A fair amount of rubbish is dumped into landfills these days and Christmas shopping can sometimes be nerve-wracking if you don't want to contribute to the influx of rubbish. But when I mention eco-friendly Christmas gifts, visions of dancing Deadhead Bears and sack-throwing Phish Phans (nothing but big love for both of those camps, by the way) might dance through your head. However, sustainable gift ideas don't have to be tacky and cheesy; in the digital shopping landscape according to Goop [puffs chamomile pre-roll], Eco-friendly gifts range from tried-and-true, old-school eco-friendly kitchen hacks (beeswax wraps forever) to a new wave of chic (these Pierre Cardin-inspired BPA-free kitchen containers) and high-tech finds (the Mill food recycler). (Oh, and for all you headlights grilled cheese lovers on a northbound train: Hedley & Bennett's Grateful Dead apron line is made from sustainable, long-lasting natural cotton canvas.)
Remember that while an eco-friendly kitchen gift can be a recycled cutting board or a non-toxic cleaner, it can also be a reusable item that contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle, such as using a bedside carafe (instead of plastic bottles) or reusable, stretchy lids (instead of cling film or aluminum foil).
As a long-time shopping writer with a penchant for durable, countertop-worthy designs, the following is my gift cheat sheet for more eco-friendly gifts for every home cook.
With this bedside carafe you can easily drink more water
Design-oriented food storage containers made of glass and BPA-free plastic
Cool beeswax candles are always a must
Martha Stewart once called unscented beeswax candles the only true dinner party candle because they burn cleaner and last longer than paraffin candles, and I took that to heart. Not only the following candles have a cool shape not Made from crude oil (boo), but they can be a tribute to your recipient's love of entertaining, corn, tomatoes – you name it.
This non-toxic surface cleaner with a linen scent
Do you use a small table brush for crumbs? Very chic
Stop reaching for paper towels and reach for this chic table brush set instead.
Because blue sponges are disgusting
Free your recipient from the Sysiphean battle of constantly replacing that dingy blue sponge and gift them this enchanting trio of 100 percent biodegradable brushes made from bamboo, beech wood, sisal and coconut fiber.
This recycled cutting board
I use these stretch lids to easily store leftovers
These stretchy lids from Stasher give me so much peace of mind because they can be used on a variety of bowl shapes and sizes, and whether you're storing leftovers in the fridge or taking a big salad to the park in the spring, the brand says they “replace 10 rolls of plastic wrap every year,” which they estimate is suitable for the average household.
Sustainably harvested olive oil
Flamingo Estate's organic, non-GMO olive oil is one of the brand's top products and is made in collaboration with a fourth-generation olive farmer, Philip Asquith, whom the website describes as “the guardian of thousands of gnarled, century-old trees – each lovingly cared for season after season.”
This high-tech compost bin
Mill's self-described “food recycler” is a composting aid that the high-tech container claims can break down most foods without lingering odors (like quietly crushing bones overnight) while looking like a sexy Kubrick monolith. Of course, at this price it's a big purchase, but if you have the ability to hit the order button and perhaps bring it to your loved ones and your home, it's the kind of device that will provide you with greener living practices for a lifetime.
