Zero Waste Gift Guide for Everyone On Your List

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I love gift giving. There’s something so nice about watching someone’s face light up after opening a present you picked out for them. What I don’t love? The waste that comes with it. I remember when I was little and we’d go to my grandpa’s house for Christmas Eve – wrapping paper fell from the air like snow as we opened gifts. And those gifts? Probably packaged in plastic and made from plastic. It’s no one’s fault but the companies who manufactured them honestly. But that doesn’t mean we have to just sit by and accept it. There’s definitely a way to give gifts without all the unnecessary waste. The trick? Knowing what to get everyone that doesn’t involve excessive plastic. Gifting is an art after all, and giving good gifts takes knowing the receiver. Here’s a zero waste gift guide for everyone on your list.

This post was sponsored. Also, this post contains some affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase one of these items I will make a very small commission at no extra charge to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Zero Waste Gift Guide For Everyone on Your List

Gift shopping can be intimidating and stressful without the added pressure of zero waste. That’s why I’m here to help you. I’ve organized the gifts into different categories for you to choose from.

All the gifts I chose to highlight are low waste, but also sustainably made and fair trade. Lots of these are vegan-friendly too. I’ve chosen to highlight small businesses and brands making a big impact in the world. All the stores I link to are eco-friendly and not Amazon.

And – many of the products I recommend below I’ve tried before myself! You’ll see a lot of my own pictures in here to prove it.

Of course, please consider shopping secondhand for gifts, or making your own first. However, for those who’d rather shop from home, this zero waste gift guide has you covered.

1. Gifts for the homebody

For someone who loves cozying up on the couch, a home cooked meal, and all things home – these gifts are peak perfection.

Bedthreads

Bedthreads linen sheets make you want to curl up with a good book and laze the day away. I have two sets and can attest they get softer after each wash.

You can build your own bedding bundle (includes up to 5 items) and save 25%. I love mixing and matching colors with their 3D display – it helps me visualize what it’ll look like in my space.

The best part? No plastic touches your body. Their bedsheets are made from 100% French flax linen and are even delivered plastic-free. Plus, linen is a zero waste crop – the entire plant is used in its making so nothing goes to waste!

Earth + Element

Wouldn’t these adorable handmade butter dishes make the cutest gifts? I think they’d pair so well with a thrifted basket and homemade biscuits + jam.

The pieces ship in plastic-free packaging and are hand-made in a female owned LA studio. It’s free of lead (you’d be surprised how many ceramics aren’t!) and even the ‘care’ tag arrives printed on a packet of wildflower seeds.

Bambu

Know someone who loves making homemade meals? Bambu’s bamboo cutting board is game changing! I’ve had mine at least two years now – it still looks and works great!

It’s made from FSC certified bamboo using water-based, food-grade adhesive with NO formaldehyde (because yes, some cutting boards use that – yuck). Plus there’s no plastic resin so there’s no chance of microplastics entering your food.

Discount: Use my code GREENIFYME for 10% off

Albatross

Know someone who adores hosting dinner parties or cooking? Albatross’ aprons will become their new best friend!

Made from 100% organic cotton, these aprons come packed in a reusable carrying case and ship plastic-free. The pouch can be reused to store the apron, or other items like travel essentials or toiletries.

I’m obsessed with their whale design (so cute!) and how well it holds up in the kitchen (and I cook A LOT). It earns extra perks for being machine washable too!

Discount: Use my code GREENIFYME15 for 15% off entire order

Almond Cow

Know someone who loves plant-based milk or lattes? Almond Cow is for them! This convenient milk maker is the gift that keeps on giving – it helps reduce waste, improve health, and save money.

Every Almond Cow prevents at least 500 plastic cartons from ever entering landfills and the ocean. And if you average two cartons per week? You could save over $750 per year switching by switching to Almond Cow!

There’s no additives, fillers or questionable ingredients. Just load it up with your favorite nut/seed/grain, some water, and press a button. In minutes, you’ve got fresh milk with zero straining! And best of all, no microplastics touch your food (the cute glass jug has my whole heart).

Their glass creamer bottles make wonderful stocking stuffers too, whether you have an Almond Cow or not! I use mine to hold DIY simple syrup for my matcha lattes.

