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15+ eco-friendly gifts that someone would actually use

We’re brainstorming far past the million reusable grocery bags that Google recommends.
 By 

Leah Stodart

 on 

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Collage featuring three people wearing green workout sets, silicone snack backs and lunch products on a countertop, an indoor LED plant system on tabletop, and close up of electric toothbrush and carrying case

Credit: Girlfriend / Stasher / Click and Grow / Suri

“Elite gift giver” is a title we all strive to achieve in life. But I’d argue that finding a unique eco-friendly gift is the final boss of thoughtful gifting — thoughtful because you clearly carefully considered what’d make them happy, and because you made a conscious effort to not fall into the wasteful overconsumption trap.

I mean, consumerism really puts a damper on holiday cheer, particularly as it applies to waste and ethics. Consider how much non-recyclable packaging will be used, how many old tech devices will be trashed to make room for new ones, or how many underpaid workers put in extra hours to get those Shein prices so sketchily low. Of course, there’s always the question of whether your giftee will even use that gift you bought in a hasty scramble, or if they’ll gift it to the trash can to keep the peace in their junk drawer.

SEE ALSO:

The best ‘buy it for life’ products, backed by Mashable reporters and editors

Outside of voting, using your dollar to shop and gift sustainably is a tangible way to get involved at the individual level. I’ve gathered a list of the best unique sustainable gift ideas below, including several items that I personally use and tell loved ones about. This isn’t your average list of fancy reusable grocery bags and succulent gift boxes: There are affordable stocking stuffers that simply act as a less-wasteful version of something people already use regularly, as well as more creative, premium eco-friendly gifts like comfiest comforter ever that happens to be made from recycled plastic bottles. There’s a gift for every point (and budget) on the journey to create less waste.

Topics
Sustainability
Gifts


Buffy Cloud Comforter on bed in bedroom with brick wall

Credit: Buffy

Best for people who cherish their bed

Napping on a cloud looks so damn magical when you’re a kid. Turns out you can gift that feeling: The Buffy Cloud comforter is fluffy enough to make even the crappiest beds comfy, and its feathery fill is made from 50 recycled water bottles. The soft fabric is made from eucalyptus, which requires 10 times less water during production than cotton. It’s machine washable and comes in nine colors.


Stasher bags and packed lunches on countertop

Credit: Stasher

Best for people who pack a lunch

There’s no point in buying single-use Ziploc bags. Not only do they take at least 200 years to totally decompose in a landfill, but the cost of replenishing the household sandwich bag stock every month adds up fast. Parents who pack a lot of lunches will appreciate these resealable silicone bags that are reusable (and dishwasher safe!) just like leftover containers.


Green electric toothbrush hanging on mirror in bathroom

Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Best self-care swap

A toothbrush isn’t traditionally an exciting gift to receive — unless it’s Suri’s cute recyclable electric toothbrush that’d actually be a fun addition to a self-care routine. While plastic disposable toothbrushes (or disposable replacement heads of electric ones) take upwards of 400 years to decompose, Suri creates next to no waste. The aluminum handle gets reused, the rechargeable battery lasts for weeks, and the swappable heads get mailed back to Suri to recycle for free.


AllBirds sneaker in grass near purple flowers

Credit: AllBirds

Best for people always on their feet

The nickname “the world’s most comfortable shoe” is a bold claim, but Allbirds’ sustainable kicks live up to the hype. These shoes are made out of extremely soft, temperature-regulating merino wool (no sheep harmed!) with laces made using 100% post-consumer, recycled plastic bottles. The process uses 60% less energy than what it takes to craft synthetic shoes.


Person putting Shelfy fridge purifier in fridge door

Credit: Vitesy

Best for fruit and veggie-heavy households

The Shelfy is a must-have kitchen gadget for any household that buys a lot of produce. This smart fridge filter sends fridge air through a photocatalytic filter, neutralizing fridge odors and compounds that trigger premature ripening of fruits and veggies. Shelfy can extend shelf life by up to 12 days, ultimately reducing food waste.


Cat walking in front of TerraCycle ZeroWaste box

Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Best for die-hard recyclers

TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Boxes are an awesome alternative to trashing everything that the local recycling plant doesn’t accept. They act as a receptacle for non-recyclables like snack wrappers, plastic grocery bags, art or office supplies, plastic silverware, and more. (The “All-in-One” box takes just about everything.) When they’re full, just mail ’em back to TerraCycle. Prices start at $105, or $40 for a smaller pouch.


Assorted cut vegetables with silicone food lids

Credit: FOOD HUGGERS

Best for people who like to cook

In this house, we do NOT use single-use sandwich baggies as storage containers. These silicone seals are an easy, less wasteful way to extend the life of produce. They can be used on halves of veggies or fruits to keep them from drying out, or as lids on jars or bowls. Sets come in an assortment of fun colors and all pieces are dishwasher safe.


Three people wearing gray athleisure sets

Credit: GIRLFRIEND

Best for athleisure aficionados

High-end workout leggings have come for the hard pants in our closet. But there’s something that makes the ones from Girlfriend Collective more badass than the rest: Each pair is made from 25 recycled water bottles. They come in multiple styles, colors, and matching sets, and reviews mention that they feel like Spandex but a bit looser. Bonus: The company is women-owned.


