GRAPHĒ: 32 Eco-Friendly Gifts For the Sustainability Obsessee

32 Eco-Friendly Gifts For the Sustainability Obsessee

If their everyday mantra sounds something like "reduce, reuse, recycle," these eco-conscious gifts won’t weigh on their conscience.

Artist Stephen Waddell and wife Isabel Kunigk—a landscape designer—remodeled their 1,300-square-foot bungalow with a raised roof and a kitchen that opens up to the living room. The apple-green cabinets were made by Waddell and a friend, and yellow stools add a playful touch.

Diamond quilting inside and out adds to the heat-trapping and easy-packing qualities of this wind-resistant and water-repellent jacket. A split kangaroo pocket is in easy reach for hand warming, and the drawstring-adjustable hood keeps your head as warm and dry as the rest of you. The style is made from recycled, bluesign®-approved taffeta and lined with 80g Thermogreen® insulation (90% recycled). Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom

The weighted blanket that’s proven to increase serotonin, calm stress, and reduce anxiety. An enticing blend of feelings come together when you’re swaddled by the Eco-Friendly Weight Blanket—kinda like that feeling you’d get as a kid when Mom or Dad tucked you in, bravely warding off that pesky boogie man and sending you on your way to sweet dreams. Truly though, numerous sleep studies prove that weighted blankets increase serotonin, calm stress, and reduce anxiety through the power of deep pressure stimulation. The Eco-Friendly Weight Blanket is no different—it’s the simple solution to improved sleep, night in and night out. Best of all, Baloo strives to be environmentally friendly at every turn of their manufacturing process and mission as a company, so you can (sigh) rest easy knowing that. Photo Courtesy of Baloo

Made in Mexico from agro-waste from guacamole production. 60% Biodegrades in approximately 240 days with normal amounts of water and heat, or in landfill conditions. What remains will fully degrade within 1-2 years. Photo Courtesy of Amazon

Designed to look stunning on your table and fit perfectly in your fridge. The pitcher holds 10-cups (80 oz.) of crisp, refreshing filtered water and is made of shatterproof, BPA-free plastic and a bamboo handle. Photo Courtesy of Soma

Do you ever just throw out a corn husk or a lemon peel and call it a day? This cookbook from Giovanna Torrico and Amelia Wasiliev will teach you just what you need to do to stretch your food further and reduce your waste (hint: use the corn husk to make vegetable stock and lemon zest to infuse vodka!). With chapters on fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy, meat, and fish, you’ll learn to use whatever food you have at home to its fullest. Photo Courtesy of ban.do

Many of us are already doing what we can to adopt a greener lifestyle. We recycle, try to reduce our waste and plastics, choose organic food when shopping, eat less meat, and opt for environmentally friendly cleaning products. Yet we often wish we were doing more and it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Live Green is a practical guide of 52 tips and changes you can make to your home and lifestyle over the course of a year. Tackling all areas of your life from home and garden, your cleaning routine, food, fashion, natural beauty, and Christmas, this book has all the ingredients to help you achieve a more sustainable existence. Learn how to modify your daily habits to rid yourself of environmental guilt and rediscover the pleasures of living a slower and simpler life. From creating your own eco-friendly cleaning products and improving your natural beauty regime to creating a capsule wardrobe and composting – discover how to get the most out of life by living more intentionally. Live simply. Live Green. Publisher: Quadrille Publishing Photo Courtesy of Quadrille Publishing

Soft yet supportive—a pillow for every sleeper. Pick your firmness! Our standard-sized pillow comes in three fill levels to hug your head just the way you like it. Choose softer if you like some plush give, medium if you want something balanced, or firmer for extra support. Feel good fluff. Filled with recycled, airblown fiber—and covered in breathable 100% eucalyptus fabric that's naturally softer and more earth-friendly than cotton. Photo Courtesy of Buffy

Durable and eco-friendly, this stainless steel container is just the right size for packing smaller items like berries, nuts, crackers, hummus, and more. Photo Courtesy of Pharmaca

Today's Special A set of matching plates and bowls is a certain version of domestic bliss: they stack neatly in the cupboard, line up precisely in a dishwasher or drying rack, and give a fully set table a sense of order and calm. A set of matching plates and bowls that are nearly unbreakable, come in a range of bright, gorgeous colors, are made of renewable bamboo (with no BPA, PVC, or phthalates!), and are light enough to pack for a cookout or the beach but sturdy enough for everyday use? We’re fully blissed out. This 4-piece set comes with a low-rimmed square dinner plate, a high-rimmed square pasta bowl, and large and small square bowls in our favorite colors—like petal pink, light gray, and charcoal—for mixing and matching. Photography by Ty Mecham, Rocky Luten

