Zero Waste Gifts: 9 Sustainable Gifts for Friends and Family

Zero waste gifts are those that don’t add to landfills. This can be in manufacturing, packing, and use itself. With any luck, it does all three. Sustainable gifts will make your eco-conscious loved ones extra happy when they receive your present.

And remember when giving a zero waste gift it’s important to wrap your gift accordingly. If what it’s wrapped in is being used once maybe think of something else like newspaper or a piece of cloth. For Holidays and birthdays at my house, we use cloth and bags that we use again and again to wrap our gifts in.

Zero Waste Gifts for Sustainable Friends

Sustainable Gifts: Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier

Plastic water bottles are the worst and I wish people would stop buying them. If you give the gift of a Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier the person you give it to will never have to buy a plastic water bottle again.

The press protects from global waterborne pathogens (virus, bacteria, protozoan cysts), pesticides, chemicals, heavy metals, and even microplastics. There are few water filters and purifiers that are efficient and compact at the same time. This zero waste gift is always a winner.

4ocean Bracelet

My Dad is really good at finding gifts he knows I’ll love. A few years ago for Christmas, he got me a 4ocean bracelet. 4ocean is an amazing organization helping to clean up the ocean. The purchase of a 4ocean Bracelet removes 1 pound of the ocean and coastlines around the world.

The beads on each bracelet are made of 100% recycled glass bottles, and the cord is made of 100% recycle plastic water bottles. If you have an ocean lover in your family or friend group this zero waste gift is perfect for them.

Read More: Eco-Friendly Travel Products

Zero Waste Gifts: Bees Wax Food Wraps

If you, or a friend or family member, are like me and absolutely can’t stand plastic wrap you need to get these awesome bees wax food wraps.

Not only do these wraps take the place of plastic wrap, when it comes time to dispose of them (they last about 6 to 12 months) you can put them in the compost bin or they can be used as fire starters. Absolutely zero waste.

They come in 4 sizes: mini, small, medium, and large, and can be purchased in sets of 2, 4, 6, or 8.

Best Zero Waste Gifts: Plant a tree (or trees) in their name

Our planet needs trees now more than ever, so why not plant a tree or a hole bunch of trees in the name of your loved one?!

One Tree Planted is an organization I donate to regularly and I’ve actually planted trees as gifts or in remembrance of lost loved ones. They plant tree all over the world and you can select the country you wish your trees to be planted or you can donate to the places that need them most by making a general donation.

To plant 1 tree only costs $1 so you can make a pretty big difference with a small amount of money!

Sustainable Gifts: Zero Waste Coffee Kit

Confession: I’m a freak and don’t drink coffee, but I know everyone else in the world does. So I wanted to include this zero waste coffee kit a few of my friends have and love!

Regular coffee makers use disposable filters, and don’t even get me started on how wasteful the f*#king Keurig is. With this pour over coffee kit you don’t have use anything disposable.

Another great addition to his gift would be to include a bag of coffee!

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Zero Waste Gifts: Plants in reclaimed planters

Plants are always a good idea for a gift, no matter the time of year. To make a plant as a gift extra special grab one of these gorgeous hexagon planters made with reclaimed wood. They can be hung on the wall or placed on a shelf. It would be really fun to buy a few of them and set up a funky design on the wall.

This is a super sustainable gift and who doesn’t love plants?

Sustainable Gifts: Zero Waste Home Kit

When it comes to sustainable gifts if you have a friend or family member who is just starting out on their journey to reduce plastic this zero waste kit is what they’ll want.

In this kit you’ll find:

• Bamboo cutlery set (knife, fork, spoon, straw and cleaner in a cotton pouch)
• Organic cotton string shopping bag (green)
• Large organic cotton drawstring reusable produce bag (26 x 40cm)
• Shampoo bar (vegan, three scents to choose from)
• Battle Green travel tin (fits the shampoo bar)
• Bamboo toothbrush (with 100% bio-based bristles)
• Battle Green bamboo toothbrush travel case
• Vegan natural deodorant balm in an eco-friendly push up card tube (three scents to choose from)
• Natural loofah exfoliating body sponge
• 200 Bamboo cotton buds

Zero Waste Gifts: A Digital Subscription

There are so many digital subscriptions to choose from right now. From online classes to community memberships and everything in between.

Some of my personal favorite digital subscriptions for zero waste gifts are:

• Babbel: Language Learning Software
• Amazon Music: Access to tens of millions of songs on any device
• Outschool: Fun Online Classes for ages 3-18
• Audible: The world’s largest selection of digital audiobooks

Click the Links Below to Purchase a Digital Subscription

Read More: 5 Things you can do to Help the Planet While Traveling (and at Home)

Give a Zero Waste Book

If you have a friend starting their zero waste or eco-friendly journey, why not get a book to help them? There are so many ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle and I know I’m always looking for new ideas!

Here are a few books that have helped me over the years:

• 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste
• Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste
• Zero Waste Living, The 80/20 Way: The Busy Person’s Guide To A Lighter Footprint
• An Almost Zero Waste Life: Learning How to Embrace Less to Live More

Many of these books are available via Audible or Kindle as well, so take it one step further and don’t buy the book, buy the subscription instead!

Mountain House Meal

If you have a friend who is big into hiking and backpacking get then a Mountain House meal (or 2) as a gift!

Now I know what you’re saying, but there’s a package! However, in partnership with TerraCycle you can make a Mountain House meal a zero waste gift. Simply give them the meals along with the pre-paid postage from the Terracycle website and they can send their cleaned packages back to be recycled and made into new products.

My favorite Mountain House Meals are: Chicken Pad Thai, Lasagna with Meat Sauce, and Chili Mac and Beef!

Sustainable Gifts: Cork Yoga Mat

For the fitness buff or yoga nut in your life check out this cork yoga mat. It is 4.5mm thick and 100% biodegrade as cork comes from plants. In addition, for those people out there that get really sweaty, like me, cork gives more traction when it gets wet. It will make anyone feel good knowing they won’t smash their face from slipping during downward facing dog.

Best Zero Waste Gifts: Soap of the Month Club

Raise your hand if you (or someone you love) like handmade soap *raises hand* I know I do. So why not gift a Soap of the Month Club subscription?

With a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription they will receive a new handmade bar of soap each month. WHen it comes to great gifts for sustainable friends this one is a no brainer!

Sustainable Gifts: Cute Canvas Grocery Totes

Slowly but surely laws are being passed all over the world limiting and banning the use of plastic grocery bags, and I love it! While so many people already have reusable grocery bags, this Etsy seller has 4 adorable canvas tote bags you’ll love giving as gifts.

All 4 canvas bags have cartoon fruits and vegetables with cute sayings like “Turnip the Beet” and “It takes two to Mango.” I know a few friends that could use these in their lives.

What are some of the best zero waste gifts you’ve ever given? Let me know in the comments!

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