Each year, tons of food – literally 1.3 billion tons – end up in the trash, adding to the ever-growing greenhouse gas emissions and putting a strain on our planet’s resources.
In the US, we waste 40% of all our food – which hurts both our wallet and the planet. If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses behind the US and China.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links; for more information please see my disclosure policy.
So how do we prevent this? Learning how to store your food properly and meal plan is half the battle.
But there are even more ways to reduce food waste. Here’s a guide to stop wasting food (and save money in the process).
utilize your leftovers
Sometimes we make too much food or can’t finish the food we ordered. Here are a few tips for preventing having too many leftovers, on top of what to do with them when you have them anyway.
dine out mindfully
Try to only order what you know you’ll finish. Knowing your body and personal tastes helps a lot here. For example, I know I love pizza and Mexican dishes so I’ll try to stick with those.
Asking about portion sizes and being aware of side dishes with entrees is helpful too. For example, many Mexican restaurants will give you a side of beans and rice – if this is too much for you, simply tell them ahead of time.
If you’re at a buffet, remind yourself that your eyes are bigger than your stomach. Take only what you like and can finish. And if you want to try something new, opt for a small portion just in case it’s not for you.
When you absolutely cannot finish your plate, get it to go so you can eat it another day. Even better if you bring your own metal tiffin for storing it.
have a leftovers night
Dedicate one night of the week to finishing the leftovers in the fridge. You can mix and match to plate up something tasty. For example, make yourself a plate of mac and cheese from Monday night, broccoli from Tuesday, and chicken cutlets from Wednesday.
think ingredients, not leftovers
Most of my leftovers tend to be side dishes (think rice, cooked veggies, etc.). Which means I always have some ready-made ingredients on hand to whip up a new meal.
Some ideas include:
- Turning extra pasta or cooked vegetables into a frittata
- Creating burritos with leftover rice, beans, meat and vegetables.
- Blending a can of tomato sauce up with leftover vegetables to create a veggie-packed sauce for pasta
- Using fried rice as a base for your next stir fry.
- Turning the last bits of roast chicken into chicken salad. Combine the chopped meat with mayonnaise, salt and pepper, celery, and chopped onions. You can put it between two slices of bread, or eat as is.
- Using leftover rice to make rice pudding.
make soup
You can’t go wrong throwing together an impromptu soup. I like the idea of ‘use-it-up’ soup that cleans out leftover steamed, roasted or grilled vegetables. Throw it into a blender with 3 to 4 cups of vegetable broth, then add any extra seasonings. Serve hot!
add fresh food to canned soup
If you have some leftover spinach, swiss chard, or mushrooms sitting in your fridge, add them to some canned soup. Just empty your canned soup into a pot and add some greens you want to use up to it. Let it simmer and cook for a bit together until the greens wilt, then remove from heat and enjoy.
use food scraps strategically
Say it with me: Food scraps are not trash. Your potato peels, strawberry tops, and carrot tops all have a place at your table – if you’re crafty enough.
I had a scrappy recipe series on my socials where I made all kinds of things like glazes from empty jam jars and wilted spinach icing. Cooking with food scraps is both rewarding and a money saver.
Here are several ways to use up food scraps:
- Use the odds, ends and peels of vegetables like carrot, celery, and onion to make veggie broth.
- Carrot, radish, and beet tops can actually be eaten (make pesto or salad).
- Strawberry tops can be used to make a delicious simple syrup for coffee, mocktails, or lemonades. Or add them right into smoothies for extra vitamins and fiber.
- Onion and garlic skins can be ground up into onion/garlic powder.
- Make citrus powder from leftover lemon and lime skin. Bake citrus peels for 2-3 hours until crispy and dry. Blend with salt, if desires. Then store in an airtight container for ~3 months.
- Save pumpkin seeds for roasting.
- Use herb stems – like basil, cilantro, and parsley – to blend into an herbal sauce by combining with mayo, salt, pepper, lemon and garlic. Or chop them up and add them to soups and stews.
