31 sustainable gifts for eco-conscious people in your life

Finding the perfect gifts for eco-warriors in your life can be tricky, so we’ve compiled a list of the best sustainable gifts for every type of person.

Whether you’re looking for the ideal present for your eco-conscious friends or you simply prefer to buy more mindfully, we’ve got plenty of inspiration for you.

For people who don’t like too much stuff

Focus on experiences over things and give them a gift they can enjoy rather than a thing they can own.

1. Experiences & gift vouchers

Gift vouchers are great way of avoiding buying material things and instead focusing on hobbies they enjoy or experiences they’ve always wanted to try out.

Sites like Red Letter Days and Virgin Experience Days feature everything from spa days and hotel stays to gliding and zorbing. You can also buy vouchers for theatre tickets which they can redeem the next time they’re taking a trip away and want to enjoy a show. 

You can spend as much or as little as you want and most vouchers will last 12 months or more. For sustainable gifts on a budget, take a look at sites like Groupon and Wowcher where you can find great deals on all sorts of experiences.

2. Tree planting

There are dozens of UK charities and organisations you can pay to plant a tree. Often, you can choose where in the world your trees will be planted with information on how your trees will help in your chosen area.

You can plant one tree for as little as £1 and buy as many as you want. If you want a certificate or dedication to your recipient, this can cost a little more. 

3. Charity donations

Donating to a charity on behalf of someone is not only a great ethical gift but shows them that you know what they care about. Of course, there are hundreds of worthy causes you can choose, so take some time to decide what they’ll appreciate most.

Environmental causes you can back include conservation, women’s rights, rainforest protection, social housing, disaster relief, pollution, homelessness, and forestation.

Donate on a one-off basis or sign up for a year of monthly payments for as little as £3, like adopting an endangered animal.

4. Subscriptions & memberships

Explore consumable gifts and experiences to indulge your nearest and dearest in something they enjoy or can make use of.

Coffee lovers could enjoy a monthly subscription to eco-friendly retailers like Grind or Pact Coffee, and foodies can revel in monthly treats from subscription services like Gousto and HelloFresh. Check out food rescue services like Oddbox to get deliveries of ‘wonky’ fruit and veg for people who love fresh food and hate waste. 

You can also buy hobby-based subscriptions like an audiobook service from BookBeat or Kobo. If they prefer a physical book, try a book subscription like the Happily Ever After Book Box, which also comes with treats every month.

5. Classes

Shop around for classes in your area or online and buy vouchers as a fun, hobby-based gift. There are lots of things you can choose from, like art, cooking, dance, language, sports activities, and photography classes.

As another experience over things gift, class vouchers are an eco-friendly alternative to physical things. Multi-session bookings can be fairly expensive, so this could be a good idea if you want to split the cost between two or more people.

You can also check noticeboards in shops, town halls, churches, and other local public buildings that advertise. Take a look at discount voucher sites like Wowcher and Groupon too, where you can find great deals on all sorts of activities.

Handmade eco-friendly gifts

Some of the most meaningful sustainable gifts can be those you put your time into creating. So if you have a skill or hobby you can utilise, this could be the ideal way to create a unique gift they’ll love.

6. Make a recipe book

Perhaps you’re getting a gift for a foodie, a budding chef, or a recently-turned vegetarian. Pick out some of your favourite recipes that you know they’ll love and create a handmade recipe book. This can be particularly meaningful if you’ve cooked one of the meals for them in the past that they’ve enjoyed so they can make it themselves. 

Pick up some eco-friendly stationery from Paper High to put together your own scrapbook of recipes. Print out and paste physical recipes or get creative by writing and drawing them yourself. 

7. Knit a piece of clothing

If you’re an avid knitter in your spare time, why not work towards creating gifts out of your hobby? Great homemade knitting gifts include scarves, mittens or gloves, winter hats, socks, slippers and blankets. More advanced knitters can even make jumpers, cardigans, and baby clothes. Alternatively, get creative with unusual knitted items like a tea cosy or mug cosy, a set of knitted coasters, a hot water bottle cover or leg warmers. 

Knitted gifts are a fun way to utilise your hobby and give your loved one something different. Pick up eco-friendly yarn and wool made from bamboo or sustainably-sourced materials from Etsy or The Knitting Network. 

8. Gift a painting or drawing

If you’re talented when it comes to art, putting the time and effort into a piece for your loved one can be a simple but beautiful present. Whether it’s a pet portrait, a landscape painting, or a still from their favourite film, use your personal touch to get creative with this eco-friendly gift. Pick up sustainable art supplies from Etsy and Great Art.

You can also commission a local artist to make a piece for you. Shopping locally is better for the environment than through a large chain company that uses huge resources and emits lots of carbon emissions for their mass production. Even better if your local artist is close enough for you to collect it along with a daily errand!

