1. Refillable Candles @ The Good Fill

Not only are candles a great piece of decor that helps create a stylish setting but when they have a decadent scent, the aroma alone can be quite relaxing. And these wicked little wonders tick both of those criteria, all while being infinitely refillable — talk about low waste!

Crafted from a blend of beeswax and coconut oil, these candles are hand-poured into a glass container and designed to be refilled and used repeatedly. 

Why we love it: woman-owned, zero waste, refillable

Price: $22

2. Zero Waste Cotton Napkins @ Passion Lilie

Give them a pretty reason to let go of those unsustainably disposable paper serviettes with a little help from these chic cotton napkins from Passion Lilie.

Crafted from leftover production fabrics, these napkins are eco-friendly, reusable (read: machine washable), and they look really good. Your host will enjoy whipping out one of these suave serviettes out every time they cook up and serve up a storm.

Why we love it: woman-owned, handwoven, hand dyed, zero waste, fair trade, ethically made

Price: $20-$32

3. Non-Toxic Loaf Pan @ Caraway

For the banana bread baker in your life, this loaf pan from Caraway is a great way to show them just how much you appreciate their baked delights. Crafted with a mineral-based coating that won’t leach toxic chemicals into their bread and cakes, it can easily double up as a storage pan when not in use.

Available in a range of bright and beautiful hues, this pan will help them spam you with gram-worthy content every time they bake up a new creation.

Why we love it: non-toxic ceramic coating, steel body, free of hazardous materials

Price: $40

4. Repurposed Kantha Keychains @ WorldFinds

For the busy bee who appreciates a practical yet pretty trinket to have in her bag at all times, a repurposed Kantha keychain will make for the cutest little stocking stuffer. 

A dose of cheerful color, these keychains are handcrafted by female artisans in India using repurposed sari and Kantha textiles. Since they are made from textile scraps, each design is more delightfully unique than the other — just like the special people in your life receiving these as their gifts.

Why we love it: handcrafted, repurposed from scrap textiles, ethically made

Price: $15-$24

5. Non-Toxic Muffin Pan @ Caraway

For the bakers who are constantly treating you with their homemade blueberry muffins, Caraway’s non-toxic pan is an environmentally-friendly stocking filler they’ll love to use. 

Made with a non-stick ceramic coating that’s free of toxic chemicals, this tray makes healthy baking possible. It can also be used to make savory dishes like mini meat loaves, potato gratin, and even frittata muffins.

Why we love it: non-toxic ceramic coating, steel body, free of hazardous materials

Price: $50

6. Zero Waste Dish Cleaning Set @ Green Eco Dream

For the one who likes to keep things clean and tidy, this zero-waste stocking filler will reduce their dependence on plastic items for good. 

Complete with a castille natural dish soap, loofah dish sponges, bamboo soap dish, and brush, along with a Swedish dishcloth made from cellulose and organic cotton, this cleaning set is the most practical present you could give. (Check out Green Eco Dream’s gift sets for more eco-minded giftable bundles.)

Why we love it: natural materials and ingredients, plastic-free, zero waste

Price: $37

7. Craft and Color Busy Box @ EarthHero

The perfect gift for the budding artist who is always busy drawing their next big masterpiece, this aptly titled “busy box” comes with an art pad, a bottle of non-toxic glue, wooden sticks, scissors, watermelon-shaped erasers, a box of beeswax crayons, and a canister of colored pencils to keep them occupied for hours on end.

Why we love it: non-toxic, plastic-free

Price: $36

8. Fair Trade Baby Booties @ Made Trade

Handcrafted from natural wool, these adorable baby booties are a great stocking stuffer for newborns this Christmas. These cute booties feature a soft sole and are designed for babies that haven’t begun walking as yet. 

Shaped like animals with great attention to detail, whether it’s bunnies, bumblebees, elephants, or unicorns, you’re sure to find an adorable pick from their range of booties.   

Why we love it: handcrafted, fair trade, natural wool, ethically made

Price: $27

9. Beeswax Crayons @ EarthHero

Made from food-grade pigments, these long beeswax crayons will keep the little artists happily submerged in their drawing books. We love the fact that these crayons are totally free from petroleum-based waxes. 

Just don’t forget to encourage them to color outside the lines!

Why we love it: beeswax, non-toxic colors

Price: $17

10. Organic Cotton Pig Rattle @ Made Trade

The cutest little gift for the rugrat you love tickling, this hand-knitted organic cotton rattle is ethically made by female artisans in Bangladesh. A huggable wonder, this pig rattle will be a welcome addition to their playpen of toys.

Why we love it: handcrafted, organic cotton, ethically made

Price: $23

11. Refillable Trial & Travel Kit

For beauty-conscious women who are always on the lookout for the best in skincare, this trial kit by Activist Skincare is the perfect gift you can give them.

From cleanser to moisturizer, these kits contain a four-step skincare routine with options that cater to both dry and blemish-prone skin to help them feel and look their best. The brand is known for using a blend of ethically sourced natural botanicals and the most gentle active ingredients that are completely vegan.

And we wouldn’t underestimate these bite-sized beauties! Besides having a TSA-approved volume that can easily be tossed into carry-ons, these bottles hold two to four weeks’ worth of usable product that can always be topped up with refills.

Why we love it: woman-owned, cruelty-free, non-toxic, ethically sourced ingredients, zero waste, refillable packaging, gives back  

Price: $25 with 50% off code TRYACTIVIST (usually $50)

12. Golde Superfood Masks @ GOLDE

Superfoods aren’t just for eating — these food-grade masks are made from nutrient-dense organic fruit extracts that help detoxify and exfoliate the skin, especially after those sweaty workout sessions. 

This power-packed powder-to-gel mask duo comes in papaya and clean greens mask full of fruit enzymes and chlorophyll that can rid the skin of its impurities. We suggest using them post-gym shower for some deep pore cleansing.

