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Writer's pictureThink Zero LLC
Jan 3, 20214 min read

Zero Waste Gift Guide




Think Zero Home’s big list of Low and Zero Waste Gifts!


For Friends & Family (adults) - in a covid or post covid world


Revamping our holiday and gift buying traditions with sustainability in mind could be the answer. Sustainability means mindful use of the planet’s limited resources, including such aspects as:

  • Transparent, responsible production to reduce carbon emissions and waste

  • Replacing single-use and non-degradable products with long-lasting items

  • Choosing slow fashion over fast fashion

  • Using eco-friendly, organic materials

  • Supporting local businesses, social enterprises, and charities

Here are some ideas to get you going!


Experiential & DIY Gifts

  • Take an online or in person class together (what do they like to do?) Cooking classes online are very popular for example (Great for Co-workers); maybe take an art class?

  • Art tour – go to a museum and book a guided tour; visit art galleries

  • Wine tasting – virtual or in person

  • Anna does this with a group of friends using the monthly wine tasting club Glasses Up!

  • Go for dinner together- Or give a gift certificate

  • Theatre tickets or membership

  • Membership to a cultural institution in town that is of interest to the receiver

  • Digital subscription – movies, app store, audible, Spotify, etc.

    • The cost of these subscriptions add up - Helping with these costs is always a welcome gift

    • There are many streaming services out there.

  • Homemade baked goods (wrap them up in cloth, saved glass jars, etc.)

  • Massage, hair, nails, facial, etc. gift certificate - there are even services that come to your home for a massage or to do beauty treatments.

  • DIY item – make a homemade gift, here are a number of ideas:

  • Zero Waste Products

    • $- Last Swab: Last Swab is a sustainable and sanitary alternative to standard cotton swabs and Q-Tips. After use, the Last Swab only needs to be cleaned with soap and water and is meant to last a long time. Last Object is the name of the company with several products - a reusable cotton swab, hanky, cotton round and masks so that it is the last time you buy those products! Use code ThinkZero for 10% off your order.

    • $- Package Free Shop- Mayan Loofah: These loofahs are sourced from a family farm in Guatemala and grown using traditional methods- they are 100% free of pesticides and herbicides.

    • $$- Duebest Reusable Wooden Cutlery Set: Duebest’s reusable cutlery set is made of teak wood by artisans in Bali and is certified Fair Trade. Duebest - provides beautiful reusable cutlery; they are introducing new products such as silicon lids to replace saran wrap. Use code ThinkZero for 10% off your order.

  • $- Nalgene 32 oz Water Bottle: Nalgene’s 32 oz water bottle has a wide mouth and is made from BPA free plastic. The bottle comes in 19 different colors and its wide mouth makes it very easy to fill with ice and to clean.

  • Plaine Products - provides a refillable system for personal care products (i.e. shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, etc.). You get new product on a set schedule and you send back your old bottles for reuse. Use code ThinkZero for 20% off your order. The website also has travel sets.

  • Friendsheep Wool - provides wool drier balls that eliminates drier sheets - these are great stocking stuffers. Use code ThinkZero for 10% off your order.

  • Stasher - provides silicon reusable bags to take the place of ziplock. These are great gifts for those who like to eat on the go!

  • Dropps - provides a laundry & dishwashing detergent subscription service to eliminate toxic chemicals as well as all that plastic.

Check out what the store Life Without Plastic has for your zero waste enthusiast. Another store is Package Free Shop. Both are affiliate links.


*Help our women & minority owned zero waste business by using the affiliate links above!


Charitable Giving Gifts

Second Hand or Vintage Gifts

  • Peruse online stores such as facebook marketplace, ebay, Chairish, 1st Dibs, thredup, depop, The Real Real, shopthrilling, markid, kidizen, poshmark, luxury garage sale, swap, etc. (there are many more!)

  • Visit your local consignment shops to find something they will love!

  • Second hand books are great options to dip your toe into the second hand shopping world - you can find them on Amazon Warehouse or Betterworldbooks.com

For Kids


For your own kids:

  • Ask them to go through your home and pick 10- 20 toys, books and/or clothes they are no longer using to donate to kids in need (we do this every year and its a great way to get kids into the holiday giving spirit!)

  • Ask them to include at least one experiential gift on their Holiday List, for them this is some special outing or event with the whole family

  • Make it a project to research charities and find their favorite charity, maybe save the cheetahs or a tree planting charity! Add this to their Holiday List as a donation they want to make for the holidays

For others kids:

  • Buy second hand first! There are so many great children’s consignment shops no matter where you live

  • Regift! Find a toy or book your kids are no longer using but is in good condition and give that as a gift

  • For kids adopt an endangered animal; ask kids to pick a charity they are excited about to give to for the holidays

  • If you must buy new, consider buying from these greener options

Younger Kids (1- 8)

Older Kids (8- 19)

  • Uno card game has upped their eco game with no cellophane packaging and cards made from FSC-certified paper

Apple’s Refurbished products are “like new” and come with a 1 year warranty but far less greenhouse gas emissions than new Apple products! There are so many great options for giving in a Zero Waste and sustainable way! Here's to a low waste 2021!!










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