Last Updated on November 11, 2024
It’s that time of year again – the 2024 sustainable gift guide! I love writing these guides every year because my mother and me both have the love language of gifts, and eco-friendly gifts make this even better!
I’ve been focusing less on physical gifts, more on acts of service lately. Whether it be making the bed or washing the dishes, I think there are several practical ways to show our love.
This post was sponsored. Several of the links below are affiliate links; for more information please see my disclosure policy.
But the fact still remains – gifting physical presents is still one of my favorite ways to show my love. Consumable gifts and experience gifts are great, but I think physical gifts are good opportunities to pass on the eco love.
I’ve gifted things like reusable water bottles in the past that actually inspired more impactful changes down the line. I’m sure you’ve done the same. I’ve divided this post into separate categories to easily shop for everyone on your list.
- gifts for cozy living
- gifts for the traveler
- gifts for practical self-care
- gifts for the budding environmentalist
gifts for cozy living
Winter can bring on seasonal depression for some. Plus, we all too often idolize the grind when we should idolize slowing down. Cozy living can help make winter a little more bearable.
I love the idea of gifting items that inspire people to sit around a fire place, snuggle up and drink some hot cocoa. Doesn’t that sound so cozy??
Cozy living can also mean taking the time to care for our well being, like taking a hot shower, snuggling up with your dog, making delicious hearty meals, or taking a nice bubble bath.
These brands are perfect for staying in and slowing down.
1. savy rest organic pet bed
- Natural latex core encased in a washable organic cotton cover
- Available in three sizes
- Supportive and comfortable
- Discount: GZW20 for 20% off
2. caraway ceramic cookware set
- Non-toxic 12-piece cookware set made without Teflon coating
- Naturally non-stick making it easy to cook + clean
- Comes with pan + lid storage
- Ships in plastic-free packaging
3. brondell nebia yuba handshower
- Handshower with double docking system for convenient handheld use
- Saves 40% more water while delivering 75% more force than a standard showerhead
- 4 luxurious spray settings + a pause function
4. mate the label sweats
- The Sweats Edit features matching sweatpants + sweatshirts
- Made with 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
- Free of plastic, pesticides + toxic dyes
- Certified B Corp
- Climate Neutral
- Take back program for recycling clothing
5. pact crew socks
- Made with 78% GOTS certified organic cotton + 20% recycled nylon
- Carbon neutral shipments
- Fair trade certified
- FSC certified recyclable paper bag packaging
6. tentree wool turtleneck sweater
- RWS certified wool-blend, organic cotton + recycled polyester
- Plants 10 trees for every item you purchase
- Certified B Corporation
- Climate Neutral certified
7. eliss brooklyn
- Hand-poured candles
- Domestically grown soy wax blend
- Housed in a 6.5 oz recycled glass jar
- Holder is handmade + lead-free
- Made in the USA
gifts for the traveler
Know someone who absolutely loves being outdoors, exploring or travelling? These gifts are for them!
If they’re always on the go, hiking, camping or just generally busy bodies – these gifts will make their lives a little more convenient all while being sustainable.
8. coast portland rechargeable batteries
- Helps keeps batteries out of landfills
- Recharges in roughly 2.5 hours
- Convenient + easy to recharge using USB-C charging cables
- Runs 2-6x longer than other batteries
- Compatible in most AA and AAA friendly devices
- Won’t overheat or leak
- Carbon neutral certified product
9. greco gum chios mastic gum
- Ancient, natural chewing gum with unique health benefits
- Made with 100% pure chios mastic, sustainably harvested on the island of Chios in eastern Greece
- Supports dental healthy by naturally cleansing the mouth + strengthening jaw muscles
- Promotes gut health by balancing stomach acids + supporting digestion
- Discount: The first 100 people to claim KATHRYN15 get 15% off first order
10. The powder shampoo
- Powder-to-foam haircare + body wash that’s TSA-friendly, spill-proof + lightweight
- Made with natural ingredients + free of harsh chemicals
- Formula uses zero water and zero plastic packaging
- Bottles are made from infinitely recyclable aluminum
- Discount: 10% off until 31 Dec 2024 with code: NOPLASTIC
11. biolite portable solar panel charger
- Powers tablets, phones and other small devices from energy stored in the integrated 3200 mAh lithium ion battery – or in real time when the sun is shining
- Ultra slim + lightweight
- Can withstand splashing water from any angle
- Climate Neutral Certified brand
gifts for practical self-care
We all have that one friend who loves having the latest beauty essentials, be it makeup or skincare products. These sustainable gifts will totally vibe with them without harming the planet.