Why we love it: vegan, organic, Black-owned business

Price: $34 each

13. Organic Body Lotion @ Fat And The Moon

Made from hydrating organic ingredients like rosewater, aloe vera, sunflower oil, and shea butter, this body cream is a great stocking stuffer for the beauty junkies in your life. 

P.S. The brand recommends storing it in the fridge to maximize its shelf-life since it’s made using organic ingredients.

Why we love it: organic, ethically made

Price: $44

14. Organic Cotton Fanny Pack @ Made Trade

A functional stocking stuffer for the adventurous globe-trotter or the one who is always on the go, this organic cotton fanny pack is the perfect hands-free carryall that makes rushing through airport security or getting errands done around town feel like a breeze.

Spacious and wide enough to fit all the essentials — phone, keys, and wallet included — and made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, this purchase will also help donate meals to kids and families in need. (For more petite-sized ethical gifts, check out Made Trade’s stocking stuffers collection.) 

Why we love it: organic cotton, GOTS-certified low-impact dyes, fair trade

Price: $35

15. Bark-Tanned Goat Leather Key Wrap @ Billy Tannery

Stocking stuffers are meant for thoughtful presents like this handy little key wrap.

Roomy enough to store four to five individual keys in its concealed metal ring, your loved ones will never lose their keys again when its stashed away in this stylish leather organizer.

The bonus: no more key scratches on their phones! 

Why we love it: vegetable-tanned goat leather; sourced, tanned, and made locally; durable and functional 

Price: $42

16. Kantha Connection Bracelets @ WorldFinds

Ethical stocking fillers for the social butterfly in your life, these bracelets have a bohemian charm to them and send a strong message. Titled by values like “Unity”, “Joy”, “Hope”, and “Compassion” to name a few, these thoughtful trinkets will help your loved one feel inspired knowing that their gift has made a difference. 

Handmade by Indian female artisans, every purchase sets them on the path to attaining financial empowerment and independence. 

Why we love it: handcrafted, repurposed from scrap textiles, ethically made

Price: $17 each

17. Hand Stitched Recycled Notebook @ Etsy

Personalized stationery is the best kind of gift to give and receive. And what better way to help your loved ones start the new year on the right note than with a bespoke notebook? 

This notebook lets you add custom text of up to 256 characters that are typed up on a vintage typewriter for added aesthetic. 

Whether its their favorite motivational quote or lyrics to their go-to song, make use of its lengthy personalization space to delight your loved ones with a gift they’ll cherish.

Why we love it: handcrafted, recycled paper

Price: $10+

18. Personalized Jewelry @ ABLE

For the accessory aficionados who relish in the ability of jewelry to polish off their daily look with a personal touch, these customizable pieces by ABLE make for the best stocking stuffers.

Add a monogram corresponding to their initials and help them convey exquisite individual style through either one or more of these personalized rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Why we love it: women-run business, ethically made, pays living wages 

Price: $38+

19. Reusable Stasher Bags @ Green Eco Dream

The most practical eco-friendly stocking stuffers on our list, these reusable silicone stasher bags remove the reliance on single-use plastic wraps and make way for a low-impact alternative for their food storing needs.

Available in a range of options to choose from, we highly recommend getting the four pack bundle for optimum use.

Why we love it: reusable, plastic-free, BPA and phthalate-free

Price: $10-50

20. Reusable Bowl Lids @ Green Eco Dream

Let your gift recipient no bowl uncovered this holiday season with a little help from these silicone bowl lids. The perfect eco stocking fillers for stashing away some leftovers in the refrigerator without causing an odor, these lids from Food Huggers can stretch to fit bowls of varying sizes depending on what set you purchase.

Endlessly reusable, these lids are a great way to eliminate single-use plastics like saran wrap in the kitchen and are free of toxic chemicals, making them the perfect stocking stuffer for a household with kids.

Available in a range of sizes and bundles, these lids are dishwasher and freezer safe. 

Why we love it: reusable, BPA and phthalates-free

Price: $30+

21. Reusable Food Huggers @ EarthHero

The perfect eco stocking fillers for the at home chefs you know and love, this set of food huggers make for a brilliant storage solution that’ll encourage them to go plastic-free. 

Whether it’s a chopped onion they are saving for later or a half-sliced apple, these reusable silicone food huggers are a great way to prevent chopped veggies and fruits from turning brown or causing a stink in the refrigerator. 

Why we love it: reusable, BPA and phthalates-free

Price: $17

22. Zero Waste Soap Cubes @ Terra Tory

Once considered your grandmother’s go-to powder room essential, these soaps are a great zero-waste swap that beauty lovers will cherish. 

Surprisingly multi-purpose, from washing hands to perfuming the closet, and serving as a perfect little zero waste stocking stuffer, these soap cubes are something they’d definitely want to have on hand.

Why we love it: handcrafted, zero-waste, plastic-free

Price: $20 each

23. Fair Trade Chocolate Bars @ Thrive Market

It won’t be Christmas without some chocolate-filled indulgence, and these bars are the best way to ring in the festive spirit. This chocolate bundle by Divine lets you choose six bars from a range of richly-flavored varieties made from fair-trade cocoa.

Every Divine chocolate bar purchase supports a wide network of cocoa farmers in Ghana, making these bars the perfect ethical stocking fillers. 

Why we love it: sustainably farmed, ethically sourced cocoa, preservative-free

Price: $17 for six bars

24. Organic Dark Hot Chocolate Mix @ Equal Exchange

If you ask us, chocolate is the best kind of stocking stuffer. It’s the kind of gift that everyone enjoys and is happy to consume immediately upon unwrapping. And this dark hot chocolate mix is no exception. 

