Who doesn’t love gifts? A neatly wrapped gift with some beautiful gift stickers can light up anybody’s face. However, once the gift is opened, nobody cares about the wrapper and the boxes that held the gift inside them. All of these materials land in waste bins within seconds after they are torn open.
According to Megan Malone, “Approximately 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper is produced in the U.S. each year. About 2.3 million pounds end its life in landfills.” Not only the material of wrapping but also the material of the gift can have a massive impact on the earth. That brings us to wonder if it is even possible to give gifts and at the same time not harm the environment.
Well, this is possible, if you go for best eco-friendly gifts. It will help achieve a better and greener environment for all. These are gifts that are created from natural materials and eco-friendly processes, which are also known as sustainable eco friendly gifts. At times, these sustainable gifts are made from recycled or repurposed materials which ensure that we are not depleting natural resources.
So here’s to say goodbye to boring gifts and say hello to eco-friendly gifts that are thoughtful, sustainable and ethical. Moreover, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift that is sustainable and meaningful, OhDier is definitely the place to go to. Following is a checklist that will help you to select a sustainable gift for your loved ones:
- Low-impact: You may select gifts that leave zero or low impact on the environment while it is being produced, as well as after its production and product life.
- Sustainably sourced and produced: You can go for environmentally friendly gifts that are sourced and produced using sustainable methods.
- Reusable: You can also choose reusable stuff as gifts, as they will be more useful and last longer.
- Biodegradable: Biodegradable gifts are such that once used, their remnants do not affect the planet, and are ecological.
- High quality: If the quality is good, it will tend to last longer, and be consumed rather than thrown away in the trash, increasing the volume of landfills.
Home Decor Gifts and Sustainability
Finding décor elements for your home is easy, but when you have to choose an environmentally friendly gift, you have to be more careful and thoughtful. Nowadays, such eco brands are growing which support an eco-friendly approach towards sourcing and crafting gifts.
By choosing eco-friendly gifts, along with spreading happiness to your close ones and creating an eco friendly home decor, you are also fulfilling a sense of responsibility towards Mother Nature. All these items are sourced and produced sustainably and crafted from low-impact materials that would not leave a negative impact on the environment.
Among these eco friendly housewarming gifts, there are various gift choices and preferences available. These eco gifts can be in the form of footwear, clothes, towels, blankets, books, stationery, ceramics, or any home décor element. However, a gift would be special and memorable if it is a kind of souvenir or décor element. It will help enhance the overall ambience of the house.
10 Cool and Useful Eco-friendly Gifts
If you are looking for sustainable gift ideas for the gifts for environmentalists and gifts for eco friendly people, then following is a list of eco-friendly gift ideas which you can give to your close ones:
01. Fluffy Bean Bag:
This soft bean bag is available with custom-made upholstery. It is crafted to bring comfort into any space of your home. Moreover, it is produced using leftovers of sofa cushions and other recycled materials. Thus, it will give you an opportunity to be a part of reducing waste in landfills.
02. Go Green Seat:
To your surprise, this polished, intuitive office chair has started its life from the sea. The fully custom-made desk chair is produced from approximately two pounds of abandoned ocean fishing nets. These nets are the most harmful type of fishing nets, as they can “ghost fish” for several years, thus damaging delicate ecosystems and the marine animals inhabiting them. As per the 2019 records, Humanscale (It is the leading designer and manufacturer of ergonomic sustainable products that improve the health and comfort of work life) has converted more than 10,000 pounds of abandoned fishing nets into Smart Ocean chairs.
The chair is super comfortable with form-sensing mesh technology such that it adjusts according to the contours of your body.
03. For a Peaceful Night’s Sleep:
Bamboo has been the most sustainable renewable resource on the earth because it is the fastest-growing plant. Although it is one of the sturdiest materials available, it is also believed to be one of the softest bedding around. It is said that it is softer than 1,000-thread-count Egyptian cotton. Thus, Cariloha sheets are produced from bamboo. Cariloha sheets are one of the best sustainable bedding products. It not only provides luxury and comfort to you but also helps save the environment.
Bamboo also has other positive qualities, which make it more suitable for bedding. It is anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, odor resistant, temperature regulating, and naturally cooling. From its official Cariloha Bamboo Farm in China to its fair-trade partners in China, Turkey, Mexico, United States and India, Cariloha pushes for sustainability through its entire supply chain.