- Add celery leaves to soup for extra flavor.
- Watermelon rinds can be added to smoothies or chopped up and used in stews to bulk them out. I’ve even made watermelon rind and apple jam before!
- Find ways to use up stale bread – like turning it into croutons.
I recently challenged myself to try saving and using every food scrap I had for a week. You can watch my journey below!
expiration dates decoded
Many products have a sticker labeled ‘sell-by, use-by, best-by’ on there. But you can pretty much ignore them, considering it’s impossible for the manufacture to know exactly when something goes bad.
The most ironic example of this is honey. Honey you find in stores typically has an expiration date on it – yet honey found from ancient Egypt, 1000s of years ago, is safe to eat.
Also, food is most sensitive to temperature, lighting, humidity, and proximity, which varies from home to home. Bananas may spoil faster in my house than in yours, simply based on one of these factors. No label can predict that!
here’s what those labels actually mean:
- Sell-by: Tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
- Use-by: Is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except when used on infant formula.
- Best-by: Indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
The only time you should avoid eating a food is if it’s spoiled. Spoiled foods will develop an off-putting odor, flavor or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria (more on this later). Don’t eat it if it develops such characteristics.
utilize your freezer
The freezer is a powerful tool you’re probably underutilizing. Frozen foods last longer and are a great way to stop produce from going bad before you can get to it.
Consider blanching vegetables and some fruit before freezing them – Blanching stops destructive enzymes that can cause loss of flavor, color and texture during freezing. Blanching also loosens the skin on fruits like peaches and tomatoes, allowing you to peel them with ease.
Blanching is scalding produce in boiling water for a short time, then transferring them to an ice bath before freezing. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, string beans, brussels sprouts and root veggies benefit most from blanching.
Blanching times will vary based on which vegetable or fruit you’re focusing on, but here’s a good guide to keep in mind. Don’t forget to label whatever you freeze with the date you froze it and what it is.
You can also freeze several unconventional items like:
- Eggs (don’t freeze in their shells – instead, crack the eggs, whisk and pour into an ice cube tray, then freeze. Keeps for up to a year).
- Pasta (Make sure to cook al dente, otherwise it may be mushy after defrosting. Keeps for ~2 months).
- Hard cheeses (Best to grate first and store in an airtight container. Keeps ~6 months).
- Nuts (Can be frozen in their shells or shelled. Keeps ~1-2 years).
- Opened wine (Freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer to freezer bags like Stasher. Add to stews, sauces, or risottos. Keeps ~6 months).
- Cake (Avoid freezing cakes with icing, filling or decoration. Freeze whole or in slices. Keeps ~6 months).
Upcycled glass jars are a great way to store frozen food. However, if freezing a liquid, always be sure to leave room at the top for expansion. And never try to stack jars.
You can cook most vegetables, meats and bread straight from frozen. But if your food does need to thaw, be mindful thawing at room temperature invites microbes that spoil good food.
Instead, try thawing in the fridge for 24 hours, or place the item in a bowl of cold water, making sure to change every 30 minutes (use the excess water to feed houseplants!).
You can also use the microwave as well. However, if you’re defrosting in a mason jar, the safest way is to let it thaw in the fridge under a plate to catch excess water. This will prevent cracking and leaks.
And of course – don’t forget about your frozen goods! Many people “lose” items in the back of the freezer so try to plan a freezer night to eat your frozen food every week or two.
one bad spot isn’t the end
If you see a brown spot on a banana or a potato, don’t toss the whole thing. I cut off the black spots and eat the rest!
However, if you notice multiple black spots or it starts to shrivel, you may need to cook it on high heat to help kill anything off. Always use your judgement – and certainly don’t chance anything if it smells rancid!
If your vegetables are a bit dry or limp, they can be rescued. But if they’re slimy, mushy, or discolored, they’re rotten.
