. Clothing

Even though I advocate for second-hand baby clothing (as they grow so fast and wear things for a brief period), you can check some adorable clothing pieces at Earth Hero. 

The clothes are made with organic cotton, recycled polyester, and water-based inks. Once the kid can’t wear it anymore, you can donate it or sell it. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

25. Reusable diaper

A reusable diaper is an excellent idea for new mums into sustainability that want to reduce single-use waste.

These are made from 100% recycled polyester with a waterproof TPU laminate.

This diaper’s fabric’s structure allows for optimal transmission, releasing vapor and heat while the baby is wearing it.

It comes with Esembly’s soft inners, which helps to prevent leaks and blowouts. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts: Outdoors & Activities

26. Coffee mug

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $29

A reusable coffee mug is great for travel enthusiasts or anyone who likes getting to-go coffees.

This one is made of stainless steel and has an insulated press-in lid for temperature control, easy-grip handle.

Additionally, it eliminates condensation and keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot up to 12 hours. And, of course, it is BPA and phthalate-free. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

27. Yoga mat

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $39 – $100

One of these yoga mats will be a highly appreciated gift for yoga, pilates, or workout loves.

The mats are antimicrobial and made with sustainably harvested cork and a natural rubber backing.

The design is made with non-toxic dyes, and the grip is ultra-sweat-resistant! 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

28. Balance board

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $83 – $130

This gift is more on the pricier side, but it is an entertaining activity and training for sports lovers, athletes, and even kids.

The idea is to keep balance while being on top of the board, with a roller underneath. It might sound boring or easy, but it is precisely the opposite! 

Once you learn the basics, you can experiment with different movements, jumps, and tricks.

You can check these 2 affordable and high-quality options – Yes4All Balance Board and Revolution 101 Balance Board (links to Amazon).

You can check the video below to see some cool tricks and how the balance board is used:

 

Balance Board Tricks - Training | Bredder

29. Slackline Kit

Good for: Women & Men | Price: ~$70

This slackline kit from ZenMonkey is another fun outdoor activity, great for adults and kids, too, that can improve strength, balance, and focus.  

This kit comes with a main slackline, ratchets, tree protectors, carry bag, instructions, etc. – basically, everything you need to start, plus some additional goods! 

You can check out how does it look like and decide if it will be a good gift idea for some of your friends or family:

Slackline-Tutorial: Standing and Walking

30. Backpack

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $29 – $100

ChicoBag Travel Pack: 

The ChicoBag Travel Pack is made from lightweight recycled materials. It is adjustable and versatile, as you can fold it into a built-in pocket for travel.

At its end of life, you can send it back to ChicoBag, and they’ll recycle it into new items.

Cotopaxi Backpack 20L or 16L:

The Cotopaxi Backpacks are made from 100% repurposed nylon. The backpacks are lightweight and extremely versatile.

Additionally, the company is a Certified B Corporation, and they donate 1% of their annual revenue to non-profit organizations.  

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

31. Stainless steel food container

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $24 – $28

This 2-tier or 3-tier stainless steel container is compact and perfect for both cold or hot food.

It is lightweight, dishwasher safe, and great for (mostly) dry foods. 

The containers work well with most foods, but they don’t have a silicone seal to keep any liquids. For an entirely leakproof option, you can check this option (link to Earth Hero).  

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

32. Portable charger

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $80 – $90

This 5-day (or 3-day) portable charger from Nimble is made with eco-friendly materials like recycled aluminum and plant-based bioplastic.

It has a magnetic cable to keep things organized, a non-slip grip, and can simultaneously charge various devices! Nimble donates 1% of sales to environmental non-profits.

The company also offers a return envelope, so at the end of its life, you can send 1 pound of old or obsolete electronics directly to Nimble’s e-waste recycling partner for safe, responsible recycling at no additional cost.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts For Home

33. Soy candle

Good for: Women | Price: $12

This soy candle is non-toxic, made from 100% vegan soy wax with scents of eucalyptus, sea salt, redwood, and palo santo.