9. Upcycle gifts

Upcycling is a way of turning an item into something else so it can be reused in a new way. So, if you’re crafty and creative, have a look around your home or head to a market or charity shop for things you can turn into an upcycled gift. 

Upcycle glass jars and wine bottles into candles, fairy light ornaments, terrariums, or flower vases. Old clothes that can’t be fixed up can be turned into everyday cloths and handkerchiefs tied up with twine for cute stocking fillers and eco-friendly Christmas gifts.

If you’re talented with a sewing machine, explore more advanced items like personalised keychains, fabric twine coasters and mats, bunting, or drawstring purses. You can also give new life to wooden furniture by sanding and repainting it for a brand new look.

Gifts made from recycled & sustainable materials

If you want to buy something new, there are sustainable options. Lots of companies have turned to sustainable materials for creating their products. We even have a handy section of our website called Green Cashback so you can find these retailers more easily.

10. Homeware

There are so many options for sustainable homeware items, like rugs, blankets, cushion covers, and throws made from either recycled fabric or sustainably-sourced materials.

Soy candles make great eco-friendly Christmas gifts; they burn slower and longer than normal wax candles. Explore other homeware items like macramé wall hangings made from recycled yarn, art prints on recycled paper, and recycled cork coasters.

You can find these items online at places like Natural Collection and Oxfam Online Shop, where many are even hand-crafted by artisans so you know who made your stuff. Etsy is another handy resource for all sorts of eco-friendly gifts made by artists and creators around the world.

11. Clothing & fashion

You don’t have to go down the second-hand route to buy fashion that’s planet friendly. There are many retailers that are exclusively founded on the basis of creating eco-friendly clothing, whether their materials and processes are vegan, sustainably sourced, or recycled. 

Shop for everyday items that focus on sustainable, long-lasting pieces rather than temporary trends. Environmentally-friendly materials include bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton for fabric that is soft, durable, and sustainable.

It can be a little daunting to know where to begin with sustainable fashion, which is why we’ve got a Green Fashion category on site with our favourite retailers. You’ll find dozens of retailers verified as environmentally friendly by the Ethical Consumer guide.

12. Jewellery

Yes, you can even get recycled jewellery! Resource extraction has more than doubled in the last 25 years, so minimising this demand and using recycled silver and gold is a great sustainable alternative.

Unwanted/discarded silver and gold can be melted down and reformed into new jewellery for a beautiful gift that contributes to a circular economy. You can also find recycled glass jewellery and many of the designs will be more minimalist and simplistic in style to best utilise the materials. 

We love retailers Veo and Wild Fawn, who both use as much recycled material as possible in their pieces. Their jewellery uses minimal resources like carbon, plastic and chemicals, and focuses on long-lasting accessories handmade in the UK. Simple, traditional handmade techniques use fewer resources than large machinery, and you’ll also receive your gifts in recycled packaging.

Hobby-based sustainable gifts

Treating your nearest and dearest to hobby-based gifts is a fantastic present idea. Show how well you know them and make your gift more personal by basing it around something they enjoy doing in their free time.

13. Art equipment

Got an artist in your life? Discover eco-friendly art supplies and equipment so they can enjoy a creative hobby that’s more planet-friendly. There are all sorts of clever and interesting items you can buy, like paper, notebooks, and canvases made from recycled material. You can also pick up plantable pencils that can be planted in soil once they’re too short to use, as well as plant-based watercolour paints.

14. Allotment & gardening items

Ideas for your green-fingered friends include items that are great for the bees like wildflower seeds and blooming bombs for beautiful displays that bees love. You can buy all sorts of seeds and bulbs for your recipient to plant, so it’s great to first get an idea of what they do and don’t already have.

Replenish some of their equipment with a gardening essentials kit, a foldable knee stool for taking to the allotment, or handmade seed markers for keeping track of what’s what. You can also buy composting equipment, like a compost caddy for the kitchen or a compost bin for use in the allotment. This is a great way of making your own soil from food scraps and kitchen waste.

15. Charity shop hauls

One of our favourite ways to find amazing presents is to head to local charity shops. It’s not just clothing you can pick up second-hand; charity shops have all sorts of items like books, vinyl records, vintage comic books, historic postcards, and much more. 

You can also browse online at places like Oxfam Online Shop, which features a Home & Collectables category for niche collector’s items like stamps, matchbox cars, military memorabilia, and coins. These are not only ideal for collectors in your life but a thoughtful gift that comes with a story.

16. Yoga equipment

Despite how much we all love yoga pants, the materials used in their production often break down into microfibres that are released into oceans with every wash. The good news is there are plenty of places online where you can find eco-friendly yoga clothing and equipment. 