Some veggies have tell-tale signs they’ve gone bad. For example, celery will become white and hollow, eggplants will toughen and asparagus tips will go soft and turn black.
For fruits, examine their skin. Fruits like grapes, plums and apricots should be smooth, not wrinkly. Melons shouldn’t have any squashy patches. And always avoid fruit that has mold or a bad odor.
To reduce waste, always try to compost what has gone rancid. Here’s how to compost in an apartment or backyard.
only buy what you’ll eat
Never go grocery shopping hungry – this leads to impulse buys. Instead, stick to your staples and don’t get too adventurous.
I’m not saying you can’t try new things or indulge in a treat every so often but let it be with reservation.
Some grocery stores will capitalize on trending items or seasonal products (pumpkin ice cream in the fall, anyone?). But I advise steering clear of these unless you know you like them.
Instead, allow yourself one or two snacks every week, and try to stick to things you already know you’ll enjoy (like chips and salsa or your favorite ice cream flavor).
Doing this will ensure everything gets eaten before the week is through.
For even more tips, be sure to check out my YouTube video below!
How are you saving food from going to waste? Let me know your tips in the comments!
The post How to Stop Wasting Food (And Save Money) appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
Just like fashion has been overrun by fast fashion, home goods and furniture have similarly seen a rapid decline in quality. Rugs are no exception.
And similar to fashion, these cheap goods come at a high cost — namely, to the planet and to people. In fact carpet and rug production is rampant with exploitation.
On the other hand, fair trade rugs present the best of what a rug can bring to your home: artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage.
The brands featured in this guide are partnering with (and fairly paying!) skilled artisans who are using generations-old — and sometimes even centuries-old — techniques. These artisans are sustaining long lines of crafts, preserving their cultural diversity, and celebrating the richness of their time-honored crafts.
There’s simply no replacement for a timeless, quality artisan-made rug — they’re like pieces of art you can lay out on your floor or hang on your walls.
So, enjoy browsing through this guide to sustainable rug brands listed out below and best of luck on your search for the right fair trade rug!
Where to Find Ethical and Fair Trade Rugs
Note that this guide includes affiliates and partners. As always, brands must meet high standards for ethics and sustainability to be featured and all opinions are my own.
1. The Citizenry
If you’re browsing for fair trade rugs, but looking for a more minimalist or neutral aesthetic, look no further than The Citizenry.
The brand’s natural, handmade rugs — made by artisans working in fair trade conditions — feature striking prints but more subtle colors. Next to each product page you’ll be able to learn more about the workshop and the artisans behind that piece.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade, Natural Fibers, Craft Preservation
Categories: Area Rugs
2. Kiliim
If you’re well-versed in rug terminology, you may recognize that this brand’s name looks similar to the word kilim. Kiliim’s rug are made using authentic, well, kilim rug craftsmanship by artisans in Egypt coming from generations of kilim artisans. To ensure ethical production and to support the preservation of this heritage craft, Kiliim pays living wages to all artisans.
Price Range: $ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
3. Urban Natural
This natural home and lifestyle retailer has a beautifully curated selection of sustainably-made rugs crafted with materials like jute, sisal, wool, and cotton.
Several brands on Urban Natural are also ethically hand-loomed or hand-knotted, such as Loloi — a GoodWeave partner — and Jaipur Living — a brand that partners with thousands of local artisans to sustain heritage crafts.
Price Range: $$+
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
4. Zuahaza
Each of Zuahaza’s artisan-made rugs is creatively designed with unique patterns and expertly handwoven by weavers in Colombia. Zuahaza’s captivating rugs are made from sustainably-sourced fique, a natural fiber from Colombia that is similar to hemp. And, just like hemp, fique requires little water to grow and is rarely attacked by pests (meaning fique is always grown organically without chemical pesticides).
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: Organic Fibers & Natural Dyes, Cultural Preservation, BIPOC-Owned
Categories: Area Rugs, Runner Rugs, Accent Rugs
5. LOOMY
Founded by a weaver, LOOMY is dedicated to making beautiful, non-toxic rugs that will last for decades to come.
