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You can give gifts that save money and save the planet at the same time. These sustainable gifts will help reduce waste and keep single-use plastic away from garbage dumps and the ocean. Even better, they can be used repeatedly without purchasing disposable items.
You can buy eco-friendly gifts on many websites. Although we provide retail links, please don’t forget that your local discount stores and farmers’ markets usually have many choices at affordable prices.
Browse our list below for ideas and links on where to find them, as well as more eco-friendly and frugal ideas.
Food and drink
Using these eco-friendly gifts can easily make dining out or indoor dining more sustainable because it is a place where a large number of consumers are wasted.Take out the container and make a disposable water bottle Up nearly half Waste in the ocean. Even better, these items can save money every time you use them.
1. Reusable bottle/cup
Look for Reusable bottle It fits where you need it (cars, bicycles, hands) and maintains the required temperature. Check if they do not contain BPA/BPS. This is a great sustainable gift.People spend on average $5 per week Drink only bottled water. These range from $3 to $20.
2. Vegetable storage bag/reusable silicone storage bag
Reusable produce bags can keep fruits, vegetables and other foods fresher for longer.It is estimated that the Americans wasted $240 billion The annual food costs nearly $1,900 per person.You can get these Super cute, Three 15 dollars.Packed meals Reusable silicone bag Never buy plastic bags again. They can be used in dishwashers and microwaves.
3. Reusable coffee filter
Coffee is the love in our hearts, we like to drink it without feeling guilty. Each type of coffee machine has a reusable filter.Do not use disposable plastic pods, but pick up your favorite coffee and put it in Reusable cup, A pack of four is priced at $11. If you have a drip filter, Coffee socksIt is made of organic cotton and only needs to be rinsed after use. It can be used for more than one year (US$14).
4. Beeswax food packaging
Cling film seems to be a necessary evil, but it is not the case. Beeswax food packaging can keep food fresh, and if properly maintained, a piece of paper can be used for one year.Remember what we said before About cuteness? These are the perfect sock fillers, which are a bit more expensive than a box of plastic wrap and have a longer lifespan. They are usually made of organic cotton, which is completely safe for children’s products and can be washed by hand.
5. Reusable wipes
Face it. The pandemic has made buying paper towels a contact sport. Join the cult of Swedish rags. They dry quickly and can be used permanently (the manufacturer claims that a piece of cloth can do the job of 17 rolls of paper towels). They are biodegradable, do not breed bacteria like sponges, and look like new after cleaning.Most popular A pack of 10 The price is $19, but remember, that is 170 rolls of tissues, you won’t buy it.
family
Family gifts are a wonderful way to remind people that you care about them and you all care about the planet during the holiday season.
6. Dry the ball
A pack of six hairs The drying ball sells for $10 And it can save three to four years of buying fabric softeners and desiccants. Some have essential oils, which can bring a lovely fragrance to clothing.
7. Window type solar charger
Use Sunshine to charge the device instead of paying the power company? It sounds pretty good. In fact, charging all devices may not cost as much money as each. But by adding it up, you can save enough money for a few dinners.Portable solar charger started 20 dollars And the window version starts at 38 USD.
8. Programmable and smart thermostat
Programmable thermostats have existed for many years. They allow residents to set the optimal heating/cooling time to use less energy when no one is at home. They are a great first step. People can save 50 to 100 dollars a year.
Research shows that 40% of property owners never use them. This is where the smart thermostat comes in. These wi-fi connected thermostats learn heating and cooling preferences and operate with minimal interaction. Smart thermostat The starting price is $60, which means they can pay for themselves in more than a year.
9. Rechargeable lighter
Lighters used to be “charged” by filling the lighter liquid. Disposable lighters that are no longer popular — cannot be recycled — now dominate. Rechargeable lighters do not use fire to ignite things, but use electric arcs. A single charge can last for several months. Rechargeable lighter It starts at approximately US$13 and can be used for many years.
10. Smart sprinkler control
For those with sprinkler systems, this is a considerable savings.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a family that neglects the irrigation system may waste as much as 25,000 gallons of waterr Every year. Using smart sprinkler control makes a big difference. These use weather apps to ensure that the yard is not underwatered or overwatered, and more. Most of them can be easily controlled through the app. Intelligent spray control system Starting at about $100.
11. Rechargeable battery
Maybe giving batteries as Christmas gifts sounds a bit weird, but these are one of the best sustainable gifts.A pack of 8 Rechargeable AA battery It costs $15 and can be used for several years with a little care. A pack of similar non-rechargeable batteries sells for $8, and when it’s finished, it’s finished.
12. Hydroponic Greenbelt Garden
It is very easy to grow green plants in the hydroponic garden at home. Hydroponics means that no soil and yard are needed.You can consume from anywhere 20 dollars There are thousands of hydroponic systems, so it’s a good idea to get a starter kit first.Won’t lie, this Combination of garden and fish tank ($100) is at the top of my Santa Claus list. Never buy bags of vegetables at the grocery store anymore!