Made from fairly traded organic cocoa, some hot milk poured over this powdered mix is all that is needed to enjoy its delicious taste.

Pair this hot cocoa mix with the Divine chocolate variety pack from our guide for the chocolate lovers you know.

Why we love it: fair trade, organic cocoa 

Price: $7

25. Vegan Fruity Sauces Bundle @ Trade Street Jam

For the cooks who take their hot sauces very seriously, this fruity vegan sauce set comes in three yummy flavors of raspberry, pineapple, and papaya.

Packed with the right amount of punch and tangy flavor, not only do these sauces pair well with an assortment of home-cooked burgers, noodles, or wings, but the cocktail masterminds can even consider slipping a dash or two into their next holiday concoction. 

Why we love it: vegan, no preservatives, Black-owned business 

Price: $45

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers

1. HiBAR

You’ll find quite a few options for plastic-free shampoo bars and conditioner bars from HiBAR, whether your priority is moisture, volume, soothe, or to maintain hair color or going fragrance-free.

I have this brand’s conditioner and find the shape super convenient to use! I also love that it’s made from natural ingredients and is paraben-, phthalate-, and sulfate-free.

Check Out HiBAR

2. Corvus Botanicals

Palm-free and made from sustainably sourced organic ingredients, Corvus Botanicals’ have zero waste shampoo and conditioner bars healthy for your hair and the planet. And these bars are super concentrated — you can get over 80 washes with them!

Check Out Corvus’ Shampoo + Conditioner

3. Plaine Products

Love the concept of this brand! Essentially, you get your shampoo and/or conditioner in an aluminium bottle, you use up the product, and then send back the bottle to be refilled and reused. I’ve used Plaine Product’s shampoo + conditioner and found it to be really effective and moisturizing for my hair — plus they smelled wonderful! 

Check Out the Refillable Shampoo | Refillable Conditioner

4. Seed Phytonutrients

Another bottle option is Seed Phytonutrients. You’ll find anti-frizz, color care, and volume options — all made with organic, clean, and vegan ingredients. The exterior of Seed’s packaging is 100% compostable and the interior is recyclable. There’s also a seed packet inside that you can plant afterwards!

Check Out Seed Phytonutrients

5. Lumi Basics

Lumi Basics has dry shampoo in powder form, which is a much safer and environmentally-conscious alternative to most dry shampoos in aerosol cans that can contain butane and propane. (Yikes!!) Their dry shampoo is made with organic ingredients and packaged in a compostable container.

Check Out the Dry Shampoo

6. Lovett Sundries

Another zero waste dry shampoo option when you’re in a pinch is Lovett Sundries. Their dry shampoo comes in a recyclable glass bottle and consists of just two simple ingredients: arrowroot powder and bentonite clay. It also ships in recycled and recyclable plastic-free packaging.

Check Out the Dry Shampoo

7. Seed Moisture Leave-In Treatment

Similar to Seed’s shampoos and conditioners, this ultra-moisturizing leave-in treatment is made from all-natural vegan ingredients and comes in eco-friendly packaging. The recycled paper exterior is compostable and the 80% recycled interior is recyclable. 

Check Out the Treatment

8. Seed Scalp & Root Mask

This non-toxic scalp and root mask removes hard water minerals, pollutants, and excess buildup from your hair and scalp. But unlike other natural masks that come in plastic containers or even single-use pouches, this one is packaged in a 100% recyclable aluminum tube.

Check Out the Hair Mask

9. Organic Coconut Oil

If you want to keep it really simple, coconut oil is a versatile, moisturizing and frizz minimizing hair treatment. This one from All Good is organic, unrefined and made in a solar powered facility! And, the coconut oil comes in a recyclable and reusable glass jar.

Check Out the Coconut Oil

10. Jack Henry Hair Paste

Add definition and texture with this low waste, light hold hair paste made from organic natural ingredients. The hair paste is free of parabens, sulfates, SLS & SLES (ingredients banned in the EU, but not in the U.S.), and artificial fragrances. And the glass jar is recyclable and ships in plastic-free packaging.

Check Out the Hair Paste

11. Jack Henry Hair Clay Pomade

For a bit of a longer hold, check out Jack Henry’s Hair Clay Pomade, which is also made from organic plant-based ingredients and packaged in a glass jar. At the end of its life, you can reuse the glass jar as storage or recycle it.

Check Out the Hair Clay Pomade

12. Bamboo Hair Brush

Skip the plastic hair brush and choose bamboo instead! This compostable, eco-friendly hair brush is made from bamboo and natural rubber and ships in recycled packaging. I’ve been using a bamboo hair brush for many years and it’s still in fantastic shape, but once its life is done, it is compostable!

Check Out the Hair Brush

13. Kooshoo’s Hair Ties

Most hair ties you’ll find at the store are made from synthetic materials. Thankfully, there is a better alternative! Kooshoo makes their plastic-free hair ties from GOTS- and Fair Trade-certified cotton and Fair Trade-certified natural rubber, so they’re compostable at the end of their life!

Check Out Kooshoo’s Hair Ties

14. Kooshoo’s Scrunchies 

If you prefer scrunchies, there’s also a synthetic-free version for that! Similar to the hair ties, these scrunchies are made from organic and fair trade cotton + fair trade natural rubber, and they’re backyard compostable!

Check Out Kooshoo’s Scrunchies

15. Kooshoo’s Headbands

Love to rock headbands? Kooshoo’s also got an eco-conscious version of that, too! Their headbands are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and are ethically produced in India in a facility where makers earn living wages.

1. EcoRoots’ Detergent Strips

Lightweight and super concentrated, detergent strips are a simple and low-impact way to switch to a zero waste laundry routine.

The sheets from EcoRoots are expertly formulated to dislodge dirt and stains effectively without using toxic ingredients.