Wrap bread, cheese, vegetables, or cover a bowl! Bee's Wrap® is the sustainable, natural alternative to plastic wrap for food storage. Use the warmth of your hands to soften the wrap and create a seal. When cool, the wrap will hold its shape. Photo Courtesy of Amazon

Eco-friendly, inside and out. Whether you’re a composting pro or just thinking about getting into it, it’s always a little disheartening to buy more plastic when you’re trying to create less trash. Thankfully, Bamboozle’s compost bin is made of biodegradable and durable bamboo fibers—in other words, it’ll last for ages and have a low impact when its composting days are over. Plus, that cute little container with a breathable lid, odor-blocking carbon filter, and slim bamboo handle makes it the perfect countertop composter that you won’t want to hide away (you might even get your next dinner party guests into composting, too!). Turning your dinner scraps into garden soil has never looked better. Photo Courtesy of Food52

Whole body comfort. Extra-fluffy. Filled with layers of cloud-like fiber to give you that satisfying, snuggled up feeling. Super-soft. Covered in eucalyptus fabric that's naturally softer and more earth-friendly than cotton. Cruelty-free. Each comforter keeps 50 bottles out of landfills and protects 12 geese from live-plucking. Photo Courtesy of Buffy

Go bananas. We’re all about table accessories over here (after all, it’s kind of like setting the stage for the meal, right?) And these placemats totally have our hearts...for more reasons than one. The natural colors and textures are endlessly versatile and are made by women artisans in South India. Sustainable Threads uses only fair trade methods that utilize local agricultural materials like banana bark. The result? A table that’s set for instant success. Photography by Ty Mecham, James Ransom

Sustainably built single-family homes don’t have to be ugly. In this book, architects and homeowners share their perspectives on the interplay between ecology and contemporary architecture. For anyone who is in the process of building or renovating a home, sustainability is a critical issue ―especially since energy is likely to remain costly for the foreseeable future. Choosing to use resources responsibly makes as much of a statement about a home as the selection of floor plans, building materials, or furniture Ideally, our homes should be sustainable and look good at the same time. Building Better showcases single-family homes from around the world whose architecture proves that sustainable and attractive are not contradictions. The book’s selection of outstanding, top-quality work provides feasible examples for a new generation of homeowners with a discerning sense of style and environmental responsibility. The spectrum of featured projects ranges from energy efficient restoration and the construction of intelligent extensions to the planning and building of new low-energy or passive homes. The book introduces the latest building forms and materials as well as case studies examining the best division of space, architectural planning, and the use of innovative technologies to control and improve heating and air conditioning. Consequently, Building Better not only provides a striking overview of the topic of sustainable building, but also insightful information on details from technical data to blueprints In the book, both architects and homeowners have their say Families talk about their ideas, desires, motivations, and real experiences. Against this background, Building Better is both a practical and inspirational guide for anyone who sees sustainability not as limiting, but rather as a creative opportunity. As such, it is an essential reference for everyone who wants to build a better home. Photo courtesy of Gestalten Publisher: Gestalten

Made by us, made with you. When we decided to give classic wooden spoons the Five Two treatment, we asked thousands of you: What do you love about your favorite spoon? You told us about how it does everything, lasts for generations, and has a place in your most treasured kitchen memories. We listened, learned…then, with our signature design expertise, we elevated your go-to tool. Your trustiest single kitchen tool is now five, each made by hand, with its own area of expertise: 1) The Mix Master: A classic spoon for muffin-batter stirring, risotto creaminess-enhancing, you name it. We made ours a little deeper for serving, too. 2) The 2-in-1: A multi-talented spoon with one side for mixing and stirring, plus a mini for taste-tasting and impromptu measuring (it doles out a tablespoon-ish). 3) The Big Dipper: A slotted design for everything from hard-boiling eggs to air-lifting olives out of their brine. 4) The Corner-Getter: A flat-edged helper that gets every last bit of jam from the jar (or pasta from the pot). 5) The Flip & Scrape: A turner-meets-scraper for pan deglazing (corners, handled) and delicate flipping (tender fish filets, still intact). They all share the same well-thought-out details. Each one is artisan-crafted in teak—a lightweight yet sturdy wood that’s also one of the most water-resistant (it’s used on boats for just this reason). We designed smooth, tapered handles with extra length for better reach across stovetops. Each spoon has handy scraping edges, so it can get into every nook and cranny of your pots—and loosen up all those brown bits while you’re deglazing pans. And we incorporated vintage details, like the pattern on our slotted spoon and the subtle engravings on each handle, so it'll feel like you've been together forever. Photography by Rocky Luten

Bag those plastic baggies. You’ve likely thrown away hundreds of plastic zip top bags in your lifetime. Take a leap forward into a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle with Stasher storage bags: They’re BPA-free, self-sealing and airtight, like your beloved ziptops, but they’re made of an extra-durable silicone for use over and over again. You can wash them in the dishwasher between lunches (the non-porous surface helps inhibit bacterial growth). Use them to cook in the microwave, for sous vide cooking, or as a toiletries bag for an airplane trip—they come in snack, sandwich, and half-gallon sizes, so you can pack as much or as little away as you like. And if you love the lunch notes of yore, you can write directly on the bags with dry erase markers. We’re going to write "We love these storage bags!" on ours. Photography Courtesy of Pharmica

This visually stunning investigation of natural and man-made materials will change the way you look at the world around you, while offering hope for the future of our planet. What does it mean to live in a material world, and how do materials of the past and present hold the keys to our future? This book tackles these questions by focusing on various issues that human beings face and by discussing potential materials-related solutions. Through the lens of intriguing projects by designers, artists, makers, and scientists, it presents a colorful panoply of ideas, technologies, and creative efforts that focus on the earth's most basic elements, while also showing how these elements can be transformed into entirely new materials. It explores, for example, how ancient practices such as dyeing fabric and making glue may hold the secret to renewable and earth-friendly consumer products, as well as how recycling plastics can tackle food waste, and how a type of light metal being developed may one day make air travel less fuel-reliant. This book also investigates the potential of the digital experience, suggesting how this most ephemeral type of matter can be used to improve our world. Eye-catching and provocative, Why Materials Matter serves as both a stimulating catalog of possibilities and a timely manifesto on how to consume, manufacture, and design for a better future. Publisher: Prestel Photo Courtesy of Prestel

Soft, supportive, and extraordinarily comfortable, our shaped Serenity Pillow redefines sleep support. It’s designed for proper spinal alignment, relieving pressure on your head and neck. With the Serenity Pillow, you feel as if your head is cradled in air, an unparalleled sense of comfort that helps you sleep better and longer. The pillow has a special indentation on its underside, allowing your head to relax back while your neck is firmly supported. This position keeps your airways open, alleviates pressure on your face and ears, and relaxes some of the postural discomfort from smartphone and computer use. The Serenity Pillow is made of pure, GOLS-certified organic dunlop latex that will retain its shape and structure. Harvested by tapping trees, this natural, biodegradable rubber is mold- and mildew-resistant, and repels allergen-filled dust mites. The inner pillow cover is made of 100% organic cotton, and the removable protector offers a second covering of densely woven 380–400 thread count organic cotton sateen that adds a smooth, natural layer of protection to resist stains and dust mites. Photo Courtesy of Coyuchi

This fully waterproof and windproof anorak is ultralight and breathable for staying active in all weathers. Made with sustainability in mind, it features a recyclable membrane and a PFC-free water-repellant coating. Photo Courtesy of On

The James Beard Foundation’s comprehensive book on full-use cooking, showing you how to use all the food you buy and avoid food waste and featuring innovative recipes and tips from chefs across the country. Featuring 100 recipes from chefs such as Rick Bayless, Elizabeth Falkner, Bryant Terry, and Katie Button, Waste Not shows readers how to turn ingredients that often end up in the trash into delicious dishes and exciting takes on tried-and-true recipes. Here, chefs from around the country share not only recipes for asparagus bottom aioli, squash-seed tahini, and fruit-skin-crusted mahi, but also their suggestions for how to get maximum mileage and inspiration from the food you buy. Publisher: Rizzoli Photo Courtesy of Amazon

Designed to look beautiful on your countertop and be the centerpiece for your dinner party. It is made of shatter-resistant, borosilicate glass and holds 6-cups (48 oz.) of crisp, refreshing filtered water. Photo Courtesy of Soma

