16 Ideal Gifts for Environmentalists
Published Sept. 1, 2022
Choosing a gift for environmentalists and mindful consumers isn’t an easy task. So if you’re having a hard time picking out the best present for a brave eco-warrior, you’ve come to the right place.
Admit it or not, most of the holiday gifts in the market today either have plastic components or are made entirely out of plastic. Yes, there is now an increasing number of eco-friendly gift items. But they are yet to become mainstream. Besides, most of the items touted as “eco-friendly” aren’t really that good for the environment.
So to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of eco-friendly products that live up to their name.
Here are ten ideal and sustainable gifts for environmentalists and mindful consumers that they’ll surely love.
1. Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Shampoo and conditioner usually come in disposable bottles. Once they’re used up, you throw away the bottles which end up in landfills or our oceans.
This is why shampoo and conditioner in bar forms will make great gifts for the eco-conscious consumer. Once they’re used up, they won’t leave any plastic waste behind. Plus, most shampoo and conditioner bars are made from natural ingredients and they smell great too.
Don’t know what shampoo bar brands to buy? Check out this review.
2. Portable Shopping Cart
When you buy from a grocery store or the fresh market, chances are the items will be placed in a disposable plastic bag. Needless to say, Mother Earth won’t be so happy.
So buying your eco-warrior friend a portable shopping cart will surely make them happy. They can use it anywhere without having to worry about those plastic bags poisoning our oceans.
Interested? Check out this list of the best ones in the market.
3. Solar Charger
The sun is one of the most sustainable sources of energy. So getting your environmentalist pal a solar charger will surely make their day. Aside from charging their phones without guilt, it’s also very useful on outdoor excursions.
Check out the best solar chargers here.
4. Glass Mason Jars
Glass mason jars are all the rage right now when it comes to gifts. And it’s so easy to see why. Apart from their rustic charm, they are reusable and when broken, you can just dispose of the pieces without worrying about the environment. Plus, you can easily find them in your local department stores or order one from Amazon (if you’re willing to take the risk of shipping mishaps).
5. Solar Power Bank
Just like solar chargers, solar power banks make charging your gadgets guilt-free. It’s also very useful during emergency situations. They can just put it in a sunny area and they won’t have to worry about getting stuck with a dead phone even if the power goes out for days.
According to Treehugger, these are currently the best solar power banks in the market.
6. Thermal Travel Mug
If your eco-warrior friend is also a certified caffeine addict, a thermal travel mug will make the perfect gift. They won’t have to buy take-out coffee which usually comes in a disposable plastic cup. With a thermal travel mug, they can take their coffee anywhere and never worry about it getting too cold or too warm.
7. Bamboo Toothbrush
Plastic toothbrushes can take thousands of years before they’ll decompose. That toothbrush you throw away today will still be around when your great-great-great-grandchildren are born. The same, however, cannot be said for bamboo toothbrushes. That’s why eco-conscious consumers around the world are going crazy over it.
Check this post for the best bamboo toothbrushes you can buy in the US.
8. Portable Silverware
Years ago, bringing your own set of silverware while dining out can make you a laughingstock. Well, times have certainly changed. Now, having your own portable silverware makes you an eco-hero. It not only lessens the use of plastic cutlery, it also reduces the risk of contracting certain diseases. If you’re looking for the best portable cutlery set that is also TSA-approved, check out this list.
9. Countertop Compost Bin
Any environmentally-conscious consumer would not say no to a mini compost bin right in their own kitchen. This makes a countertop kitchen compost bin an ideal gift for them. It’s usually made of either tin or ceramics. Some can even keep up to a gallon of food waste. Aside from keeping rotting compost odor-free, they also make a nice kitchen decor.
Check out this list by Country Living if you’re not sure which compost bin to buy.
10. Compostable Paper Plates
Unknown to many, regular paper plates have a thin plastic lining that remains long after the paper component has rotted away. Compostable paper plates, on the other hand, make parties and gatherings truly environmentally friendly. They’re made entirely of biodegradable materials so they decompose easily. You can throw them together with any leftover foods in your compost pit and you’ll get a cheap organic fertilizer after a few weeks.
11. Beach Clean-Up Kits
Looking for the perfect gift for a certified thalassophile? A beach clean-up kit will surely make them more excited to go to the ocean every single day. Yes, it won’t be able to do much in the way of keeping people from dumping their wastes in the water. But with tonnes of plastic wastes ending up in our oceans daily, every little effort to clean it up can go a long way.
Most beach clean-up kits consist of reusable tote bags and gloves. Though some also include hand sanitizers and containers for sharp objects. Some of the most popular beach clean up kits are 4Ocean and Pacific Aura Botanicals.
12. Eco-friendly Cutlery
Eco-friendly cutleries are all the rage on Instagram and Tiktok right now and it’s easy to see why. Made of sustainable materials like bamboo and wood, these dinnerwares will not only give hope to our planet. They’re also most likely on every environmentalist’s wishlist.
Can’t find eco-friendly cutlery sets in your local grocery? Check out this list.
13. Vegan Snacks
Vegan or not, eco-warriors will surely enjoy vegan treats once in a while. So why not send them a box full of vegan snacks? There are a lot of vegan snackboxes you can buy these days. They come with all sorts of vegan goodies like banana chips, protein bars, paleo puffs, plant-based cookies, and so much more. Or if you’re feeling crafty, you can buy the snacks yourself and put them in sustainable gitfbags.
14. Eco-friendly Journal
Keeping a journal has lots of benefits. So if your eco-warrior friend is yet to start journaling or have already filled the pages in theirs, an eco-friendly journal will make the perfect gift.
Wait, what’s wrong with an ordinary journal?
Well, producing new paper requires cutting down trees. It also uses lots of power and water. Most eco-friendly journals use recycled paper and plastic-free covers. This makes them an ideal gift for eco-conscious consumers. Check out this list of the best eco-friendly journals you can buy online.
15. Eco-Trip Vouchers
An environmentalist and a traveler? Then surprise them with eco-trip vouchers! With so many places offering eco-tours nowadays, you won’t run out of destinations to choose from. This voucher from Ecobnb even lets you choose an eco-staycation in any of their affiliates around the world. Or if you want them to discover the French countryside, a voucher from France ecotours will also make a great gift.
16. Ethically-Sourced Apparel
It’s not exactly a secret that some apparel brands are made in facilities with less than ethical labor standards. But there are still a lot of brands out there that offer sustainable and ethically-sourced clothing items like the ones on this list. Surprising an eco-warrior with sustainable and fashionable apparel will surely make them exclaim in delight.
(Related: 30+ Worthwhile Things To Do Before You Die)
Donate To The Poor & Homeless Of South Florida
Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen has fed the poor and homeless in South Florida over 900,000 hot meals since 1993. Our tax deductible non profit organization also accepts and distributes donations such as clothing, toiletries, shoes, bicycles, and more. You can donate to help the poor and homeless through our website.
About The Author
Judy Ponio is a professional writer and devoted Christian. She has a passion for writing about topics related to morality and helping the poor and homeless. She is the lead author for the Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen blog.
Correct Digital, Inc is paid by private donors to provide website digital marketing services to this non-profit organization.