Perforated to make them easy-to-rip into two pieces, this pack of 32 strips can be used for 64 loads, making the detergent strips option a space-saver too.

Choose between scented and non-scented or get both and save 20% off with a bundle.

Price: $19.95 for 64 loads OR $31.90 for 128 loads w/ bundle

Check Out EcoRoots’ Laundry Detergent Strips

2. Tru Earth Laundry Strips

Another convenient low-waste laundry detergent solution is Tru Earth’s pre-measured laundry strips!

These non-toxic detergent strips come in plastic-free recycled paper packaging and are readily biodegradable.

Similar to pods, these strips can simply be tossed into the washing machine with your clothing or linens!

Price: $19.95 for 32 loads ($17.95 with subscription)

Check Out Tru Earth on Green Eco Dream

3. Kind Laundry Detergent Strips

Kind Laundry is another option for detergent strips! The strips are made from a plant-derived non-toxic formula that dissolves at any water temperature. With the ultra-concentrated formula, you just need 1 strip per load, making this a lightweight and space-saving laundry solution.

The strips are biodegradable and the package box is recyclable.

Price: $21.95 for 60 loads ($19.75 for subscription)

Check Out Kind Laundry @ Green Eco Dream

4. Dropps Laundry Detergent Pods

Dropps’ laundry detergent pods are my low waste detergent of choice! They give you the same convenience as pods, but without all of that plastic waste. The pods are shipped in the compostable or recyclable box you see in the photo without any additional packaging materials and the pods themselves are wrapped in a biodegradable, water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film, which is ranked 1 (with 1 being the best) by EWG.

Price: $24 for 56 pods/loads without subscription; $18 with subscription

Use code LIFE15 for 15% off

Check Out Dropps

5. Blueland Laundry Tablets

Blueland’s laundry tablets come ‘naked’ (i.e. without any plastic wrapping) in a reusable tin, making them another simple zero waste laundry solution. The brand’s tablets are free from ingredients like parabens, phosphates, chlorine bleach, MEAs, DEAs, TEAs, SLES, petroleum, artificial dyes, and fragrances.

Price: $18 for Starter Set with 40 tablets; $14 for Refill

Check Out https://blueland.sjv.io/eKBMm1Blueland

6. Organic Soap Nuts

For a completely natural detergent solution, look no further than soap nuts. Made without any added ingredients, soap nuts are simply just dried berries from trees in Nepal that have saponin, an all-natural cleansing agent and fabric softener. They work similar to pods — you put 4 to 5 in a bag and throw it in the wash! The best part is that they can be composted afterwards.

Etsy has plenty of sellers with soap nuts, but this one caught our eye thanks to its plastic-free packaging.

Price: $28 for 1/2 pound

Check Out The Soap Nuts

7. Nature First Soap Berry Laundry Pods

For a different take on these natural soap berries, Nature First has created laundry pods made with a soap berry concentrate for maximum effectiveness. Nature First’s plastic-free laundry detergent is made with natural ingredients like baking soda and aloe vera and is free of toxic ones like sulfates, phosphates, parabens, and fragrances.

Price: $26 for 60 pods

Use code CONSCIOUSLIFE for 10% off

Check Out Nature First on EarthHero

8. Meliora Eco Laundry Powder

Meliora is a natural cleaning product business with highly concentrated laundry powders manufactured locally in Chicago from 100% natural ingredients, like baking soda and coconut oil. The plastic-free laundry detergent is packaged in a recyclable or reusable steel container. And, you can also get refills in paper bags from Meliora for your canister!

Price: $17 for 128 loads

Use code CONSCIOUSLIFE for 10% off

Check Out the Meliora on EarthHero

9. The Simply Co Laundry Detergent

Made from 3 simple ingredients, The Simply Co. lives up to its name with its no-nonsense laundry detergent. The detergent itself is completely biodegradable and the glass jar and tin are recyclable or reusable.

Price: $18 for 60 loads

Check Out The Simply Co. Detergent

10. Bestowed Essentials Laundry Powder

Free from ingredients like parabens, sulfates, preservatives, and artificial fragrances, Bestowed Essentials has non-toxic low waste laundry detergent you can feel good about using.

The laundry powder formula is biodegradable and the paper packaging is compostable.

Price: $15.99 for 64 loads

Check Out Bestowed Essentials

11. The Good Fill Laundry Detergent

Made with just 4 ingredients and free of fragrances, chlorine, phosphates, and other toxic ingredients, The Good Fill’s laundry powder is not only good for the planet, but good for you and your family, too. The powder refills are shipped in a compostable or recyclable paper bag.

Price: $

Check Out The Good Fill’s Laundry Detergent

12. Milk Street Laundry Powder

Milk Street Soap Co. is a woman-owned business from North Carolina with zero waste and non-toxic laundry detergent. Taking low-waste to a whole new level, Milk Street not only uses -lastic-free packaging but actually uses soap cast-offs — in addition to natural ingredients — for their sustainable detergent.

Price: $16 for 40 regular loads/80 HE loads

Check Out Milk Street

13. Zero Co Laundry Liquid

Australia-based Zero Co makes plant-based laundry detergent free from phosphates, bleach, dyes, and other toxic ingredients. The liquid laundry detergent dispenser is made from ocean plastic waste and the pouches are refillable. How it works: After refilling your dispenser with detergent, you can send the refill packs back to Zero Co for them to clean and refill again for reuse!

Price: $41 for combo with dispenser + 4 liters of detergent

Check Out Zero Co.

14. Cleancult

Cleancult makes cleaning products made with clean non-toxic ingredients, like coconut oil, olive oil, and citric acid. The brand also is on a mission to support you on your low waste lifestyle journey with their refillable glass laundry dispensers and recyclable refill cartons.