The Porter Bowl is a durable plastic lunch bowl that features a protective nonslip exterior, rigid plastic lid and snap-tight silicone strap. Perfect for transporting your salad, grain bowl or leftovers - wherever life may take you. Photo Courtesy of W&P Design

When you need to escape the day, grab our candle and strike a match. Our custom-crafted blend of white tea, fresh fig leaf, basil and a touch of lavender will instantly transport you to a peaceful sanctuary (and the pretty packaging doesn’t hurt either). Photo Courtesy of Follain

A shoe that fits like a glove—and hustles all damn day. Our Day Glove is made of buttery soft leather that molds to your foot for a perfect, custom fit. With features like a back pull tab, side vents, a rubber sole, and a cushioned insole, these are up for anything. See the story Photo Courtesy of Everlane

Start your morning smart and reduce your eco-impact with the Porter Mug. Crafted with durable ceramic and wrapped in protective matte silicone, this reusable mug is a high-quality replacement for disposable, plastic or metal to-go mugs. Photo Courtesy of W&P Design

The Fawcett Jean is part of the Reformation Jeans collection. This is a high rise jean with a wide, cropped leg and an unfinished hem. Every pair of jeans you buy cleans a thousand gallons of water. We make our pieces from super sustainable materials, rescued deadstock fabrics, and repurposed vintage clothing. As we grow, our goal is to push harder to create more sustainable fabric options. We think Tencel is the holy grail of fabrics. Made by Austrian company Lenzing, Tencel is a semi-synthetic fiber with properties almost identical to cotton. It’s part of the Rayon family, made from renewable plant materials. Photo Courtesy of Reformation

Inspired by sitting around a crackling campfire, Juniper Ridge crafts incense in nature-inspired scents that evoke specific places with stunning clarity. With no synthetic fragrance oils, these incense sticks utilize sustainably harvested scent notes designed to bring the great outdoors inside your space. With no petrochemicals or charcoal, for a smooth, clean burn. Juniper Ridge donates 10% of their annual profits to a selection of Western Wilderness Defense organizations. Photo Courtesy of Juniper Ridge

Portable, lightweight, reusable cup with collapsible construction. Heat sleeve and optional straw fold up when cup is collapsed. Leak-proof design breaks down for easy cleaning Sustainable, made from safe and recyclable materialsBPA-, phthalate-, lead- and glue-freeSuitable for hot and cold drinks. This item is part of our Good for the Globe Carousel, a collection of products designed to help you reduce, reuse and recycle in style. Photo Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Set the stage for an effortlessly cool bedroom. Breathable yet warm, this duvet is the perfect layer from summer to winter. Garment-dyed and stonewashed to give you an airy, soft, most perfectly worn feel ever (no, really). Available in five hues, this duvet is designed to mix and match with our bedding collection to create a look that’s inherently your own. Made using only the finest French flax and woven in the oldest, family-run linen mill in Portugal, each piece is Oeko-Tex®-certified and made sustainably in a fair-trade working environment. Photo Courtesy of The Citizenry

Our coolest cardigan yet. Complete with clean, classic details and chunky rib detailing inspired by old-school sweaters, the ReCashmere Varsity Cardigan is made from premium Italian yarn that's been recycled for 50% less impact—that means it’s just as soft and beautiful as our 100% Grade-A cashmere, but with half the carbon footprint. Who knew cashmere could feel even better? Photo courtesy of Everlane

A hands-free bag to wear across the body, over the shoulder or around the waist. Adjustable logo strap with buckle closure. Durable, heavyweight nylon exterior with ripstop lining for easy cleaning. We know our customers value sustainability as much as we do - so we partner with factories we trust, and whenever possible make products from recycled materials. All of our Ripstop Nylon styles, including our namesake reusable bags, are made with 40% recycled material. We're using a recycled nylon filament yarn produced from pre-consumer waste, which means we're saving scrap material from landfill, and in turn helping conserve petroleum resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also use environmentally responsible dyes that are fully absorbed by the material during production, minimizing runoff. Photo Courtesy of Baggu

Experience moments of joy throughout the day with this ecoluxe lip balm. These beautiful lip gems are filled with the cleanest certified organic ingredients available to ensure the highest level of efficacy. The slim metal tube makes it the perfect daytime or on-the-go balm. Photo Courtesy of Grove Collaborative

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