04. Spruce up any Indoor Decor:
Plants are always best as an eco-friendly gift, especially an indoor plant, which can act as a home décor element too. Plants complete the décor of any room in the home. If you are not familiar with its maintenance part, don’t worry, some houseplants like snake plant (sansevieria) are very easy to take care of. This species of plant is super hardy and tops NASA’s list for air-purifying houseplants.
Thus, this plant is a perfect addition to any home office or living room. Also, it is shipped in a planter that is produced from a 100 percent recyclable material.
There are other indoor plants too, which you can gift to your friends and family. They are not just sustainable, but their growth demands are minimal too and can be easily managed even by someone who does not have a green thumb. These houseplants not only purify your indoor air, but also add freshness and a lively vibe to your space. Following is a list of such houseplants for your gift recipients that require low maintenance such that they need water just once a week:
- African Spear Plant
- Asparagus Fern
- Corn Plant
- Castiron Plant
- Split-Leaf Philodendron and much more.
Want to know how to decorate your homes with Indoor Plants? Have a look at an amazing article which will surely help you in this:
05. 11 Ravens Hemp Wood Gaming Tables:
Hemp is also gaining popularity in furniture trends, similar to the air hockey, pool, and ping-pong tables from Cali-based design firm, 11 Ravens. Their lavish gaming tables are re-modeled using an eco-conscious “HempWood,” which the company mentions is 20% stronger than oak.
The modern material combines hemp fibers and protein-based binding agents to form a solid substitute for wood, thus helping in the fight against deforestation. It is a great choice for a little eco extravagance. Moreover, customers can customize their tables as per their preferences with custom colours, accessories, and even Swarovski crystals.
06. Avocado Green Mattress:
Many companies guarantee better sleep on their “eco-friendly” mattresses, but only a few take responsibility towards sustainability. However, Avocado does. Their impressive green mattress is designed from all certified organic materials, such as breathable organic cotton, organic-certified latex, and organic-certified wool from co-owned farmers’ collectives and a co-owned processing facility in India that is operating under the USDA National Organic Program. There is no usage of any harmful materials like polyester, toxic fire retardants, or polyurethane foams. Every mattress is handcrafted under strict production regulations in California.
Choose any from either a standard cushioned mattress or a pillow top design with an additional layer of plushness. Avocado’s in-house design team and sleep experts craft every mattress with an aim to support more natural and comfortable sleep by paying special attention to your body’s stress points and pressure points.
07. Atlas Cork Hanging Planter:
This hanging planter is produced from cork. It is renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable. Moreover, trees do not need to be cut down to produce cork, thus it helps support reforestation and preserves nature.
08. Best for a Home Office Worker:
Many of you would not be aware of the fact that standard wooden table tops are produced from old-growth forests that may take up to a hundred years to regrow. Thus, it is time to take a sustainable step and switch to bamboo that generally takes less than ten years to replenish.
This is what Humanscale uses to make this simple and sophisticated work surface. It is also free of Red List chemicals such as formaldehyde and PVC. Along with being kind to the earth, it is also kind to your body as it is flexible and can transform into a standing desk with just a touch of a button.
09. Living Composter for Kitchen:
For those who believe in this saying “reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat” and would not like to waste organic wastes anywhere. To the ones who feel composting is complex, it is not much complicated with this minimalist, yet stylish-looking biomorphic composter. While it acts as a functional worm farm, it also has an innovative design that will fit in with the kitchen decor better than some other decor elements offered in the markets.
It can also process a massive two pounds of food wastes per week, sufficient to keep up with any large household. Moreover, your gift recipient also does not need to worry about it smelling up their space either, as it is pretty much odorless. Also, it is an easy way to provide natural fertilizer for any plant-lovers.
Besides living composter, Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50, VermiHut Plus 5-Tray Worm Compost Bin and OXO Good Grips Compost Bin are also the top picks for those looking for countertop compost bins.
10. Minna Dream Rug Bright:
The Minna’s Dream Rug Bright is hand-woven by a co-operative in Momostenango, Guatemala. The basic shapes and simple colours help add a fun and cozy vibe to any space. It helps to add a playful element to the house. It is produced from handspun wool that is dyed with sustainable and non-toxic dyes.
It will be a great home décor gift that can be utilized in various ways such as a wall hang, or floor rug in bedrooms or living rooms.
Give a Gift of Sustainability
Hopefully, these cool and unique ideas of eco-friendly gifts inspire you to take a bold and sustainable approach and give your loved ones a gift of sustainability. With a single gift, you can give a good life to both the recipient and nature.
Before you take a leave from us, we also have some ideas on elegant housewarming gifts:
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Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.
