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35 Sustainable Gifts to Give That Are Unique and Useful

This is one way to help everyone around you be more green.

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sustainable giftspinterest
Soumi Sarkar

Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

If you're worried about the impact your purchases have on the environment, then this year take a new approach to gift-giving. Sustainable gifts are no longer just a buzzword; it’s a lifestyle that many of us are following. After all, there's only one Earth and we want to do our best to keep it pristine for future generations. To make things easier, at House Beautiful we rounded up 35 of the best eco-friendly finds for everyone on your list.

It can be hard to decipher what’s actually good for the Earth, though. To help you cut through the noise, all of our picks are certified to be ethically sourced, use upcycled/recycled materials, or will help you cut down on disposable products that create waste. If your mom wants to be more environmentally sound, we found items like an indoor composter and cleaning supplies to start her on a more eco-friendly journey. If your friend has been telling you for years to stop buying plastic bottles, we found the perfect reusable water bottle for under $25. Additionally, there are actually quite a few affordable and unique products out there like pencils and lollipops you can plant (yes, really!).

Green gift giving is in your future and easier than you think. Ahead, you'll find that there's something for everyone on your list. And if you don't have anyone to buy a present for, well, just treat yourself to an item or two!

For the Office Worker

Slopehill Reusable Utensils with Case

Reusable Utensils with Case
Now 24% Off
$6 at Walmart

This easy-to-clean reusable utensil set will fit into your bag without any issues. After picking up one for yourself, give them out to your friends or coworkers. They will use the set regularly, especially on your weekly lunch dates.

For the Barware Lovers

Indiana Glass Company Green Coupe Glasses Set of 4

Green Coupe Glasses Set of 4

The best way to be more sustainable is to shop less and if you do shop, try to go the secondhand route if possible. Instead of buying completely new barware for instance, check out 1stDibs collection of vintage glasses like this gorgeous set of four coupes. They were made in the '70s and make your wine nights feel extra elegant.

For the Driver

Homesick Road Trip Car Freshener

Road Trip Car Freshener
Now 20% Off

If you've ever gotten a headache while inhaling traditional car fresheners, you know that's not a good thing. For a more modern, and eco-friendly approach, give anyone who's still hanging the little trees from their mirrors this alternative from Pura. The brand follows strict standards set by The International Fragrance Association (IFRA), so its fragrances are safe to use in any environment. Pura doesn't test on animals and the scents are created with responsibly sourced ingredients. If you want to know what "Road Trip" smells like, the description reads: a spritz of lime, leather seats, fresh air, and cedar.

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For the Candle Lover

Slow North Embers + Leather Candle

Embers + Leather Candle

Non-toxic candles like this one are a great way to refresh your home without adding harmful chemicals in your air. These are made from essential oils and soy wax, and it’s topped with a cover you can plant to grow wildflowers.

For Keepsakes

Yvonne Leung Personalized Love Jewelry Box

Personalized Love Jewelry Box

Made with sustainable alder wood, this handmade box is perfect for a friend who loves things that sparkle. It can also be used as a sweet memory box!

Move over Stanley IceFlow, everyone's talking about the Owala. Water bottles are not only the best way to reduce your reliance on plastic cups and straws, but they're also much easier and nicer to carry around to your workout classes. Owala's have a built-in straw if you prefer to sip your drinks and a secondary hole if you rather not. They come in so many beautiful colors, you'll have a hard time picking one.

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For the Germaphobe

Blueland Hand Soap Duo

Hand Soap Duo

"I've tried almost all of Blueland's products and have been a fan of their environmentally friendly mission since day one," Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao says. "The one product I keep coming back to is the hand soap. The scents are light and don't dry out your skin. I've bought them as gifts for friends, in a secret way to reduce their waste, and everyone loves the hand soaps."

For the Long Distance Friend

Goodfit Postcard Puzzle - Call Me Maybe?

Postcard Puzzle - Call Me Maybe?

Available in an easy-to-assemble 60 pieces, Goodfit has various eye-catching puzzles created by artists. The puzzles are 100 percent premium recycled cardboard and finished with a linen texture. Add a personalized postcard message on the back, and your friend will totally frame it!

For the Dinner Party Host

Rockflower Paper Icelandic Poppies Reusable Cocktail Napkins

Icelandic Poppies Reusable Cocktail Napkins

These cocktail napkins are made from recycled plastic bottles and they not only dry super quickly, but also feature a reversible floral pattern. You're getting two different napkin designs for the price of one! They would make a great hostess gift.

