gift guide: earth-friendly swaps
MY AUNT Joan is a lifelong plastic straw lover. I’m not sure if she’s trying to preserve the poppy-colored lipstick she seems to wake up wearing or has a sensitivity to cold or if it’s just an unbreakable 60-year habit, but she uses a plastic straw to drink just about every liquid that goes into her body. Last year for her birthday, my mom sent her some pretty reusable straws as both a sweet acknowledgement of her sister’s quirk, but also a not-so-subtle hint to stop using [wasting] the stupid plastic ones.
I HAVE very consciously over the last decade or so swapped out some key everyday items for more eco-friendly alternatives. Our family uses only reusable bags for lunch, snacks + travel. I stopped buying plastic straws years ago for all of our smoothies and I even travel with the metal ones for on-the-road straw emergencies, along with a few sets of silverware. I have amassed a SOLID collection of reusable shopping + produce bags so that I never need one at the store. I’ve swapped all of our body care and household cleaning supplies for natural, non-toxic versions. And there are lots of other things we do each day to reduce our impact, but there are at least a hundred more practices my family could adopt and we’ll continue to make switches wherever we can.
FORTUNATELY, there are TONS of amazing companies out there creating products that have use beyond the 5 minutes at a time that we might need them. Many are also making our favorites in new and really impressive ways that reduce our collective impact though innovative sustainability practices. So, whether your special people are already totally on board with the idea or need a little push like my Aunt Joan, there are so many options out there for gifting in a more conscious way. A bunch of these ideas would make really PERFECT gifts for the host[ess] with the mostest or teachers and ‘Life Savers’ you love. There’s no better win-win than a gorgeous gift that makes your special people AND Mother Earth smile. And if you know of some awesome products that do Mama E proud, please let me know, we’re always looking for new ways to do our part. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo
BEAUTY HEROES
ONE OF THE easiest [and most fun IMO] ways to start reducing both your environmental impact and your own body’s exposure to toxins is to make the switch to clean, sustainable and responsibly-produced beauty products. Ignore the outdated myths that cleaner products don’t work as well or that they’re so much more expensive. The industry has come SO far and there is no longer a reason to sacrifice either your own health or the well-being of the planet in the name of beauty. There are tons of amazing products out there for almost any budget that are not just effective and safe, but also GORGEOUS. And Beauty Heroes has lots of them. Beauty Heroes prides itself on having THE most stringent ingredient standards in the industry, going above and beyond what’s generally required to qualify as ‘clean.’ They not only exclude ingredients that are toxic to people, but also require that all of the skin, hair and body care that they carry is fully biodegradable so that the animals and waterways stay healthy, too. And they even have a whole selection of zero waste products to take your efforts another step toward reducing your footprint. PLUS, they ship every order certified plastic negative and carbon neutral by purchasing offsets. YES. Check out My Clean Beauty Favorites to learn more about the brands and products I love and get swapping.
Earth-friendly gifts
> Cadence is one of the greatest marriages of form + function I’ve found in a while. I’ve been searching for YEARS for good travel containers. Most reusable kinds are impossible to clean and I’m left with half a wee bottle of old, yellowing body lotion that’s nearly impossible to clean out. And if I’m lucky enough to find a travel-sized tube of something I actually use, I often end up only getting through half of it before it gets yuck and I feel doubly guilty about chucking both product and plastic. Sound familiar? These gorgeous little containers are made from ocean-bound plastic and come in different sizes and pretty colors so YOU get to decide how much stuff to put inside and how to organize them. They’re an absolute breeze to clean out between trips and are totally leak-proof, so you can put ANYthing in there. I use them for skincare, supplements, jewelry, hair goo… really, ALL the stuff. I’ve found so many uses for them and I can’t get enough of the gorgeous colors. They’re magic, LOVE THEM. > from $14
> Geometry has a prolific social media presence that’s made super appealing because their towels are SO pretty. It’s what initially piqued my interest, but then I saw and felt a friend’s Tea Towel…. Not only are they pretty to look at, but they’re also super duper soft, quick-drying [ie. not stinky] and so absorbent [they don’t just push the water around]. AND they’re made entirely from recycled post-consumer materials, diverting a ton of waste from the landfill. I ordered almost a dozen and am so obsessed that I now look at my ‘old’ towels sideways and am considering retiring them all to the bike wash station in our garage. Because of the enormous selection of prints, they are a seriously gorgeous gift for just about anyone. I love their Dishcloths and Fitness Towels, too. > $18
+ Use Darcie15 for 15% off your purchase
> Lest you think that TP is a weird gift and that I’ve lost my way, just hear me out because Who Gives a Crap is SO not your average junky TP. Aside from the branding, which is truly top notch [I’m a sucker for it, but I promise that’s not all], it’s entirey plastic-free and made with recycled fibers or sustainable bamboo [my preference]. They use zero inks, dyes or scents. HALF of all profits are donated to help provide clean water and safe toilets in developing countries. It’s a Certified B Corp and FSC certified. AND it gets delivered right to your door at the interval you choose. So it may sound weird to gift someone TP, but is there really any greater present than the gift of convenience and clean water? Plus it’s just super cute. > from $42
> OHMYGOSH. I know it sounds like hyperbole, but Cuddle + Kind makes THE most precious hand-knit dolls there ever were. And in the largest variety from baby dolls to every kind of animal you can imagine and you can even have a few of the options personalized. As if that weren’t enough they’re made by hand by artisan women in Peru and Nepal who earn a sustainable, fair trade income. They’re certified non-toxic and meet or exceed all safety standards set forth by the US + CA + EU + UK. AND each doll purchased provides between 5-20 meals for a child in need. They’ve already provided more than 40 million meals around the world. I love them so much and they’re just a perfect gift for new babies, littles or honestly anyone. >
> I’ve tried a zillion different combinations of non-toxic laundry products and Dirty Labs is my favorite. It’s missing ALL the things you don’t want near your skin, but is super effective and has a subtle awesome scent. There is no plastic anywhere to be seen in the packaging either. The Sustainable Laundry Starter Set is the perfect way to test it out and you can subscribe to have it delivered monthly so it’s off the list. LOVE. > $39
> I love it when you come across something beautiful that just so happens to also be super sustainable, too, like Material Kitchen’s MK Free Boards. They’re made entirely from a plant-based material that leaves behind no microplastics. They’re non-porous and totally dishwasher safe, making them a great choice for raw meat. They also have a juice groove to keep things tidy and a nice textured surface and they’re SO pretty. There’s also an equally awesome Midi size for smaller jobs. I use mine every darn day. > from $44
> One of the easiest and most impactful swaps you can make is away from single-use plastic sandwich bags. But there’s such an easy and super appealing alternative. Stasher’s reusable bags are the most durable I’ve found for the tough paces you want to put them through [they go in the microwave, dishwasher, freezer…] and they clean SO so easily. I use mine daily for so many things. They make a big variety of sizes and colors for all the uses you can dream up. So help a friend [or teacher or therapist or dance instructor…] AND Mama Earth by hooking them up with some Stashers. It’ll make their lives easier and keep a literal TON of plastic out of the trash heap and ocean. > from $10.99
> If you want to make your life SO easy and scoop up all of your clean, eco-friendly, non-toxic goods in one quick go, Grove Collaborative is your new BFF. They’re a one-stop shop for the best earth-friendly best for everything from cleaning supplies to skincare to art supplies to dog food. It’s an awesome solution for stuff you need all of the time and for discovering new favorites. If you’re just starting your journey to swap out your ‘dirty’ stuff for healthier versions, Grove is a perfect place to start. >
> These little discs don’t look like much, but they’re totally brilliant. Made from sturdy, yuck-free silicone, Food Huggers literally ‘hug’ all of your leftover bits of fruits and veggies so they’re preserved longer and stay fresher without wasting plastic wrap. I use mine all the time for lemons, limes and avocados. They also have a variety of lids to cover any little lidless bowl you want to use to save your leftovers without plastic wrap. They’re super easy to clean and nest inside each other so they take up almost no space. > from $5.99
> Nopalera is a stunning artisan natural beauty brand designed to celebrate the richness of Latina culture and the beauty of Mexico. Founder, Sandra Lilia Velasquez, was inspired by the nopales that were abundant around her childhood home near the CA-MX border. The nopal cactus is a highly sustainable + resilient crop and super nourishing, making it the ideal foundation for each of Nopalera’s super natural products. The nopal they use is all wild-harvested and the company’s packaging is entirely reusable or recyclable, though I don’t know why you’d want to throw away any of the AMAZING packaging. I want to wallpaper my dining room with it. > from $14
