This year, we head into the festive season with awareness of the escalating climate crisis at an all time high. More and more people are trying to do their bit to reduce their environmental impact. But how can we keep this up at Christmas, when all our generosity usually goes hand in hand with a lot of waste? To help you out, we’ve scouted the shops for gifts that your friends and family are sure to love, but don’t cost the Earth!
1. A gorgeous, reusable water bottle. Bye bye plastic!
Every year, 13 billion single-use plastic water bottles are purchased in the UK, and only half of these end up being recycled. Giving a re-usable bottle is an easy way to help a loved one help the earth.
We love the huge range of designs offered by Chilly’s. Their gorgeous prints make for a great gift, while their bottles are also some of the highest performing on the market.
From £20, Chilly’s
2. Funky swimwear…made from recycled plastic bottles
Made from 100% plastic bottles, we absolutely love this Squiggle Swimming Costume from Batoko. Certified by Global Recycling Standards, each piece was either industrial, consumer or ocean plastic in a former life, meaning that this great gift comes with a great story!
As if it couldn’t get any better, costumes from Batoko are designed to flatter a whole range of body shapes – check out their Instagram for proof.
£50, Batoko
3. A paraffin free, non-toxic scented candle
Natural soy candles, like those made by Helm London, are naturally non-toxic and biodegradable and, unlike some candles, they don’t emit chemicals into the air.
Helm candles are 100% vegan friendly, and come in a strong frosted glass container with beautifully minimalistic branding. We particularly like their Limited Edition Christmas Spice candle, infused with the classic festive scents of orange zest, cinnamon, ginger, thyme and nutmeg.
£29, Helm London
4. A bamboo toothbrush subscription
Help your loved ones reduce their plastic use in the bathroom by signing them up to have a bamboo toothbrush delivered every month.
Blue Rock toothbrushes are completely biodegradable and are suitable for home composting. They are made from sustainably sourced, panda-friendly Mao Bamboo, and the company donates 10p from every product sold to marine conservation charities.
From £3.90 a month, Blue Rock
5. A reusable coffee cup
Do you have a coffee addict in your family or circle of friends? Help them cut down on their environmental footprint by giving them a reusable coffee cup.
Our favourites are the colourful offerings from Frank Green. Their cups are made from premium, sustainably sourced materials and boast the most cutting-edge technology. Not only do they never leak (trust us), but each cup is also fitted with Visa payWave, so you can pay for your daily caffeine fix with a simple wave of your cup. Amazing!
What’s more, on their website you can create a custom design with your loved one’s favourite colours!
From £19.99, Frank Green.
6. A sustainably packaged, stress-relieving bath soak
Why not give someone the opportunity to relax and de-stress this Christmas with a bath soak from Yellow Gorse? Made from 100% natural ingredients and packaged in glass jars, these bath soaks come in a variety of different blends, all with different healing properties.
Our favourite for Christmas is the soothing Frankincense, Geranium & Patchouli blend because of its gorgeous, festive colours!
7. A stylish raincoat made from recycled plastic
British company Ponch has created a range of super stylish raincoats made entirely from recycled plastic bottles!
All their anoraks pack away into a small pouch, making them perfect for those surprise showers that are never too far away at this time of year.
From £135.00, Ponch
8. A sleek bamboo razor
Stuck on a present for Dad? How about helping him stay cleanly shaven while reducing his environmental impact at the same time?
Millions of plastic razors are thrown away every year, so investing in a reusable bamboo one could make a huge difference. Everyday changes really matter after all!
There are lots of bamboo razors on the market, but we particularly like Bulldog’s offering because of its aloe infused lubricating strip and packaging made from 100% recycled stock.
£12, Bulldog
9. Solid Shampoo and Conditioner
The perfect present for anyone who loves the planet and hates a bad hair day, KIND2’s shampoo and conditioner bars are vegan and cruelty-free. They contain no plastic, parabens, silicones or sulphates. Instead, they use active plant-based ingredients to keep your locks looking lovely, such as Coconut, Argan and Macadamia Oils and Chia and Hemp seed extracts.
Because they are concentrated and solid, these bars last 2 – 3 times as long as a bottle of shampoo, meaning less plastic in the world.
£12.50, KIND2
10. A wash-bag that helps those in need
Hand crafted from recycled cement bags by villagers in Cambodia, for every Elephant Branded wash -bag bought, the company will hand deliver school stationery to a child in Africa or Asia. Give a gift that helps more than one person this Christmas!
£25, Elephant Branded
Featured image: © iStockphoto.
