According to Pinterest, There’s One Thing We’re All Shopping For These Holidays
And it's probably not what you're thinking.
The holidays are a time for giving, but with most things on the market linked to wasteful manufacturing and packaging, the hunt for alternate gift ideas is at an all-time high. According to the 2019 Pinterest Holiday report, Canadian searches for “zero waste Christmas” are up 119 per cent, and searches for “sustainable gifts” are up a huge 445 per cent. So, to help you embrace this time of year in the most responsible way, we’ve curated a list of 15 eco-conscious gift ideas that your loved ones will treasure (and the environment will thank you for!).
1. Kinto Travel Tumbler
This travel mug will unfailingly keep beverages hot or cold for up to six hours, and offers simplicity for an on-the-go lifestyle. Anyone receiving this gift will find it easy to keep their coffee order waste-free.
$46.95, Shop it here.
2. Unwrapped Life Shampoo + Conditioner Bars Travel Pack
Unwrapped Life cuts down on plastic use by making bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner, rather than bottling these products in plastic containers. Pick them up at Pretty Clean, a minimal-waste clean beauty shop in Toronto.
$35, Shop it here.
3. Stella McCartney Logo Belt Bag
High fashion doesn’t have to be compromised when shopping sustainably, and Stella McCartney’s line of statement-making shoes, bags and ready-to-wear is proof of that. This belt bag in particular is made of vegetarian leather with a recycled polyester logo strap.
$745, Shop it here.
4. Aldo RPPL Sneakers
The RPPL (pronounced ripple) Effect shoe collection from Aldo and BLOOM aims to subdue the algae crisis. With ocean pollution creating a surge in algae production and putting freshwater marine life at risk, the duo is taking algae from polluted waters and turning it into a sustainable running shoe. Each shoe contains five plastic water bottles, has helped clean 35 litres of polluted water and has kept 640 grams of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
$90, Shop it here.
5. Kotn Ribbed Lounge Pants
The bold burnt-red of this suit doesn’t create nearly as much harm as the average dyed garment does. Kotn’s traceability guide outlines how their fabric dyeing process saves on water use and reuses resources throughout production. Overall, the brand is built on an ethical and sustainable manufacturing plan, using 100 per cent Egyptian cotton for every product and delegating a portion of every purchase toward building schools in Egypt.
$75, Shop it here.
6. Hoi Bo Linen Novella Tote
Hoi Bo is a local Toronto manufacturer focused on sustainability. Not only is it looking out for our environment, but their linen tote bag is free from dangerous levels of over 100 substances harmful to human health.
$46, Shop it here.
7. Époque Évolution Perfect Hat
Époque Évolution focuses on reducing its carbon footprint by choosing organic, sustainable, upcycled fibres, as well as dead-stock and post-consumer waste. It then follows the best milling practices. The fabrics chosen in the Époque Évolution collections don’t require dry cleaning, so you can continue to practice sustainability while caring for your wardrobe.
$78, Shop it here.
8. Flax Sleep Robe
You can still keep the holidays cozy and traditional. This Canadian female-owned brand uses linen, and while it is just as comfy as cotton, it lasts longer and uses much less water in the milling process.
$138, Shop it here.
9. Tarte Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara
Not only does Tarte Cosmetics deliver products with natural ingredients, but giving back to the environment is its core mission. Working to support the locations where their ingredients are sourced means that a gift from Tarte will allow the company to further impact these communities.
$30, Shop it here.
10. CoffeeSock Chemex Filter
Gift a coffee-lover a Chemex along with this set of reusable filters. The CoffeeSock Chemex filter fits on any Chemex coffee maker, and is barista-approved. It also makes a totally unique brew, as the cloth filter creates a different flavour profile than a paper or metal filter would.
$17, Shop it here.
Pair it with a Chemex coffee maker: $59.95, Shop it here.
11. JB Radiance Essentials Set
At JB Skin Guru, the environment is at the foundation of each decision, and so is healthy skin. Their Lumi and Peoni lines offer a simple yet effective skincare routine.
$350, Shop it here.
12. Frank and Oak Corduroy Good Cotton Pinafore Dress
The minimalist in your life will appreciate Frank and Oak’s line of sustainable goods, which offers simple style without the guilt. This dress is made up of 100 per cent organic cotton, grown and harvested with sustainable methods.
$99.50, Shop it here.
13. Teapigs tea
Introduce a tea connoisseur to teapigs, a company focused on carefully sourcing tea ingredients, filling sachets (which are biodegradable in their entirety, from the temple to the string to the tag) with whole leaves. The packaging used by Teapigs is free of plastic and is reusable, recyclable and biodegradable.
Starting at $7.99, Shop it here.
14. Hania Kuzbari Freestyle Earring
Hania Kuzbari keeps sustainability at the heart of the brand and prioritizes socioeconomic factors. These gorgeous earrings are made of ethically sourced materials such as conflict-free stones and fair-trade gold.
$1,880, Shop it here.
15. Ten Thousand Villages Cream Heart Ornament
This charming tree-trimmer was handcrafted by artisan families in Northern India. Working under Tara Projects, these artisans are given medical insurance, interest-free loans and advances and access to savings programs and skills training.
$14, Shop it here.