> We’ve been using cloth napkins forever. We still use everyday a set that a friend gave me as an engagement gift almost 20 years ago. I wonder how many paper napkins we’ve saved in that time?! Cloth napkins are pretty and easy to clean and last forever [obvs] and when they get too gross for the table, my husband uses them to clean his bike. Bright Beige on Etsy makes the most awesome ones out of cotton flour sacks and hand prints them with earth-friendly dye. I’m sort of ‘dye-ing’ over her designs [sorry, can’t help it], there are so many REALLY gorgeous ones. I’ll just have to take one of each, please. > from $10
> Eliminate a mound of plastic bottles with HiBar Solid Shampoo + Conditioner. It’s totally plastic-free, gross chemical-free and fuss-free. And they make a version that’s fragrance-free, too. > $26.50
> Swap out typical grody plastic bath toys and chemical-laden bubbles for a MUCH cleaner and WAY more fun option. Bubbles & Joy is a subscription service that sends awesome non-toxic, cruelty-free + natural bath toys and body care once or monthly straight to your little fishies. They curate the most adorable themes each time from dinos to pets to construction. They also carry an awesome selection of non-toxic bath toys and other essentials ‘à la carte’ if you don’t want a whole box. SO cute and an awesome gift. >
> Skip the single-use cotton pads for your skincare routine and use these cute handmade Marley’s Monsters Reusable Facial Rounds instead. The soft cotton flannel pads just get tossed in the wash over and over again. There are a bunch of cute prints or solids to choose from and they make a TON of other super sustainable products for every room in your home. > from $16
> Ditch plastic wrap in favor of something much more earth-friendly and WAY cuter. Esembly Baby’s Reusable Bowl Covers slide right on to just about any size bowl like a li’l shower cap and keep everything safely inside. They’re awesome for prep, short-term storage and I love them for bringing food to a BBQ or picnic. You just pop them into the wash or rinse them out when you’re done and there all set for next time. > $18
> You may already know how awesome Bee’s Wrap Food Wraps are. They’re washable, reusable, compostable and the antimicrobial properties in beeswax actually helps to preserve your food for longer. BUT did you know you can also use them as fire starter when you’re done with them? Which is why they use their scraps to make ReKindle Fire Starters and they’re awesome. They’re natural, water-resistant, don’t smoke a bunch and don’t put toxic chemicals into the air. We’ve used and loved them a bunch, they really do work. > $7.99
> As people swap out their phone case with their outfit, more than 1 billion of them end up in the landfill each year. Seriously. Canadian-based Pela Cases [say ‘pea-la’] makes stylish and super durable tech covers out of PLANTS and they’re fully compostable and biodegradable. Yep, when discarded properly, they’ll just gracefully return to the earth and not jam up the landfill until the end of time. It’s SO brilliant. They’ve already stopped the equivalent of more than 48 million plastic bags from entering the ocean. SHEESH. They have so many different patterns + colors to choose from, including solid and clear options. There’s def something there for just about everyone, including, I dare say, your stylish teens. >
> Caldera + Lab is a men’s skincare line and with the highest sustainability standards around. They use all super potent wild harvested and organic ingredients, they have the most advanced certifications and transparency standards available in the industry and they’re a Certified B Corp. Plus it works really well. My husband loves this line, and it’s designed for men, but it’s a gorgeous option for anyone. >
> Packing up leftover pizza is always so awkward, not to mention wasteful when you chuck the foil or plastic wrap the next day. These (Re)Zip Pizza Savers are so brilliant. You can use them in the fridge or freezer or a lunchbox. They’re completely reusable and washable so you can stash them away for the next pizza night when your eyes were bigger than your stomach. > $24.99
> Anytime you buy something handmade instead of manufactured overseas, you not only eliminate the carbon footprint of that item’s journey, but you support someone’s sincere PASSION, which makes it a gift to the earth, the artist AND your special person. I mean, a 3-in-1 is pretty impressive. This stunning Haand Cloudware Mug was handmade in Burlington, NC by a real person and not a machine. All of Haand’s materials are lead-free and ethically sourced. And gorgeous, obvs. > $31
> There’s no need for a big pile of plastic produce bags with these Organic Cotton Mesh Reusable Produce Bags. There are sets with various sized bags to suit your habits and they’re totally machine washable. I use mine all of the time and feel so good about skipping those impossible-to-open plastic bags at the store. >