It is a great gift that will bring a natural aroma and cozy feeling to anyone’s home. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

34. Food wax wraps

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $11 – $22

Wax wraps are an excellent way for anyone who wants to keep food fresh and avoid wasting it.

The wraps are made with a cotton-hemp fabric infused with consciously sourced soy wax, jojoba and coconut oil, and tree resin.

The vegan wraps are also 100% compostable at the end of its life. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

35. Compost bin

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $30 – $50

Composting is incredibly important and an excellent way to deal with food scraps. It is an ideal option for people who don’t want their food waste to end up in the landfill. 

This compost bin has charcoal filters, which help with odor, it is 1 gallon, and it’s made from stainless steel.

The idea is that once it’s full, the food scraps need to be transferred to a local compost facility or to a backyard system. 

If you want a bigger bin that can hold more veggie and fruit scraps, this 1.8-gallon compost bin might be a better option. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

36. Microfiber laundry ball/kit

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $12 – $37

Cora Ball:

Did you know that every time we wash our clothes, they release hundreds of thousands of microfibers and microplastics that eventually end up in our waterways? Yikes! 

Cora Ball can help with this issue, as it is an easy-to-use laundry ball that catches the microfibers that naturally shed from clothes in the wash.

It is made from 100% recycled plastic, and it is recyclable once it’s no longer usable. 

Alternatively, you can get the Gruppyfriend Microwave Washing Bag, which has the same purpose as the ball. 

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Image from Earth Hero
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Image from Earth Hero

37. Zero waste laundry kit

You can consider creating an eco-friendly laundry kit for even more impact, that includes:

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

38. Reusable water bottle

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $30 

Klean Kanteen is a great, affordable gift for anyone and everyone. It is hard to go wrong with it, as it is super useful, and it helps people avoid single-use plastic water bottles.

I have an article that observes the best water bottles, and Klean Kanteen is one of them, but you can check the article here if you want to see more options. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

39. Zero waste gift boxes

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $42 – $75

If you aren’t sure what exactly to get, or if you want to make a zero waste kit with a few things, but you don’t know how to combine them, maybe some of these gift boxes will help: 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Earth Hero

40. Notebook & Grass pen

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $6 – $22

A Good Company creates elegant, thoughtful, and sustainable everyday products, including natural grass pens and notebooks made from stone paper.

The company sells refills for the grass pen, which extends the pen’s life, and the notebook is extremely durable, tear-resistant, water-resistant (yeah!), and just very pretty. 

The notebook is printed with non-toxic soy ink, and it has 144 pages. A Good Company also plants trees for every purchase you make, and they are Certified B Corporation.

You can purchase directly from their website (they ship worldwide), and with this link, you can get 15% OFF your order.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

41. Reusable produce bags

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $5 – $22

Reusable cotton produce bags are a fantastic gift that will help the reduction of using single-use plastic bags. 

This particular produce bag set is made from certified organic cotton. It’s lightweight, breathable, and great for keeping fruits and vegetables that need to breathe fresh.

You can also consider getting a set of 4 bags (two mesh ones and two solid bags) made with 100% food-safe rPET fabric from post-consumer plastics.

The mesh bags are ideal, while the solid bags are great for nuts, grains, and more!

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

42. Jenga Ocean Game

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $50

The Ocean-Themed Recycled Fishing Nets Jenga Game is made from 100% recycled fishing nets.

Some of the pieces have images of threatened ocean animals, and the players’ goal is to save sea life.

The game is fun, entertaining, and it also teaches the players about the effects of discarded fishing nets and discovers what they can do to help.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

43. A book

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $10 – $18

You can also surprise someone with a book about zero waste and plastic-free living.

You can find my list with 17 books that will give anyone tons of ideas and tips on living a zero waste life by making sustainable choices.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts: Tech

44. Bluetooth headphones

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $80

For music lovers, you can get these amazing Bluetooth headphones that provide great bass and precise sound.

The battery life is about 10-12 hours, and the removable braided cable stays tangle-free so that you can convert to and from wireless without annoying cord knots.

