Zero Waste Gift Guide
Whether you’re looking to make a change in your own life or are shopping for an eco-conscious loved one, there are many ways you can give sustainable, waste-free gifts this holiday season.
But what is a zero-waste gift? They are gifts that send no trash to landfills or incinerators by using compostable, biodegradable, or reusable products. Similar to eco-friendly gifts but going one step further-- these planet-friendly presents are digital, compostable, edible, or reusable. From a sustainable oral care gift set to a digital subscription, here is a zero-waste gift guide.
Charitable Donation in the Recipient’s Name
The gift of charity is perhaps one of the best as it doesn’t create any waste, and it makes you, the recipient, and the charity all feel wonderful. The best way to do this is to give to a charity or cause that the recipient believes in or cares about. However, if you can’t think of a specific one, you can use a flexible donation platform like Global Giving or Daymaker that allows the recipient to choose their own charity.
Digital Subscription
Who doesn’t use at least one digital subscription? There are many available for everyone on your zero-waste list, from Netflix, Hulu, and HBO to Audible, Spotify, or Apple Music. Giving a digital subscription not only helps support the arts but will also definitely get good use. Gift an Audible subscription for an audio-book lover, or Spotify Premium for ad-free, downloadable music and podcasts. Netflix, YouTube TV, HBOMax, and Disney Plus are also wonderful ideas for TV and movie fans.
Ready, Set, Bake!
Show your loved ones how much you care by making them yummy treats from scratch. Cookies, cakes, brownies, pies, and other baked goods are most definitely zero-waste and delicious. Just be sure to package and send them in reusable containers and buy the ingredients from sustainable stores with minimal packaging.
Get Crafty
Similar to baked goods, handmade gifts are always treasured and used. Plus, they’re zero-waste! Try your hand at knitting and create a truly one-of-a-kind scarf, blanket, hat, or mittens. You could also get out the glue gun and make a handmade dog toy for someone’s fur baby.
Plant a Tree
Give back to the planet and the people on your gift list by planting trees in the recipients’ names. You can do a bit of research to see if any local parks are looking for new trees, plant one in a backyard for the recipient to enjoy, or use a service that will plant on your behalf in a different part of the country.
Wrap Waste-Free
Don’t forget to zero-waste wrap your presents. Single-use wrapping paper is not sustainable and always ends up in a landfill or incinerator. Instead, wrap gifts in leftover fabrics or a nice kitchen towel using the Japanese cloth gift wrapping technique. This way, you’re not creating any waste, and you’re adding an even more personal touch to the present.
Good for the Planet, Good for You
The holidays are a time of giving, so why not give back to the planet, too? Use this zero-waste gift guide to make your celebrations meaningful and sustainable. After all, it’s never too late to be a part of the solution.
If you want to give a tangible gift this holiday season, Terra & Co. makes natural oral care products that add a touch of sustainable luxury to your normal routine. Our toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other oral hygiene products are not only good for you, they are good for the planet too. Happy gift-giving!
