A 2019 survey showed that around two-thirds of Americans were “somewhat concerned” about climate change. If you aren’t concerned, the chances are that your friends are!
The best gifts we can give are not things that we love, but things that the recipient loves. To give someone a gift because you know it will be very personal and meaningful to them is far better than any expensive or fancy gift you can give.
For your friends who are environmentally conscious, eco-friendly gifts are a great idea, and due to the growing number of people with concern for our world, there are more and more options out there. Let’s take a look at 6 gift ideas for your eco-aware friend!
1. Reusable Food Coverings
To many people, a gift like this may seem a little boring. But to the eco-conscious friend, it’s a practical and thoughtful gift.
Rather than using cling film, aluminum foil, or plastic boxes, you can buy clever food wraps made of cotton and coated in beeswax. This means you can bend and shape them to fit around containers, and they are reusable!
2. Reusable Glass or Metal Straws
Plastic straws have been phased out of most fast-food restaurants in the last few years, and rightly so. They are single-use and are therefore a huge waste of plastic and danger to the environment.
Thing is, the replacement isn’t great. Paper straws soak up fluids and lose their firmness quickly. The solution is reusable straws!
These can be made of either glass or metal, and some will even fold up to fit in your purse or bag!
3. Cork Isn’t Just For Wine Bottles
Cork is incredibly versatile, but it’s also one of the most sustainable materials available. More and more cork products are popping up, from placemats to yoga mats—yes, you can even get a cork yoga mat!
If your friend wants everyone at their yoga class to know that they’re looking out for the environment, what a great gift option!
4. Customized Glassware
Glass is recyclable, recyclable, and completely customizable! But rather than just buying some fancy glasses, why not go one step further and buy your friend some hand painted glassware? From wine glasses to unique “wine bottle trays”, the options are endless!
5. Regifting
Some people might think that regifting is cheap and even a little cheeky. However, someone who is trying to do their part for the environment will likely appreciate that you’ve considered giving them a second-hand gift.
Your options are also expanded, given that second-hand items will undoubtedly be cheaper than buying new products. You can find some great eco-friendly gifts online on sites like Gumtree and eBay.
Eco-Friendly Gifts Don’t Need to Be Dull
Being enviro-aware used to be reserved for the hippies and the new-ageists, but with the evidence showing that the planet is in need of some serious TLC, it’s a good idea to do your part even if it’s as small as buying eco-friendly gifts.
Hopefully, you’ve found some great ideas for eco-friendly gifts in 2021!
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