If you know any wellness junkies, they’ll certainly appreciate these gifts too because of how clean the ingredients are in most of these products are.
12. a simple planet flaxseed hair gel
- Made from just three simple organic, biodegradable, plant-based ingredients
- 100% free of silicones, phthalates, and parabens
- Packaged in reusable bottles + refillable pouch system
- Discount: goingzerowaste for 15% off
13. ren skincare
- Natural skincare brand
- Packaging designed to be recyclable, contains recycled materials or is reusable
- Specializes in pregnancy + sensitive skincare
14. brixy gift set
- Shampoo, conditioner + body wash bars set
- Made without sulfates phthalates, parabens or synthetic scents
- Set replaces 8 plastic bottles
- Works for all hair types
- Can be found at Whole Foods + Sprouts Farmers Market
15. megafood daily immune support
- Provides everyday support for a healthy immune system
- Made with vitamins C & D3 plus zinc
- Take anytime of day, even on an empty stomach
- Vegetarian, gluten-free, non GMO
- B Corp certified, supports regenerative agriculture, glass bottles
- Discount: KATHRYN20 for 20% off
gifts for the budding environmentalist
Know someone who’s a zero waste newbie? Or, someone you want to introduce sustainable living to? These gifts would be perfect!
Not everyone can afford zero waste swaps so it’s always nice to gift some to friends and family.
Also, if you know anyone who seriously loves the environment as much as you do – they’re bound to love these gifts.
There’s even one gift listed that’s perfect for getting kids into sustainability!
16. who gives a crap
- 100% recycled toilet paper (no virgin trees used)
- Carbon neutral shipping
- Plastic free packaging
17. lomi
- Transforms your food waste into nutrient-rich plant food
- The only carbon-neutral appliance in your kitchen
- Decreases your carbon footprint by up to 127%
- Holiday sale until December 19th (44% off Lomi Classic, 24% off Lomi Bloom)
18. plaine products zero waste starter kit
- Zero waste starter kit includes: full sized hand wash and body lotion, sample sized shampoo and conditioner
- Refillable products packaged plastic-free in aluminum bottles
- Vegan, cruelty-free, women owned, carbon neutral
Did this sustainable gift guide inspire you? What eco-friendly gifts will you be gifting this season? Let me know in the comments!
The post Sustainable Gift Guide 2024 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. Obakki
Best for: warm-hued handwoven wool rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Runners, Accent Rugs
Obakki partners with artisan weavers primarily in Oaxaca, Mexico — including individual makers like José — who hand-dyes and weaves rugs on a traditional pedal loom using locally sourced sheep’s wool and natural dyes derived from native plants. The brand also works with Rrres Design Studio, a Latin American studio dedicated to preserving traditional Oaxacan weaving techniques, and sources handwoven textiles from artisan communities beyond Mexico as well, including Morocco.
Each rug is made from 100% wool with no synthetic dyes or backing. Most pieces are made-to-order with a 4-8 week production window, shipped directly from the artisan partners.
Price Range: $460 – $4,159
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Natural Dyes, Craft Preservation
2. Kiliim
Best for: modern wool kilim rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
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 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: $95 – $4,812
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
3. Urban Natural
Best for: browsing fair trade rugs in lots of styles and sizes
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
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: $259 – $9,755
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
4. LOOMY
Best for: pet-friendly and performance rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs