Zero waste gifts align with a sustainable and zero waste way of life. The aim is to prevent waste from ending up in landfills by purchasing reusable, compostable or biodegradable products.
Are you looking for the perfect eco-friendly gift to purchase? Not sure where to start? We have made a list of our top 10 suggestions for zero waste gift ideas to help you.
Reusable water bottle or coffee cup
Everyone loves to receive a pretty water bottle or stylish coffee cup and they are a great zero waste gift. They prevent people from using single use plastics and promote a sustainable way of living. Bottles and mugs come in so many fun patterns and look much better than carrying around an old plastic water bottle or takeaway coffee cup. You could put some coffee or tea with the gift too. Just find a Fairtrade brand, put it in a reusable jar and you’ve completed the perfect zero waste gift.
Reusable straws
Most cafes and restaurants have stopped serving plastic straws, which is great news! But reusable stainless steel or bamboo straws can be a fun zero waste alternative to use. They are great for parties or just to carry around in your handbag ready for your freshly squeezed juice or morning smoothie.
Tote bag
Fashionable, sustainable and convenient. Everyone needs to own at least a few good tote bags! Choose and pretty colour or a fun design. You could even fill it with some zero waste food products to make it extra personal.
Plants
What a great way to put a smile on someone’s face and brighten up their home. And nothing says sustainability like a plant! They produce oxygen, clean the air and look beautiful all at the same time. You could also choose a pretty pot to put it in.
Candles
Zero waste candles, made from 100% beeswax with cotton wicks, are free from paraffin and metals. This sustainable gift idea is cute and considerate. You could pair this perfectly with the next idea in the list…
Self-care products
Eco-friendly bath bombs, body scrubs and face masks can make a great gift. Self-care products always go down well as a present, but try and find sustainable brands with reusable or compostable packaging.
Digital subscription
A digital subscription is another perfect zero waste idea. It’s fun while producing no waste at all! There are so many possibilities to pick from; music, workouts, cooking and reading. A few popular ones would be-
- Netflix– TV and movies
- Spotify– music
- Audible– audiobooks
- Deliciously Ella– healthy recipes, workouts and yoga
E- Books
Books have always been a favourite when it comes to gift giving. The variety is huge so you can always find something unique to suit the persons interest. Why not try the more eco-friendly way and changing to e-books? They are a sustainable option because they reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, thereby reducing the amount of harmful greenhouse gases that end up in our atmosphere.
Do something fun together
Booking an activity or outing is a wonderful idea if you are trying to be more sustainable. The possibilities are endless, so you never need to feel like you’ve run out of ideas! You could go wine tasting and horseback riding or plan a picnic and have surfing lessons. Pick an activity that you know they love or find something completely wild and new if you really wish to surprise them. Spending quality time together is always great way to show how much you care.
Bake them something delicious
You can’t go wrong with a simple home-made treat. It is a thoughtful way to wish someone a happy birthday or congratulate them on that new job or engagement. Get creative in the kitchen and present it to them in a reusable container. There are plenty of great recipes to follow online if you are struggling for inspiration.
I will end it there, but this list could go on and on, and it really does prove that it doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive to buy zero waste gifts. It is all about using your imagination, breaking away from the normal standards of gift giving and striving for sustainability. You can be the trend setter in your family or amongst your group of friends. Explain to them why you believe it is so important hopefully they will want to help too.