Price: $15 for laundry bottle; refills are $10 for 64 loads

Check Out Cleancult

15. Natural Laundry Soap Bar

This ultra-concentrated laundry soap is made from 100% organic coconut oil, organic arrowroot starch, water, and sodium hydroxide. There’s an unscented version as well as a lemon lavender option, which is scented with essential oils.

You can either shred the bar using a cheese grater for your laundry load and/or use it as a spot stain stick. Reviewers rave about the bar, and the seller has a 5-star rating with nearly 6,000 sales.

Price: $9.75 for 1 bar

Check Out the Soap Bar

1. Aya Paper Co.

Price: $10-$26

Sustainable Highlights: Non-toxic Toner, Gives Back, Black-Owned

Aya Paper Co. is your one-stop shop for all your eco-friendly paper needs. Here you’ll find a beautiful, thoughtfully curated collection of eco-friendly journals as well as cards, calendars, and prints.  

This Certified B-Corp uses FSC Certified recycled, chlorine-free paper. Produced locally and through a carbon-neutral process, you won’t find plastic in their products. Black woman-owned, Aya Paper Co. also gives back to the local community through education and advocacy work. 

2. Wisdom Supply Co

Price: $4-$5.75

Sustainable Highlights: Plastic-Free Shipping; Recyclable; Locally Made

Another wonderful option to consider is these “no waste notebooks” from Wisdom Supply Co. They wanted to create notebooks that make it easier for students to reduce waste. Their accessible price point also helps.

Not only is this notebook fully recyclable, but the cover is made from 100% recycled materials with 30% post-consumer waste paper. These notebooks are fully plastic-free and available in five variations: college-ruled, graph paper, sketchbooks, storybooks, or bullet journals.

3. Intelligent Change

Price: $20-$30

Sustainable Highlights: Natural Fabric Covers & Binding, Biodegradable Paper, Gives Back

Intelligent Change has all your writing needs covered with a focus on self-growth. They offer daily notebooks, guided and mindfulness journals, as well as eco-friendly bullet journals. Everything is made from 100% FSC-Certified recycled and biodegradable paper. 

They also use plastic-free fabric covers from natural materials like linen and 100% cotton binding. Intelligent Change gives back 1% of their profits to community and environmental organizations. 

4. Decomposition

Price: $6-$17

Sustainable Highlights: Recycled Paper, Plant-based Ink, Locally Made

If you’re looking for eco-friendly notebooks for school, Decomposition is perfect for you. Here you’ll find a variety of college-ruled and lined decomposition books. Each notebook is made from 50-100% post-consumer waste recycled paper and printed with soy ink. 

The covers are stunning with something for every taste and each notebook is budget-friendly. You can also choose between spiral binding or sewn binding to suit your preference. Plus, Decomposition offers eco-friendly binders, pencils, and pens to fulfill all your back-to-school needs. 

5. Ecojot

Price: $6-$23

Sustainable Highlights: Family-Run, Plant-Based Ink, Gives Back

Ecojot has a large collection of recycled paper journals and workbooks. Each journal’s cover features artwork created by the founder or in partnership with other female artists. Ecojot also provides the option to customize your cover, so you can design a personalized journal for yourself or a loved one. 

Each Ecojot journal is locally made using 100% post-consumer-waste recycled paper and plant-based glue. Additionally, Ecojot donates journals to children in need globally. 

6. Eco Collective

Price: $10-$22

Sustainable Highlights: Recycled Cover & Paper, Water-based Ink, Family-run

Eco Collective is a sustainable online platform where you can find wonderful handmade recycled paper journals from Worthwhile Paper. This family-run company produces a small collection of notepads, sketchbooks, and guided journals. They upcycle paper scraps from a local hydropower paper mill to produce their products. 

Worthwhile utilizes a zero-waste production process and screenprints each journal using water-based inks. Their notebooks are fully recyclable while their notepads are also compostable. 

7. Onyx and Green

Price: $5-$11

Sustainable Highlights: Tree-Free Paper, Recyclable 

Onyx and Green is a wonderful brand to find sustainable school supplies including eco-friendly journals and notebooks. They use recycled sugar cane or stone to make their recyclable tree-free paper. 

Their affordable notebooks are available in different sizes and styles, including composition notebooks and hardcover journals. You can choose between a variety of fun or simple cover designs.

8. Karst Stone Paper

Price: $10-$27

Sustainable Highlights: Tree Free Paper, Certified B Corp, Carbon Offset Delivery

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood-pulp paper, Karst Stone Paper is worth checking out. Karst makes their paper from recycled stone which means the paper is waterproof and tear-resistant. It’s also Cradle to Cradle Silver Certified and fully recyclable. 

Karst offers a wide range of hardcover and softcover notepads, notebooks, and journals, as well as planners and sketchbooks. 

9. PooPooPaper

Price: $18-$90

Sustainable Highlights: Handcrafted, Tree-Free Paper, Organic

Another alternative to tree-based paper is PooPooPaper. Believe it or not, they produce their paper from the fibers in animal poop! Through their fully sustainable production process, they upcycle poop from elephants, donkeys, horses, and cows to produce chemical-free, organic, (and odorless) eco paper journals. 

Here you’ll find a large selection of handmade journals with beautifully designed covers that are printed using plant-based inks. 

10. Agood Company

Price: $13-$49

Sustainable Highlights: Gives Back, Tree-Free Paper, Cradle to Cradle Certified

At Agood Company you’ll find stone paper notebooks that are waterproof and tearproof. Each notebook is made in a water-free, climate-positive production process. You can choose between biodegradable softcover journals or recyclable vegan leather hardcover journals. 

Agood Company offers simple covers or artful designs, all printed using chemical-free soy ink. 