LOOMY partners with highly-skilled artisan weavers who craft quality rugs made from eco-minded materials like banana silk, jute, and recycled cotton built to withstand whatever life brings you.
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: Eco & Non-Toxic Materials, Craft Preservation
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs
6. Leah Singh
Leah Singh’s designs are a reflection of the designer’s background, growing up surrounded by the rich artistry of India and studying at Parsons amidst the structural, minimal lines of New York.
All of the brand’s rugs are made by artisans in India who use embroidery, weaving, and printing techniques native to their respective regions.
Price Range: $$ – $$$
Conscious Qualities: BIPOC-Owned, Ethical Production, Cultural Preservation
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners
7. West Elm
West Elm is bringing ethical rugs to a broader market with their collection of Fair Trade Certified
wool and cotton rugs. While I recommend browsing the smaller shops listed above first, West Elm is supporting the movement to responsibly-made, fair trade rugs.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade production, Majority Natural Materials
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
Liked this guide to sustainable rugs? You might also enjoy:
Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space
Eco-Friendly Furniture to Furnish Your Home Sustainably
Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Blankets to Cozy Up With
The post 7 Best Ethical Fair Trade Rugs to Elevate Your Space appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
A durable set of eco-friendly dinnerware is a solid ingredient for a sustainably set table! But…
What is Sustainable Dinnerware?
Well looking for secondhand and vintage dinnerware is always a good start, whether that’s your grandmother’s porcelain dining sets or a pre-loved set of colorful plates and bowls at your local thrift store.
Another great place to look is estate sales. You can likely find full sets of dinnerware! If none of those options are available to you (or your just not finding something you love) you can check out a site like Etsy Used or Chairish.
*Important note on secondhand dinnerware: the FDA started regulating the use of lead in dinnerware in 1971. So you might want to avoid any dinnerware produced before 1971, unless it’s just for display!
Here are some qualities to look for when shopping for new sustainable dinnerware:
Sustainably sourced materials: such as responsibly-harvested bamboo and recycled glass.
Quality: when it comes to products you’re going to potentially use and wash daily, durability is an important factor to keep in mind. Also consider your lifestyle! Perhaps glass and porcelain aren’t the best choices if you have little ones, or you tend to drop things often. (Guilty!!)
Usefulness: You might also want to consider if you will be hand-washing or dishwashing your dinnerware. Some materials are too fragile for the dishwasher, so consider if you’ll have the time (and willingness) to hand wash them all the time. Because part of sustainability is that you’ll actually use the products and they won’t just sit and collect dust! 
Ethical production: this could look like transparent local manufacturing or artisan-made and fair trade. In any case, an ethical dinnerware brand would prioritize fair living wages for the workers, ensure safe healthy conditions (this includes no toxic chemicals used in production!) and go above and beyond to consider the wellbeing of the people who work for them and/or produce their products.
Ownership and Equity: this means looking at who owns and profits from the brands we’re supporting; if a brand is owned by a person of color, it will be indicated in their description below (BIPOC-owned stands for Black, Indigenous, Person of Color-owned and WOC-owned stands for Woman of Color-owned).
Your Values: you may have other elements you look for in a brand, such as traditional craft preservation. Or perhaps it’s really important to you that a brand is giving back to their local community.
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Dinnerware
The eco-friendly tableware and sustainable dinnerware brands featured below meet at least one (though most of them meet several) of the above criteria.
In this roundup, you’ll find sustainable pottery (including ceramic plates, sustainable mugs, and more), recycled glassware, artisan-made ethical dinnerware, and everything in between to suit your needs. I hope that this variety of brands will help you set the table, whether that’s for fancy dinner parties, Friday night pizza, or something in between.
This article features affiliates and partners. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. East Fork
East Fork’s ethically-made dinnerware and tableware is next level — their gorgeous sustainable ceramics, glassware, mugs, and other goods are exquisitely designed and built for durability.
