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32 Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Gift Ideas for 2023

A truly sustainable gift must be green for its entire life cycle, from manufacturing to packaging to disposal.
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The holiday season is officially here, and it’s time to start thinking about gifts. Eco-friendly products make the perfect present for any celebration, whether it be winter holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions or just because.

When choosing eco-friendly gifts, it’s important to look for sustainable, plant-based or upcycled products with biodegradable ingredients and recyclable or compostable packagingA completely eco-friendly gift must be sustainable for its entire life cycle—from the manufacturing to the packaging and even the disposal of the item.

As for gift wrapping, reuse all those bags sitting around your house, or cut up a brown grocery bag, turn it inside out and use it as unique and chic wrapping paper. Save old newspapers to use for wrapping or as tissue paper in gift bags. The possibilities are endless!

Here’s a roundup of some unique eco-friendly gift options that are just so good you might want to purchase them for yourself.

For the Foodie

Stone Drying Mat for Kitchen Counter, $49.89 (amazon.com)

Package Free Tumbler with Straw, $34 (packagefreeshop.com)

This 16-ounce insulated tumbler comes with a removable stainless steel and silicone straw. It can keep drinks hot for six hours and iced for up to 24 hours.

Bruvi Coffee Brewer Bundle, $348 (bruvi.com)

The founders of Bruvi are reinventing the narrative that disposable pods have to be bad for the environment. The BV-01 Coffee Brewer offers the convenience of disposable pods without the environmental harm with new capsules that are made to be thrown in the trash and will degrade much faster than traditional plastic without leaving behind microplastics. This bundle also includes a variety pack of 20 B-Pods, a premium water filter and a reusable Japanese knot bag.

“You get a fantastic, perfectly brewed cup of coffee with all the convenience of single-serve,” reads the company website. “No compromise required.”

Uncommon Goods Repurposed Sari Patchwork Tea Towels, $18  (uncommongoods.com)

This one-of-a-kind kitchen towel is made from 100% cotton saris and is the perfect colorful addition to spice up your kitchen.

Brightland The Artist Capsule, $150 (brightland.com)

This set, which made it on to Oprah’s Favorite Things list last year, contains four cold-pressed olive oils packaged in fully recyclable glass bottles that have been UV-coated for protection.

Flamingo State The Regenerative Farm Box, $130 (flamingostate.com)

At the moment, Flamingo State only delivers in the greater Los Angeles area, but for those lucky enough to live there, this box truly brings the farmers market to your doorstep. A rotating, curated collection of fruits, vegetables, eggs, baked goods, spices, herbal teas and other surprises can be expected.

Lynn & Lania Acacia Lazy Susan, $184.95 (lynnliana.com)

This lazy susan comes in nine gorgeous colors made by blending acacia hardwood and an eco-friendly epoxy. It can be used for drinks or even as a cheeseboard and makes a wonderful gift for any homeowner.

Vahdam Bloom Assorted Teas Gift Set, $39.99 (vahdam.com)

This is the perfect gift for all seasons. The vibrant luxury box includes 12 signature blends of black tea, green tea, chai tea and herbal tisanes in gold tin caddies.

For the Homeowner

Public Goods Eco Set, $34.46 (publicgoods.com)

This is a curated set of member favorites that is designed to reduce single-use plastic in your home. It includes a reusable cotton tote bag, a wide mesh tote, an ayate washcloth, a sea sponge and reusable food storage wraps.

Uncommon Goods Recycled Glass Birth Month Vase, $75 (uncommongoods.com)

Did you know that the month you were born in isn’t just linked to a gemstone and sun sign? It also has a specific flower. These gorgeous vases made from recycled glass can be infused with 12 different flowers.

Lula’s Garden Holiday Corporate Verdant Garden, $58  (lulasgarden.com)

This succulent garden comes with three medium-sized plants and is a perfectly unique and memorable gift.

Manduka Yoga Mats, $52 to $280 (manduka.com)

Manduka makes fan-favorite yoga mats, with reviewers calling out how much they love the soft cushion of the mat and the support it offers. The brand also offers a mat quiz, so you can find the best one for your needs.

For the Fashionista

Peace Jewelers 14K Gold Choice of Carat Weight Cultured Diamond Stud Earrings, $499 to $5,399 (shophq.com)

Nothing says “holidays” quite like new bling, and if you’re going to invest in a good pair of diamond earrings for a loved one, make sure they’re lab grown rather than mined. Peace Jewelers makes our favorite set of diamond studs.

Glúmur Gatsby Blazer, $210 (glumur.com)

This blazer is woven from upcycled wool fabric. Inspired by classic vintage menswear blazers, it’s designed for an oversized fit, with a classic plaid pattern, structured shoulders, internal pockets and a straight hem.

