Between Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and more buying frenzy opportunities on the horizon, it’s safe to say consumerism is in full force - and unfortunately, not in an eco-friendly way. Many of us find ourselves scouring the internet for the perfect gifts, making multiple trips to the grocery store (or Instacart orders), and justifying unnecessary purchases in light of the season. All of this shopping and spending is much more harmful than many realize, having long-term effects on the health of the planet and fueling climate change.
The silver lining: every person has the ability to make a difference, even if it is just in their household. We understand that when a large number of people make small lifestyle changes with the planet in mind, our collective efforts will lead to significant improvements. This holiday season, we encourage you to shift your perspective on gift-giving and showing loved ones you care, purchasing presents that help us treat our planet a little kinder.
- Compost Bin. Long gone are the days of compost bins that make eyesores in the kitchen. These days, you can find countertop compost bins that are just as cute as they are effective. This modern bamboo option by Bamboozle is made with renewable, biodegradable materials and breaks down organic waste in a chic fashion.
- Mesh Produce Bags. Skip the plastic produce bags and consider purchasing mesh produce bags that are great for shopping and storing fruits and vegetables in an eco-friendly fashion. For extra pantry space, hang full bags of onions, garlic, and potatoes by the drawstring.
- Reusable Straws. We should all know by now that plastic straws are a no-go #savetheturtles. Cafes, restaurants, and even entire cities have pledged to ban the use of plastic straws after learning of the horrific effect they have on the environment. Lucky for straw-lovers, reusable straws made with alternatives to single-use plastic are widely available. Not only are they sleek in appearance, they’re safe to use, easy to clean, and reusable for ages. We recommend stainless steel as they are the most durable in comparison to glass and bamboo.
- Plant-based Cookbooks. At SGSY, we’re major advocates for plant-based diets, as embracing a more plant-based lifestyle is the single most sustainable action an individual can take. One way we encourage our loved ones to infuse more plant-based foods? Beautiful plant-based cookbooks. Not only do they look beautiful on your shelf or coffee table, they are filled with delicious and nutritious bites every foodie will appreciate. A few of our favorites include Sweet Potato Soul, Love & Lemons Every Day, and Plants Only Kitchen.
- Silicone Baking Mat. In comparison to a maximum of 4 uses with parchment paper, silicone baking mats can see more than 2,000 uses in the oven before starting to show signs of age. For any frequent baker, this is a kitchen must-have and makes a practical gift that is promised to get good use.
- Market Totes. Make you or a loved one’s grocery shopping trips more eco-friendly, sustainable and more stylish with market totes. Replacing plastic bags with reusable, washable totes saves you money and resources all at once. Avoid the plastic-bag fee and collecting dozens of paper bags under your sink and reduce the amount of non-renewable resources necessary to produce grocery bags. It’s a win-win!
- Beeswax Wraps. Another easy kitchen swap worth giving a try is Beeswax Wraps in place of traditional cling wrap. In addition to being compostable, reusable, and freezer-friendly, they also keep food fresher longer helping to limit food waste. Bonus, beeswax has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties similar to honey, making them ideal for use with food.
- Reusable Silicone Storage Bags. A plastic bag can take as long as 500 years to degrade in landfill, and typically won’t ever break down completely, becoming microplastics that pollute our environment. Say goodbye to single-use ziploc bags and consider buying eco-friendly, plastic-free alternatives such as Reusable Silicone Storage Bags.
- Bar Shampoo & Conditioner. An emerging sustainable bathroom trend, solid shampoo, and conditioner bars make an awesome gift. Most notably, they are plastic-free, great for travel, and super-concentrated, giving you more bang for your buck. Our favorite brand as of lately? Ethique. They handcraft solid shampoos, conditioners, face & body, beauty bars that are cruelty and vegan free. Bonus: they ship completely plastic-free and will plant a tree for just $5USD.
We hope you enjoy these eco-friendly gift suggestions and can't wait to hear how everyone loves them!