I absolutely love the holidays – the decorations, spending time with family, gift giving! But, as much as I love the holidays, this time of year also kind of pains the environmentalist and minimalist in me. Giving gifts is a fun, exciting part of this time of year, but it’s hard for me not to view those gifts as eventually ending up in a landfill. That’s why, when it comes to buying presents and treats for my loved ones, I lean hard into eco friendly Christmas gifts that support the circular economy.
What is the circular economy?
Currently, the economy is based on a take-make-waste system, meaning we take resources, make something out of them, and then throw them away (waste) in a landfill. This is a linear process. A circular economy re-uses resources, whether recycling or upcycling, and then keeping them in use, whether re-using the materials, or returning them to the earth.
Fortunately, we are seeing more and more companies and entrepreneurs adopt the circular economy idea and are creating unique gifts that are perfect for your Christmas list!
*Note: Not all of the gift suggestions align perfectly with the circular economy, but all are sustainable and eco-friendly!
Links to Amazon are provided for ease, but it’s best to make an effort to support your local economy. Try to find a local shop that sells these items instead of buying through Amazon. It’s estimated that $68 for every $100 spent locally stays in the community as opposed to $48 spent at national chains.
Buying direct through the seller’s site is another way to support small businesses instead of shopping through Amazon. Still, the Amazon links are provided because sometimes it is the best option.
6 Eco-Friendly Gifts for Adults that Support a Circular Economy
Bee’s Wraps
Beeswax wraps are a great, practical gift that also helps others reduce waste! These wraps are durable, re-usable, and compostable. Beeswax wraps can easily replace cling wrap, sandwich bags, and snack bags and can be re-used.
Where to buy:
- Buy Bee’s Wrap on Amazon | Buy a DIY kit on Amazon
- Buy Direct
- Many local eco-friendly shops sell these popular products
Wood frames
Corner Block Studio takes recycled Australian hardwoods to create their beautiful, recycled timber frames. They also offer frames using Queensland hoop pine that is a sustainable material. Everything this company offers is sustainable or recycled, even down to their 100 percent cotton woven cord that will biodegrade once discarded. For those who love to display artwork in their homes or offices, these frames are a perfect gift!
End of life: compost the frames and recycle the glass
Where to buy:
100% Cotton Yoga Mat
A 100% organic cotton yoga mat is perfect for your favorite eco-friendly yogi!Organic cotton is 100 percent biodegradable, and these mats are and super durable!
End of life: Compost
Where to buy:
Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
Using 100 percent recycled polyester fleece, this full-zip jacket from Patagonia may be a little pricey, but it’s Fair Trade Certified and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Additionally, it’s dyed with a low-impact process that reduces the use of dye, energy, and water!
End of life: Donate or recycle with For Days
Where to Buy:
Sustainable Shoes
Allbirds makes its footwear from 100 percent recycled materials! Using sheep’s wool through humane and sustainable practices, as well as recycled cardboard, recycled plastic and castor bean oil, these shoes are incredibly eco-friendly and cute to boot!
End of life: Renew a shoe
Where to Buy:
Active and Outdoor Wear
Cotopaxi uses sustainable llama wool, as well as rescued discarded fabric, to make their outdoor gear and activewear. Even better, the company donates a percentage of its profits to fighting world hunger!
End of life: Donate or recycle with For Days
Where to Buy:
5 Eco Friendly Gifts For Teens and Trendy Women that Support a Circular Economy
Upcycled Bracelets
The mission of 4Ocean is to remove trash from the ocean and coastlines. They don’t stop there. They turn trash into something beautiful! They’re bracelets made from recycled glass are the equivalent of one pound of trash removed from the ocean and coastlines. They’re fashionable and perfect for any jewelry-loving teen!
End of life: Recycle the glass or donate
Where to buy:
Bamboo Toothbrush
Everybody can benefit from eco-friendly oral health but get your teen in the spirit of saving the planet and brushing away plaque with these awesome compostable bamboo toothbrushes. Baboo toothbrushes are cruelty free, vegan, and whitening!
End of life: Compost
Where to buy:
Pela Phone Cases
Step away from the junky plastic and choose a classic, beautiful, sustainable phone case for your teen or yourself. Pela phone cases are affordable and protective and can be recycled once they’ve run their course.