Discount: Use my code ARIANA25 for $30 off orders of $200 or more.

2. Gifts for the beauty maven

For the beauty connoisseur, these gifts will wow (and help the planet)

Izzy

Zero waste mascara that’s vegan + cruelty-free? Yes please. Izzy mascara comes delivered in a reusable mailer – when you run out, you just ship it back with the prepaid label! They’ll clean, sanitize, and reuse or recycle every component. Now that’s accountability! You can even subscribe so you have a refill system going – and it allows you to pause or cancel anytime.

Attitude

Attitude’s plastic-free makeup had me swooning. Everything glides on so smooth and leaves such a lovely finish. This Happy Berry Kit includes blush, lip gloss and highlighter in – you guessed it – a berry shade. Best of all, the cardboard packaging can be composted or recycled at the end of its life.

Brixy

Brixy bars last forever. I started using their shampoo and conditioner back in November 2023. The shampoo bar lasted SIX months. And the conditioner bar is STILL going strong. Pure sorcery. And if that’s not cool enough, they’re completely plastic-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.

Discount: Use my code ARIANA10 for 10% off

Axiology

Lip-to-lid cosmetics? Sign me up! Axiology creates vegan, cruelty-free makeup without plastic packaging. Their 3-in-1 balmies only contain 9 clean ingredients with 14 gorgeous colors (my fav is rose in fall, peach in summer). And the most beautiful part? The packaging is crafted from Bali’s paper trash – making it plastic-free, recyclable, and zero waste.

Their mushroom foundation is also revolutionary. It glides on so smooth and provides weightless coverage that’s not cakey. It would make such a sweet stocking stuffer IMO.

Discount: Use my code GREENIFYME for 20% off

Rebrand Skincare

Refillable skincare? Yes, it exists! Rebrand Skincare offers vegan, fragrance-free skincare staples packaged in glass bottles. And refills come in aluminum bottles! The refillable minis kit comes with four 15 ML glass bottles containing their cleanser, serum, moisturizer and super oil. And yes, everything ships plastic-free!

3. Gifts for the fashion lover

Know a fashionista? Impress them with a garment from one of these sustainable brands.

Toad & Co

I’m a little obsessed with Toad and Co’s corduroy. I have their wide leg pants and jumper and look forward to breaking them out every fall and winter. A testament to their durability!

They use hemp and organic cotton to create this wonderfully soft fabric. It ships with minimal packaging waste (they’re working on removing plastic packaging by 2026!). Plus, every purchase gives back – you pick a cause + they donate 1% to it.

Pact

Pact was one of the first sustainable clothing brands I tried – and I’ve been hooked since. I love their bras and underwear specifically – they’d make great stocking stuffers!

They’re made from organic cotton and the bras have no underwire making them so comfy. There’s a variety of styles and patterns to choose from too. Plus, everything comes delivered in recyclable paper packaging.

Organic Basics

Organic Basics flex tees have become staples in my wardrobe. The form-fitting organic cotton tees are soft to the skin and easy to style up or down.

Each garment is made in factories where workers are paid living wages + have safe working conditions. Plus they ship plastic-free!

Allbirds

Allbirds shoes have my undying devotion. They are the ONLY sneakers that doesn’t give me shoe bites. Made from Merino wool, it’s like walking on a cloud.

I have their running shoes (pictured above), flats, hiking, and everyday shoes. To say I’m a fan is an understatement. Plus they’re shipped plastic-free and aren’t stuffed with any plastic components either to stretch out the shoe (just paper/cardboard).

4. Gifts for the techie

We all know that one person who loves their tech. One of these eco-friendly gadgets is bound to impress them.

Pelacase

Know someone who is chronically online? Get them a cute, compostable phone case!

Made from flax shive and a plant-based biopolymer, these cases actually break down at the end of their lives. But that won’t be for a while – because they’re quite durable! Cannot tell you how many times I’ve dropped my iPhone and thanked Pela for saving it.

Plus, there’s all kinds of designs from holiday-themed gingerbread to cute florals. And yes – they have both iPhone AND android cases. Everything arrives plastic-free too.

