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The best birthday gifts that are eco-friendly and sustainable
Need gift ideas for people who have everything? Shop good birthday gifts for your loved ones that aren’t just useful but kind to the environment too.
It’s not enough to gift anything for a loved one’s birthday —we want it to be sustainable too.
Finding perfect present ideas that someone will enjoy and that are eco-friendly may be tricky but that’s where we come in.
We’ve searched high and low to curate a list of the best birthday gifts that are thoughtful, fun and kind to the environment for the people in your life.
From reusable daily essentials to fashionable picks, these gifts offer a unique way to celebrate birthdays while contributing to a healthier planet. Start shopping now.
Read more: Find fun gifts for coworkers here
Browse planet-friendly birthday gifts
A reusable tumbler
Your gift's recipient can jump in on the Stanley Cup bandwagon with this trendy tumbler. Constructed of 90% recycled BPA-free stainless steel, it has double wall vacuum insulation so drinks stay cold, iced or hot for hours. Choose between five size options depending on how much hydration they need. It’s dishwasher-safe and it even has a lifetime warranty.
Eco-friendly wraps
These reusable Bee's Wrap food wraps are a unique birthday gift idea for someone who likes meal prepping or bringing lunch to the office. They’re a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic food wraps, notorious for contributing to environmental pollution and waste.
Made in the USA, Bee's Wrap is committed to supporting local economies and reducing carbon emissions associated with transportation. Additionally, they are crafted from organic cotton infused with beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil, which are all natural and biodegradable materials. Washing and reusing them reduces waste and saves money in the long run.
Eco-friendly cleaning set
You may think cleaners make an odd birthday gift, but not when they’re environmentally friendly and have pretty, sustainable packaging. Someone who enjoys cleaning will appreciate these non-toxic, plant-based essential oil cleaners that are safer for their loved ones and the environment. They’ll also leave every room in the house smelling great.
Organic liquid soap
The best birthday gifts are practical but also multi-purpose. Using palm kernel oil grown by fairly paid smallholder farmers in Ecuador to ensure sustainable harvesting techniques that won't damage local habitats, these liquid soaps are made using all-natural plant-based ingredients. We love that they’re versatile and multi-purpose; they’re suitable as a body wash, shampoo, household cleaner, laundry detergent and even for bathing your pets. A little goes a long way, so they’ll last your recipient for a long time.
A cheeky coffee mug
Got someone in your life who‘s always calm in the eye of a storm and loves their daily cup of coffee? Then this mug will make the perfect gift. Designed with double-wall vacuum insulation, it will keep cold drinks cold for up to nine hours and hot drinks hot for three hours. They won’t need to use takeaway cups anymore with this mug made of food-grade 304 stainless steel and sturdy BPA-free plastic.
An energy-saving fast charger
The brand’s commitment to sustainability means you’re getting a high-quality wireless power bank that lasts. It promises fast charging up to twice as fast with Qi2 certification, has a built-in stand for hands-free viewing and gives you 1.8 times charging for an iPhone 15 Pro. This Anker power bank is the best gift for someone you know who uses their phone constantly.
A vegan cheese-making kit
This kit provides an exciting way for foodies to craft delicious plant-based cheeses in the comfort of their kitchen. Containing natural, non-GMO ingredients enough for 20 batches, it comes with easy-to-follow instructions — just add your own nuts and nut milk.
They’ll make mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, halloumi, feta, and Parmesan in no time, making it one of the tastiest and best birthday gifts!
Organic cotton sweatshirt
Throw this sweatshirt on to look instantly put together, whether on a grocery run or jumping in on a last-minute virtual meeting. Designed with a drop shoulder and a half zip with a collar, it comes in eight different colors. Whoever you’re gifting this to will look cute and be kind to the environment, thanks to this sweatshirt’s blend of organic and recycled cotton in 100% biodegradable fabric.
A hand care set
Beauty lovers will adore this gift set from Burt’s Bees that will soften and repair dry hands. It comes with three hand products — an Almond Milk Hand Cream, Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream plus a pair of cotton gloves in a giftable organza pouch. Not only do they contain natural ingredients like sweet almond oil, vitamin E, aloe vera and botanical oils, Burt’s Bees products are also carbon-neutral certified, responsibly sourced, and use recyclable packaging.
Sustainable sneakers
Who doesn’t love a classic white sneaker, especially a pair made with natural materials like sugarcane foam, organic cotton, rubber and bio-based nylon? The retro design is so on-trend and it goes with practically any outfit, whether a summer dress or a casual pantsuit. And if white is too basic, there are three other color options.
Which are the best birthday gifts that are eco-friendly?
If you want good gift ideas that suit the occasion and are kind to the environment, you’ve come to the right place. Our list of the best birthday gifts presents plenty of creative options.
Need help narrowing it down? You can’t go wrong with Dr. Bronner's - Pure-Castile Liquid Soap Variety Pack — with its multipurpose uses, it’s great for the whole family and environmentally friendly too.
Vegan cheese lovers will adore the Ultimate Vegan Cheese Making Kit, and it’s easy to make the six kinds of cheeses in the kit, too.
The Birch 50/50 Half-Zip Sweatshirt from Girlfriend Collective is made of organic cotton, is 100% biodegradable, and is a stylish yet casual pick that will pair perfectly with denim, pants and skirts.
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Prices updated on 04/17/024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
A former women's lifestyle magazine editor, Sherelyn Goh has worked with all things beauty, health, style and travel and finds a thrill in discovering and testing new products. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she enjoys food, travel, working out and cooking.