End of life: Compost or send back through the Pela 360 program
Where to buy:
Beauty Products
Axiology and Kjaer Weis really hit the perfect trifecta with their products – everything is cruelty-free and vegan, and made with zero plastic. All packaging is compostable or recyclable, and Kjaer Weis provides refills so you don’t have to keep buying compacts.
End of life: Compost or Recycle
Where to buy:
Recycled Messenger Bag
Alchemy Goods takes used bike tubes and turns it into an awesome, durable messenger bag. The strap is even made from an upcycled seatbelt! It’s waterproof and has reflective tape for high visibility.
End of life: Donate
Where to Buy
4 Eco Friendly Gifts For Kids that Support the Circular Economy
Green Toys
All of Green Toys are made from recycled plastic – mostly recycled milk cartons. From cars and boats, indoor to outdoor play, these toys are cute, sturdy, and support the environment while providing fun, creative play for babies and toddlers.
End of life: Donate- these toys are very durable and have a high resell value at consignment shops
Where to Buy:
Eco-Kids
Eco-Kids features toys that are organic, such as the eco-dough, which is not upcycled or recycled, but made with flour and other organic materials. Other toys include beeswax crayons, sustainably made art pads, beeswax candle making kit, egg carton grow kit, and more!
End of life: Most products are all natural and compostable
Where to Buy:
North Star Toys
This company, founded by a husband and wife duo, uses leftover wood from local cabinet shops to create these unique, fun toys! As a bonus, the electricity used to power North Star Toys shops comes from renewable sources for a lower carbon footprint!
End of life: Wooden toys are often passed down through generations and have a high resale value. Eventually you can compost wood too.
Where to Buy:
4 Green Subscription Boxes that Support the Circular Economy
Life Without Plastic
For those looking to dip their toes into a plastic-free life, this subscription box is a perfect place to start. Shipped four times a year, Life Without Plastic boxes contain 6 to 8 plastic-free items ranging from personal care and sustainable goods.
Earthlove
Just like Life Without Plastic, Earthlove showcases sustainable, eco-friendly items in their boxes that are shipped four times a year. Featuring zero waste, organic, and fair-trade items, Earthlove can be a great jumping off point for finding awesome earth-friendly products.
Green Kid Crafts
For the kids in your life, Green Kid Crafts is a great way for them to create and have fun, while also being eco-friendly. Each month, a box arrives with 4 to 6 STEM projects with eco-friendly materials, as well as a magazine that supports the learning concepts covered in the projects.
3 Eco Friendly Gifts for Furry Friends and Animal Lovers
Happy Dogs, Recycled Plastic
So many of the products made by West Paw utilize recycled plastic bottles to create durable polyester. Choose from treat pouches, leashes, dog beds and more! The durable dog toys (which also are made with recycled plastic) are designed to last and be thoroughly enjoyed and can be sent back to West Paw for recycling into new dog toys!
End of life: Recycle through West Paw
Where to Buy:
Bamboo Bowls
The Green Pet Shop sells bamboo dog and cat bowls. What a great material bamboo is! It’s far more sustainable than any other product, and I think it’s going to see a real increase in use in future years. Start now by gifting your pets and friends/family with pets by giving them a sustainable, eco-friendly, and attractive pet bowl!
End of life: Compost
Where to Buy:
Green Treat for Kitties
Kitties love to snack on grass for many health reasons, and this blend of organic wheats, oats, rye, flax, and barley supports cat health! The Cat Ladies have created a multi-layered beneficial gift, as you can grow the grass from scratch (a rewarding project for kids!) and the grow bag is compostable!
End of life: Compost
Where to Buy:
Thoughtful, Non-Purchased Gifts that Support the Circular Economy
There are many other ways to give gifts that don’t involve buying products. The internet is flooded with suggestions on how to repurpose old items into something new and unique that can be cherished by friends and family. Don’t underestimate how treasured something made by hand can be, whether it’s home décor or a tasty treat! Also, experience gifts (even during the pandemic, a special picnic at the park can be a special treat if you plan it all out!) are a huge hit and eventually, the ability to visit the zoo, museum, or somewhere else special will come back! Finally, a donation to a charity can be a really thoughtful gift idea, especially if it’s personalized or in memory of a beloved family member, friend, or pet.
- Homemade goodies and treats
- Recycled DIY projects for gifts
- Experience gifts
- Donation to a charity
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