Hand soaps with paper labels arranged on wooden tray

Credit: SweetCaramelShop

Best for hand soap hoarders

If you know someone who can’t say no to a five for $20 deal at Bath & Body Works, help them skip the plastic pumps with these handmade soaps. Star Etsy seller SweetCaramelShop offers ornate cold process hand and body soaps made with 100% plant-based oils, ranging from around $4 to $8 per bar. Options include Rose Petals, Hazelnut Coffee, and Cedarwood and Lavender, wrapped in cute paper packaging that’s sure to spruce up any bathroom counter.


Person scraping food scraps into green Lomi on countertop

Credit: Lomi

Best for people with a garden

America’s food waste problem is abysmal — the average household wastes almost a third of the food it acquires each year. The Lomi 3 is a compact indoor alternative to composting at home with a wormy outdoor setup. The slow cooker-sized gadget quietly turns food scraps into sprinkleable garden fertilizer in a few hours. It saves food scraps from heading to the landfill to produce methane while preventing the trash can from reeking of tossed leftovers.


Person holding water filter straw and lid over water bottle on countertop

Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Best for clean water literally anywhere

Your friend who’s sketched out by tap or hotel water isn’t wrong, but need we rattle off plastic bottle stats again? One easy solution is this water bottle filtering lid from Epic Water Filters. It’s compatible with many existing reusable bottles from Hydro Flask, Yeti, and more. The filter is more thorough than something like a Brita, removing contaminants like PFAs and microplastics, plus bad taste. A filter for removing bacteria from outdoor water is also included.


Gold earrings with recycled plastic charms hanging from plant leaf

Credit: Ocean Plastics

Best for master accessorizers

Add a subtle pop of color to a gold or silver wearer’s jewelry collection with a piece from Ocean Plastics. Where does this small business owner get the materials? From walking the beach and recovering plastic herself, with focus on the tiny pieces that most facilities deem impossible to recycle. All necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings are handmade, and they’re super affordable.


Wool dryer balls with penguin design in laundry basket

Credit: Friendship

Best for people who hate soggy towels

Tell ’em, “Surprise, you’re ditching your current Bounce sheets for these irresistible Sloth Squad of dryer balls.” (Penguins, ladybugs, and other cuties are available.) Dryer sheets release toxins onto your clothes and are, of course, single use. Dryer balls create space between clothing to streamline drying time for heavy items like towels (while still fluffing) — hence less electricity required. Free the Ocean claims that each purchase funds the pulling of plastic out of the ocean.


Indoor planter with herbs

Credit: CLICK & GROW

Best for farmers market frequents

Pesticides or single-use plastic: When it comes to mass-produced produce, both are grossly widespread issues. Help someone buy less at the chain grocery store with an indoor smart garden, like this one from Click & Grow. Energy-efficient LED lights give plants what they need to prosper in the nursery that’s small enough to chill on the kitchen counter. Pre-seeded, biodegradable pods include strawberries, tomatoes, arugula, and over 50 more.


Doggie bags and packaging on blue and green background

Credit: give a shit / mashable photo composite

Best for dog parents

If they’re a dog owner, it’s hard for even the most devoted reusable bag user to escape single-use bags. Until you introduce them to bags from Give a Shit, that is, which are 100% compostable and more landfill-friendly than plastic ones. The funny box itself makes this stocking stuffer double as a gag gift.


Hand holding portable silverware set over food

Credit: Joseph Joseph

Best for fast food frequents

Instead of letting plastic spoons collect in your glove compartment, having reusable silverware on hand can help reduce the number of plastics that end up in landfills or oceans. Joseph Joseph’s set includes a stainless steel fork, spoon, and knife, all of which are stored in a compact, spoon-shaped container.


Person tying shoe while wearing gray puffer coat

Credit: THE NORTH FACE

Best for people who deal with winter

Everyone’s favorite puffer jacket now features recycled polyester fabric insulation. The fibers in each ThermoBall Eco coat’s lining are crafted from at least five plastic bottles taken from a landfill, all while providing down-alternative warmth and wet weather performance. Both men’s and women’s collection are available in a rainbow of colors, plus other styles like vests.


Nest thermostat on the wall with plant and couch in background

Credit: Nest

Best for people who are always hot (or cold)

Coming home to a comfortable temperature is possible without blasting the AC or heat all day. Google’s Nest Thermostat makes it easy to create an energy-efficient, more budget-friendly schedule, automatically turning the HVAC down when you leave and back on before you arrive home. The 4th gen model uses AI to learn routines and create schedules for you, or tweak indoor temps based on outside weather.


Notebooks with assorted patterns arranged on wood surface

Credit: DECOMPOSITION

Best for people who journal

A new journal could remind your loved one to carve out some personal time — whether that’s to practice gratitude, jot down goals, or compose an aesthetically pleasing to-do list. Decomposition’s notebooks come in so many adorable patterns and are made from 100% post-consumer waste. According to its site, 40,000 trees and thousands of tons of CO2 have been saved thanks to the company’s use of paper already in circulation.


Culligan water pitcher on fridge shelf

Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Best for anyone who still has a Brita

Amid relentless attacks on water pollution protections, the environment is begging you to not resort to stockpiling bottled water in the garage. There are good filtered water pitchers out there that do far more than a Brita’s chlorine filtration: The 10-cup Culligan Zero Water can fit on a fridge shelf and filters pharmaceuticals, lead, and PFAs.

Leah Stodart

Leah Stodart
Senior Shopping Reporter

Leah Stodart is a Philadelphia-based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable where she covers and tests essential home tech like vacuums and TVs, plus eco-friendly hacks. Her ever-evolving experience in these categories comes in clutch when making recommendations on how to spend your money during shopping holidays like Black Friday, which Leah has been covering for Mashable since 2017.