Sustainable Gift Ideas for Her
ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTS FOR HER
When we start embracing a more sustainable lifestyle, we begin to think and analyze before buying a gift. We don’t want to give anything that’s useless, polluting, disposable, or that is bad for the environment. It doesn’t come as a surprise then that we become a bit confused or are lost as to what makes a great sustainable present. That’s why I’ve prepared guides with unique environmentally-friendly gifts that will help you make a conscious decision in the glorious art of gift-giving. Whether you are shopping for family, a friend, your partner, this guide will help you find a sustainable gift for her that’s both useful and eco-conscious.
I chose these sustainable gifts because they are sold by ethical companies, were made with eco-friendly materials, sustainable processes, and can be used or reused for many years to come. I’d also like to suggest giving handmade gifts or experiences (they’re usually zero-waste and zero-impact, and only last many years after in the memory, not on the landfill!). If you want to wrap your gifts yourself, don’t forget to check out my sustainable gift-wrapping ideas. This can make great sustainable Christmas gifts, or eco friendly birthday gifts. Basically, they can be useful whenever you want to give an ethical gift–no need to have a reason!
THE BEST SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR HER
Photo credit: Quince
1) All-Day Neoprene Belt Bag
Quince
$39.90
I’m obsessed with this neoprene belt bag! Not only because it’s cute (especially this color), but because it’s super practical. You can use it to save your documents when traveling, or carry your essentials when you go out for a walk, whether you grab it by your waist or use it as a crossbody bag. It’s a great sustainable gift, as it’s made of 100% premium water-resistant recycled neoprene, made from up to 2 recycled plastic bottles, and the lining is made of 100% recycled nylon, from 2 recycled plastic bottles. Moreover, as sustainability doesn’t only consider the environmental impact of the product, but also the people who make them, another outstanding feature is that this bag is produced in Sedex-certified factories which aims to improve working conditions throughout the supply chain. Overall, an amazing eco-friendly present for her!
Photo Credit: Vallon
2) Eco-Friendly Sunglasses
Vallon
$132
The perfect sustainable gift for the sports lover: these shield sunglasses that are all about quality, comfort, and the planet. The Watchtower’s frames are made from highly durable nylon 6 material produced using 85% recycled fishing nets. Vallon’s products are delivered in a plastic-free packaging, a soft travel pouch, which you can cherish and reuse!
These sunglasses’ soft temples are flexible, which means they contour to your head shape, making them the perfect sunglass for any sports activity. The shatterproof lens developed with ZEISS ensures exceptional quality and optical clarity, and they have interchangeable soft silicone nose pads.
Vallon’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond recycled sunglasses and eco-friendly packaging. They promote love for the environment through various programs and practices. For instance, the plastic cleanup program, which helps them offset their material consumption during production, with the mission of recycling more material than they generate–for every pair of eyewear sold, 1 kg of plastic waste is cleaned up and recycled! So far, they have collected more than 140,000 kg of plastic waste.
Moreover, they have partnered with Empower, a leading global plastic cleanup charity, to incentivize communities to collect and recycle plastic, providing an economy and working salary to local communities; and they have also created the Malizia Sunglasses, the world’s most sustainable sailing sunglasses, in partnership with Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia.
Overall, a great eco-friendly gift for the outdoors and sports lover.
Photo credit: Helen Round
3) Linen Placemats
Helen Round
$37
A sustainable gift for someone who enjoys hosting dinners at home, these gorgeous placemats are made from linen, my favorite eco-friendly fabric, and anyone who receives it will have something beautiful to use for every meal. All Helen Round’s materials are sustainably sourced and OEKO-TEX certified, and their products are handmade in their Cornish studio. Their process is also sustainable, as they minimize waste, and send fabric scraps to local schools for crafting projects. They don’t buy single-plastic packaging, rather, they only reuse packaging they receive.
Photo Credit: Leaf Shave
4) Dermaplaner Super Bundle
Leaf Shave
$89
A great sustainable present is that which reduces your wasteful habits (zero waste gifts for the win!). Behold this reusable dermaplaner and all the accessories that come with it in this bundle. A great alternative to disposable plastic ones that contribute to pollution, this dermaplaner is 100% plastic-free (all metal), and makes shaving and hair removal easier and safer than ever. The bundle also comes with a dermaplaner stand, a refill pack, a recycling tin, travel cover, and the shave oil, which is vegan and cruelty-free. Leaf Shave is also carbon neutral, and has 100% plastic-free paperboard packaging (including their tape). The company also donates to nonprofit organizations to support our planet, including The Coral Restoration Foundation, Pollinator Partnership, and the Pacific Whale Foundation.
