Birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, and other special occasions come around quickly, and it can be hard to think of original, meaningful, or useful presents to give our loved ones – especially if you, or the recipient, would prefer an eco-friendly gift.
We’re great fans of giving experiences, rather than possessions – because the positive memory of spending special time together, or trying a new, exciting activity, tends to last longer than the brief joy of receiving a physical gift.
However, experiences are often more expensive than physical presents, so if you’re looking for an affordable, eco-friendly gift that is suitable for children or adults, then you might like to consider one of our top 6 best selling eco-friendly gifts below…
1. Reusable water bottle (from £9 for 350ml)
Our 350ml reusable stainless steel water bottle makes a great affordable, eco-friendly gift for children.
If your child has been invited to a birthday party, or you’d like to buy a sustainable small gift for your niece, nephew, godchild or grandchild – and you’re looking for an alternative to the usual choice of cheap plastic toys and Disney characters that will soon be broken, or lost in the bottom of the toy chest – then why not choose a gift that the child will enjoy using and the parent will appreciate receiving?
Stainless steel and glass water bottles are much healthier for children to drink from than their plastic counterparts, as they are easier to clean (mould accumulates on many styles of reusable plastic water bottles) and they are also BPA-free, and free from all the other plastic toxins.
A reusable water bottle encourages children to drink more water, juice or milk, rather than soft drinks that come in disposable bottles and contribute to the massive global plastic pollution issues.
The 350ml size is perfect for bedside tables, lunchboxes and trips to the park. The 500ml and 750ml sizes are more suited for adult eco-friendly gifts, or for a couple or family to share on a day out.
2. Bamboo Reusable Coffee Cup (£8.95 for 120z)
A bamboo reusable coffee cup is a stylish and thoughtful eco-friendly gift for any tea lovers or coffee addicts in your life, and will help stop the 100 billion single-use coffee cups destined for the landfill or the sea every year.
Perfect for either taking tea or coffee from home on-the-go, or for handing to a local barista to fill with a favourite hot tipple.
Made from naturally organic bamboo fibre, it is lightweight yet durable, easy to clean, and leaves no taste residue.
Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource, and whilst this cup will last for years if treated well, at the end of its life it can be sent back to nature by simply crunching it into the compost.
3. Stainless steel lunch box (£22 for 2-tier lunchbox & mini container)
Our stainless steel lunch boxes make original, practical, eco-friendly gifts that will be appreciated by adults and children alike.
Stainless steel lunchboxes are healthier than plastic lunchboxes for storing and taking food on-the-go, as plastic – even when labelled ‘BPA-free’ – contains harmful toxins that can leach into food.
These bento boxes also help to encourage healthier food choices due to the separate compartments that are ideal for storing a variety of crudités, fresh fruit pieces and dips to accompany a healthy sandwich or salad.
You’ll also be helping the recipient of your gift save money taking their homemade lunch to work, school, the park, beach, or travelling – whilst avoiding the associated waste from pre-packaged or take-out food, and reducing their contribution to plastic pollution too.
4. Reusable sandwich/snack bag (£7.50 each)
A reusable sandwich or snack bag in a colourful, funky design makes a great eco-friendly gift for a friend, family member or work colleague.
Replacing single-use plastic sandwich bags, these stylish and practical bags are the perfect size to fit a sandwich, or a multitude of snack options, as well as being really useful for carrying or storing other small items, such as make-up, toiletries, jewellery, Lego, or whatever else you can think of!
These Lunchskins reusable sandwich and snack bags are estimated to replace 500 disposable bags in their lifetime. They are made of cotton and a food-safe polyurethane liner that was originally manufactured for pastry bags used in bakeries and restaurants, which is easy to clean in the dishwasher or by hand.
5. Reusable stainless steel straws (£7.50 for a set of 2)
Reusable stainless steel straws are the healthier, non-toxic alternative to plastic straws that make a stylish addition to cold summer drinks, smoothies and dinner party cocktails.
What’s more, they are a replacement for the billions of single-use plastic straws that are thrown away each year in the UK alone, which easily make their way through street drains to the river and the sea, where they will take hundreds of years to breakdown, and will harm countless marine birds and wildlife in the meantime.
Give the gift of eco-friendly drinks with a set of reusable stainless steel straws.
6. Reusable travel cutlery (from £4.50)
One of the greatest contributors to plastic pollution is disposable plastic cutlery. Greenpeace’s excellent mini video, The Story of a Spoon, illustrates the true price of ‘convenience’ of single-use plastic.
You can help your friends never to be caught without a more eco-friendly cutlery option for when they are eating on-the-go.
Whether they are treating themselves to take-out fish and chips or a salad, or bringing their own packed lunch, a reusable travel cutlery set makes a practical, eco-friendly gift that is also healthier to eat from than the disposable toxin-filled plastic alternatives.