Gifts that are sustainable, made with recycled materials, or will help them cut down on everyday waste.
From wrapping paper to packaging, there’s a lot of waste generated during the festive season. The great news is that more and more companies are creating eco-conscious, giftable goodies that anyone would love to unwrap or find in their stocking. Whether you’re on the hunt for everyday items made out of recycled or renewable materials, biodegradable products, or reusable versions of one-time-use essentials, you can give them something amazing and eco-friendly that won’t end up getting re-gifted.
Here are some of the best eco-conscious gifts to give in 2024:
Simple Modern Water Bottle (This link opens in a new tab)
This stainless steel water bottle will help them cut down on single-use plastic and keep their drinks ice cold and refreshing for up to 24 hours. It comes with two lids, so they can choose if they want to sip or chug on their H2O, and it has a small handle that makes it easy to carry throughout the day whether they’re walking to class or roughing it on a hike.
Available in 16 colours/patterns and four sizes.
Greenzla Organic Cotton Reusable Makeup Rounds (20-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
Disposable makeup wipes can be harsh on the environment. That’s why these organic, machine-washable cotton makeup rounds will make a big impact. They’re soft, absorbent, and gentle, and can be used hundreds of times.
PICcircuit Reusable Beeswax Wraps (9-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
If they’re a foodie or just a stellar home cook, these beeswax wraps will be much appreciated. The natural wax will help it stick to plates, bowls, and even itself, creating a seal and keeping food fresh. They can be washed with mild soap and cold water and reused a bunch before the wax becomes too weak to hold.
Available in three patterns.
Annvchi Reusable Glass Straws (16-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
Jazz up their morning smoothie or iced coffee with a set of glass straws. The glass won’t interfere with the flavour of their drinks like metal ones tend to, and they won’t have to play a guessing game to know if there’s icky stuff stuck in there after a clean, they’ll be able to spot it right away. The set includes six bent straws and six straight ones, as well as four cleaning brushes.
DAVIDsTEA Earthy Beige Textured Nordic Mug (This link opens in a new tab)
This mug comes with a metal infuser that they can use to make the perfect cuppa. The basket will prevent particles of their loose leaves from spilling into their tea just like a single-use tea bag would, but creates less waste. It even comes with a little ceramic lid that’ll keep heat in while their tea is steeping.
Available in six styles.
More Plants Less Waste: Plant-Based Recipes + Zero Waste Life Hacks with Purpose (This link opens in a new tab)
This cookbook will give them meal inspiration and useful tips on how they can reduce their waste. It features recipes for plant-based dishes including spaghetti bolognese, leftover veggie nachos, and crunchy cauliflower curry. There are even instructions for how to make homemade cleaning products and DIY deodorant.
Grin by Grin Bread Bags (2-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
Homemade breadbakers will want these reusable bags in their cupboards. They’ll keep their loaves of sourdough fresh way longer than a plastic or paper baggie and keep them from getting the dreaded freezer burn when they store them in the ice box. Not only will they reduce plastic waste, but they’ll also reduce food waste by giving them more time to eat their loaves before they go stale.
Le 31 Café Olimpico Tote Bag (This link opens in a new tab)
Tote bags are great catchalls for shopping days whether they’re heading to the farmers market or a bookstore. This adorable tote is made of cotton and features a fun graphic of an iconic Montreal cafe chain. Now they won’t have to pay for another reusable bag at the store when they pop out for some last-minute ingredients.
Available in two colours.
Hammered Finish Drop Earrings (This link opens in a new tab)
These earrings from Malleable Jewellers are made of upcycled and recycled materials, proving shopping sustainably can be glam. The hammered finish means they’ll catch the light when they move their head, resulting in an understated shimmer. Plus, they’re made and distributed by a small business in Ontario, so you’ll be supporting a small Canadian company, too.
Handy Laundry Sheep Wool Dryer Balls (6-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
These reusable wool balls will act as fabric softeners, reduce static and wrinkles, and collect lint from their clothes as they tumble in the dryer. They’re kinder to the environment than liquid softener and fabric sheets are, and they’re only made of sheep’s wool, so there won’t be any icky chemicals embedding themselves into their clothes. They’ll also cut drying time down by 25%, meaning their energy bill will be reduced as well.
AeroGarden Harvest Indoor Hydroponic Garden (This link opens in a new tab)
They’ll have access to fresh herbs all year round with this indoor garden. It has a small footprint but allows them to grow and harvest up to six different plants at once (so they won’t have to buy full packs of parsley or basil only to use half). Since it’s hydroponic, they won’t need to get messy with soil. It even comes with six packs of seeds to get them started.
Available in combo packs with seeds.
Granola Gear Biodegradable iPhone Case (This link opens in a new tab)
Phone cases create a lot of plastic waste, and if you know someone who likes to change theirs out a lot, they’re probably contributing more than the average person. This case, however, is made from plants. That means when they’re done using it, it can be broken down into compost. It’s soft to the touch while being comfortable to hold, too.
Available in six colours and three sizes.
Siotmera Solar Garden Lights (4-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
These garden lights will brighten up their outdoor space. They’ll charge all day while the sun is shining so they can glow at night. Once they’re lit up they’ll look like little fireflies buzzing around their greenery. They’re waterproof, heat resistant, and can withstand freezing temperatures, meaning they’ll be great for the unpredictability of Canadian weather 365 days a year.
MRD Bamboo Hair Brush and Comb Set (4-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
This set comes with a standard brush, a mini brush, a rat tail comb, and a wide-tooth comb. Since they’re made of bamboo (even the bristles), they are better for the integrity of their hair. The little bristles won’t snag and snap strands like plastic ones and they’re made of a renewable resource which is good for the planet. The bristles also have little balls on the end that’ll give them a little scalp massage any time they detangle their mane which also helps with blood circulation that stimulates hair growth.
Kitsch Rice Bar Shampoo and Conditioner Set (2-Pack) (This link opens in a new tab)
Why not go all-in with their new eco-friendly hair care routine? Both of these Kitsch bars are infused with rice water to condition hair for silky, smooth results. They don’t have any plastic packaging, and since they’re solid, they’re fantastic to travel with.
Silk & Snow Percale Bed Sheets (This link opens in a new tab)
These cooling bed sheets are made by Silk & Snow in Portugal using sustainable practices and organic dying techniques. They’ll give them a luxurious and comfortable night’s rest and wash up like a dream, getting softer with each turn in the washing machine. The set comes with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases.
Available in seven colours and six sizes.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.