10 Thoughtful Zero Waste Gift Ideas for a Sustainable Holiday Season
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The Best Zero-Waste Gifts
With the holiday season just around the corner, finding the perfect gift for your loved ones can be challenging. But why not make it an opportunity to spread some eco-friendly cheer? This year, consider ditching the excessive packaging and plastic-wrapped presents for thoughtful zero-waste gifts that are not only sustainable but also meaningful. Our list of 10 zero-waste gift ideas will help you celebrate the season in a way that aligns with your values. From plantable stationery and reusable storage bags to natural skincare products and tip books, these gift ideas promote a zero-waste lifestyle while supporting local businesses and artisans. Each item on our list is not only practical but also beautiful, making them a perfect choice for the conscious consumer in your life. This holiday season, let's prioritize sustainability and show our loved ones that giving thoughtful gifts doesn't have to come at the planet's expense. Join us in embracing the joy of giving sustainably and discover a world of thoughtful zero-waste gift ideas for a truly meaningful holiday season.
Our Top Picks for Zero Waste Gifts:
1. Sustainable Straw Paper Print
Price: $11.50-17.25
Printed on low-waste paper made from wheat straw left after harvest with archival inks, these unmatted prints feature original illustrations - and we just love the Woodland Meadow one! Find them in two sizes (8x10 and 5x7) and packaged in a vegetable-based clear sleeve with a recycled cardboard backer. A great way to sustainably decorate a zero-waste home! Click here to see all eight pieces of artwork - we don't want you to miss out on the sweet Mushroom print.
Not to mention, 10% of profits are donated to LGBTQ+ and ecological organizations. Looking for more eco-friendly gift ideas? Small Victories specializes in plantable seed cards, original illustrations, pronoun badges, and accessories!
2. Refillable Holiday Candles
Price: $34
Grow Fragrance is a North Carolina-based brand that creates certified 100% plant-based and toxin-free candles and air and fabric fresheners.
It has a great selection of beautiful scents for every ambiance, including a few limited editions that you can only get at certain times of the year.
The company is a B Corporation that is also a member of 1% For The Planet and Leaping Bunny certified.
3. Eco Gift Boxes by Superbee
Price: $149
The gifts that keep on giving! Check out these gorgeous gift boxes from SuperBee - a social enterprise that empowers women and supports animal care foundations! Perfect for zero-waste beginners to pros, these bee-autiful sets are packed with eco goodies for every room in your home - from vegan toothpaste tabs to stylish beeswax wraps, handmade with love. Can it get better? YES! Each gift box includes a surprise gift! Available in S, M, L.
4. 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste Book
Price: $12.99
Goodbye, Amazon — we like to support small businesses like EarthHero! This one by Kathryn Kellogg is an excellent book for beginner and intermediate zero wasters. It’s got SO many great tips for reducing the amount of waste in your home… and so many things we wouldn’t think of! And, of course, it’s printed on FSC-Certified Paper and with soy-based inks. Shop gifts like this on EarthHero, an online marketplace for eco-friendly goods from over 200 brands. They even have a curated collection of zero-waste goods.
use code SUSTAINABLYCHIC for 10% off your order
5. Refillable Non-Toxic Makeup from Elate Cosmetics
Price: $8-40
A vegan and animal testing-free brand, Elate sells refillable blush and eye shadow compacts. Refills are sent out in seed paper envelopes that grow flowers when planted – super cute. The brand also offers lipsticks and other makeup with less plastic packaging, made from Forest Stewardship Certified bamboo and glass. Their packaging materials can be sent back to be effectively recycled – something that often isn’t possible for cosmetics through home recycling systems.
6. Rechargeable Candle Lighter
Price: $30
Know someone who burns a lot of candles in their home? Here is a zero waste alternative to traditional butane lighters! This lighter comes with a lithium-ion battery that can be charged by simply hooking up a USB to the computer. You’ll know it is completely charged up and ready to go once the green light disappears. The lighter uses plasma lighting technology, so you don’t have to refill it. Plus, it’s meant to last forever, and they are shipped in recyclable packaging.
7. Colorful Reusable Storage Bags
Price: $10-34
Stasher bags are one of the most versatile reusable items you can have in your kitchen.
These bags are made from platinum silicone and are completely free of BPA, BPS, lead, latex, and phthalates.
They come in many different sizes, and tons of gorgeous colors!
I think any zero waster in your life wouldn’t mind owning a few more Stasher bags.
8. Zero Waste Cleaning Kit
Price: $32
A perfect zero waste starter kit with plastic-free cleaning products for the home & kitchen!
This zero waste cleaning kit comes with dish soap, bamboo soap dish, and wooden cleaning brush.
Everything is made from sustainable materials, organic & vegan ingredients, and is biodegradable.
It even ships in plastic-free, recyclable packaging.
9. DIY Composting
Price: $100-220
Say goodbye to kitchen waste with this backyard composting system from SubPod!
Subpod is a below-ground vermicomposting option that has dual chambers, smell-proof, pest-proof and effective at creating and maintaining the perfect compost.
The Subpod mission is to make composting part of daily life with their easy to use system and of course, their packaging is home compostable!
10. Green Onion Regrower
Price: $54
How cool is this kitchen gadget?
One trip to the grocery yields weeks of green onions!
It’s easy - all you have to do is insert each of the unused end pieces into this kit's growing lid.
It is lined with naturally absorbent coconut fiber so just add water. Your onions will continue regrowing up to 3" per week.
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