Committed to creating local manufacturing jobs, all of East Fork’s eco-friendly pottery is made in Asheville, North Carolina and is working to center equity and inclusion throughout their business.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Drinking Glasses, Flatware/Silverware,
Conscious Qualities: Locally-Made, Transparent Production
Price Range: $$$
2. Our Place
From the same brand that brought us their cult-favorite Always Pan, comes a gorgeous collection of non-toxic dinnerware and sustainable pottery.
Our Place has hand-painted main plates and side bowls made with recycled and virgin porcelain ceramic and dinner glasses handmade from recycled glass and colored with natural dyes.
Categories: Glassware, Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, Gives Back, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$
3. Fable
Prioritizing timelessness and sustainability, Fable sources quality materials and simple designs that last the test of time.
The eco-minded dinnerware company partners with makers in Portugal, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the US that use conscious practices, like ethical employment, craftsmanship, and low-waste practices (like sourcing recycled clay).
Categories: Dinnerware, Drinkware, Cutlery, Serveware, and Decor
Conscious Qualities: Quality Craftsmanship, Low Waste Practices, Responsibly Sourced
Price Range: $$$
4. Zungleboo
Lightweight, shatterproof, and made from corn starch + bamboo fiber, Zungleboo creates family-friendly and eco-friendly dinnerware!
Their versatile plant-based bowls and plates are also dishwasher and microwave safe, making them easy to care for no matter how busy mealtime is. As Zungleboo writes on their website, their sustainable dinnerware is “from real plants, for real life”.
Categories: Bowls, Plates
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials, WOC-Owned
Price Range: $$
Use code CONSCIOUS15 for 15% off!
5. Urban Natural
Green home retailer Urban Natural has stunning eco-friendly tabletop goods from leading contemporary brands like Farmhouse Pottery and Ethnicraft.
The brands Urban Natural curates source natural materials, use time-honored processes, and take quality craftsmanship seriously.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups & Mugs, Flatware
Conscious Qualities: Artisan Goods, Natural Materials, Locally and Ethically Made
Price Range: $$ – $$$
6. GOODEE
For artisanal plates that can elevate your tablescape, GOODEE is the answer.
From 100% porcelain stone ceramic plates hand-crafted in the ancient Japanese town of Arita and hand-painted plates made from Egyptian clay to marble patterned ecothylene® (upcycled BPA-free plastic) plates ideal for family-friendly daily wares, GOODEE has options for everyone.
Categories: Plates, Glassware, Cups & Mugs, Serving, Flatware
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Craft Preservation
Price Range: $$$
7. Ekobo
Ekobo’s colorful eco-friendly dinnerware is available in a variety of colors and sizes, perfect for mixing and matching to create a unique sustainable table setting for any space.
The eco-friendly dinnerware from Ekobo is made from upcycled bamboo and the result is durable, dishwasher-safe, and non-toxic diningware.
Categories: Plates, Bowls, Cups, Trays, Baby Diningware
Conscious Qualities: Eco Materials
Price Range: $$
More Guides For An Eco-Friendly Kitchen:
Best Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Tablecloths
Your Sustainable and Zero Waste Kitchen Guide
The Best Zero Waste Food Storage Options
The post 7 Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Sustainable Table appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
7 Eco-Friendly Dinnerware Brands To Set Your Sustainable Table
From gorgeous home decor and indulgent organic beauty to artisanal quality accessories and thoughtfully-crafted gift sets, you’re sure to have a successful (and stress-free) gift-giving experience for everyone on your list through our curation of conscious yet covetable ethical gifts.
We know that finding that perfect present for every individual in your life can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’re a conscious-minded shopper. To put you out of your holiday-gifting-induced anxiety, we’ve put together a comprehensive, sure-fire assortment of ethical gift ideas for you.
