When the holidays roll around, I can't help but feel more concerned about the environment—and you probably do, too. More gifts inevitably mean more waste and plastic, plus all of the extra emissions from manufacturing. And don't even get me started on all of the wrapping paper! Nowadays, it's more important than ever to shop for sustainable, eco-friendly gifts, and thankfully more and more brands are making it easier to do so.
Every brand on this list is making an effort to prioritize sustainability, from zero-waste products to recycled materials to transparency in production (and sometimes all of the above). Whether it be from one of our favorite sustainable fashion brands or eco-friendly small businesses, the beauty and fashion items on this list come guilt-free and are sure to last your recipients for years. Meanwhile, the home and self-care products listed—cleaning sprays, body care, food bags, and so on—will replace the more harmful products in your giftee's collection.
- Best Overall Eco-Friendly Gift: J.Crew Oversized Cashmere Wrap
- Best Eco-Friendly Fashion Gift: Sézane Barry Cardigan
- Best Eco-Friendly Beauty Gift: Greenzla Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
- Best Eco-Friendly Home Gift: Nipaqui Zero Waste Kit
- Best Eco-Friendly Food and Drink Gift: Mezcalum Mezcal
Best Eco-Friendly Fashion Gifts
Here at MC, we can't get enough of J.Crew. Each and every piece is high-quality, reasonably priced, and can be worn season after season. This cashmere scarf is no different and happens to be one of our favorites to gift. It's extra large, soft, and cuddly thanks to 100 percent cashmere, but it's where the cashmere comes from that is the real highlight of this scarf. J.Crew has partnered with Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) to source cashmere certified to the AbTF's The Good Cashmere Standard®, which ensures the welfare of the cashmere goats, protects natural resources, and improves the working conditions of farmers. Choose from 14 different colors to suit your recipient's style.
Customer review: "I absolutely love this wrap. The cashmere is soft and substantial. Incredible price point. I wear these all fall and winter long." — J.Crew
Sustainable fashion doesn't have to mean a high price tag. Take the Sézane, a favorite brand among French girls, as an example. About 75 percent of their current collection is made from eco-friendly materials and certified by five of the industry's most reliable certifications on sustainability and production. In short, Marie Claire editors are obsessed with Sézane for their commitment to sustainable practices and their chic pieces, especially their knitwear. This mohair-blend cardigan in particular is a favorite thanks to its ultra-soft feel and easy-to-style silhouette. It comes in 13 colors, too, from this baby pink shade to trending red, so there's a style for anyone on your list.
In case you didn't know, ballet flats are back and better than ever. This pair from Rothy's comes in over 20 colors to suit any style and is made from single-use plastics—this pair in particular took 11 bottles to knit. Another major perk of Rothy's shoes is that they are completely machine-washable.
Customer review: "This is my second pair of Rothy’s and I don’t know why I ever buy anything else. They fit so perfectly and are so comfortable. These are gorgeous shoes too. Very pleased." — Rothy's
Sure, these may seem like your average pair of joggers, but the comfort of this pair is next level. Using a recycled cotton-polyester blend, these joggers have more of a reduced chemical, water-use, and emissions impact on the planet, compared to conventional cotton. Both the recycled cotton and recycled polyester are certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), meaning they meet the standards on the chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. If that wasn't enough to persuade you on these joggers, they are also incredibly soft and cozy, while still looking sleek. Throw on the matching hoodie and you've got yourself a comfy, yet put-together look.
Customer review: "Very very comfortable, cozy fleece not too fluffy, nice shape, just the right amount of bagginess, these are great." — Everlane
There's nothing like a luxurious piece of jewelry to show someone you care over the holidays. Monica Vinaderr is a sustainable jewelry brand committed to sustainability by using only 100 percent recycled gold and silver, sourcing responsibly, and providing origin tracing from design to doorstep for over 200 pieces of jewelry. The brand will even mend your jewelry for free and buy back any unwanted pieces so nothing goes to waste. Nearly all of their pieces, including this beautiful statement ring, are also Butterfly Mark certified, which identifies luxury brands that adhere to environmental best practices.
Customer review: "This is my 'go to' for every day wear. I love the size and weight of this ring and that I can always keep track of it. I am constantly changing my jewelry look (love gold) but won’t change up wearing this ring. Great purchase." — Nordstrom
In case you didn't know, Reformation is serious about their commitment to sustainability. They're a Climate Neutral Certified brand, meaning they are actively working to offset emissions, and they publish quarterly sustainability reports to show their progress (encouraging other companies to be similarly transparent). They even tell you exactly how much carbon and water was saved for each item: The footprint on this classic LBD is about 7 pounds of CO2, which is about 61 percent less than the conventional footprint.