11. Pangaia

Price: $30

Sustainable Highlights: Tree-Free Paper, Gives Back

At Pangaia you’ll find several, brightly colored classic tree-free notebooks. They use bamboo fibers and sugarcane waste to create their tree-free paper. Thanks to the cardboard cover, the notebook is fully recyclable too.

Pangaia works with various environmental organizations to help support reforestation and pollinator preservation, among other causes. 

12. Loktaa

Price: $16- $58

Sustainable Highlights: Artisan Made, Gives Back, Tree-free Paper

Each handmade journal from Loktaa was designed and handbound by artisans in Nepal. These journals are made from Lokta paper which is produced from Daphne bushes in Nepal. 

They have hardcover or softcover options available for their plant-based notebooks. Each cover features a beautiful design. Lokta donates 50% of their profits to an organization that helps educate girls in Nepal. 

13. Meisou 

Price: $12-$17

Sustainable Highlights: Zero Waste, Recycled Paper

Meisou sells a small collection of cruelty-free guided journals. Their journals are zero waste, made from recycled paper with recycled organic cotton fabric covers. 

Meisou is a woman-owned company that aims to provide sustainable products that help increase mindfulness. Each sustainably-sourced 200 page guided journal focuses on a different intention such as meditation or gratitude.

14. Greenfield Paper

Price: $5-$22

Sustainable Highlights: Recycled Paper, Locally Made, Offsets Carbon Emissions

Greenfield Paper has a variety of journals and sketchbooks, available in different sizes and paper weights. Each journal has half-lined and half-blank pages so you can easily draw or write. Greenfield makes their acid and chlorine-free paper from a blend of hemp and recycled post-consumer waste paper. 

You can also find eco-friendly greeting cards and stationery at Greenfield Paper. Everything is made using plant-based, natural dye. 

15. By the Sea 

Price: $5-$30

Sustainable Highlights: Woman-Owned, Upcycled, Tree-Free Paper 

By the Sea Organics is a zero-waste brand that produces handmade, upcycled products including journals. Each journal is made from tree-free paper produced from cotton pulp. 

They also use natural fabric scraps and hand block printing to design their beautiful covers. At By the Sea, you’ll find mini journals, sketchbooks, and regular everyday journals to choose from. 

1. Recycled Wrapping Paper 

If you want to use wrapping paper, first opt for wrapping paper that can be recycled. Second, try to choose wrapping paper that is made from recycled materials, and/or is biodegradable. As a rule of thumb, any wrapping paper that’s plain (no glitter, foil, metallic, plastic, etc) and made from only paper, can typically be recycled. 

If you want to purchase sustainably made wrapping paper, check out Wrappily for wrapping paper that’s made from recycled paper and is recyclable. Wrappily also has natural fiber ribbons and recycled gift tags.

2. Tote Bags

Tote bags make wonderful multi-purpose zero waste gift bags. When picking out a tote bag, try to choose one that’s sustainably made from 100% organic cotton or recycled materials. Tote bags are wonderful zero waste gift wrap ideas since they are a gift within a gift and your loved one can reuse them often. 

3. Fabric Wrapping (Like Scarves)

Another fantastic zero waste “wrapping paper” option is to use fabric, like old scarves. Scarves make beautiful and timeless gift wrapping paper. You can upcycle fabric scraps or use clothing, like a t-shirt, for another no-waste wrapping paper idea. (Here are 4 fabric wrap techniques to try!)

More fabric-based gift wrap ideas could be reusable napkins, towels, beach blankets, or tablecloths. You can even buy reusable fabric wrapping from a variety of sustainable brands, such as The Little Market and Christy Dawn. 

4. Upcycled Items

Not all zero waste gift wrap requires you to buy something new. An easy (and very sustainable!) way to wrap gifts is by upcycling items you already have. This might mean reusing last year’s wrapping paper or gift bags and boxes. It could also mean upcycling old magazines or newspapers to create your wrapping paper. 

Get creative! Chances are something is lying around your house that can be repurposed as gift wrap. 

5. Secondhand Wrapping Paper 

Guess what? You can buy wrapping paper secondhand. One of the most sustainable things to do is to use what’s already made. So if you don’t have leftover wrapping paper, and your loved ones don’t either, you can look for secondhand wrapping paper at your local thrift store. 

You can also find secondhand wrapping paper from online sellers such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Poshmark.

6. Reused Grocery Bags 

No matter how hard we try to bring our reusable grocery bags to the store, chances are we’ve forgotten a few times. Most of us have a collection of old paper grocery bags (or bags from other stores) lying around the house. One of the easiest eco-friendly present-wrapping ideas is to reuse those old bags as gift wrap. 

You can either use the bag as is to make a low-waste gift bag or cut it up to repurpose it as wrapping paper. If you’re not a fan of the color or the label, get crafty and paint the bags using eco-friendly paints. 

7. DIY Wrapping 

Making your own gift wrap is a fun thing to do with friends or the children in your life. This is a nice way to upcycle old materials like cereal boxes, cardboard, plastic bags, or worn clothing items to create beautiful reusable wrapping paper. 

Get your scissors, paints, and glue, and see what you can design. If you’re not sure where to start, you can find video or written tutorials to transform pretty much any old object into wrapping paper, gift boxes, gift bags, tags, or cards. 

8. Gift Wrap Presents

Last but not least, choose reusable items to use as gift wrap. Hat, storage, or jewelry boxes all make wonderful zero-waste gift boxes. Decorative items like wicker baskets, trunks, or purses, can all double as a gift bag and a thoughtful gift. 

Mugs or cups can be used to wrap smaller items while clothing staples can be used as fabric gift wrap. Think of items that can double as a gift and gift wrap. (Bonus if you can find these items secondhand!)

Sustainable Christmas decorations can look like choosing wrapping paper made from recycled paper or using reusable items like tote bags and scarves instead. It can mean purchasing a locally grown Christmas tree from a family-run farm and properly composting it. Sustainable holiday decor can also look like making ornaments at home from natural materials and reusing them for years to come. 

