There’s no denying that gift-giving can be one of the most wasteful things you do in a year. From wrapping paper, to single use plastic packaging, the season can be concerning for those eco people out there. It does bring us such joy picking out gifts for loved ones, even though it can be stressful, on top of that there is the worry of the environmental impact your presents will have which can add a whole other layer of confusion. Gifting sustainably is a lot easier than you may think. There are so many brands and services out there that offer eco-friendly gift giving options. We have listed 5 of our favorite sustainable gifts below for this Earth Month so that you may be able to choose a sustainable gift the next time you have to purchase something. Keep reading for more and let us know what you think of these ideas!
Here Are the Best Sustainable Gifts That You Can Purchase For Earth Day
1) Gift an experience
Who says a gift needs to be tangible, one of our favorite sustainable gift alternatives is giving an experience. Save on wrapping paper by giving your loved one a memory you know they won’t forget. Think sky-diving for the daredevil, or a spa day for the one that loves a day of pampering. They say you leave this world with only your experiences and nothing material, so what better than gifting someone with a lifetime of memories, rather than something that will sit on their shelf for a long time. This way, those who work in the service industry get paid, and the person you are gifting can come away with a new perspective and connection with another human being.
2) Thinc Eco Eco-Starter Bundle
Have you got a friend or loved one that’s wanting to start their eco-journey but they’re feeling a little confused about where to start? Thinc Eco makes it easy to start being sustainable with their Eco Starter Bundle, the bundle includes all of the necessities to help that loved one start their year on a greener note. We waste so much energy, time, and plastic on making sure we get certain things, why not switch these out for sustainable items? With the return to office happening sooner than later, we’ll need their reusable ziploc bags to pack our lunches in as soon as possible.
3) Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Say goodbye to shampoo and condition in plastic bottles and hello to shampoo and conditioner bars. Great for the environment, and the perfect gift for the eco conscious. Shampoo With A Purpose offers a huge range of shampoo and conditioner bars of all different colurs and scents. Did you know that according to Vogue Business and Arnaud Plas, co-founder and CEO of Prose, says he’s done his own research and estimates that between 20 and 40 per cent of beauty products, depending on the category, end up as waste.
4) Oxfam Unwrapped
We all have that family member that will insist on not receiving any gifts, Oxfam Unwrapped is the perfect option for them. Oxfam Unwrapped is an amazing initiative which is helping to transform the lives of people living in poverty by providing food, clean water and other essentials to those in need. All you have to do is head to their website and purchase a Christmas card of any price and all of the money will go towards someone in need this holiday season. What better way to gift someone who already has all that they need by giving to someone in need? This is a great way to give someone who has excess the gift of compassion and care.
5) Support local
Head to your local artisan market or farmers market, you will be surprised how many sustainable options are available plus, it’s great to support your local small businesses. Did you know that it’s also better for the environment? According to McGill University, “local food doesn’t have to travel as far to arrive on your plate, so it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to improving our carbon footprint. It benefits the local economy, including supporting local farmers and other producers”. There are so many big corporations out there that want to dismantle these small businesses, including farms. This type of food may also have a higher nutrition value, as its given more time to grow and ripen. Local farms also pass some of the highest safety standards in the world—that means less additives, pesticides, and herbicides.