Girlfriend has sustainable practices woven throughout their business structure. These leggings are made from 79 percent recycled plastic bottles; their packaging is made from 100 percent recycled materials and is 100 percent recyclable. The brand even lists a sustainability report with every piece: these leggings, for example, saved 3.11 gallons of water and prevented 18.61 pounds of CO2. The fact that these are also squat-proof, sweat-wicking, compressive, feature a flattering high-rise fit, and go up to size 6X-large makes these leggings all the better.
Customer review: "This is my second pair of GC tights and I won’t be buying any other brand. I've tried my fair share or trendy/expensive workouts pants and they do not compare to these. They are just the right amount of compression and don’t fall down while you’re working out." — Girlfriend Collective
Patagonia has long been vocal about their commitment to sustainable sourcing, materials, and production. Not only is the brand transparent in their processes and sourcing, but they also pledge one percent of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, this pullover will keep your man warm while staying eco-friendly.
Customer review: "Bought this for my husband - it is warm, sharp, excellent fit - and lots of pockets." — L.L. Bean
Everyone is in need of a sock refresh come wintertime, so why not gift socks that give back to the planet? With each purchase, $1 will be donated to Trees for the Future, a nonprofit focused on restoration efforts in Africa. Your $1 goes a long way—the small donation is enough to plant 10 trees, according to the website. The cute little tree pattern reminds you of where your purchase goes, too.
Customer review: "My dad hates presents because he thinks that having more stuff is bad for the environment. He does go through socks quickly. This was a great present to give him for Christmas because he couldn't complain about the environmental impacts." — Uncommon Goods
Everyone's white sneaker collection could use a refresh now and again. The soles on every pair of VEJA sneakers are made from natural rubber intentionally harvested from the Amazon, and the upper sections are designed from organic cotton from Brazil and Peru. The brand is also incredibly transparent with how their sneakers are made, plus 85 percent of the materials used are considered environmentally "preferred" raw materials, according to their site. With inclusive sizing, these shoes work for anyone in your life.
Customer review: "These shoes are a nice low sneaker. The leather is soft and the footbed is very comfortable. This shoe should be in everyone’s closet." — Nordstrom
A great leather tote is a non-negotiable in anyone's wardrobe. It can take you from the gym to the office and anywhere in between in style, and thankfully there's this great option for the sustainably-minded. While this tote may look like genuine leather, it's actually made of non-GMO plant-based proteins and features an FSC-certified lining. This is truly a purchase you can feel good about buying as it cuts down greenhouse gas emissions by over 90 percent and water use by 83 percent compared to traditional leather. It doesn't hurt that it has a classic style and roomy interior either.
Customer review: "This is the lightest leather bag I have ever used - it looks very elegant, the color looks very good, not fading under the sun, and so far I have carried pretty heavy stuff for day/weekend trips, its durability is awesome! I would definitely like to buy another one for my mom!" — Everlane
Re/Done has a cool, creative solution to the sustainable denim problem in the fashion industry (which normally wastes a ton of water and uses harmful chemicals). Instead, Re/Done takes worn old jeans, deconstructs them, and uses the fabric to create new jeans. It's luxury fashion that's also sustainable. Their jeans include straight, flare, and trendier trouser styles that'll still be totally wearable years down the road. Think of sustainable shopping as creating a really great long-term capsule wardrobe—and this as a perfect piece.
Best Eco-Friendly Beauty Gifts
Any beauty fan knows that removing your makeup at the end of the day is a must, but all of those cotton rounds will eventually end up at the landfill. These rounds made from eco-friendly bamboo cotton will replace all of those single-use pads and wipes. To clean, simply throw them in the included netted bag and place them in the washer with your next load of laundry. It's as easy as that to help save the planet!
Customer review: "These are so good, so easy to use, they have helped me reduce my waste so much when it comes to my self care routines!! I love how soft they are and the fact that you can wash and reuse them!!! So environmentally friendly - great product." — Amazon
With the launch of Henry Rose in 2019, Michelle Pfeiffer wanted to address the lack of transparency in the fragrance industry and did just that. This genderless fragrance line is 100 percent transparent in their practices and ingredients and is the first fragrance brand to be both EWG Verified and Cradle to Cradle Certified. Allow your bestie to find her new signature scent with a sampling of Henry Rose's 11(!!!) best-selling fragrances.
Did you know traditional shampoo and conditioner is more than 70 percent water? With this solid shampoo and conditioner bar set, you're getting a lot more of the good stuff, and by good stuff, I mean all-natural ingredients that are good for the environment and your hair. Viori uses the same Longsheng rice water used by the women of the Red Yao tribe (a.k.a. "China's Real-Life Rapunzels) in their shampoo and conditioner bars to nourish, strengthen, and repair hair. This gift set is sustainably and ethically sourced, comes in recyclable packaging, and is 100 percent plastic-free. Have your pick from three scents inspired by the nature of China, or opt for a non-scented option, plus this set even comes with a shower holder.
Customer review: "Great smell. Great texture & feel. Great lather. Pleasantly surprised. I don’t like citrus but I love this product. Look & feel 10/10." — Sephora