Tech Pack

I think my programmer husband would appreciate this Tech Pack. It’s constructed from recycled water bottles and designed to withstand wear and tear.

It’s also water resistant, keeping your gadgets safe. There’s multiple compartments and elastic loops for all kinds of external drives, the Nintendo Switch, portable chargers and more.

Nimble

A tech company that utilizes recycled materials and plastic-free packaging? Yes please. Nimble is a certified B-Corp that specializes in eco-friendly chargers and cables.

And lemme tell ya – they get an A+ from my tech-loving hubby. He still uses their duo wireless pad every night to charge his phone (which I got him 2+ years ago by the way).

And for long trips, he loves to bring Nimble’s portable charger. It can charge up to two devices at once and has a whopping 10,000mAh battery for up to 3 days of power. What’s not to love?

Better Battery

Give a gift that keeps on giving – batteries! This AA + AAA combo pack has 40 alkelien batteries inside and a 10-year shelf life.

I have a sample box from 2022 – and let me just say, I’m only NOW thinking about replacements. Granted, I still lived with my parents at the time, but you get the picture.

Plus, the batteries come in plastic-free packaging and can be recycled via their free return program.

Botanica

A flameless, reusable lighter? My fingers have never been happier. Not sure if it’s just me, but I always almost-burn the tips of my fingers when I light a candle.

Botanicas’ nifty little lighters make that impossible. Just press a button, and bam! You’ve got a clean, butane-free light. There’s a safety switch to prevent accidental lights and a USB-port to charge. And you can pick from 5 colors!

5. Gifts for the gardener

Anyone blessed with a green thumb will light up at the sight of these gifts.

Rosy Soil

This peat-free, seedling soil has my infinite praise. I was gifted some for a zero waste gardening workshop last year (we potted plants in upcycled cans – pictured above) and wow – did our seeds grow!

Instead of mining fragile wetlands for peat (and releasing CO2 into the atmosphere), Rosy Soil utilizes biochar, compost, worm castings and mycorrhizae. This supports soil microbiology + restores earth rather than stripping it.

And the packaging is a fully recyclable, carbon negative bag that mimics plastic, but is made from sugar cane. Talk about innovative!

Discount: Use code GREENIFYME for 10% off entire order

Bamboozle home

Compost is vital to a healthy garden bed – and the planet! This countertop compost pail will make composting a breeze – just add your food scraps to it over the week, then dump it into a backyard composter. Your gardener friend will have flourishing plant beds in no time!

Best of all, the pail is made from Astrik, a 100% plant-based plastic that naturally decomposes in the soil at the end of its life. Talk about full circle!

Succulents Box

Know someone obsessed with all-things cacti and succulents? Succulents Box offers 5 monthly subscription plans + more than 300 gorgeous succulent varieties, grown in Southern California. They also have gift boxes perfect for any occasion. There is some plastic packaging, but it’s only to protect the succulent from harm.

Their Christmas gift box features two random succulents, two random ceramic or terracotta pots, a random Christmas card, and care instructions for each succulent. If you want a specific succulent species or have a gift message for the greeting card, let them know via email or the note section and they will do their best to accommodate you.

Discount: Use code GREENIFYME for 15% off entire order

The Sill

The Sill is where I got my beautiful palm tree plant from (pictured above)! Since 2023 it’s stood tall beside my couch – and grown!

The Sill is a houseplant lovers dream with hundreds of plant varieties to choose from. They’ll ship anywhere in the US, even in winter. And I love how they tell you every plant’s sunlight and water requirements. Not to mention if it’s pet-friendly!

This Norfolk Island Pine Tree would make a beautiful gift that keeps giving year-round. You can even use it as a live holiday tree – decorate with lights, ornaments, and enjoy!

Gifting to someone with a pet? Try this adorable holiday cactus – it literally blooms in fall and winter! When most plants are dormant, these cacti will give you reason to smile.

Burpee

Burpee seeds yield a crop every single time! Even when you grow them from containers like me! This culinary herb seed kit is perfect for beginners and comes with 5 seed packets of dill, parsley, cilantro, sweet basil, and chives. It also includes 5 biodegradable pots, 5 expanding coir pellets and 5 plant markers.

Working with a more experienced gardener? Consider gifting them this garden hod, crafted from pine and birch woods, to help them gather their bounty.