So, go ahead and secure your favorite spot on the couch to get ready to check off your gift giving list, because this ethical gift guide will not disappoint. With something for every special someone on your list — even the hard-to-shop-for folks in your life — we’re making it possible to get much of your seasonal shopping accomplished in one place.
Rest assured, you’ll find something delightful for yourself too — maybe a set of gram-worthy pastel cookware? Think of it as an incentive to get you through the holiday hustle.
Now, don’t let us keep you…get ready to have your gift-wrapped ducks in a row with our sustainable gift ideas ahead. The perfect gifts for socially conscious and environmentally aware loved ones in your life!
Please note that this guide includes CL&S partners and affiliate links. As always, brands meet strict criteria for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Organic Cotton Kidswear by Mightly
Why we love it | GOTS Certified Cotton, Fair Trade Certified
Factories, Women-Owned
Price | $18+
For the little ones you know and adore, Mightly has a range of organic cotton kidswear that’ll make for a great gift this festive season. Think dresses that are big on twirl factor, cozy pajamas with prints that pop, and unisex hoodies with snap front pockets to store all their tiny treasures. Every piece is made with GOTS certified organic cotton, which explicitly prohibits the use of toxic chemicals in the finished product, making it ideal for kids with sensitive skin. And if that wasn’t reassuring enough, the pieces are also thoughtfully designed to include details like tag-free labels, easy-to-wear fits, and playful designs that make it fun yet functional.
2. Handcrafted Teak Furniture by MasayaCo
Why we love it | FSC® Certified Teak, Handmade to Last, Funds Reforestation
Price | $155+
Offering artisanal teak furniture that’ll add a touch of understated elegance to any home, MasayaCo has curated a range of side tables and stools under $350 for the discerning decor enthusiasts. Handcrafted from durable and naturally water-resistant teak wood, their slatted top Japanese-inspired Zapatera stool has garnered raving reviews about just how well it holds up as an in-shower stool. The brand operates on a self-sustaining model by growing its own FSC® Certified teak trees on reforested land in Nicaragua.
3. Organic Cotton Clothing by Passion Lilie
Why we love it | Fair Trade, Organic Cotton, Pays Living Wages, Woman-Owned
Price | $68+
Passion Lilie offers a range of elevated clothing made from sumptuous organic cotton fabric that’ll keep your loved ones looking stylish and feel all snuggled up come winter. From handwoven shirts for men to figure-flattering hand-printed dresses for women, the brand’s dedication to highlighting artisanal craft reverberates throughout its collection. We recommend bookmarking their crimson hand-printed snowflake dress for the women who’ll appreciate a holiday-themed gift. You could also complement the dress with a dainty little stocking stuffer like one of the tea towels or napkins from their collection of kitchen linens in bright and charming prints.
4. Refillable Hand Soaps by Blueland
Why we love it | WOC-Owned, Plastic-Free, Cradle2Cradle Certified
Price | $42
A conscious gift that is both practical and plastic-free, Blueland’s holiday hand soap kit is ready to spread a bit of festive cheer even into the most mundane tasks like handwashing. The kit includes a hand soap bottle in a color of your choice, a reusable tin, and 10 refill tablets in scents like Winterberry, Wintry Pine, and Toasted Vanilla.
Easy to use and refill, the bottle must be filled with water before you drop a soap tablet in, and simply watch it dissolve and turn into foamy goodness that’s ready for application.
5. Premium Loose Leaf Tea Collection by Rishi Tea
Why we love it | USDA Certified Organic, Ethically Sourced, Agrochemical-free
Price | $67
For the ones who cherish daily indulgences like a warm cup of tea, this gift set will send them on a sensory journey through global tea traditions. This gift set features 12 curated blends that range from delicate green teas to robust black teas, refreshing herbals, and fragrant oolongs. Don’t just take our word for it, one reviewer claims the set was “very luxurious” and found the tea selection to be “amazing and delicious”. The brand supports growers through ethical and direct sourcing that pays 5-10x the commodity prices to incentivize their efforts on sustainable harvests of organic quality.
