With Earth Day right around the corner, there's no time like the present to start adopting some eco-conscious behavior. And if you've got someone in your life who's eager to go green this year but doesn't know where to start, giving them an eco-friendly gift can help get them on their way toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Whether you're looking for the perfect present for a friend's birthday or want to buy something special for yourself while helping the planet, we’ve come up with the best eco-friendly gifts that give back this Earth Day.
Best Life's editors have scoured the internet to bring you the best products out there, and we're hoping you'll love them as much as we do. Full disclosure: we may earn a commission for anything you purchase through links on this page, but that doesn't mean you'll pay more for them (we'd never do that to you!). Pricing and availability are accurate as of the piece's initial publication date, but it's the internet and we can't guarantee that these sweet, sweet deals will last forever, so scoop them up before someone else does!
1 | This purifying water bottle
LARQShopping for someone who can’t live without their reusable canteen? The LARQ Bottle is the world's first self-cleaning water bottle and water purification system, using UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9999 percent of bio-contaminants. But that’s not even the best part: They’re also donating 5 percent of every purchase of their gold limited edition bottle to Well Aware, LARQ’s nonprofit partner that builds sustainable water systems in communities all over the world.
2 | This Scottish nobility title
Highland TitlesNeed a gift for the eco-conscious person in your life who seems to have everything? Instantly make them a Laird, Lord, or Lady with their very own plot of land in Glencoe Wood, Scotland. This creative approach to land conservation works by selling patches of land—from a single square foot up to 1,000 square feet—that helps fund the rescuing of woodlands, tree planting, maintenance, and the protection of land at risk of development. Packages include everything from an official title certificate and ID card to a detailed map showing how to visit your little Scottish domain!
3 | This insulated growler
MiirAny beer fanatic knows that having a good growler on hand is key to keeping your to-go draft beer tasting great. But if you pick up a growler from Miir, you can feel good knowing the company will donate a trackable portion of every sale to projects that support clean water, environmental conservation, and strong communities around the world. It’s a cause worth raising a glass to!
4 | This coffee subscription service
TradeThere’s nothing quite like gifting a coffee lover a subscription service that’s tailor-fit to their specific tastes. But Trade goes beyond delivering the best joe to your door: “We're giving consumers a way to make sustainable choices when it comes to coffee: Brewing at home (without pods!), supporting coffee sourced in the most ethical and sustainable ways, and being able to compost our packaging right in their backyard,” says CMO Melissa Spencer Barnes. “Given coffee's inherent connection to the environment and to the people who grow it, we are committed to doing our part to be conscious citizens.”
5 | This biodegradable phone case
Pela CaseGood news: You can now protect your phone while still protecting the planet! Give the gift of shattered touchscreen prevention with these biodegradable phone cases, which are made with plant-based materials that won’t end up in a landfill the next time your giftee goes to upgrade to the newest gadget. And besides being a great looking eco-conscious accessory, 5 percent of total sales (not just profit) from these collections is donated directly to select environmental causes.
6 | These reusable shopping bags
BagguPlastic shopping bags may be going the way of the dodo, but that doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to those iconic “thank you for shopping” designs. This three-pack of Baggu reusable bags, made with sustainable materials to minimize waste and conveniently packaged in a reusable pouch, will help your favorite smiley face and gold stripe looks live on forever.
7 | These reclaimed earrings
ASOSWhat’s the only thing better than giving someone a thoughtful piece of jewelry? Giving them one that benefits the planet as much as it does their look. These earrings are made from silver that has been melted down and recycled, creating an eco-friendly, sustainable accessory that will liven up any outfit.
8 | This chic t-shirt
Amour VertThe increased awareness of fast fashion’s harmful impact on the environment has already ushered in a new era of eco-conscious clothing companies. Take Amour Vert for example, which uses sustainably harvested beechwood in a carbon-neutral process to make their stylish tees—and then plants a tree for every shirt sold, thanks to a partnership with American Forests. Sustainability has never looked so stylish.
9 | These comfy socks
swaggrWhat’s one way to kick plastic pollution to the curb? Well, if you’re swaggr, you can start by making socks from 91 percent recycled plastic—at least three recycled plastic bottles per pair, in fact—that are designed to stand up to heavy use. Not only do these eco-friendly pieces fit better than your traditional ankle or crew sock, but they also feel super comfy and are far more durable than traditional knitted fabric.
10 | These charitable shoes
TOMSYou’ve got to put on shoes every single day, so why not buy a pair committed to making the world a better place? TOMS has made a name for themselves as the original “giving back” fashion company, whose stylish pieces have helped support social and environmental causes around the world. Today, the company gives away over 30 percent of its total profits, including funding safe water initiatives across the globe.
11 | These eco-friendly sheets
BuffyThere’s no gift quite as luxurious as the gift of a good night’s sleep. Upgrade your giftee's bedding with these Buffy sheets, made of naturally-dyed, non-bleached eucalyptus fabric that’s more breathable than cotton and softer than linen—and gets even softer with every wash. They’ll rest easy knowing they’ve helped the planet every time they hit the hay.
12 | These shampoo bars
EcomendedDaily products like shampoo may be essential, but they also create huge amounts of waste in the form of empty plastic bottles. Take a load off the landfills with these shampoo bars, which are made from high-quality argan-based vegetable oils and come in scents like lavender and rosemary, chamomile and lemon, and green eucalyptus. Even better? Ecomended will match each purchase with a donation of the same product to one of several charity organizations.
13 | This eco-friendly beanie
tentreeBeanies are among the most popular accessories for 2020—and if you're jumping on this trend, why not opt for one that also helps keep things green? Tentree truly lives up to its name, not only by using sustainable materials like hemp, tencel, and recycled polyester, but also by planting ten trees for every single item they sell—with a goal to plant a billion trees by 2030.
14 | This zero waste kit
EtsyHave a friend who’s looking to go green but isn’t sure where to start? Pick them up one of these customizable zero waste kits, which includes everything from reusable market bags and sustainable bamboo utensils to metal straws and squish-proof stainless-steel snack tins.
15 | These recycled glass vases
UncommonGoodsAnyone concerned with taking care of nature will surely appreciate bringing a little bit of the outdoors into their home. These vases are sustainably made from recycled glass and are perfect for everything from wildflowers to bulbs. And the eco-consciousness doesn’t stop there: UncommonGoods also gives a dollar from every sale to charities like American Forests, which works to conserve and replant our planet’s forests.