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For the Professional Chef

Coyuchi Sonoma Textured Organic Apron

Sonoma Textured Organic Apron

A good apron is crucial to any at-home chef and this one is made from organic cotton—not to mention, it's woven in a factory that recycles 98 percent of its wastewater. There are two large front pockets for easy access to any kitchen tools, and it comes in a classic denim blue shade.

For the Nap Queen

Sijo Home Eucalyptus Throw Blanket

Eucalyptus Throw Blanket

You will fall in love with this soft throw blanket woven from cooling eucalyptus that only gets better (and softer) in time. The blanket has a cozy waffle knit texture, and the eucalyptus is sustainably farmed.

For the Mixologist

MoMA Two-Tone Borosilicate Straws

Two-Tone Borosilicate Straws

For those who want to give up single-use plastic straws but hate the feeling of drinking through a metal straw, these colorful borosilicate straws are a great alternative. They even come with cleaning tools to keep them in the best possible condition.

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For the Beauty Routine Master

Weezie Makeup Towels

Makeup Towels

Cut down on the use of disposable face and makeup wipes with this pair of super cute makeup towels. For an even sweeter touch, you can personalize them for your recipient.

For the WFH Setup

Sasha Plotitsa Reclaimed Wood Desktop Organizer

Reclaimed Wood Desktop Organizer

Any work-from-home setup needs a little organization to keep the desk from turning into chaos. Why not use one made from Douglas fir wood, which were reclaimed from construction sites and upcycled? There are slots for your phone, writing utensils, and whatever other office essentials you need.

For the Glassware Collector

Amici Home Recycled Drinking Glasses

Recycled Drinking Glasses

These sleek 12-ounce glass cups are upcycled and embossed with a bee design. So not only are they pretty and sustainable, but they're also the practical gift that keeps on giving since your friend will use them daily.

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For the Plant Parent

Melanie Abrantes Natural Cork Hanging Planter

Natural Cork Hanging Planter

Since this hanging planter is made from cork, it's biodegradable, renewable, and recyclable. Plus, trees do not need to be cut down to harvest cork, meaning it helps promote reforestation and maintain wildlife diversity.

For the Zero Waste Household

Airthereal Revive Electric Kitchen Composter

On Sale
Revive Electric Kitchen Composter

An (odor-free) table-top composter that turns your scraps into fertilizer for your garden? We tested it and loved it. An easy way to change your wasteful habits is with a countertop composter, so your scraps of food can be put to good use.

For the Commuter

WAAM Industries Reusable Lunch Bag

Reusable Lunch Bag

Make the paper lunch bag look sleek again with this reusable canvas lookalike bag that's finished with beeswax. You never have to rely on plastic shopping bags to carry your lunch again. Plus, it's easily washable.

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For the Athlete

Smartwool Bike Ribbed Crew Socks

Bike Ribbed Crew Socks

For the hiker, biker or athlete, a good pair of socks is something they won’t remember to get themselves, but they’ll always need. These are made from recycled nylon and merino wool for softness and warmth.

For the Coffee Lover

Lekue Go Reusable Travel Mug

Go Reusable Travel Mug

Reusable coffee cups and travel mugs are nothing new, but this one is special. Why? The silicone cup collapses, making it super easy to store or toss in your bag when you're done with your drink.

Headshot of Medgina Saint-Elien
Medgina Saint-Elien

Medgina Saint-Elien is a lifestyle and design editor, whose journey has been marked by her interest in popular culture and technology. Saint-Elien uses her editorial eye to find the "on the pulse" moments in media through trend forecasting, exciting new product launches, hands-on reviews, and covering the "lightbulb" moments in every maker's story. She is a creative strategist who conceptualizes digital franchises and partnerships that draw readers to take a second look. In addition to House Beautiful, her work has been published in Cosmopolitan, Byrdie, Snapchat, and more. 

Headshot of Janae McKenzie
Janae McKenzie
Associate Shopping Editor

Janae McKenzie is the Associate Shopping Editor at House Beautiful, where she regularly covers the best of the best in home brands. Since joining the House Beautiful team in 2023, Janae regularly creates seasonal in addition to reviewing and evaluating home decor, bespoke furniture, and accessories. Janae also routinely tests viral products, from to , determining quality and guiding readers to the best purchases possible. Janae holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and began her career at Food Network shortly after graduation. She also covers relevant and in the home space, a skill she honed during her tenure as a news writer at Glamour. When she’s not writing or scoping out the to test, you can find her hunting for trinkets to add to her bookshelf or artfully arranging her Playbill collection. 

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