> To know me is to know how much I love my Baggu Reusable Bags. Aside from coming in about 100 amazing prints, they’re the most durable reusable bags around. I’ve had some for like 12 years and they look brand new. They can be machine washed and dried, which I’ve done literally 100 times, and there’s nary a tear or pull in a single one of them. Also they hold SO MUCH stuff and pack down tiny for travel. They come in 3 different sizes for all of your needs and make a fantastic gift for almost anyone. > from $14
> I LOVE my Nomadix Original Towels for adventuring and the pool. They come in a bunch of pretty patterns, are quick-drying, absorbent, odor-resistant and pack up super small. Plus they’re made entirely from post-consumer recycled materials and Nomadix is now part of 1% for the Planet. And because the towels are quick-drying, they use fewer resources when laundering. It’s a huge win-win. They also make an Ultralight version for when space really matters and a Hand Towel that’s awesome for gym and golf bags [I keep mine in my car for post sweaty hikes + runs]. They all make an absolutely awesome gift. > from $27.95
> Skip the wrapping paper and go for a pretty reusable Furoshiki Gift Wrapping Cloth instead. There’s a nice variety of pretty Japanese-inspried prints to choose from. Your gift will look gorgeous and then your special person will have a beautiful piece of cloth to either reuse as gift wrap for someone else or repurpose as a napkin, bandana or anything else they can dream up. > $14.99
> Save both your gorgeous hard cheeses and a bunch of plastic wrap with this stylish silicone CapaBunga Cheese Vault. It’s designed to wick away moisture and allow your cheese to ‘breath’ so it’s preserved properly. It’s reusable and cute and it comes in pretty colors to suit any cheese-lover’s taste. > $39.99
> LA Relaxed is unique in the fashion industry. They make EVERYTHING in downtown LA with sustainable, vegan and cruelty-free materials. They are also emphatic about fair wages, safety and fostering a collaborative environment for their employees. And we haven’t even gotten to the clothes yet… they all inhabit a stylish, ‘relaxed’ vibe perfect for everyday. So stock up on cozy for the season ahead and sport it proudly knowing that it was ethically made from start to finish. >
> Slantt is a small Austin studio where Jennifer Rodgers hand makes really pretty, very sculptural jewelry. Some is delicate, much is dramatic, but it’s all unique. And in addition to her creative design, she’s also super dedicated to ethical and sustainable business practices. She uses recycled metals, sources only through responsible vendors based in the USA. And every order is shipped in eco-friendly recycled packaging. Learn more about why I adore Slantt here. >
> These Animal Friend Silicone Straws are THE cutest. They’re made from food-grade silicone that’s non-toxic, BPA-free and odorless. The cutie dolphin, whale, fox and llama help kids know which drink is there’s and are just SO adorable. Click here for lots more reusable straw ideas. > $13
> Ditch your grody sponge AND those massive rolls of paper towels and replace them all with Papaya Reusable Paper Towels. These babies are made from totally natural materials and are antimicrobial, super absorbent, quick-drying, machine washable and completely COMPOSTABLE when you’re finished with them. Each one replaces 17 rolls of paper towels. WAH?! And they’re obvs super cute. AND they even come with a little hook for drying in between uses. These would be fantastic gifts for the host[ess] with mostest or the ‘Life Savers’ you love. > from $12
> Waste Free Celebrations makes sets of cute 100% cotton Reusable Gift Bags to eliminate the need for paper. In addition to being festive and clever and helping to divert some of the 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper that goes into landfills each year, they’re also supporting the employment of women in Afghanistan who would otherwise have no other source of income. That’s a win-win-win. < $50
> Jackson Hole-based Noso Patches is on a serious mission to encourage people to repair their clothes + gear instead of dumping them. They make a huge assortment of peel & stick patches [no need to sew on, hence.. Noso, get it?] that are waterproof, weather-resistant and super durable. They’re also just fun as a means of self-expression. My older son plastered a few on his backpack just because they’re cool. They have a massive selection of unique designs, including some cool collabs. ‘Stick’ some in your emergency stash for surprise repairs. > from $13.99
> Toss the single-use dryer sheets and chuck in these handmade 100% New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls instead. They help things dry faster naturally, making everything more efficient. I put a little dab of lemon or bergamot essential oil on mine to make the laundry smell super fresh. > $9.99
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