alternative, eco-friendly gift ideas

Alternative, Eco-friendly Gift Ideas

Looking for the perfect gift for an upcoming holiday? Something useful, that will help reduce waste?

Consider purchasing a set of sturdy, square bottomed, reusable, washable shopping bags as a gift item. There are a lot of varieties to choose from, including those that are created from recycled plastic bottles, coffee sack material, renewable crops such as bamboo or hemp, and many other environmentally friendly options. ...Just how many bags per recipient? Typically 12 bags will likely cover most of the shopping activities for a family of 2-3, while 6-8 bags is appropriate for an individual.

Go a step further and purchase a set of mesh produce bags – this gift will reduce, or eliminate, the need to use the clear bags offered in the grocery store’s fresh produce department. These are washable, see-through and made of a very fine mesh material, weighing next to nothing, so they will not affect the cost when scaled at the checkout. 

Want another option for reducing plastic waste? Consider giving a set of stainless-steel straws. These are dishwasher friendly and will eliminate the need for plastic straws.

Gifts certificates that offer an experience or an activity are a fantastic way to support your local community and encourage sustainable, service-oriented businesses. The bonus here is that the gift certificate is usually printed on recyclable paper, whereas gift cards from larger chain stores often contain plastics that are not readily recyclable.

Look for gift certificates for wildlife areas, canoe tours, bike rentals, car maintenance services, music or dance lessons, gym memberships, yoga or art classes, specialty stores, bakeries and deli outlets, cleaning organizations and lawn services. Of course it depends on the recipients tastes; don’t give a zip line tour to someone that can’t appreciate it! Be conscious of what they would want to do.

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