Conscious Step Gift Boxes, $31.47 to $39.95 (consciousstep.com)

This collection of gift boxes come in a variety of designs, patterns and colors. They include three pairs of terry-padded socks in recycled packaging and are completely fair trade-, GOTS- and vegan-certified.

All Bird Eco-Friendly Shoes, $98 to $160 (allbirds.com)

The shoe brand that has quickly risen in popularity over the past few years has a goal of cutting its carbon footprint in half by the end of 2025 and reducing it to nearly zero by 2030.

Etsy Recycled Glass Earrings, $52 (etsy.com)

These earrings, made from upcycled glass bottles, come in four colors and make the perfect gift. The used bottles are collected from restaurants (and the occasional dumpster, says the vendor), then are cut and fired to create unique mosaic glass pieces.

Bombas Gripper Slippers, $48 to $114 (bombas.com)

These “half slipper, half socks” come in seven colors and four sizes and are perfect for staying warm and cozy at home. 

Londre The Ruffle Shoulder One Piece,  $42 (londrebodywear.com)

Londre Bodywear was founded by Ainsley Rose and Hannah Todd with the goal of promoting body positivity and environmental awareness. This gorgeous feminine swimsuit features a low scoop back and puffy sleeves and is made from six recycled plastic water bottles.

Bare Necessities Cut-Out Underwire One-Piece, $19.99  (bareneccessities.com)

Look stunning in this chic cut-out one-piece featuring underwire cups with removable inserts, a scoop neckline, adjustable straps and slide hook back closure.

Vivo Barefoot Novus Mid Women’s, $172 (vivobarefoot.com)

The Novus Mid comes in two shades: obsidian and sandstone. The shoe is perfect for “stylish urban living with outdoor soul.” It features a rugged outsole allowing grip on streets and chrome-free bio-leather that brings extra stability without sacrificing that barefoot feeling. Products are handmade with natural materials in Portugal. Vivo Barefoot offers a money-back guaranteed 100-day trial on all orders.

For the Self-Care Guru

Package Free Face Roller, $22 (packagefreeshop.com

This is the perfect self-care gift for the skincare lover in your life. It can be used over pressure points on the face and body to refine your pores and reduce puffiness under the eyes.

Package Free Gua Sha, $16 (packagefreeshop.com)

Apply your favorite face oil and glide this gua sha stone over pressure points on your face or body. Bonus: The linen drawstring bag that it comes in can be composted or put into textile recycling.

By Humankind Shower Routine Bundle, $46 (byhumankind.com)

All of Humankind’s personal care products are designed to reduce single-use plastic waste in your daily routine. This shower routine bundle comes with shampoo, conditioner and body wash in a “cool” fragrance with notes of lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree or in a “warm” bundle with hints of bergamot and grapefruit.

By Humankind Plastic Free Travel Bundle, $15 (byhumankind.com)

This travel set is designed for a long weekend getaway, without the plastic waste. It includes 75-ounce shampoo, conditioner and body wash bars, six mouthwash and toothpaste tablets and six cotton swabs.

Knack Just Breathe Spa Gift Set, $67 (knackshops.com)

This customizable spa kit comes with a coconut soak, sea sponge, candle, faux succulent and mini matches for the ultimate tropical getaway.

The Earthling Co. Shampoo and Conditioner Bar, $23.99 (theearthlingco.com)

The Earthling Co.’s best-selling vegan, plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bar set comes in six naturally derived scents, as well as an unscented version, and can last up to 75 washes.

The Earthling Co. Plastic-Free Starter Kit, $48.71 (theearthlingco.com)

This starter kit includes a shampoo, conditioner and soap bar with the ability to mix and match from a selection of scents. 

OUI the People The Single Sensitive Skin Razor, $55 (ouithepeople.com)

Oui the People is known for having perfected its razor design and the brand’s goal is to reduce the number of disposable razors that end up in landfills. The stainless steel product comes with 10 refills, and more inserts ($15) are available for purchase. The razor is custom-engineered with cold-forged blades to remove hair without irritation.

For the Animal Lover

World Wildlife Fund Symbolic Adoptions, $25 to $250 (gifts.worldwildlife.org)

Through gifts.worldwildlife.org, you can virtually adopt a variety of nearly extinct or endangered species, including green turtlespeacocks and elephants. Adoption packages range from $25 to $250. 

Yomp BallRope, $17.99 (shopyomp.com)

This toy is made from food-grade silicone and 100% cotton sash, because your dogs deserve nothing but the best.

Mau Pets Emory Board, $49 (maupets.com)

This refillable cardboard cat scratcher is made with a sturdy pinewood frame and is meant to support cats of all sizes.

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