the holiday season is fast-approaching, which means it’s gift-giving season. but finding the perfect gift can be tricky. there’s nothing worse than giving someone you love a present, only to find it collecting dust in their closet a few months later. these practical, sustainable products can help your friends and family cut down on their carbon footprint and waste, while offering the ecologically conscious a more sustainable option while gift shopping this year. 

after all, what’s better than giving or receiving gifts that help us reduce our ecological impact? check out this roundup of tested and useful products that are perfect for anyone (yourself included)!

1. stasher bags

prices range from $9.99-$19.99

these reusable silicone bags are incredible: not only are they self-sealing and air-tight, but you can put them in the microwave, dishwasher, and/or the freezer. they’re perfect for packing sandwiches and snacks on the go, for organizing odds’n’ends, and have innumerable cooking and food storage uses. available in both sandwich size and snack size, and a variety of fun colors and patterns, stasher bags are one of the most useful, practical, and durable reusable bags on the market, and make for a wonderful gift your friends and family will use time and time again.

2. ecocrock compost bin:

$39.99

​perfect for the home chef or gardener in your life! food scraps make up a significant amount of waste in the united states, but this chic, in-kitchen compost bin can help your friends and family make composting easy. this compost bin offers a sleek and practical design, including two filters, and a charcoal filter to eliminate odor.

​3. senhai reusable utensils

$10.99

these utensils are perfect for reducing plastic utensil use on the go! a fork, knife, spoon, and set of chopsticks is tucked inside a zipper-seal pouch, which ensures utensils stay clean. the utensils are stainless steel and rustproof, and make a perfect stocking stuffer.

4. play animal beds and toys

prices range from about $6-189

perfect for your four-legged friend, or your favorite pet-lover! play is a gold certified green business that makes durable pet beds and toys from 100% recycled materials. they offer customizable dog beds made from plastic bottles, as well as an array of adorable dog and cat toys.

5. bee’s wrap reusable food wrap

prices range from $6-$19.

this plastic wrap alternative is perfect for wrapping up leftovers, cheese, produce, bread, or to cover bowls to keep things fresh for extended periods of time. made from bee’s wax, bee’s wrap is washable, reusable, compostable, and adorable!

6. yeti tumblers

price range from $19.99-$129.99.

yeti makes durable, vacuum-sealed water bottles and tumblers, perfect for keeping beverages hot or cold for extended periods of time. whether you’re shopping for a student, a working friend, or an adventure-seeker, reusable water bottles and tumblrs help reduce waste from people always on the go.

7. green toys

prices range from $5.99-$49.99.

green toys makes adorable plastic and dough toys for the young ones on your list. made in california from 100% recycled materials (mostly plastic milk jugs), green toys is trying to do toys differently, in a sustainable way.

8. reuseable bag, scarf, or newspaper instead of wrapping paper

free.

rather than purchase gift wrap this year, consider using newspaper or gifting your bag in a reuseable tote, which are available at many grocery and mega-stores like target. you can also wrap your gift with a scarf in furoshiki style, a traditional japanese way of wrapping gifts. not only will this save money and reduce waste, it’ll be an extra bonus to your gift.