Sustainable Gift Ideas for Him
AN ETHICAL GIFT GUIDE FOR MEN
I always found it difficult to get the perfect gift for men, I’m not sure why. Add to that sustainability factor, and there’s trouble! Luckily, since I started my eco-friendly journey, I’ve discovered ways of giving that special him a great sustainable gift. Whether you’re looking for something for your partner, a father, a family member, or a friend, these are some ideas to show them some love during a special occasion, without compromising the planet. Ethical gifts for him–checked!
These sustainable presents have been chosen because they’ve been created by conscious brands with eco-friendly materials, in a sustainable process, or they can be used (or reused) for many years. As I said in my sustainable gift guide for her, I also love to give experiences as gifts, as I believe they last forever in the memory, but not on the landfill!
So, buckle up, and enjoy this list of environmentally friendly gifts that can be given at Christmas, birthdays, or any occassion!
THE BEST ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTS FOR HIM
Photo credit: Quince
1) EUROPEAN LINEN NAPKINS
Quince
$29.90
Oh, linen. One of the loves of my life! I believe it’s one of the most elegant and versatile fabrics ever, and I love anything made from linen: from clothes to bedsheets to napkins–no wonder I’m including this product in my sustainable gift guide. These European linen napkins are a great environmentally-friendly gift for him, as they are Woven from 100% European flax, and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certificate BEHO 078808; as well as made without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides. Soft, functional, and great for a social gathering at home, they make a jolly eco present!
Photo Credit: Honest Basics
2) turtleneck jumper
Honest Basics
$41
I must admit. When I see this jumper the first thing that comes to my mind is Colin Firth driving Aurelia in Love Actually. It isn’t even the same kind of jumper, but it gives me that cozy Christmas vibe, a taste of the familiar, a dose of romance. It’s made with organic cotton and recycled polyester and produced ethically in a transparent production in Bangladesh and India. All products are vegan certified, organic GOTS-certified–which ensures most hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals in the production aren’t used– and ship in low-waste packaging and climate-neutral shipping. A perfect sustainable gift, because what man doesn’t look good in a turtleneck?
Photo Credit: Zero Waste Store
3) SAFETY RAZOR
Zero Waste Store
$24.99
This stainless-steel razor is a great investment! Gone are the days of using disposable razors that last only a few days and end up in the landfill for hundreds of years. Not only it helps stop the escalating numbers of disposable plastic razors being thrown out, but it will also help your receiver save money in the future. The razor comes with 10 free blades, which can be sent to Albatross afterwards, as they have a blade take-back program to recycle them. It’s pretty, it’s useful, it will last a lifetime, it’s sustainable. What else could he want?
Photo credit: Ashoka Paris
4) apple-skin wallet
Ashoka Paris
$107
A sustainable gift for him that will always be appreciated is this apple-skin wallet with an interior made from recycled plastic bottles, from Ashoka Paris, a vegan brand from France. They use vegan leathers from Italy that are eco-friendly, in contrast to regular leather, and are made by artisans to last many years. The apple material is produced from apple waste from orchards in North Italy, and is later sent to Florence to transform it into apple skin. A wallet never fails to be a great present for someone you care for. They can always carry with them something you gave consciously and with love.
Photo credit: Bhumi
5) sateen sheet set
Bhumi
$229 (Queen Bed)
How about something that makes him feel like a king? With this luxury sheet set, he can feel the softness of 100% GOTS Certified organic cotton in his skin. The fact that this product is ethically made in Fairtrade factories in a sustainable process, and carbon-neutral, will make his dreams the sweetest. It’s also free from chlorine bleach, toxic heavy materials, formaldehyde and aromatic solvents. Body and mind can get a well-deserved rest in these sheets, especially knowing that they didn’t cost the planet.
Photo credit: To’ak
6) Andes & Galápagos 4-pack chocolates
To’ak
$62
Rumor has it you will always have a man’s heart if you take care of their stomach. Chocolate is one of those products with which you can’t go wrong, and I have this option for you so you can make it an eco-friendly gift! To’ak’s chocolates are vegan and gluten-free, made with organic cacao and cane sugar, and are Fair Trade TSA, Heirloom Cacao Preservation and USDA organic certified. To’ak also pays cacao growers the highest farmgate prices of any chocolate company in the continent, which is 3-9 times more than the Fair Trade price. They also work in rainforest and cacao conservation, upcycle waste products, are leaders in regenerative agroforesty, make tree-to-bar chocolate (they source ingredients, produce the chocolates, and create the packaging locally), work with local artisans, and produce small batches to avoid waste. Need I say more?
Photo credit: Zeal Optics
7) sunglasses
Zeal Optics
$179
These sunglasses can be used year-round and for many years to come, that is why I included it in this guide as an environmentally friendly gift. They are crafted from recycled plastic and grass fibers in a durable frame, as well as plant-based polarized lenses (in contrast to the usual petroleum-based materials). Zeal Optics also uses renewable resources in the manufacturing of their sunglasses. They are produced at a closed-loop German biorefinery, with a methane turbine that runs on decomposing organic matter, creating fertilizer to grow the grasses. They also contribute 1% of their sales to environmental causes.