When it comes to determining if your holiday decorations are sustainable, use the following as a checklist before purchasing or making your own: 

Then, find instructions online or on Pinterest to make it at home and see what items you already have. Head to your local craft store to pick up the remainder of the materials. 

Try to focus on natural and plastic-free materials when possible. You can often make these items using natural goods like dried fruit, recycled items like paper scraps, or natural materials like foliage.

Opting to make decorations that can be reused for years to come will also keep your DIY decor more eco-minded. 

EarthHero

EarthHero is a sustainable marketplace where you can easily support different sustainable brands already vetted by EarthHero.

Here you’ll find recycled greeting cards, handmade garlands, organic ornaments, ethically-made stockings, compostable wrapping paper, and reusable advent calendars. 

Made Trade

Made Trade is a woman-owned sustainable marketplace that has eco-friendly, fair trade Christmas decorations available.

Made Trade has one of the largest selections of holiday decor including handwoven baskets, handcrafted seasonal candles, sustainably-made ornaments, fair trade tree skirts, and cotton stockings.

Ten Thousand Villages

Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade online marketplace that sells handcrafted goods from makers around the world.

Here you can browse for stunning and timeless handmade ornaments, reusable gift bags, hand-dyed festive tablecloths, and carved stone nativity scenes, among other holiday items. 

EcoVibe

EcoVibe is a Black-owned lifestyle brand with a large online marketplace as well as a brick-and-mortar in Portland, Oregon.

They have numerous handmade seasonal candles, sustainably made table decor like tree sets, gnomes, and Santas, as well as woven stockings and funky ornaments. You can find just about any holiday decor you could want at EcoVibe. 

Acacia Creations

Acacia Creations works directly with artisans to sell their sustainably-made goods with a focus on items made from natural materials. When it comes to Christmas decor, they have a nice selection of handmade, upcycled, or carved fair trade ornaments.

Acacia Creations also has some sustainably made tableware like woven baskets, wooden serving boards, and bowls; perfect for hosting holiday parties. 

Etsy

Etsy is a wonderful marketplace to support independent artisans and sellers. You can find a variety of handcrafted holiday decorations including sustainable Christmas lights.

When shopping on Etsy, make sure to check who the seller is to confirm you’re supporting independent and eco-friendly sellers. 

The Little Market

The Little Market partners with international female artisans to sell their products to a larger market at a fair price.

You can find a variety of artisan-made, sustainable holiday decor here, including beautiful fabric wrapping paper, chic felt garlands, hand-poured organic candles, and embroidered ornaments. 

1. Funky Mugs

Who doesn’t love a cute mug? A holiday staple gift, mugs are some of the easiest things to find secondhand. Used mugs are often in great condition and you can find unique, one-a-kind mugs to match the style or personality of your loved one. 

2. Classic Dishware 

Another easy gift to find secondhand is dishware or dining items. You can find wonderful vintage plate sets, quality silverware, and ornate glasses at most secondhand shops. Look for used placemats or tablecloths to complete the set. 

4. Ceramics

On a similar note, if someone is more into succulents or plants, why not find a preloved ceramic pot to store their next plant? Ceramics make fun and useful gifts. You can find a variety of ceramic items secondhand from artwork to dish sets to pots and decorative plates. 

5. Decorative Frames

A wonderful low-waste gift idea is to print thoughtful photos or artwork. You’ll need a frame to complete the gift and thankfully, frames are easy to come by secondhand. This way you can find a high-quality, stylish, and personal decorative frame they’ll treasure for years. 

7. Unique Lamps 

Lamps are fun items to look for secondhand. You can find ornate, stylish, retro, or minimalist lamps readily available. Used lamps are easy to locate at garage sales, antique or consignment stores, and online. 

8. Elegant Trays 

Whether it’s a serving tray, charcuterie board, or decorative storage tray, you can probably find better trays used than new. This is a wonderful statement gift that can be a stylish yet useful addition to anyone’s home. 

9. One-of-a-Kind Home Decor

Home decor is one of the easiest things to find used and one of the best secondhand gift ideas. Be it wall decals, decorations, candle holders, ornaments, napkins, pot holders, or other fun knick-knacks, the options are endless when it comes to home decor. 

10. Vintage Jewelry 

One of the best secondhand gifts to give is vintage or used jewelry. You can find incredible designer and vintage pieces secondhand, especially on online retailers like The RealReal. Plus, you can find high quality vintage jewelry that won’t show wear in the same way clothes might. 

11. Secondhand Wallets

If you’re on the hunt for a high-quality unique wallet, you’ll surely find plenty of preloved options. Just like purses, designer or vintage wallets are easy to come by at secondhand retailers and you can often find ones that show minimal wear. 

12. Designer Scarves 

A beautiful yet useful accessory to give someone is scarves. Thrift shops often have a large selection of vintage scarves, including from designer brands. Scarves are a beautiful timeless accessory that can be worn in a variety of ways, making them a wonderful eco-friendly gift. 

13. Used Books

Did you know that you can find used books at secondhand shops? For any book lover in your life, used books are a sure-to-please gift. You can even find rare books or signed, collectible copies at online used retailers, especially on eBay. 

16. Difficult-to-Find Handbags 

Another wonderful gift to find used is handbags and purses. There’s usually a wide variety of handbags available secondhand, including from designer or luxury brands. For the fashion-forward loved ones in your life, choosing secondhand purses is a more affordable and sustainable way to gift luxury items. 

20. Vinyl Records and Record Players

For the vinyl lovers in your life, there’s no shortage of vinyl records at your local used record shop or second-hand store. Record players are a little harder to come by these days, thanks to their resurgence in popularity, but you can find them online with a little research. Pair these items together for an extravagant secondhand gift that any music lover will adore. 

