The Best Gifts From Sustainable Brands (That We’ve Written About Before)

We first wrote about Bamboozle when we included thissurprisingly stylish compost pailin our roundup of thenicest-looking compost bins. It turns out the brand has a wide selection of kitchen and dining accessories, all made from biodegradable, sustainable bamboo fiber. Their kids’ options are especially adorable, like this elephant set that includes a dishwasher-safe
bamboo plate, bowl, cup, and silverware.

If the cardigan she carries around all summer (because she never knows where the AC will be on full blast) is looking a little worse for wear, she’ll love this luxe sweater from Spanish brand Babaà. According to Strategist writer Liza Corsillo, who included the brand in herguide to sustainable clothing, its organic cotton yarns are “never mixed with acrylics or any other synthetic fibers, meaning the end product lasts a long time and is biodegradable.”

If he spends his Sunday afternoons roasting veggies, grilling chicken, and cooking up a pot of quinoa to eat throughout the week, he’ll appreciate receiving a few of theseglass storage containers. Each one has a silicone (not plastic) lid and comes with a protective silicone sleeve that also provides insulation. BPA-free, the containers can be used in the freezer, oven, microwave, and dishwasher.

Sheet masks andunder-eye patchesare great for an instant hydration boost, but if you’re using them on a regular basis, you could be generating a lot of waste. Instead, you can pop thesereusable, washable patchesover your favorite eye cream for ten to 30 minutes and get very similar results. Strategist writerRio Viera-Newtonlikes to keep hers in the fridge for “a cooling, de-puffing effect.”

Refresh his basics with a set of socks fromJapanese brandPaper Project. The heel and toe areas are made from durable, sustainable paper yarn that’s a blend of actual paper and Manila hemp, a fast-growing plant that prevents soil erosion. For every pair of socks sold, Paper Project also donates a tree to the National Forest Foundation.

Over the past year,recreational vehiclessurged in popularity among people looking for a pandemic-friendly way to travel — and avoid gas-station bathroom breaks. One industry insider told Strategist contributor Ashlea Halpern that RV sales were up 170 percent last summer compared to the previous year. If you know anyone who went all-in on the trend and bought their own, help make their home-on-wheels a little more ecofriendly with this composting toilet. It processes waste without water and lets it naturally decompose. AmongRV experts, Nature’s Head is the biggest name in the game.

Even those who are eager for schools to reopen might find they miss one aspect of remote learning: homemade lunches that are way more delicious than cafeteria food. Parents who spent the past year improving their kitchen skills can send their kids off with some favorite menu options in this reusable (and microwave- and dishwasher-safe) lunch box from the nearly century-old brand Takenaka. Strategist contributor Leah Bhabha brings hers to work, and says it’s “so much cooler than Tupperware or a brown paper bag.”

Whether he’s picking up heirloom tomatoes, locally made sourdough loaves, or the first ramps of the season, these reusable cloth bags are a favorite ofPark Slope Food Co-Op membersfor carrying produce and bulk goods. They’re also useful for storing vegetables in the fridge at home and keeping them fresh longer.

She doesn’t have to cut out her daily coffee runs and make her brew at home to be more sustainable. Instead, just swap out a to-go cup with one of thesereusable glass tumblersthat work for both hot and cold drinks. Baristas like that the small-size KeepCup fits into most espresso machines, so it’s easy for pouring cappuccinos or cortados.

She may keep her countertops shiny and her fridge fingerprint-free, but her habit of burning through a whole roll of paper towels in each cleaning session isn’t doing the planet any favors. Take a hint from Micaela Preston of the natural-living blogMindful Momma, who told us “one of the simplest and affordable ways to kickstart anecofriendly kitchen makeoveris by swapping out single-use paper products for more reusable cloths.” Preston recommends these “paperless towels” that are durable, absorbent, and machine-washable — and able to stand up to any kind of mess.

If her favorite work-from-homesweatpantshave seen better days, give her an upgrade in the form of these organic cotton joggers from Mate the Label. As Corsillo explains, the brand “reduces its carbon footprint by keeping its supply chain local. Everything is cut, sewn, and shipped from Los Angeles.” Go with basic white or choose from a number of pretty, natural-inspired hues likesageandturmeric.

A women-owned,minority-ownedfamily business, Pipcorn makes popcorn and other snacks from sustainably grown heirloom corn. Pipcorn’s crackers (which come in flavors like cheddar and everything bagel) are actually made from finely ground corn flour that’s a byproduct of its cheese-ball production. This sampler includes some of the brand’s greatest hits, including crackers, cheese balls, Parmesan crunchies, and of course, its signature popcorn.

This flowy, high-neck dress is handmade from organic cotton and as comfortable as her favoritebillowy caftan— but sophisticated enough to wear outside the house. Christy Dawn, one of our favoritesustainable clothing brands, supports its workers both in its Los Angeles factory and the farm in India where it sources cotton. Its clothing is often made from upcycled, deadstock fabric, and the brand is invested in a process called regenerative agriculture, in which carbon is drawn out of the atmosphere and locked into the soil.

Gen Zhas spoken: Skinny jeans are dead, just like other millennial favorites like the side part and — for some reason that’s unclear to this 30-something — the face with tears of joy emoji. Show your cool teen cousin you’re up on the trends with this decidedly voluminous pair of jeans fromsustainable denim brandBoyish. Along with using ecofriendly materials like organic cotton and Tencel, Boyish has minimized the use of plastic fibers in their jeans and participates in theJeans Redesignproject, an industry-wide initiative for reducing waste.

Compared to plastic toys,wooden oneslast longer and biodegrade faster. These oak blocks are painted with a nontoxic, water-based paint and can be stacked in an infinite variety of shapes to keep little hands (and, adult ones, too) busy.

Good lightingmakes a big difference, whether you’re taking selfies, product photos, or filming an IG Live. Unfortunately, energy-conscious compact fluorescent lightbulbs tend to be less flattering than less ecofriendly incandescents. That’s not the case with these LED bulbs, though, whichHomepolishinterior designer Olivia Stutz says give a “nice soft light.”

Get them started on the right foot with this sleek set of refillable glass bottles for hand soap, multi-surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, and a glass and mirror cleaner, fromAsian American–ownedBlueland. Blueland’s cleaning products come in tiny tablets that dissolve in water, so they’ll never have to buy plastic-packaged cleaning supplies again.

She’ll be impressed with how farhairsprayhas come since heraerosol Elnettdays, after she tries out this organic version that’s made with honey, aloe, essential oils, and rooibos tea, and no parabens or fragrances.Tara Foley, the founder of nontoxic skin-care and makeup storeFollain, told us, “It leaves hair feeling shiny and supple, while still providing really reliable hold.”

This handsome wood rattle is a far cry from a garish plastic alternative, and it’s sustainably made. According to Corsillo, who included the rattle in her roundup of the best wooden toys, “It’s painted with environmentally friendly, nontoxic milk paint and sealed with organic virgin coconut oil,” so it’s totally safe for teething.