Photo credit: Bamboozle
8) COMPOSTER
Bamboozle Home
$40
Giving the gift of a more sustainable home should always be on the list. Help that person in your life to send less to the landfill (food waste is one of the many issues a more conscious lifestyle aims to tackle) by converting their organic waste into compost, which will help enrich the soil in their backyards. This composter can be used to store organic scraps before putting them on an outdoor compost pile, assisted by the filtered lid that absorbs smells caused from off-gassing. This composter’s handle is made from biodegradable bamboo fiber, and the composters are made to last for many years. Give him a hand by making it easier for him to compost and reduce his environmental impact!
Photo credit: EarthHero
9) FINGER HOCKEY GAME
EarthHero
$119.95
I’m really excited about this one! The most entertaining and unique eco friendly gift for men, the ultimate eco-friendly toy. This recycled bamboo-chopsticks finger hockey game, which can also be used as a serving board, is for anyone who has a bright inner child and knows how to have some fun. It can be used to play finger hockey with friends, but once you get bored, you can still use it in another way! Flip the board over and use the flat bamboo underside as a lunch tray. The fact that it’s made with 1800 upcycled chopsticks is incredible, but what about giving an object more than one use? That’s even better!
Photo credit: Kotn
10) SWEATPANTS
Kotn
$80
Maybe I’m a little biased here because I love sweatpants. Aren’t they the most practical garment ever? I love to wear them to stay home, to travel, to go out when the weather is dubious, they can even be used for dancing or exercising. Not only they are an awesome sustainable present for him, but the fact that they can be worn in many different situations also make them sustainable–it goes against fast fashion’s planned obsolescence. These sweatpants are ethically made in Portugal with 100% Better Cotton initiative cotton fleece. Kotn sources directly from the Better Cotton Initiative and small family-run farms in Egypt. A comfortable garment like sweatpants, in a basic color like black, with eco-friendly materials makes a great ethical gift for men!
Photo credit: Tiradia
11) briefcase
Tiradia
$175
Another practical and beautiful eco friendly gift for a special man, this convertible messenger bag is mostly thought to go to the office, but I think it can be used in any situation to carry around your laptop (it has a padded laptop compartment), books, chargers, and more, as it offers several exterior pockets. It features a flexible strap so you can use it as a shoulder bag or as a hand-held briefcase. The best thing: this product is handmade in Portugal from sustainably sourced cork. It’s vegan, eco-friendly, and ethically produced, and whoever is lucky enough to receive it will certainly put it to good use!
Photo credit: Dedicated
12) socks
Dedicated
$59
These socks are a great sustainable gift for Christmas! For any occasion, really, but the trees remind me of the holidays. They are made with organic cotton by their GOTS-certified supplier in India. Dedicated is certified vegan, uses several eco-friendly materials, including recycled plastic instead of virgin polyester, and they work with factories that go through an audit to validate basic social standards. They are committed to environmental and social requirements, to take care of the planet but also to provide safe working conditions for everyone involved. A fully sustainable brand, they are transparent by having several certifications, including Fairtrade Cotton, GOTS (one of the toughest labels for organic cotton garments, which ensures no toxic chemicals are used), Peta, GRS, SA8000, and WRAP. Cozy and sustainable, these make a great gift!
Photo credit: Nae Vegan
13) SNEAKERS
Nae Vegan
$129
If you are looking for an ethical gift, what about getting him a pair of gorgeous vegan sneakers? They can be dressed up and down, but most importantly, no animal was hurt to make them. The sneakers are made of OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified microfiber, and the sole is made from natural and recycled rubber, manufactured in a system that is free from CO2 emissions. An eco-friendly statement piece that was handmade in a fair work environment in Portugal, it is the perfect sustainable gift. It will make him look good, not only because of how beautiful these are, but because there is nothing more attractive than caring for the environment!
Photo credit: Coconut Bowls
14) THE ULTIMATE BUNDLE
Coconut Bowls
From $89.95
One of the most creative and sustainable products out there are coconut bowls! They are simple, eco, and beautiful. This bundle includes 2 Original Coconut Bowls, 2 Jumbo Coconut Bowls, 2 Bamboo Cups, 2 Wooden Spoons, 2 Wooden Forks, and 2 Bamboo Straws–everything you need for a sustainable meal. The products are made from 100% natural coconuts and bamboo, are BPA and toxin-free, synthetic-free, and plastic-free. It’s a great way of saving millions of coconut shells that would otherwise go to waste, while having cute dinnerware at the same time. The company also offers a lifetime guarantee, which means that if one of their products ever crack or break, they will replace it. That speaks tons about their quality, and that is a key factor in an eco-friendly product!
Photo credit: Outlines
15) The Shower Liner System
Outlines
$55 and replenish for $27
Conventional PVC shower liners are one of the least recyclable plastics, release chlorine gas, and are softened with phthalates (which are toxic). A shower liner harbors 60 times as much bacteria as a toilet seat, and most people forget to change them as frequently as it’s needed. Outlines offers antimicrobial, mildew resistant, and non-toxic shower liners that are 100% recyclable–and they recycle it for you, through their program! An old shower liner is transformed into a new one, making it a great eco-friendly alternative for the bathroom. The top part of the shower liner is made of 100% cotton, and is reusable and machine washable, the bottom part is non-toxic and fully recyclable, and the anchors are also reusable. With their compostable prepaid mailer, return your Replens (the bottom part), and they will get recycled–guaranteed. A perfect sustainable gift!
What sustainable gift for him 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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