10+ Eco-friendly Gift Ideas – Sustainable Gift Guide

Looking for an eco friendly gift for a sustainable friend? It can be difficult to find the perfect ethical gift, but by doing so you could be helping the planet.

This year I set myself the challenge of gifting sustainability-promoting gifts to my family, friends and partner as well as filling my wish list with eco friendly items. Gift consciously this year with these eco-friendly gift ideas.

set of natural nonpolluting toiletries on marble table

Be careful when choosing your eco-friendly gift as many businesses now offer “green alternatives” that aren’t particularly eco-friendly. Do your research, ask questions, always remember that buying second hand is better than buying new.

1. Bees wax wraps

Bees wax wraps are a bees wax coated fabric, used for wrapping food. They are most commonly made by infusing cotton with food-grade beeswax, rosin, coconut oil, and jojoba oil and can be washed and reused for around a year! This is a low cost sustainable swap for households that currently use clingfilm.

I have a set of 4 bees wax wraps from LittleFoxyWorkshop on my wish list

2. Reusable cotton swab

Humans use around 1.5 billion disposable cotton swabs everyday! LastSwab is a reusable, sustainable and sanitary alternative to cotton swabs, buds, and Q-tips.

3. Period pants

Period pants are an innovative sanitary product that aim to replace wasteful sanitary products, such as pads and tampons. They can be worn for up to 8 hours while you menstruate, washed in the washing machine, and worn again.

I have 5 pairs of WUKA period pants and cannot recommend them enough! Not only are they super sustainable, but they also save you money and they’re super comfy.

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4. Houseplants

Plants can remove “significant amounts” of CO2 in a room. Research also suggests that indoor plants can boost wellbeing and productivity. Try a mushroom growing kit for something different. It is perfect for beginners and people who love to cook mushroom dishes.

5. Reusable make up pads

Reusable cotton pads are more eco-friendly and help to cut back on landfill waste caused by disposable cotton rounds and makeup wipes. Most reusable make up pads are made from sustainable bamboo or microfibre and are therefore gentle on skin.

These make up pads can be used for up to 5 years saving hundreds of make up wipes from ending up in the oceans and harming sea life.

6. Reusable straw

Plastic straws release chemicals into the soil, air, and water that are harmful to animals, plants, people, and the environment.

According to the Ocean Conservancy, straws are among the top 10 items found during beach clean-ups. Reduce your plastic consumption by gifting a reusable bamboo or metal straw.

7. Vegan cook book

Eating a vegan diet could be the “single biggest way” to reduce your environmental impact researchers at the University of Oxford found. By cutting meat and dairy products from your diet you could reduce your carbon footprint from food by up to 73%.

Vegan food is full of flavour! Gift a vegan cookbook to help your friend cook some tasty vegan food.

8. Bamboo toothbrushes

Bamboo is a significantly more environmentally-friendly material than plastic. Why not gift a bamboo toothbrush subscription – a practical and sustainable gift!

9. Toothpaste tabs

Another way to reduce your plastic consumption is to skip the toothpaste tube. You can now buy toothpaste tabs!

10. Donation

Make a donation in the name of who you’re buying a gift for. Maybe you could adopt an endangered animal on their behalf or if they’re running a birthday fundraiser you could donate to that.

11. Shampoo bar

Shampoo is viewed as an everyday item and unfortunately that usually comes with a plastic shampoo bottle. Help your friends make a sustainable swap by gifting them a plastic free shampoo bar. Shampoo bars are sold in store and online at Lush, Gruum, and Holland & Barrett.

12. Bamboo socks

Bamboo is grown without pesticides and is naturally resistant to insects and infectious bacteria. Cotton, on the other hand, requires a large amount of pesticides to be grown.

Not only this, but bamboo socks are ridiculously comfy! When you buy a pair of bamboo socks from Leiho they donate a pair to a homeless person too!

13. Bird house

The birds that visit your backyard are a part of the whole ecosystem. A birdhouse can benefit the environment by helping avian life.

When birds pass in and out of our gardens regularly they help to fertilise the soil, help to control the balance of infestations (pests), they also disseminate seeds and pollinate plants.

14. A Tote bag

Tote bags are convenient to carry in a handbag or rucksack and are a fabulous sustainable swap from plastic carrier bags. Another benefit to a fabric tote bag is that they’re much more gentle on your hands when carrying heavy shopping.

15. Draft excluder

A draft excluder is a great addition to any home. You can buy all kinds of designs to suit any décor.

By introducing a draft excluder into the home you’ll keep the heat in (and the cold out) meaning that you’re less likely to need the heating on.

16. Gift card for a local shop

Local companies are usually within walking distance meaning you don’t need to take a car to visit your local shops. Reducing the distance you travel when shopping helps to alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and cut back on greenhouse gas emissions.

This eco-friendly gift idea is often overlooked. By purchasing a gift card for a local shop you’re also supporting the local economy and helping a small business.

17. Reusable fabric gift wrap

End wrapping paper waste by choosing to wrap your gifts in reusable fabric. Fabric gift wrap can be reused time and time again, reducing our impact on the planet and saving money.

18. Recyclable Brush Heads

Support a London based business and buy their oral-B compatible brush heads that are completely recyclable. Both the packaging and the product is 100% recyclable, vegan and cruelty free.

You can also get 10% off when you place an order at livecoco with promo code ‘BEEMONEYSAVVY’.

19. An Ecologi subscription

Ecologi is a subscription service that allows individuals, families and businesses to go climate positive. You can literally see the trees that are planted as a result of your subscription.