Photo Credit: Will’s Vegan Shoes
5) Low Ankle Booties
Will’s Vegan Store
$112
A great eco-friendly gift that can be used during different seasons (I love to wear low ankle boots with skirts or dresses in spring or fall, as well as jeans in winter). These are made with Italian vegan leather that’s made with plants using bio-oil sourced from organic cereal crops grown in Northern Europe, in a carbon-neutral process. The boots are lined with two types of soft vegan suede, and the cushioning insoles with recycled rubber A certified carbon-neutral product made in Portugal, it’s a perfect gift that will last many years, and that you can give while promoting sustainable and vegan fashion!
Photo credit: Eloise et Moi
6) Plant-Dyed Scrunchies
Eloise et Moi
$16
Nothing like supporting smaller businesses who create beautiful and sustainable things with love, like Eloise et Moi, as it uses natural dyes, kitchen waste, and plant extracts (not insects’) to make their products. Every step of the process is focused on using just what’s needed, and on reusing the water used for dyeing. These plant-dyed scrunchies are super cute and practical, and they’re handmade with botanical, sustainable and natural dyes (with an antique hand dying technique that makes fabrics unique in its color and pattern), and ethically made with 100% organic cotton gauze in the Eloise et Moi’s owner’s home studio in New Mexico. A perfect gift to show a girl or woman some love.
Photo credit: Lendava
7) The Savvy Duo
Lendava
$170
A new small business that’s growing fast, Lendava is breaking the market’s mold by offering luxurious facial creams that have been conceived under the minimalist concept. To them, less is more, and they show that by offering two products that replace the thousands of steps usually advertised as the perfect skincare routine, and therefore fighting against overconsumption. They’re also committed to sustainability: they sell refillable pots to reduce plastic, part of the packaging is compostable, they’re vegan and cruelty free, and are responsible towards the community (for instance, they sponsor the Live Like Bella Foundation). Scent-free and with an amazing texture, they’re the perfect gift for the beauty lover.
Photo credit: Mila Vert
8) Knitted Triangle Pullover
Mila Vert
€231
This Mila Vert pullover is dreamy, not only because it’s pretty, but because it’s eco-friendly. It can make a great sustainable gift for the minimalist, as it’s a timeless piece that can be dressed up or down, and you have different colors to choose from. Sustainable fashion is so important, and it’s not always easy to find vegan knitwear, as they are frequently made with wool, but this one’s made with 100% organic cotton crafted in the EU. Mila Vert is also rated 5 stars in Good On You, an app I always use to analyze how sustainable a brand is.
Photo Credit: Swedish Stockings
9) Ines Shimmery Socks
Swedish Stockings
$30
These socks are SO cute! They’re particularly fun to wear to a New Year’s Eve celebration and stand out from the crowd, which makes it a perfect sustainable gift for Christmas, although they can be used year-round for parties or for going out with your friends. These socks are made from recycled yarn and are knitted in a zero-waste, emission free facility in Italy, and are also recyclable. What I love about Swedish Stockings is that they have a recycling program, in which they offer discounts for sending pairs of synthetic pantyhose from any brands to recycle, and they use sustainable materials and natural fibers that go through a responsible process locally. All their materials are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means that they don’t contain harmful substances.
Photo credit: L’Artisane
10) Vegan Gourmet Croissant Box
L’Artisane
$38
I’ve always believed food can make a great gift, and since a plant-based diet is more sustainable, let me introduce you to these yummy vegan treats that will sweeten your loved one’s life! L’Artisane is one of my favorite vegan spots in Miami, but they have nationwide shipping. Their products are handcrafted and baked fresh every day and are to die for! It can be a great gift for someone who’s trying to be plant-based or is already vegan, as you can choose 5 of these delicious flavors for your box: Plain Croissant, Pain au Chocolat, Nocciolata Croissant, Coconut Caramel Cruffin, Cookie Butter Croissant, Guava & Cream Cheese Danish, and their Morning Bun. Vegan has never tasted better.
