40 Zero Waste Gifts: Practical, Meaningful & Plastic-Free Ideas
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If you’re looking for gifts for that environmentalist friend, look no further.
These zero waste gifts are thoughtful, useful, and planet-friendly, and things people genuinely love (and I’ve personally tried, gifted, or wished for).
They are ideal for Christmas, birthdays, or any other occasion. To make things easier, I divided the 40 ideas into 7 categories. Use the table of contents below to jump straight to the category you’re after:
Without further ado, let’s jump right into the list!
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Eco-Friendly Beauty & Personal Care Gift Ideas
Hair oil
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $12 – $30
If you know someone’s routine, a high-quality oil makes a perfect eco-friendly gift. Fable & Mane Indian hair oil is a great choice, but there are plenty of simple, natural, organic hair oils for hair that you can probably find locally.
Eco soap bars
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $20
Handmade soaps feel special, smell amazing, and come without plastic. Look for ones made with plant-based oils and essential oils, wrapped in recycled paper. They’re simple, affordable, sustainable gifts that people actually use.
Safety razor
Good for: Women & Men | Price: ~ $30
A fantastic waste-free gift that saves money and reduces tons of waste. I gifted my brother a safety razor, and he loved it. I use Jungle Culture, and he has Albatross. Both last for years. For more options, check my article with a list of 7 of the best safety razors for beginners.
Eco-friendly makeup
Good for: Women | Price: $12 – $50
For friends who love makeup but hate waste, opt for vegan, refillable, and plastic-free brands. Try Fat & the Moon, River Organics, or Elate Cosmetics. It’s a simple way to support sustainable beauty without sacrificing style.
Sustainable menstrual products
Good for: Women | Price: $14 – $42
If someone is curious about switching, a menstrual cup is one of the best zero waste gift ideas. I use AllMatters, and it’s honestly life-changing. Reusable pads or period underwear are also great. I’ve gifted them to my closest girlfriends, and they were super happy with it.
Sustainable fashion & accessories
Organic undies
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $12 – $60
It might seem like a personal gift, but if it’s for someone close, it’s a safe choice. Subset (formerly Knickey) is my favorite: comfy, high-quality, and made from certified organic cotton. Other good options include Warp + Weft, Pact, and Boody.
Organic socks
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $30
An easy, universally useful, zero waste gift idea. Conscious Step makes organic cotton socks that support nonprofits protecting forests, oceans, and wildlife. They’re Fair Trade and vegan certified, so your gift literally helps a cause.
Ethical jewelry & accessories
Good for: Women & Men | Price: from $30
Handmade pieces always feel thoughtful and unique. You can find recycled bags, ethical jewelry, cute bucket hats, eco wallets, and eco sunglasses in small shops. Focus on items made from recycled or upcycled materials.
Eco-friendly activewear
Good for: Women & Men | Price: from $40
For your active / yogi friends, you can get a cool set of sustainable activewear. For your girlfriends, you can consider Indigo Luna, Studio K, Dharma Bums, and for your male friends, check out PrAna, Pact & Wolven Threads.
Sustainable clothes or gift cards
Good for: Women & Men | Price: from $40
If you know someone’s style, a fair-trade piece from an ethical clothing brand makes an awesome gift. Not sure on size or taste? Go with a gift card; Tentree for outdoorsy types, Alohas for the stylish ones, or Lucy & Yak for your colorful friends.
Eco-friendly footwear
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $80 – $150
I once gifted my aunt a Tropicfeel gift voucher for her birthday since I wasn’t sure which sneaker model she’d prefer, and she loved it. These eco-friendly shoes are made from recycled and natural materials and are built to last.
Home & Kitchen
Soy candles
Good for: Women | Price: $12
Soy candles burn cleaner than paraffin, smell incredible, and come in reusable containers. I like small-batch brands like Folkulture, Just Breathe, or Anovina, all made with natural oils and non-toxic ingredients.
Food wax wraps
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $11 – $22
A super practical plastic-free gift. These wax wraps are reusable, compostable, and perfect for covering bowls or wrapping food.
Plants
Good for: Women & Men | Price: From $20
Plants are always a win. For low-maintenance friends, go with succulents or cacti. If you want something more unique, mini terrariums or bottle gardens make cute, sustainable décor.
Who Gives A Crap TP
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $30
It sounds funny, but it’s actually a great, useful zero waste gift idea. Who Gives A Crap makes recycled and bamboo TP, plastic-free packaging, and they donate 50% of profits.
Sustainable cookware
Good for: Women & Men | Price: from $30- $40
Perfect for your foodie friends. High-quality, non-toxic cookware made from ceramic, stainless steel, or cast iron lasts for years and prevents waste from cheap replacements. I recommend checking out Xtrema, Kana & From Our Place for beautiful, durable pieces.
Plant-based milk maker
Good for: Women | Price: ~$100
If your friend drinks plant milk, this is a cool zero waste gift. I bought the Soyabella and love it. It saves money, avoids Tetra Pak waste, and lets you make fresh milk in minutes. You can read my full Soyabella review.
Eco-Friendly Gifts For Kids
Jenga (Bamboo Blocks)
Price: $15
This Jenga is made from responsibly harvested bamboo, and it’s honestly fun for all ages. It’s screen-free entertainment that helps develop balance, coordination, and patience.