Retailers like RubyMoon create activewear like leggings, crop tops, and sports bras made from ocean plastics, so you can contribute towards cleaning up ocean waste. You can also find activewear made from sustainable materials like bamboo from the retailer Thought.

Yoga clothing made from sustainable materials or recycled plastic collected from oceans doesn’t come cheap, which is why it can be a meaningful present to buy for an eco-conscious yogi in your life. As well as clothing, you can also shop for eco-friendly yoga mats and blocks from places like Yogi Bare.

Gifts for zero-waste wannabes

The zero waste movement is about avoiding sending things to landfill as much as possible. This is achieved by reducing your consumption and switching disposable items for reusable ones. The great thing about zero waste gifts is that you can get creative and find unique ways to be more sustainable that you might not have thought of.

17. Zero waste dental kit

Zero waste oral care contains products that are made from reusable or compostable materials to focus on a zero or low waste dental routine. These can be items like toothbrushes and dental floss made from bamboo that can be composted, toothpaste tablets in a refillable container for brushing your teeth, and a reusable metal tongue scraper.

You can pick up zero waste oral gift hampers from retailers like Georganics and Big Green Smile, who offer everything from teeth-cleaning paste and mouthwash tablets to chewing gum.

18. Safety razor

Razors you buy from normal beauty retailers have quite a short shelf life and around 60 million are bought (and thrown away) in the UK every year. With proper care and maintenance, a metal safety razor can last a lifetime. The blades need to be changed every 5-10 uses but can be collected in a jar and recycled together.

Safety razors are made from stainless steel and, like many zero waste alternatives, are products that people used before plastic versions came along. They come with a higher upfront cost but are much cheaper in the long run, even when you factor in replacing the blades. 

19. Recycled tote bags

Tote bags are actually only better than plastic bags once they’ve been used between 7,000 and 20,000 times. This is what it takes to offset the amount of water and energy required to produce a single cotton tote bag. So, buying a brand new cotton tote bag might not be as environmentally friendly as you think. 

However, you can still buy a cute and trendy tote bag that’s not made from cotton and therefore less energy-exhaustive. Tote bags made from upcycled and recycled materials, hemp, or bamboo are great alternatives for your planet-conscious recipient to take on their weekly food shopping trips. 

Take a look at our Green Cashback retailer Kind Bag, who take plastic water bottles that would otherwise end up in landfill or oceans and turn them into tote bags in a variety of designs. Not only do they make up for their production within two or three uses, but 1% of sales go to environmental and social initiatives.

20. Water bottles & coffee cups

Ditching single-use plastics is a lot easier when you have handy and well-designed products like reusable water bottles, flasks, and coffee cups. There are so many designs, sizes, and types you can pick out, from bamboo travel mugs to recycled steel canteens and insulated flasks. 

You don’t always know when you’re going to need a coffee to go and carrying a reusable cup around isn’t all that feasible. A collapsible coffee cup makes this habit much easier, as it takes up much less space and can be unfolded into several different sizes.

21. Bamboo utensil pouch

Another handy on-the-go zero waste product is a bamboo utensil pouch, ideal for camping, going to festivals, hiking, or simply enjoying street food and markets. The utensil pouch usually features a knife, fork, spoon, bamboo straw and straw cleaner wrapped up in a cloth pouch that you can unfold.

Bamboo grows incredibly quickly, making it much more sustainable than normal wood. Combined with its lightweight quality, a bamboo utensil pouch is an ideal way to avoid single-use plastics out and about.

Sustainable kitchen gifts

There are lots of little eco gifts for the kitchen. So whether you’ve got a foodie friend, a vegan wannabe, or someone who simply loves eco gifts, there’s plenty to choose from.

22. Reusable & sustainable food storage

Explore reusable alternatives to Cling Film like beeswax wrap and stretchy silicone food covers. Both materials are easy to clean, free of chemicals, and endlessly useful for wrapping sandwiches, loose bits of food, or covering bowls with no lid. You can buy beeswax wrap and silicone covers in packs that come in different sizes so you can use them for a wide range of items.

You can also find eco-friendly alternatives to plastic Tupperware boxes. A bamboo or steel lunchbox is not only durable and of higher quality but makes for a cute and useful gift. 

For multi-purpose food storage, silicone food bags are ideal for everything from snacks to smoothies, with their slim design and leakproof qualities. Simply pinch and press close for airtight food containers you can even pop in the freezer.

23. Plant-based cookbooks

Plant-based diets use fewer resources than ones that include meat and dairy, which is why a vegan or vegetarian recipe book can be a great sustainable gift idea. 

The BOSH! range of cookbooks are a popular choice if you’re looking for a wide range of recipes. From hearty dinners to yummy desserts and even cocktails, they have something for everyone, including healthy eaters and those cooking on a budget.

