20 Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Gifts for Less-Guilty Giving

Both sweet and sophisticated, this fair trade, organic cotton pillow brings a touch of cartoonish whimsy to a chic, attention-grabbing shape. Its rubber foam fill is organic and plant-based, and it’s gently weighted for those looking to double down on stress relief and self-care.

Trade paper towels for these 100% cotton napkins from Apricot, a home decor brand and Etsy shop run by Topanga Canyon-based designer Anna Prewett. Cut, sewn, and dyed by hand, each piece comes in a dream-like mishmash of soft, soothing hues. Choose from playful colorways like Geode, Algae, Mood Ring, and Moonstruck.

The perfect gift for a style-savvy host. Hand-carved from magical-sounding rainbow sandstone, each four-piece set is made by skilled stone artisans in Agra, India, and is the product of a Fair Trade Certified process. Equally noteworthy: the rainbow sandstone trays, bowls, candle holders, and palo santo set, complete with sticks, all made by the same workshop.

Know someone in need of a compost bin upgrade? Uncommon Goods’ recycled plastic receptacle provides an elegant solution to reducing kitchen waste—and your carbon footprint. As efficient as it is pleasing to the eye, it’s able to keep up with compostable scraps generated by two to three people each week. (For that, you can thank an industrious team of earthworms, hard at work beneath the contours of its sculptural cork lid.)

A functional and design-forward stocking stuffer, these brightly colored salad utensils—developed exclusively for MoMA—are a recycled plastic remake of a 1980s Bodum classic. Choose red, yellow, or green—or, better yet, buy multiple sets for the culinarians on your list and mix them up!

There are a million-and-one ways to use this recycled plastic crate by Danish design retailer HAY. An elevated (and eco-friendly) version of a storage staple, it one-ups its more traditional counterparts with a slew of enticing extras: Available in a range of sizes and colors, it’s stackable, collapsible, recyclable, and can be customized with add-on wheels and lids.

Give loved ones the gift of lush, low-maintenance moss. Naturally preserved using non-toxic methods, this handmade kokedama, or Japanese moss ball, requires zero effort on its owner’s part, making it a great gift for plant lovers who may or may not be blessed with green thumbs.

This coconut fiber Shih Tzu planter is made by Filipino artisans in a fair trade setting. Keen on a different canine? Likhâ’s sustainable gifts come in the shape of dachshunds, westies, poodles, and more. (And for non-dog-lovers, the brand offers kitchenware, trays, and baskets of equal charm.)

A mix of virgin and recycled materials—in this case, porcelain—adds an earth-friendly appeal to these stackable side plates. Their lightweight, hand-painted exterior, however, disguises a remarkable hardiness: They’re not only dishwasher-safe but can be placed in the freezer and oven too.

Hand-poured in the Western Catskills, these statuesque pillars are made of 100% North American beeswax, boast an impressive 70-hour burn time, and are the product of a small business that prioritizes responsible sourcing and the use of sustainable materials. As if that weren’t notable enough, each set comes in its own gift box, which means no wrapping paper required.

No list of sustainable gift ideas would be complete without a mention of a chic, refillable water bottle. This one, from Japanese lifestyle brand Kinto, is made of BPA-free materials; comes in four vivid colors; and features a handy silicone strap on its half-twist lid—making the swap from disposable straws and single-use plastic water bottles a breeze.

If you have a friend or loved one who’ll be traveling safely this year—or hopes to be in the near future—give them the gift of this very attractive carbon-neutral suitcase. Paravel offsets the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and shipping the carry-on, and an impressive number of its components are made of recycled materials including the handle, shell, zipper, and a lining made of plastic bottles.

Not only is this soap dish made of bamboo and cornstarch a great-looking gift, it’s perfect for someone who’s into composting or living a zero-waste lifestyle. Fill More Waste Less will stuff all the proverbial stockings with eco-friendly gifts from reusable straws and sponges to bamboo toothbrushes, skin care products and shampoo bars, all with a minimalist touch.

We spend a third of our life sleeping, so who wouldn’t want to rest their precious head on a pillow that’s organic, nontoxic, and, best of all, feels like a firm cloud? This vegan pillow is made of upcycled latex rubber and plant fiber with a washable cotton cover—it’s the upgrade every bedroom deserves.

Candles make great gifts for any occasion, but some are silent indoor polluters. Eek. Candles with lead-based wicks emit lead into the air and those made with paraffin wax can be packed with toxins. The newest candles from sustainability focused, Certified B-Corporation Grow Fragrance are completely toxin- and cruelty-free and plant-based (soy and coconut oil replace traditional beeswax and paraffin), are made in the U.S. with lead-free wicks, and are part of the Leaping Bunny and 1% for the Planet initiatives. Even better, the tins the candles come in are made of recycled aluminum and slip into a reusable concrete vessel.

Is there a puzzle maniac lurking in your social circle? Add to their collection with a gorgeous still life, printed on 100% recycled paper.

Word in the bedding blogosphere is that eucalyptus sheets are the most eco-friendly option because the manufacturing process uses zero harmful chemicals and 10 times less water than cotton. This set by Buffy is made in a closed-loop facility in Lenzing, Austria, meaning the solvent used to turn the eucalyptus into fiber is 99.5% reused, not released into the environment. Buffy tops off all this good stuff by using all-natural dyes and an energy-efficient ultrasonic dye method. Who’s sold?

Saatva's down alternative comforter is another sustainable bedding staple that will elevate your set-up. It’s hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating, meaning it's great for particularly hot sleepers.