1. Little Hands Hawai’i

This Hawaiian brand prioritizes protecting the oceans and its reefs over all else while keeping its packaging thoughtful and plastic-free in a chic aluminum tin with compostable soy ink-printed labels. 

Born out of the need to create a harmful chemical-free formula that’s safe for children, their signature mineral sunscreen is made up of mostly natural ingredients namely organic jojoba oil and kokum butter, and an active non-nano zinc oxide (measuring greater than 300 nanometers) that shields your skin and won’t get absorbed into your bloodstream due to its non-nano size.

The fact that it’s available in a non-tinted and tinted version to suit 4 types of skin shades is just the bonus!

Price: $8–$75

Check out Little Hands Hawai’i

2. Raw Love

Another sunscreen born out of the island of Maui, Hawaiʻi, Raw Love is a zero waste reef-safe sunscreen that comprises all-natural plant-based ingredients.

The brand’s founder Jenna, is a PADI divemaster who combined her education in marine biology and love of water activities to create a water-resistant, nontoxic sunscreen that happens to be packaged in pretty little aluminum tins.

Raw Love’s SPF 35 formulations feature beeswax as an ingredient that works as a waterproof agent on your skin for up to 40 min while swimming, after which reapplication is recommended. 

Price: $6–$25

Check out Raw Love

3. Dirty Hippie Cosmetics

Dirty Hippie Cosmetics is an Australian brand featuring a handmade, nontoxic, reef-safe sunscreen formula that has been developed to cater to sensitive skin types. 

Their zero waste sunscreens come with an optional bug-repellent blend made from natural ingredients — perfect for those who love an early morning hike in nature.

Available in a handy push-up stick cardboard tube and aluminum tins, this sunscreen consists of a broad spectrum of non-micronized zinc oxide powder that won’t penetrate the lower layer of your skin. (i.e. it doesn’t get absorbed into your bloodstream.)

Price: $7.60+

Check out Dirty Hippies Cosmetics (AU)

4. Raw Elements

Founded by an ocean lifeguard, Raw Elements is a natural sunscreen brand that’s committed to sun safety while keeping environmental and ocean protection in mind. 

Infused with organic ingredients and an active non-nano zinc oxide that provides SPF 30, UVA + UVB true broad-spectrum protection, Raw Elements’ formulation is also waterproof up to 80 minutes post-application.

Packaged in aluminum tins, Raw Elements also sells a zero-waste tinted sunscreen version for medium tones, along with other skincare essentials.

Price: $5–$20

Check out Raw Elements

5. Bee You Organics

Infused with organic ingredients, Bee You Organics creates a coral reef-safe mineral sunscreen that shields you from both UVA and UVB rays.

Packaged in a minimal aluminum tin or paperboard push-up tube, these zero-waste vegan sunscreens come in unscented and scented versions, the latter of which is blended with tea tree oil for its bug-repellent properties.

Don’t let the white and solid texture of the sunscreen fool you, the brand claims that it doesn’t leave a ghostly white cast behind on your skin post-application.

Price: $13–$59

Check out Bee You Organics

6. Herbal Chest

A botanical skincare brand, Herbal Chest creates a natural and vegan zero waste moisturizer with SPF that’s ideal for dry and sensitive skin types. 

Created in an all-natural formulation that includes shea butter, red raspberry seed, and sunflower oil to name a few, this plastic free sunscreen relies on non-nano zinc oxide as its key ingredient for sun protection.

Packaged in travel-friendly aluminum tins, the sunscreen comes infused in two main flavors: matcha green tea and vegan chamomile. 

Price: $12–$30

Check out Herbal Chest

7. Remnant Beauty

This UK-based gem on Etsy creates an all-natural zero-waste face sunscreen that’s packaged in the prettiest glass jar to provide you with utmost sun protection. 

Its SPF 30 mineral formulation contains water-resistant beeswax that should keep you shielded during swimming and water activities up to 2 hours. 

Available in a handy 30 and 60 ml size, this sunscreen is well-suited for sensitive skin types.

Bonus tip: You need at least 1/4 teaspoon amount of sunscreen for your face, which is around the same amount as two generous finger lengths.

Price: $20–$36

Check out Remnant Beauty (UK)

8. SunButter Skincare

Australia produces some of the safest sunscreens because they regulate the active ingredients in sunscreen just like they would with medicine. And SunButter Skincare’s sunscreen is no exception. 

With a regulatory stamp of approval by the TGA (Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration), SunButter’s formulation consists of non-nano zinc oxide, coconut oil, castor oil and candelilla wax. All of which combine to provide SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection with an impressive four hours worth of resistance under water. 

Packaged in a plastic-free aluminum tin, their protective formula is also reef safe.

Price: $23

Check out SunButter Skincare

9. All Good

All Good’s zero waste sunscreen not only aims to protects you in harsh weather conditions but also from indoor blue lights that come from unexpected sources like our computer screens.

Made from reef-friendly organic ingredients, this sunscreen comes in a quaint metal tin with an impressive SPF 50 coverage that provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. What’s more? Expect to be protected during water activities for up to 80 minutes. 

Price: $10

Check out All Good

10. Tierra and Lava

A mild mineral sunscreen, Tierra and Lava’s Turmeric & Vanilla formulation is ideal for sensitive skin types that happen to be reef-safe, water and sweat resistant.

Packaged in a recyclable metal tin, this plastic free sunscreen contains coconut and macadamia oil, cocoa butter, turmeric root and a vanilla bean extract that lends it an irresistible smell. 

(Note: Tierra and Lava’s sunscreen is only 15 SPF, so it’s not ideal if you’re spending an extended amount of time in the sun.)

Price: $20

Check out Tierra and Lava

Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers