20 Practical, Sustainable Gifts the Earth Would Love

Every eco-friendly activist has a stainless steel water bottle and about 1,000 canvas tote bags. If you have a friend who loves the planet, but you want to get a bit more creative with what you get for them, these sustainable gifts would even impress Mother Earth herself.

1. Seed Bombs

Seed bombs are mixtures of native seeds and nutrients like compost, typically in biodegradable packaging. They should be unique to your area and not sourced from elsewhere to ensure they reap the most benefits when planted. Eventually, they will flourish in your loved one’s yard to attract much-needed pollinators and encourage biodiversity.

2. Bamboo Toothbrush

Most environmentalists have bamboo utensil sets, and some have toothbrushes. However, even the best of us forget to replace our toothbrushes as often as we need for optimal oral hygiene. Give them guilt-free to your earth-loving friend to save them a few dollars on a necessity — and they’re compostable.

3. Beeswax Food Wraps

This is another zero-waste classic that needs to be replaced frequently. It prevents your friend from going to the store to get emergency plastic wrap or foil. Plus, it prevents food waste.

4. Thrifted or Upcycled Jewelry

Look around for recycled metal, glass, or plastic for your most glamorous eco-warrior. These make the best jewelry pieces because they can have more personality compared to trendy styles of the modern day.

5. Plantable Writing Utensils

Some pencil brands have seed capsules inside them that you can plant after you’re finished with them. Have your choice of flowers or herbs and more after taking notes about how you will care for your garden.

6. Solar-Powered Battery Bank

Whose phone isn’t dying all the time now? With planned obsolescence, it’s everyone. A solar-powered charger lets you charge your phone without pulling from fossil-fuel-powered homes.

7. DIY Sauce or Dressing Kit

Have a family recipe that is the envy of the world? Source the ingredients and write the recipe, packing it into a cute basket so your friend can experience the homemade magic themselves.

8. Reusable K-Cup or Chemex Filter

If you have a coffee lover who can’t get over their K-cup or paper filter dependency, countless reusable options are on the market for your espresso and pour-over enthusiasts. Imagine how much plastic and treated paper you save if your friend has multiple coffees a day!

9. Sewing Materials

Mending clothes is one of the most sustainable skills anyone can learn. Plenty of stray fabrics, yarns, and other tools are available at secondhand thrift stores or yard sales. It will make your crafty friends feel better and motivate them to finish a project.

10. Phone Lockbox

Social media has an unprecedented environmental impact, and most people don’t even know it. If you have a friend trying to be more conscious about their phone usage but struggling, give them a timed lockbox to help them cut their emissions and focus on more intentional hobbies. 

11. Trip to the Zoo, Aquarium, or Botanic Garden

Education is one of the greatest weapons in any environmentalist’s arsenal, and learning more about nature will always be welcome. Spend quality time among animals or plants. Remember, it is important to research the place you’re going to ensure they abide by the most ethical practices.

12. Ethical Chocolate

The impact of cacao and palm oil — some of the most prominent ingredients in chocolate — causes a lot of environmental damage. Seek chocolate for your sweet-toothed friends with proper certifications, such as Fair Trade.

13. Protest Voucher

Some people may hesitate to go to political rallies or protests by themselves. Offer your friend a voucher so they can call on you to accompany them.

14. Food Containers

People who love the planet know reducing food waste is one of the best ways to cut emissions. Thrift or purchase glass or metal containers from sustainable companies to help people preserve their leftovers without leaching plastic into food.

15. Local Coffee

Try not to default to going to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, and find a local coffee shop to support. The beans will be fresh and cared for by people in your community. Plus, baristas are happy to grind them to whatever size your friend needs.

16. Drive to a Hike

Sometimes, the most beautiful outlooks are a hike to get to before the hike even starts. Volunteer to go with your friends to a lovely place, but be the person who is going to take one for the team to drive there. It allows your friend or family member relax before they put in the effort to ascend in elevation.

17. Scrapbook

Have you seen junk scrapbooking? People are making this crafty hobby the most sustainable it has ever been. Even if it’s only 10 pages, collect some photos, ticket stubs, food wrappers, trinkets, and stickers that represent your relationship with the person. Use as many found materials as possible to make it eco-friendly and personalized. It is one of the most compassionate, sustainable gifts you can give for any occasion. 

18. Volunteering for Chores

Who doesn’t want someone to help clean their kitchen or bathroom for a day? Who doesn’t want someone to help them cart a few bags of clothes to donate to the consignment shop? Offer your loved one the gift of time by providing them with a service. It has no carbon footprint at all, and it only lowers stress. It’s a win-win.

19. Plant-Based Dinner

Offer to cook your friend a plant-based dinner to reduce carbon emissions. Or, you can take them to a local vegan restaurant to support the community. 

20. Charitable Donations

Many people wish to give to charity more often but have bills to pay. With inflation ever-increasing, it’s hard to allocate funds to causes you care about. Ask your friend about their favorite charity and donate for them on their behalf. It makes everyone feel good and has no carbon footprint.

Sustainable Gifts Anyone Will Appreciate

Your loved ones will enjoy anything you give them because you thought of their well-being. However, with these ideas, you can reduce your gift-giving impact and please your sustainable friends at the same time