Personal care
We did not really stop to think about the impact of self-care on the environment. However, it is one of the easiest areas to achieve green without losing quality or time. Eco-friendly items in the bathroom are the perfect gift, because every time they use it, they will think of you.
13. Shampoo and conditioner bars
Use bar shampoo and conditioner to get rid of nasty plastic packaging. We are accustomed to using hand soap and face soap. This takes it to a new level.Prices vary greatly, from 3 USD arrive 15 dollars Or more bars, but they last 50 to 75 washes. This is equivalent to at least two bottles of shampoo.
14. Low flow shower
Low-flow shower heads can reduce water by 40% to 60% anywhere, resulting in the same excellent shower feeling. This immediately saves utility bills and makes these great sustainable gifts possible.Their cost (for a decent one) comes from 22 USD To 100 dollars.
15. Reusable “cotton” swabs
Another less sexy but very environmentally friendly sock filler is a humble reusable cotton swab that mimics the function of a cotton swab, although it is not made of cotton, but made of medical-grade materials. The manufacturer claims that a reusable cotton swab can save 1,000 disposable cotton swabs from entering the landfill.They are packed in cute little boxes made of recycled materials, easy to use and clean, and cost less than $12 each.
16. Silicone baby bib
Silicone is one of the heroes of environmentally friendly materials. These are easy to wipe off, keep them away from the laundry room. Imagine not having to buy and clean bibs all the time. Some also have deep front pockets to catch drips and saliva. Look for 100% silicone so that there are no harmful BPA or terrible chemicals in it.These Cute pie One only costs $13, and they can be used for many years.
17. Reusable makeup remover pad
Reusable makeup remover pads are another great stocking filler. They replace disposable cotton balls, paper towels or wet wipes that people usually use, and can also be used for makeup. They are usually packed in a small laundry bag and are compostable. Reusable makeup remover pad It costs $15 and can be used for several years, only slightly more than a one-off package that may last for a month.
18. Reusable shaver
The razor used to be reusable, but it may not be safe. Today’s reusable razors are both. These are also a great sustainable fashion statement, with stylish designs and low-cost replacement blades.These are great gifts for friends, start from around 30 USD. They can be used for many years with replacement blades (10 dollars, 10 dollars), much cheaper than using disposable razors every week.
19. Silicone toothbrush
Let us get rid of another disposable item-toothbrush. In the United States alone, approximately 500 million people are landfilled (or worse) each year. There are toothbrushes made of bamboo or other recycled materials, but a toothbrush that can last for many years.One Silicone toothbrush It is antibacterial, and for only $10, you can replace the bristles instead of the whole thing.
20. Reusable deodorant
These Charcoal filled bamboo bag Absorb the smell of smelly shoes, gym bags and lockers. They will not have to buy air or shoe fresheners again. Be gentle when you give it, okay? A pack of two is priced at $11 and can be used for two years.
Greener gifts (costs pennies)
It is not difficult to make a thoughtful and unique gift for people. Here are some options to warm their hearts and make your bank account happy.
21. Family Recipes
We become sentimental during the holidays, especially when it comes to eating and drinking. Collect traditional family recipes from your family’s chefs (and bartenders). Get some bonus points for stories about food from older members of the family. That is also a gift.
Write or print recipes and bind them together; use favorite photos or drawings as the homepage; and update the recipe collection every year. Promise you, it will be treasured.
22. A jar of biscuit mix
Speaking of recipes, there are all over the Internet Mixing cookies in a jar recipe. They are easy for several people to put together, and when you put the ingredients in a transparent jar, they will be very beautiful. Write or print out the recipe and attach it. The recipient needs to provide the wet ingredients, otherwise you have already done most of the work.
23. The Gift of Music
Although a real mixtape may be difficult to make (who has a tape player now?), making a personalized mixtape for friends and family on a streaming service is one of the most thoughtful things you can do. We do this as a wedding gift for a remote wedding, and we are still complimenting it.
24. Family Crossword
Some websites allow you to create word puzzle Or free word search puzzles. Why not make slogans, memories, sayings, and oops, embarrassing reminders that have your family or friends. And there is no carbon footprint!
25. The Gift of Time
Maybe all that everyone really wants is some relaxing time to hang out. Promise to visit once a month, walk once a week or call on Sunday morning, and stick to it. It will not just be a gift to another person.
Additional sustainable steps given
Take a few more minutes to think about how you give gifts. Are you using a bunch of fresh wrapping paper, tape and bows? On the contrary, if it can be boxed, why not decorate the box and save paper.
You can imitate my grandmother and refuse to use tape on the gift box, but use ribbon or twine to fix it. Choose a cloth tape that can be reused. You will follow truly sustainable practices.
Penny Hoarder contributor JoEllen Schilke has written articles on lifestyle and cultural topics. She is the former owner of a coffee shop in St. Petersburg, Florida, and has hosted art shows on WMNF Community Radio for nearly 30 years.
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