6. Gifts for the yogi

For that friend whose ALWAYS doing yoga and into the latest wellness trends.

Earthy

Caffeine without crashing out? Yes please! Say hello to Earthy, a pre-movement adaptogenic cocoa (aka, grown up hot chocolate). Made with only 8 organic ingredients – including functional mushrooms – you’ll be ready to do yoga all day long!

There’s no GMOs, fillers, artificial or hidden ingredients. Just add water and drink! You can also make a delicious latte with it (you’d best believe I’ll be doing exactly that when mine arrives)!

Scoria Cork Yoga Mat

This vegan yoga mat from Scoria is made from sustainably harvested cork, rubber and low impact dyes. It’ll ship plastic-free and comes with a carry strap that’s 50% organic cotton.

Cork is also anti-microbial so there’s no worry of germs, mold or mildew forming. I’m obsessed with the butterfly pattern, but they have a few other designs to choose from (like this moon phase mat).

Even cooler, Scoria donates a portion of their proceeds to Right to Play, which empowers Indigenous youth through play-based education that promotes healthy living and life-skills.

Scoria Cork Yoga Block

This eco-friendly yoga block is made from sustainably harvested and naturally anti-microbial cork. It has a pretty moon pattern on the front. For every block sold, 6 meals will be donated to those in need through Feeding Children Everywhere.

Scoria Cork Massage Balls

Made from sustainably harvested naturally anti-microbial cork, this 3pk of massage balls are smooth and firm to gently massage trigger points and aid in muscle recovery. Perfect for before or after a workout. I got them for my dad – a black belt in Karate – and he still uses them to this day! They come delivered plastic-free too, in a reusable cloth pouch.

Re Botanicals

RE Botanicals makes USDA certified organic CBD hemp oils, topicals and more. They’re made in the USA, non-GMO, and donate 1% of all sales to educate farmers about regenerative agriculture practices.

I’ve tried their Hemp 25MG Classic Tincture and Relief Body Oil before – loving them equally. The tincture is 30ML, 100% USA sun-grown organic hemp, and it comes in a class dropper bottle. It’s an easy to take liquid tincture that can be added to water, tea, smoothies, or be taken straight up to calm down and relax. Great before bed!

And the roll-on is such a wonderful way to unwind – it’s lavender scented! I love applying some to my wrists.

7. Gifts for the zero waste beginner

Know someone just starting their zero waste journey? These gifts will help them out a little.

Bees Wrap

I hate plastic cling wrap with a burning passion, so these Beeswax wraps were no brainers. They keep food fresh and don’t stick to you every time you try to handle them. Made from cotton, jojoba oil, tree resin, and beeswax, they’re compostable at the end of their life. And yes, there is a vegan version (which I’ve also tried and vouched for – pictured above right).

ZWS Produce bags

Reusable produce bags are one of my favorite zero waste swaps! This set of two cloth produce bags is great for beginners. The lightweight organic cotton knit lets your produce breath. Plus, the drawstring top keeps everything from falling out while you’re shopping!

Stasher

I use Stasher bags all the time to house leftovers, sandwiches, or freeze fruit for smoothies. This 4 pack with assorted sizes is a great place to start. Made from non-toxic, BPA-free pure platinum silicone, it’s endlessly reusable. They can go in the fridge, freezer, microwave – even the oven!

ZWS Swedish dish cloth

Goodbye single-use paper towels! Swedish dish cloths are so much cuter, and they’re fully compostable at the end of their life. Made from cellulose and cotton, they can absorb 20x their weight in liquid – and are machine washable! Just make sure you let it air dry. Use it to wipe up spills, clean counters – anything a paper towel would do. But better!

ZWS dish brush kit

I’ve owned every single one of these dish brushes at least once – except the vegetable brush. But that’s next on my list! This kit comes complete with a long handled agave dish brush, dish scrubber, coconut fiber bottle brush, and veggie cleaning brush. All plastic-free and compostable at the end of their lives. Pair it with a dish soap block and you’re all set!

What did you think of this zero waste gift guide?

If you need more gifting inspo, here’s 60 zero waste gifts for men and 25 zero waste stocking stuffers.

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