6. Non-Toxic Loungewear by MATE the Label
Why we love it | Natural Materials, Woman-Owned, GOTS Certified Fabrics
Price | $48+
With laidback loungewear that strikes the perfect balance between fashionable and effortless, MATE the Label boasts of cozy threads you’d want in your wardrobe come winter. Stylish options are just a bonus, the brand is committed to keeping its clothes free of toxic chemicals and harmful dyes while adhering to self-imposed protocols to ensure the factories it works with are safe, fair, and compliant with California labor laws. They’ve also made choosing a gift a lot easier with their curated holiday guide that’s categorized by budget and persona.
7. Bonfire Reusable Candle by Mimi & August
Why we love it | Reusable, Natural Soy Wax
Price | $38 CAD
Hunting for the perfect holiday gift to present a great hostess? Snatch up this fragrant little candle to light up their space with an inviting aroma.
Evoking the smell of a nostalgic campfire with notes of cedar, vanilla, and smoke, this hand-poured soy wax candle comes in reusable cups of different sizes that can be filled with some hot cocoa and marshmallows once used up.
8. Jewel Tone Birth Month Dish on Uncommon Goods
Why we love it | Handmade in Minneapolis, Independent Small-Batch Maker
Price | $25
Glazed in birthstone colors, this jewelry dish is the prettiest little ethical gift that’ll adorn any dressing table. They feature crackled glass centers resembling crystalline geode slices that give them a distinctive appearance. Simply select the birth month to get a unique jewelry dish that’s just as special as the person you intend to give it to.
Crafted by a trained female potter, you can find more such unique handmade gifts on Uncommon Goods where independent designers are celebrated for their work.
9. Organic Towels by COYUCHI
Why we love it | Fair Trade Certified Factories, GOTS Certified Fabrics
Price | $18+
Know someone who loves a good towel lounge after a shower? We reckon these indulgent organic towels might just motivate them to stretch those sessions even further. Offering an array of matching organic cotton towel sets in weaves and textures that look like they’ll wrap you up in luxury, these towels also come in lovely earthy tones and size options, in case you aren’t keen on getting the entire bundle. They’ve even got a set of plush cotton robes that’ll offer them enough reason to not leave the house and disappear into it like a second skin.
10. Handcrafted Wool Slippers by Kyrgies
Why we love it | OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified, Plastic-Free, Low-Waste, Woman-Led Factories
Price | $89+
Let your loved ones kick up their feet in comfort come winter with a little help from Kyrgies wool slippers. Kyrgies’ cozy slip-on offerings are handcrafted in Kyrgyzstan, where local sheep are known for producing wool with long fibers that are ideal for felting in a mulesing-free process. The wool is felted by a women-led factory using centuries-old techniques, ensuring leftover off-cuts are reused as extra padding in their slippers or repurposed as natural insulation for buildings.
11. Sake Body Lotion by cocokind
Why we love it | WOC-owned, Certified Organic Ingredients, Philanthropic, Life Cycle Transparency
Price | $23
Crafted with Japanese fermented rice wine that’s rich in smoothing enzymes and microbiome-friendly prebiotic sugars, the sake body lotion by cocokind has a reviewer describing it as “the only body moisturizer” where they’ve “used the entire bottle.”
Available in an upcycled plastic bottle that’s fully recyclable, the sake extract they use is created by fermenting rice kernels and is completely alcohol-free. It also contains a blend of sunflower seed oil and shea butter that’ll leave skin feeling supple and soft.
12. Weighted Blanket by Bearaby
Why we love it | OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified, GOTS Certified
Price | $199+
For the busy bees who could use some serious R&R, this weighted blanket will help them hit the hay faster. Known for aiding with naturally deeper sleep cycles, Bearaby’s weighted blankets are crafted using organic cotton that’s free of fillers and owes its weight to the chunky knit fabric alone.
