Looking for holiday gift ideas but don’t know where to start? Not sure what to get the person who already has everything? Give gifts that have more meaning by opting for eco-conscious products that will make everyone feel great about helping our planet.
We’ve highlighted the plastic problem before -- from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (a plastic trash island the size of Texas) to staggering statistics (like each day, 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away) -- It’ll take all of us, together, to cut down on plastic consumption and waste. It’s with this issue in mind that we’ve curated our holiday gift guide. We’ve pulled together some of our favorites that are either sustainable alternatives to everyday products, made from recycled materials, or support organizations that work towards a better planet.
From bracelets made from recycled ocean plastic to reusable straws to stocking-stuffer-sized Boxed Water cartons, infuse the holidays with extra green cheer.
Lole Lily Tote
This quilted tote gives us life. The wide range of compartments for a yoga mat, & water bottle, pockets that can fit 13-inch laptops and smartphones and detachable accessories like a cosmetics case, & shoe bag to keep all your belongings safe, secure and organized. Available in two cute colors to match any outfit (khaki and black), this tote features backpack straps for on-the-go and is perfect for a new mom trying to get back into the swing of things. Best of all, its made from environmentally friendly, fair trade and ethically produced materials.
Lole Irving Packable Jacket
Guys will love this lightweight down jacket for the winter months. It’s insulated with DOWNGLOW™ 700 (90/10 duck down) DWR to keep you warm without weighing you down. The stand-up color keeps the rain and wind off. When not in use, the jacked compacts down to fit inside a small carry pouch which can be stored easily in a bag or backpack. You’ll find that this jacket meets the ethical standards that Lole is so well known for too!
Veja ESPLAR trainers
There is no such thing as “too many shoes”. Step up your BFF’s sneaker game this year with these all-white sneakers from Veja. As Leaders in sustainable fashion, Veja makes their shoes from wild Amazonian rubber, organic cotton and vegetable-tanned leathers. The ESPLAR line is named after the Brazilian nongovernmental organization that supports the family-owned organic cotton farms that grow their plants without agro-chemicals or pesticides. As a bonus, Meghan Markel was spotted wearing these!
Sunski Recycled Sunglasses
The future is looking bright for the almost-high school graduate in your life. They’ll love a pair of these trendy Sunksi sunglasses they can rock on campus between classes. Sunski turns scrap plastic into sunglass frames, sourcing their recycled plastic from a landfill in Illinois. Plus, they donate 1 percent of their sales to environmental nonprofits via 1% For the Planet. As Sunski says, “no waste, all win.”
Everlane ReNew Lightweight Puffer Jacket
Need a new winter jacket? Everlane has you covered (literally) with their line of ReNew puffer jackets. They’re made from 15 renewed plastic bottles and are perfect for chilly winter days. The jackets are stuffed with 100-percent recycled, high-performance PrimaLoft insulation, which is constructed from recycled plastic bottle chips. Everlane also has an amazing goal of eliminating new plastic from their supply chain by 2021, including plastic packaging and food packaging in stores. Did you know they clean up beaches just like Boxed Water? They reached a huge goal in partnership with Surfrider recently during their Black Friday sale.
Parks Project Save the Redwoods Tee
The adventurer in your life will appreciate a thoughtful gift from Parks Project. They sell a variety of items (from shirts to art prints to mugs) that each contributes directly to one of the different conservancies in the U.S., helping fund our National Parks. Browse their site and you’ll see merch sporting a wide range of national parks graphics and conservation messages. We’re fans of this Save The Redwoods tee, not only because we’re also about planting trees, but also because the proceeds from this shirt support the Redwood League’s Park Support Fund that keeps the redwoods park accessible to the public.
250mL Boxed Water
What could be a cuter stocking stuffer than a tiny Boxed Water? Inside is just over eight ounces of purified water. Outside it’s the same paper box you know and love – just in a mini version. And inside, it’s the same great tasting water. If you’re looking to get creative, they will make a great party favor or plate holder – just don’t forget to recycle after use! And as always, for each Boxed Water you buy, a portion of the proceeds goes to planting trees and cleaning beaches. Learn more about how we’re committed to our planet with our #BETTERPLANET campaign. If it’s your first order, use the coupon code BETTERFORYOU for 10% off!
United by Blue Beanie
Help the young ones in your life stay warm this winter with a United by Blue beanie knit from recycled polyester. Not only is it a sustainable product but for each product purchased, the company will remove one pound of trash from our planet’s oceans and waterways. To date, they have removed nearly 1.5 million pounds of trash!
Rothy’s Shoes
Your sister will be the ready to kick butt at the office with this thoughtful gift. Lightweight, comfy, stylish and sustainable – Rothy’s shoes check all the boxes. The colorful and chic knit exterior is made from post-consumer plastic water bottles the removable (and washable) insoles are made from recycled foam from recycled shoes, AND they’re put together with non-toxic, vegan adhesives. Even the shoeboxes are planet-friendly – the biodegradable, recyclable boxes are made from 85% post-consumer materials.
Compressive High-Rise Leggings from Girlfriend Collective
Your workout buddy has motivated you to keep going through some tough times - give her some extra motivation to crush 2019 with a pair of Girlfriend Collective’s leggings. Not only are they comfy, soft and stretchy in all the best ways, but the company also makes their polyester from post-consumer plastic water bottles and nylon from recycled fishing nets. Even the dye from their wastewater is recycled!
Donate your old denim with Madewell
If you’re looking to buy new jeans for someone special, give Madewell a try. Stop by one of their stores with a pair of old jeans and they’ll give you $20 off a new pair of jeans. They’ll send your old pair to Blue Jeans Go Green which upcycles them into housing insulation. So far, they’ve recycled 380,000+ pairs of jeans and built more than 450 houses with passed-on denim insulation, saving 191 tons of landfill space.
4Ocean Bracelets
For the person who loves the oceans as much as they love jewelry, get a 4Oceans bracelet. They’re made with 90% recycled post-consumer materials. For each bracelet purchased, they’ll remove one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines. In less than two years, 4Oceans has removed more than 2.2 million pounds of ocean trash!
Reusable Bamboo Straws
Your eco-conscious work BFF will appreciate this solution to the plastic pollution problem – reusable bamboo straws. Bamboo is one of the most sustainable plants in the world, and when the straws are disposed of, they’re completely biodegradable. They’re grown and crafted in Bali and shipped worldwide in packs of 12.
Pela iPhone Case
For the trendy teenager in your life, check out Pela’s eco-friendly iPhone cases (they’re as durable as they are sustainable). They’re made from a plant-based biopolymer called Faxstic, they’re BPA-free and they have a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastic cases. When you’re done with the case, they can compost it rather than throwing it away… a total win for the environment!
Adopt a Sea Turtle
And for the person in your life who has everything (or for the minimalist who resists gift giving), adopting a sea turtle in their name can be the perfect non-gift gift. Based in Juno Beach, Florida, Loggerhead Marinelife Center offers the opportunity to adopt a sick or injured sea turtle by supporting their research on leatherback, green and loggerhead sea turtles. For $35, you’ll receive a personalized adoption certificate, a subscription to the Marinelife Review e-newsletter, a 4x6 glossy photo of your turtle, a sticker, and other educational materials. Packages range up to $100 for the deluxe adoption package. This organization is really amazing, their love and passion for the ocean is truly special.
