Giving gifts has always been my favorite part of the holiday season. Sure, receiving a gift is great, but seeing the look on a loved one’s face when you surprise them with something that makes their life better is priceless!
Gift giving can be a strange time for those who try to live an eco-conscious lifestyle. It’s easy to get caught up in the spirit of the holidays, and that can lend itself to spending money on things that aren’t necessary or kind to the environment.
This year, be strategic. Give gifts that not only look cool, but also serve an important purpose. Instead of giving gifts that will break or be obsolete within a few months, select presents that will help your loved ones get one step closer to a waste-free life.
Hydros water bottle
PeopleTowels
Water Pebble
E-reader
There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book on a snowy day, or reading an interesting magazine article to help pass the time during a cross-country flight. But printed books and magazines are a drain on our natural resources and a hassle to recycle.
An e-reader eliminates paper waste, and the carbon emissions needed to transport books and magazines around the country. Instead of waiting to order a new book online, you can simply download it for the fraction of the price. Some libraries are also getting into the e-reader game, lending out electronic books for free. And you aren’t just limited to books: many e-readers are optimized for magazines, newspapers and blogs as well. The Kindle from Amazon is arguably the most popular, and its basic model is one of the cheapest. (From $79)