Not just for cozy winters, these machine-washable cotton blankets are knitted for maximum breathability making them perfect for all seasons.
13. Life Designer Journal by Intelligent Change
Why we love it | Recycled Paper, Compostable, Encourages Intentional Living
Price | $39
For the ones who have a special spot for aesthetic stationery, this journal is a gift they won’t judge solely by its pretty cover.
Filled with mindful prompts centered around five essential pillars that guide you through a self-reflective journey to help manifest your best self, this journal will be a portable therapist and best friend bound between the pages that might just have you picking up a copy for yourself as well.
14. Tree of Life Cork Yoga Mat by Scoria
Why we love it | Woman-Owned, Natural Materials, Philanthropic
Price | $105
Offering the ultimate incentive for perfecting the warrior two pose, this alignment cork yoga mat features a methodical tree of life print that isn’t just aesthetically appealing but also helps properly align postures with a line across the middle. Talk about combining style and function!
Crafted with a sustainably harvested cork surface that’s backed by natural rubber, this anti-slip mat comes with a handy cotton mat carry strap.
15. Friendship Bracelets by Monica Vinader
Why we love it | Recycled Metals, Traceable Supply Chain, Philanthropic
Price | $149+
The grown-up take on a nostalgic staple, these friendship bracelets are pieces your bestie will treasure for years to come.
Monica Vinader’s reimagines the classic sentiment in refined 18k gold vermeil and sterling silver.
You can add a complimentary engraving — whether a meaningful motif or personalized text — to make it feel just as heartfelt as the ones you swapped in high school.
16. Sock Gift Boxes that Give Back by Conscious Step
Why we love it | GOTS Certified, Fair Trade Certified, Philanthropic
Price | $35+
Colorful socks with fun designs that don’t just look good but also give back, these ethical gift sets will easily be one of the most meaningful presents you’ll give your loved ones. These soft organic cotton sock sets are created in collaboration with creative artists to help connect customers with world-changing nonprofits through causes they care about.
From socks that support mental health to ones that protect the ocean, dogs, cats, and beyond, you’ll be sure to find a sock set with a purpose.
17. Shallow Dinner Set by East Fork
Why we love it | Philanthropic, Pay Living Wages
Price | $156
For the friend who is always posting perfectly plated stories of what they’ve cooked, this set will be a highly welcome addition to their dinnerware collection.
Including two bowls and three plates in different sizes, this handcrafted ceramic shallow dinner set comes in many hues, but we highly recommend the black set for its understated elegance and the way it’ll make a rainbow salad or smoothie bowl pop.
East Fork’s pottery glazes are completely food-safe and free of lead so they won’t have to worry about heavy metals leaching into meals.
18. Piccolo Zipper Card Wallet by HYER GOODS
Why we love it | Repurposed Materials, Woman-Owned
Price | $125
Chic and petite, this luxe zip wallet will quickly become the new go-to essential they won’t leave the house without. With five exterior card slots and a lined cash compartment with an extra card slot that comes with a zip-around closure, this minimal wallet is surprisingly functional for daily use.
We love the fact that it’s made using recycled deadstock materials and is compact enough to fit into tiny clutch bags. The brand sources its leather from local leftovers, making sure every recipient receives something unique.
And one last bonus sustainable gift idea for the person on your list that doesn’t want more stuff:
Audiobook Gift Membership on Libro.fm
Why we love it | Supports local and independent bookstores
Price | $31+
Consider this the perfect gift for the bookworm in your life who enjoys a great read but has lately been having a tough time getting through their ever-increasing to-be-read pile.
We love the fact that Libro.fm offers a range of credit bundles to choose from so that your gift recipient can have their pick of the lot while supporting local bookstores through your purchase.
About The Author:
Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her.
When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers.
For More Slow Fashion Content:
The post 18 Eco-Friendly & Ethical Gift Ideas For Everyone on Your List appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
18 Eco-Friendly & Ethical Gift Ideas For Everyone on Your List
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