The travel-friendly foldable design is created from FSC-Certified wood and recyclable aluminum, making these headphones sustainable and good for the planet, too.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

45. Ear headphones

Good for: Women & Men | Price: $20

Another cheaper option can be these in-ear headphones that are light, noise-isolating, comfortable, and sustainably made, with 70% plant-based plastics and recycled silicone rubber. 

The buds feature an in-line microphone with a 1-button remote for quick song selection, a 9mm dynamic driver for ideal bass, an integrated microphone for calls, and 2 sizes of ear gels to let you find the perfect fit. 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts: Consumables

46. Nut butter 

This may sound like an odd gift, but believe me, once I got a particular tahini brand for my birthday, and I was ultra happy.

There are a lot of fantastic nut butter brands, some of them even gourmet, and the ones I found are:

47. Bath bombs 

I’m not personally a fan of these, but maybe you know someone who is! So, if you do, a bath bomb can be a cool present.

You can check the wide variety of bath bombs that Lush has or this one from Package Free Shop. (10% OFF coupon)

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Packagefreeshop

48. Organic bedding 

For cozy, silky, and dreamy nights, you can surprise someone with high-quality organic bedding from KOTN, or PACT: 

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from PACT

49. Chocolate

Chocolate is something you can’t go wrong with.

Try to look for a sustainable, local brand or check online for some goods. A few options that I found include:

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from Gnawchocolate.co.uk

50. Vegums

For health lovers, you can check Vegums – they sell vegan & zero waste multivitamin, iron, and omega-3 gummies.

They come in 100% plastic-free packaging – metal tin, paper tube, and compostable cellulose wrapper. 

If you want to see more cool vitamin options, check my article with 21 sustainable zero waste supplements.

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51. Tea/Coffee

Another simple but excellent idea for coffee or tea addicts. You can get something local, or check the options I found:

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste
Image from fulfilld.co

52. DIY 

You can do many simple things by yourself and give it to someone as a gift. That includes (links to Youtube videos):

4 DIY Deodorant Recipes (Step-By-Step Tutorial)

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Gifts: Experience gifts

There are plenty of amazing experience gift ideas, and I have a full article about it. A few of my favorite ones include:

53. Online class

It can be a Meditation class, Language course, or many of the Skillshare or Udemy classes, they offer. The list is huge!

54. Wellness experience 

A wellness experience is a fantastic gift for almost anyone. Most times, there are plenty of great affordable packages.

55. Concert/movie tickets

If you know someone’s favorite artist (or movie) is coming to town, get tickets for the concert! The gift will be highly appreciated, and usually, the price of concert or movie tickets is very affordable. 

56. Tickets for a sport game

A fantastic gift for most guys will love this gift, especially if it’s for a game with some of their favorite teams or players.

57. Indoor climbing

If your partner, friend, or family member is adventurous, then an indoor climbing class can be a fun gift idea.

58. Escape room

Escape rooms are an extremely fun experience gift, as it involves a lot of mystery solving. Most cities already have plenty of escape rooms. Do a quick search and find what is available for you.

For more experience, gift ideas, read my full article here.

50+ Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

Conclusion

There you have it – plenty of sustainable & eco-friendly gift ideas for everyone.

I can’t stress enough the fact that mindful consumption is the most important thing when it comes to sustainable gifts. 

Don’t forget the “less is more” rule and that, many times materialistic items aren’t the best way to show that you care about someone. 

Additionally, if you wonder how you can celebrate Christmas more sustainably (beyond gifts), you can check this article, with plenty of tips from different sustainability bloggers (me, included!).

Anyway, what is your favorite sustainable gift idea from this list?

Share in the comments below, and feel free to add more thoughts if you think I missed something. 

58 Zero Waste Gifts That Help The Environment - Almost Zero Waste

2 Comments

  1. Thank you for this wonderful post. I learned so much, not just about gift ideas for loved ones, but also about products that could help me become more sustainable myself. Your research and effort on this topic is greatly appreciated!

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