Finger paint
Price: $19
A colorful, non-toxic eco gift for kids that encourages creativity. Made with food-safe, plant-based powders (think potatoes, rice, and veggie pigments), these paints are gentle and safe for little hands. Great for ages 3+, and easy to clean up.
Giraffe teether toy
Price: $5
For the little ones, you can get a natural rubber toy for soothing painful gums. The Girafe 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.
Children’s book
Price: $25
The Conscious Stories Collection by award-winning author Andrew Newman helps parents and kids slow down and connect in the last 20 minutes of the day. Each bedtime story blends fun, values, simple breathing meditations, and activities to nurture a deeper connection.
Crochet dolls
Price: from $40
There are various great options for crochet dolls. My favorite are these unique, sweet, handmade crochet dolls on Etsy. The seller is my amazing grandma. I couldn’t miss sharing with you her unique creations.
Shape & sort game
Price: $17
This wooden set includes colorful blocks in different shapes for little ones to play with. The set is made from sustainably harvested rubberwood trees and surplus sawdust chips. It is colored with organic pigments, water-based dyes, and soy ink. It is ideal for ages 12+ months.
Dollhouse
Price: ~$100
This dollhouse is made with wood and recycled materials. It is a durable and fun gift idea for kids. While it looks pretty cool, it’s also kinda pricey, so you have an alternative: make a DIY dollhouse!
When I was a child, my aunt made me a couple of DIY toy houses out of paper (see the last image above). I remember I loved them so much. It was one of my favorite things ever.
Active & Outdoor Gifts
Reusables
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $20 – $40
Everyday essentials help anyone reduce single-use waste. A super simple and practical zero waste gift. Options include reusable water bottles, stainless steel mugs, straws, veggie bags, or a 3-tier lunch box.
Eco backpack
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $29 – $100
Perfect for students or travelers, or commuters. A sustainable backpack made from recycled or organic fabrics looks good and lasts for years. I use a TerraThread backpack; it’s sturdy, minimalist, and ethically made.
Yoga mat
Good for: Women & Men | Price: From $50
A must for yoga, pilates, or meditation lovers. I’ve been using the Manduka Prolite mat for years, and it’s still in perfect shape. For other options, check out Jade, Scoria, or Gaiam, all make eco-friendly, non-toxic mats that feel amazing to use.
Balance board
Good for: Women & Men | Price: $50
A fun, eco-friendly gift for anyone who likes movement challenges. The goal is simple: keep your balance on top of a board with a roller underneath. It’s great for core strength and coordination, and once you master the basics, it’s addictively fun. Watch a video here to get a better idea of how it looks!
Slackline kit
Good for: Women & Men | Price: ~$70
Perfect for adventurous friends who love spending time outdoors. A slackline helps build strength, focus, and balance, plus it’s fun for both adults and kids. The ZenMonkey kit includes everything to get started, from straps to tree protectors.
Little Extras & Feel-Good Gifts
Small, unique, or meaningful eco-friendly gifts that don’t quite fit anywhere else, but are too good to skip:
- 4Ocean Bracelet – For every bracelet sold, one pound of ocean trash is removed. My friend Claudia gifted me one, and I love wearing it as a reminder that little actions matter.
- Tarot deck or Question card games – Great for introspective friends or game lovers. I tried The Herbal Astrology Oracle and loved how it connects nature, plants, and reflection.
- Eco notebook – Simple, practical, and always appreciated. I love the stone-paper notebooks by A Good Company. It’s durable, water-resistant, and made without trees or plastic. Perfect for journaling or everyday notes.
- Sustainable living book – For anyone curious about living greener. Check out my list of 13 sustainable living books for people who hate boring books.
- Eco subscription box – Some ideas include zero-waste essentials boxes, organic beauty boxes, or eco-conscious home goods subscriptions, such as: All True (eco-friendy box), Earth Love (sustainable products), Vegancuts (snackbox), Thrive Market (sustainable food).
Consumable & Experience Gifts
- Consumable gifts – Edible and practical gifts that never go to waste. Try artisanal chocolate, coffee beans, or organic teas.
- DIY gifts – Handmade items like body lotion bars, scrubs, deodorant, or sweet treats. I made a bunch last Christmas, and they were a huge hit; personal, affordable, and fun.
- DIY edible gifts – Make homemade granola bars, healthy Twix bars, chocolate chip cookies in a jar, etc, and gift in jars, or reusable containers! For more ideas for sweet treats, check out my healthy vegan recipes here.
- Experience gifts – Give memories, not stuff, like concert tickets, cooking classes, or a spa day. Perfect for minimalists or anyone trying to live with less.
👉 For more ideas, browse my consumable gift guide and experience gift list.
Final thoughts
I hope this list of zero waste gifts gave you plenty of ideas for thoughtful, waste-free gifting.
Just remember: the best gift is one someone will actually use. Anything else (no matter how eco) risks becoming clutter.
If I missed a great sustainable gift idea, share it in the comments so I can update the list!
Also, which eco-friendly gift is your favorite?
Looking for more inspiration for eco-friendly gifts?
Gifts That Aren’t Things: 42 Non-Material Gift Ideas
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!
Thank you Casey! I’m super glad you found the article helpful. 🙂