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.
Curating a conscious home is a thoughtful process involving much consideration — who made my products, how they were made, and what are they made from — and this guide aims to support you on your journey towards finding ethical and sustainable home decor you truly love.
What is Sustainable Home Decor?
Sustainable home decor includes any home decor that is made in a way that takes into consideration both the makers and the planet. Sustainable home decor will be ethically made using eco-friendly and natural materials. Eco-friendly decor will also be produced using sustainable supply chain practices. This includes using renewable energy and recycled or compostable packaging.
While there are numerous sustainable home decor brands, some of which are featured below, first consider what’s already been made in order to prevent contributing to new waste. Secondhand, used, or DIY home decor options are typically more sustainable than buying new.
What is Ethical and Fair Trade Home Decor?
Ethical and Fair Trade home decor is produced in a way that adheres to Fair Trade standards and is, ideally, Fair Trade Certified. Fair Trade means paying artisans and makers a fair, living wage and providing ethical working conditions. Ethical home decor also includes supporting goods made by artisans using traditional heritage techniques and art forms. Many cultures around the world are at risk of losing their age-old artisanal crafts forever in the age of mass manufacturing.
It’s important to note that sometimes a major brand may use an “eco” fiber while still supporting irresponsible labor practices, and excessive production amounts that inevitably lead to a lot of waste. This is not true sustainability in my mind!
Most artisan-made home decor is ethically produced and directly supports the makers. However, it’s important to check if a brand or marketplace is transparent about their business practices to ensure they are ethical or Fair Trade.
Where Can You Find Sustainable Home Decor?
In terms of environmental sustainability, looking secondhand and vintage is always a great first place to look for sustainable home decor.
But if you’ve scoured those options and haven’t found what you’re looking for and/or if you’re looking to financially support artisans and traditional crafts around the globe, this shopping guide is designed for you. You’ll discover many brands with artfully designed and artisan handmade goods for furnishing any space among this list of decor brands.
All of the brands in this guide use natural and/or recycled fibers and avoid the use of virgin synthetics like polyester; however, some brands do use materials that are not the most environmentally-friendly option on the market, such as conventional cotton.
And of course, I wanted to choose brands that followed slow, thoughtful production practices, prioritizing artisan handmade over factory labor and quality over quantity.
So without further ado, here are my favorite small-batch, artisan-made, and ethical home decor brands.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links — as always, we only curate brands vetted for sustainability that we love (and that we think you’ll love too).
1. Urban Natural
Categories: Accent Pillows, Tabletop, Lighting, Wall Art & Mirrors, Blankets & Throws
Eco-friendly home retailer Urban Natural is on a mission to curate high-quality furniture (and other home goods) built with quality and free of toxic chemicals. Urban Natural carries several sustainable home decor brands, including artisan brands Ethnicraft and Jaipur Living as well as ethically USA-made brands Farmhouse Pottery and East Fork.
2. GOODEE
Categories: Pillows, Lighting, Wall Decor, Planters, Baskets, Blankets, Candles
GOODEE is an ethical marketplace featuring numerous sustainable artisan brands and designers. You’ll find a variety of beautifully crafted home decor goods to suit a wide range of styles. Goodee is a Climate Neutral and B Corp Certified company. They publish an annual impact report so you can easily ensure their business practices align with your values.
Our favorite brands on Goodee are Texidors, Baba Tree, Makaua, and Tensira.
3. Healthier Homes
Categories: Rugs, Lighting, Tabletop, Baskets, Wall Decor & Wallpaper
Founded after years running an award-winning healthy home building firm and publishing a book by the same name (Healthier Homes) this retailer is a go-to online destination for finding non-toxic home goods. The eco-friendly home decor on Healthier Homes is primarily made with natural materials like clay, cotton, seagrass, mango wood, and bamboo,
