Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas

My aim this year has been to live a more simple and less wasteful life by eliminating single use plastics around my home. You can read about the changes I’ve made in my post East Eco-Friendly Swaps Around the Home. Now I’m turning my eco approach to my gift giving. These awesome zero-waste gifts will inspire friends and family to reduce their carbon footprint as well.

Stainless Steel Straws

If they can’t live without straws, then buy them a set of stainless steel straws that can be washed and reused. These steel straws are dishwasher safe and come with a handy brush to clean the inside.

Waxed, Reusable Food Wrap Cloths

These eco-friendly waxed, reusable food wraps cloths come in a variety of sizes. However, with a little bit of effort, you can make lots of your own reusable food wraps for yourself, your family, and friends for a fraction of the price. Follow the directions on my post How to Make Your Own Eco-Friendly, Reusable Waxed Food Wraps. I’ve also included a vegan version.

Bamboo Wood Cutting and Chopping Board

Encourage your friends and family to stop using plastic chopping boards by gifting them this sustainably harvested large bamboo wooden chopping board. It’s made by flattening a single piece of bamboo so it contains no glue like many other wooden chopping boards, so won’t split or fall apart. Naturally water resistant, it is also low maintenance as no sanding is needed. A percentage of the proceeds of this purchase are invested by ECO KITCHENWARE on micro loans to help aspiring entrepreneurs facing the challenges of poverty.

Stainless Steel Drink Bottle

If your friends and family are still drinking from a plastic drink bottle, then buy them a stainless steel drink bottle. This bottle is leak proof and insulated so keeps hot water hot and cold water cold.

Stainless Steel Lunch Box

Encourage friends and family to ditch their plastic lunchboxes with this 6 cup capacity stainless steel lunch box. It comes with 3 separate removable nesting containers and the bottom-tier can easily hold a full sized sandwich.

Bamboo Travel Mug

This bamboo travel mug is dishwasher safe and will last for years. However, when buried, it is biodegradable. If they already have a travel mug but always forget it, then buy them a collapsible reusable coffee mug.

Reusable Stainless Steel Tea Infuser

Did you know that some tea bags contain plastic? They use polypropylene to keep the tea bags from falling apart. This reusable stainless steel tea infuser is the perfect gift for tea lovers. Once steeped, you can flip the lid upside down and sit the infuser onto it so no mess. It’s also dishwasher safe. Or go for this gorgeous ceramic teapot with a stainless steel lid and infuser. They come in a variety of colours.

Reusable Shopping Bags

A plastic bag can take between 400 to 1,000 years to break down and sadly nearly 90% of the debris in our oceans is plastic. These cotton canvas reusable shopping bags are lightweight and can carry up to 30lb.

These funky reusable, compact shopping bag are perfect for slipping into a pocket or handbag for grabbing those essentials on the way home from work.

Paper Potter

This ingenious Paper Potter is the perfect gift for gardeners as it turns strips of old newspaper into biodegradable plant pots for seedlings. Seedlings can be planted directly into the ground inside their biodegradable paper pots without damaging their roots.

Bamboo Plant Labels

These stylish T-type Bamboo Plant Labels are made from 100% bamboo. Measuring 4” tall x 2.15” wide on top (1.35″ tall on the top part) these T-type markers provide ample space to write the name of the plant and its date. This box of 50 bamboo plant markers are packaged neatly in a beautiful box.

Bee and Bug Home

This Bee and Bug Home provides a safe environment where insects can shelter, hibernate and lay their eggs. Dry wood can be home to many insects such as ladybirds and lacewings which eat aphids and help keep your plants pest-free. The bamboo canes are ideal for solitary bees which are great pollinators. Position in morning sun for best results.

Bird Nesting Box

These 2 handmade Bird Nesting Boxes are the perfect gift for nature lovers. They are made from weather resistant cedar and provide a safe nesting place for birds.

Zero Waste Starter Gift Pack 

Zero Waste Gift Sets are a great way to win people over to the eco-friendly, zero waste way. Choose from a eco-friendly cleaning starter kit, bathroom starter kit, or an eating on the go starter kit. 

Reusable Kitchen Roll

Convince your friends and family to give up using paper towels by gifting them this reusable kitchen roll. These 100% cotton cloth wipes are washable and are perfect for wiping up spills, cleaning surfaces. They can also be used as napkins. This reusable kitchen rolls are the perfect gift for someone on a budget as they will save money not having to buy paper kitchen rolls.

Reusable Cotton Rounds

These reusable cotton pads are perfect for removing make-up, cleansing and toning. These zero waste cleansing wipes are machine washable and made of 2ply brushed cotton so are lovely and soft. They even come with a handy washing bag. If you are interested in biodegradable face wipes then check out my Biodegradable Face Wipes review.

Natural Loofah

Encourage your friends and family to swap their plastic netting loofah by gifting them a 100% natural loofah. It comes from a plant that when dried makes the perfect luxury skin care sponge. Or try a natural hemp covered sponge.

Zero waste Mens Gift Set

This Zero Waste Mens Gift Set is the perfect gift for the man in your life. Each kit includes deodorant, solid shampoo and beeswax wraps.

Vegetarian, Vegan and Cruelty Free Cosmetics

Have you thought about making your own DIY beauty gifts using all natural ingredients? Check out my range of DIY homemade beauty recipes.

Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste

Inspire your friends and family to reduce their waste with Bea Johnson’s Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste. Her inspiring story tells how she transformed her family’s life for the better by reducing their waste to an astonishing one litre per year! This book provides a practical, step-by-step guide that gives readers tools and tips to diminish their footprint and simplify their lives.

Reusable Gift Wrap

Now that you have purchased the perfect gift, extend your eco-friendly approach to your gift wrapping. This reusable gift wrap kit is no fuss and doesn’t require boxes, paper, scissors, and tape. The best thing about them is they are reusable, hold their shape, and can be cleaned.