Do you have someone in your life that cares deeply about the environment, but you're struggling with what to buy them (and how to present it to them)? We're here to help with some tips and ideas to make sure you rock your gifting this holiday season.
What's important to note is that the actual gifts you buy isn't the only important factor when gifting to a sustainable person. It's important to think about the total environmental impact of the gift, including the choices in gift wrap.
Tip #1: Be mindful of excessive wrapping paper, and definitely choose a 100% recycled option.
Did you know that most wrapping paper is not recycled? Usually, this time of year results in wrapping and decorations ending up cluttering landfills. How much? Try an additional 5,000,000 tons of waste per holiday season in the United States alone.
An estimated 80% of this additional non-recycled garbage in the U.S. every year consists of only wrapping paper and holiday shopping bags. These two commonly tossed out items result in an estimated 4,000,000 tons of trash every holiday season. Both end up in our oceans or sitting in landfills for years on end.
Nowadays, people don't care nearly as much about how the wrapping on a present appears, i.e. the glossy, plastic wrapping is so not important. If you have an eco-conscious person that you are shopping for, try using recycled materials around your own house to wrap the gift, gifting it to them in the box you ordered it in, or opt for a eco-conscious wrap that is made from 100% recycled and biodegradable materials.
Tip #2: Consider skipping the ribbons or bows, or use a eco-friendly option.
Bows and ribbons often inhibit wrapping paper from being recycled. Either leave the bow or ribbon off, or go with an eco-friendly option.
Tip #3: Use a biodegradable tape for wrapping presents.
Many small business owners sell biodegrade tape for as little as $5 a roll on Etsy or specialty stores. One of the main reasons over half of wrapping paper materials end up in landfills is due to the tape used during the present assembly, and eco-friendly tape avoids this.
Be sure to mention that you were mindful with the eco-friendly gift wrapping materials, as they will definitely appreciate your effort!
Tip #4: Shop local, or consider supporting a small business.
Rather than shopping at a big box store and contributing to global emissions, consider finding a small business with a mission rooted in environmentalism or climate change activism, or support a small business on Etsy by an independent shop owner.
We encourage you to research small BIPOC-owned businesses as well, or those with a strong message regarding sustainability for all.
Now that you know how to wrap their presents, here are some of our top gift recommendations for an eco-friendly person:
- A natural, organic, and non-toxic candle
- A cute tote bag made of recycled materials
- An indoor herb garden kit
- A brand new compost bin
- A sustainable yoga mat made of natural cork
- A backpack or purse made of recycled materials
- A vegan or plant-based cookbook
- Bamboo kitchen utensils or cooking products
- A reusable water bottle or travel coffee mug
- A recycled-materials iPhone or Android case
- Are they an EV driver? Wow them this holiday season with a Level 2 home electric vehicle charger, now available on Amazon.