24. Composting equipment

Composting is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and with the right equipment, it’s easy enough to do at home. You can pick up compost bins from places like Dunelm or The Range in a few different sizes and styles. A compost bin goes in the back garden and you can add all organic kitchen waste then balance it out with brown waste like cardboard, paper, and dried leaves.

To save constant trips to the compost bin, a compost caddy comes in very handy for the kitchen countertop. Even if your giftee doesn’t have a back garden, many councils provide food waste collection, so a compost caddy and some compostable bags may be all they need.

25. Unpaper towels

Also known as reusable kitchen roll, these eco-friendly kitchen gifts are simple but incredibly waste-saving. They work just like paper towels, but they are made from cotton or bamboo so you can wash and reuse each one. Some designs even feature popper fastenings so they can be attached to each other, rolled up and added to a kitchen roll holder.

For tech lovers

Staying on top of the latest tech gadgets and devices requires a lot of Earth’s resources in their production. The tech lover in your life can still enjoy their high-end gear with a friendlier footprint.

26. Cases & covers

Most technology cases are made from plastic, including laptop, tablet, and phone cases. Opt for a cover that not only protects the device but the planet by exploring options that are plastic-free and eco-friendly.

Retailers like Wave Case specialise in phone cases and accessories like AirPod cases that are made from biodegradable materials. Get an incredibly durable tablet or laptop case from Elvis & Kresse, who use recycled fire hose for their products, or a softer laptop sleeve from Kind Bag that’s vegan, machine-washable and made from recycled materials.

27. Eco-friendly headphones

Save money and the environment with a pair of refurbished AirPods Max or AirPods Pro from Reboxed. You’ll be gifting something that’s just as top-of-the-range as the original product, but for a fraction of the price, plus you’re giving a second life to a pre-loved item. 

Headphones and earbuds from House of Marley are made from responsibly-sourced materials like recyclable aluminium, FSC-certified wood, and reclaimed hemp. Every purchase also supports reforestation via the One Tree Planted charity.

28. Solar power bank

A solar-powered power bank may be on the pricey side, but is a great sustainable gift idea for both tech lovers and camping enthusiasts. Once it’s at full capacity, a power bank can usually charge an average smartphone three times over. It’s ideal for camping use or as an everyday eco-friendly alternative to using electricity to charge phones and tablets.

Eco-friendly cosmetics

From applying make-up to taking it off, there are lots of little products we use every day that we might not even think about. Luckily, there are plenty of retailers that offer green alternatives that you can gift to the skincare fanatic and cosmetics connoisseur in your life.

29. Skincare

Shop mindfully for those oils, serums, toners, and creams by looking out for signs like certified organic, vegan, cruelty-free, coral reef safe, plastic-free, and refillable.

Explore online marketplaces like eTHikel, where you can find eco-friendly skincare products from ethical suppliers. They will only work with suppliers whose products fall into categories of vegan, natural, certified organic and plastic free. If you’re looking for simple skincare in refillable containers, we love Beauty Kitchen, where you can find gift sets for men as well as women. 

You can also add reusable cotton pads to kits and hampers for make-up removal without the waste. These can be washed and reused, and many you’ll find on Etsy are handmade from scrap fabric.

30. Haircare

Instead of plastic bottles, shampoo and conditioner bars come in a cardboard container and once they’re used up, there is nothing left behind. Haircare bars are readily available from many shops and retailers, are easy to use, and make for a great sustainable gift or stocking filler.

For luxury haircare, our Green Cashback retailer Monpure focuses on ingredients that are vegan, sustainably sourced, and free from silicones, sulphates, and parabens. Their plant-based haircare range is kinder on the planet and your scalp, plus their aesthetically stylish range of glass bottles and recycled plastic bottles are ideal for treating your loved one.

31. Vegan make-up

We feature a whole host of vegan make-up retailers within our Green Health & Beauty range that don’t test on animals or use animal products.

Plant-based ingredients are much less resource-intensive, so switching to cruelty-free for your sustainable gifting is a simple way to treat your eco-conscious friends.

Love The Planet not only offer plastic-free vegan mineral make-up but many of their products come in reusable tins or compostable refill pouches. Pick up a gift set to combine their best-selling products which also include reusable cleaning pads.

Final thoughts

These are just some of our favourite sustainable gifts to inspire you, but of course there are plenty more (like re-gifting!). 

Buying sustainably can require more thought and creativity than other gifts. Rather than picking up something simply labelled 'eco-friendly', you'll need to be mindful in finding something your recipient will genuinely love.

We hope this guide gives you some ideas to get you started and pick up the perfect gift for your eco-conscious friend.