Photo credit: PF Candle Co.
11) Candle Bundle
P.F. Candle Co.
$61.2
I love candles so much, I think they can enliven any room in the house, and they make home feel special by bringing the world’s most delicious scents together, united by fire. This gift set includes three candles in 3 different scents. P.F. Candle Co.’s candles are made with 100% domestically grown and responsibly sourced soy wax, and are all vegan, cruelty-free and phthalate-free. The company also works together with Climate Neutral to help them offset and neutralize their carbon footprint. Another object that can be used year-round, but these scents remind me particularly of the holiday season.
Photo credit: Elate Beauty
12) Essential Mascara
Elate Beauty
$33
The Essential Mascara is a great eco-friendly gift for the beauty lovers. It’s packaged sustainably in a tree-free box, using the remaining pulp from sugarcane. Elate beauty is vegan and cruelty-free, gives at least 2% of sales annually to charitable causes, uses refillable packaging that comes in 100% post-consumer seed paper envelopes that can be planted, and uses sustainable materials like Californian cedar wood certified PEFC, and green certified and fair-trade bamboo. They are also committed to becoming 100% plastic and waste free. The eyes show our souls, so better make them conscious and sustainable!
Photo credit: Scoria
13) Tree of Life Alignement Cork Yoga Mat
Scoria
$104
I love that nowadays we can find sustainable yoga mats in the market, instead of the usual plastic ones, which end up breaking and probably in a landfill. Scoria Mat is one of the companies that offer beautiful and eco-friendly yoga products. This cork mat is a great sustainable gift for the yoga lover, made with 100% natural cork and rubber and is sustainably harvested. As an extra perk, it comes with a mat carry strap. The tree drawing is amazing and will help whoever is lucky enough to receive it as a gift to stay centered and enjoy spending time with themselves, all while caring for the planet.
Photo credit: EarthHero
14) Eco Hoodie
EarthHero
$31.99
This hoodie from TenTree is super soft blend of organic cotton and recycled polyester that will keep you cozy and warm. It ships in plastic-free packaging made from post consumer recycled content, and for every product sold, the company plants 10 trees!
They also support safe and fair labor practices, and cares for their workers by fostering a safe work environment and providing their employees with fair wage.
Photo Credit: Zerra & Co
15) The MakeUp Essentials
Zerra & Co
$44.99
Be gentle on your face and the planet with this make up essentials bundle from Zerra & Co, which includes zero-waste, vegan, and cruelty-free mascara, eyeliner, and tinted lip balm, and ships carbon-neutral in 100% compostable and recyclable packaging.
One of the things I love about Zerra, is that most of their products are refillable. Once you run out of mascara, for instance, buy the refill (no wand!). However, if for some reason you no longer want to refill one of their products, you can send it back to them as a part their Container Return Program.
Zerra & Co is Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free, 100% vegan, uses only sustainably harvested palm oil, uses low-waste manufacturing processes, and limits single-use plastics in their lab.
Photo Credit: Books & Books
16) All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis
Books & Books
$20
A book on the environment can be a gift for any occasion, and even better if you buy it at your local bookstore (Books & Books is mine!). These are essays from women at the forefront of the climate movement, with solutions to lead humanity forward. A great sustainable gift for women particularly, as it focuses on feminine and feminist leadership, and it places women as key agents of change. All We Can Save gives us the insight of different women that lead on climate crises in the U.S., from scientists to teachers. Hopefully it inspires many!
Photo Credit: GLDN
17) Aurora Bar Ring
GLDN
$68
I love anything GLDN makes, as their jewelry is not only sustainable, but it’s minimalist, so I know I will wear everything for many years to come. In fact, I have several necklaces and earrings from this brand, and I have a personalized ring with my name ‘Meli’, which is the one you can see in the picture. 90% of the metals they use are recycled and sourced domestically, and 85% of their products are made to order, which reduces waste significantly. Almost all their packaging is made of recycled materials, 100% of pieces donate profits to organizations, and everyone at GLDN receives 10 hours of paid volunteer time. A timeless product that makes a great sustainable gift for a special her.
What sustainable gift for her do you think could be a great fit for someone special?
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Hi, I’m Melina,
I’m the creator of Sustainable Rookie, and my goal is to share what I learn throughout my sustainability journey, so that I can help other people live a more conscious life.
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