Why is it important to go zero plastic?
Here are some of the Shocking Ocean Pollution Statistics:
-100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone.
-100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled in plastic yearly – this is just the creatures we find!
-1 in 3 marine mammal species get found entangled in litter, 12-14,000 tons of plastic are ingested by North Pacific fish yearly.
-In the past 10 years, we’ve made more plastic than in the last century. By 2050, the pollution of fish will be outnumbered by our dumped plastic.
-The largest trash site on the planet is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, twice the surface area of Texas, it outnumbers sea life there 6 to 1.
-300 Million tons of plastic gets created yearly, and this weighs the same as the entire human population, and 50% is single-use only.
-There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in our oceans. 269,000 tons float, 4 billion microfibers per km² dwell below the surface.
-70% of our debris sinks into the ocean's ecosystem, 15% floats, and 15% lands on our beaches.
-In terms of plastic, 8.3 million tons are discarded in the sea yearly. Of which, 236,000 are ingestible microplastics that marine creatures mistake for food.
-Plastics take 500-1000 years to degrade; currently 79% is sent to landfills or the ocean, while only 9% is recycled, and 12% gets incinerated.
This holiday season, step away from the plastic and give your loved ones something they'll really cherish. This year, let's try to break the cycle of giving and receiving plastic items that will end up in the trash. Instead, let's focus on giving gifts that are eco-friendly, sustainable, and won't add to the mounting problem of plastic pollution. So whether you're looking for a stocking stuffer or a present for that hard-to-shop-for relative, read on for some great options. Here are some plastic-free gift ideas that will put a smile on their faces without harming the environment.
A reusable water bottle, tumbler, or coffee mug.
This is a great gift for just about anyone! This is a fantastic gift for just about anyone on your list. Help your friends and family ditch disposable cups and single-use plastic water bottles by getting them their very own reusable one! Plus, they'll think of you every time they use it!
Live Elemental Bottles are your perfect choice! With High-grade stainless steel insulated water bottles, these trendy, fashionable and eco-friendly sustainable drinkware are sure to brighten up your loved ones this holiday season! Plus, There are so many different styles and designs available, so you're sure to find one that suits your loved one's personality and style. Not just that, you can customize your gifts and choose your perfect engravings for each product! One way to make your family and loved ones feel special is to give them a personalized gift this Holiday season so grab it!
Check it out here: https://www.liveelemental.com/
A bamboo toothbrush.
A great stocking stuffer idea! Most toothbrushes are made of plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills. Bamboo toothbrushes are a sustainable alternative that will help your loved one reduce their impact on the environment. They're also gentle on the gums and teeth and have soft bristles and biodegrade quickly, making them ideal for people with sensitive mouths and much more sustainable option than their plastic counterparts plus, it’s just as effective! Most bamboo toothbrushes come packaged in recycled or recyclable materials as well.
A set of reusable shopping bags.
For a friend who loves to cook, this is a thoughtful and practical gift. Plus, they make it easy to transport fruits and vegetables from the store to home without damaging them. This is a useful gift for anyone who does a lot of shopping, moms, aunts, and your shopaholic friend or colleague. Reusable shopping bags eliminate the need for single-use plastic and disposable bags when grocery shopping, which can clog up landfills and damage wildlife if they end up in waterways or oceans. Plus, they're usually sturdier than disposable bags, so your loved one can use them over and over again without worrying about them tearing or breaking.
A beeswax wrap kit.
Perfect for the foodie in your life or if you know someone who is trying to reduce their use of
plastic wrap, Beeswax wraps are a sustainable and wonderful alternative! It's made from organic cotton that has been coated in beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. Simply use the heat of your hands to mold the wrap around whatever you want to cover, store, or transport. It’s perfect for wrapping up sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers.
The wraps are made with four simple ingredients:
-Beeswax, which is water-resistant, air resistant, antibacterial, antimicrobial
-Tree Resin, which is antiseptic and tacky
-Jojoba Oil, which is antifungal, flexible, and has a long shelf life
-Hemp and organic cotton, are both pesticide-free, antifungal, durable, and malleable
They come in all sorts of sizes and shapes, so you can find the perfect one for wrapping sandwiches, cheese, fruit, or anything else your loved one might want to keep fresh. This gift is both practical and beautiful, as there are many different designs available to choose from. Plus, it's a great way to introduce your friends and family to the world of the zero-waste living!
A set of stainless steel straws.
This is a fun gift for someone who loves to entertain or who is always on the go. Stainless steel straws fold up small enough to fit in a purse or pocket, and they can be used over and over instead of disposable plastic straws. They are reusable, easy to clean, come with little carrying cases, and are much more environmentally friendly than their disposable counterparts. Plus, they come in handy for those moments when you need a straw but can't find one!
An herb garden starter kit.
For the green thumb in your life and for someone who loves to cook, this herb garden starter kit is the perfect gift. It comes with everything they need to get started growing their own herbs, including pots, soil, seeds, and instructions. It's a great way to encourage them to cook with fresh ingredients while reducing their reliance on plastic packaging from the grocery store. Plus, they'll have fresh herbs at their fingertips whenever they need them! An indoor herb garden doesn't take up much space, and it's a great way to add some fresh flavor to cooking without having to go to the store. Just make sure to include some high-quality potting soil and drainage rocks so your friend's plants can thrive
Shampoo bars and Soap nuts
Shampoo bars are becoming more and more popular as people look for ways to ditch wasteful plastic. They work just like regular shampoo but come in solid form, last longer, and often smell better too! look for bars made with natural ingredients for an extra special touch. Soap nuts are an all-natural laundry detergent alternative that comes packaged in nothing but a cotton bag - how much more zero waste could you ask for? They work great on both regular laundry loads and delicate items like woolen and linens, making them versatile as well as eco-friendly. Plus, they're affordable too!
Wooden building blocks.
Who says adults are the only ones who can lessen plastic use and care for the environment? It’s always better to start as early and as young so these Wooden building blocks make a fantastic present for young kids who love construction toys but don't need any more plastic in their lives! Wooden blocks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect set based on the age and interests of the child you're shopping for.
Hemp Backpack
This backpack is perfect for kids or adults who are always on the go! It's made from durable hemp fabric and features roomy compartments for all of your stuff. Plus, it comes in a variety of fun colors and patterns. Choosing hemp backpacks made from organic and sustainable hemp plants is a fantastic eco-choice when considering your backpack choice. Furthermore, they come with their own natural design aesthetic and, due to the strength of hemp fiber, are long-lasting and durable.
Sustainable Candles
These are stressful times and what better way to melt away that stress than with a candlelit bath (and a glass of wine, of course)? But candles can also have their stressors—synthetic scents, petroleum paraffin wax, and lead wicks, to name a few—sparking the hunt for organic eco-friendly candles. There are scented candles with regenerative palm oil wax and zero waste packaging.
With so many amazing plastic-free gift options available, there's no excuse not to shop sustainably this holiday season! Whether you're looking for something big or small, we hope this list has given you some inspiration (without creating any new waste in the process). Plus, they're sure to be appreciated by anyone on your list!
These simple, plastic free gift ideas should help us get started on the right foot if you want to do even more to reduce your environmental impact, consider making some of these gifts yourself. Homemade gifts are always appreciated by recipients, and they show that you took the time and effort to make something special just for them. What other eco-friendly gift ideas do you have and What will you be giving your loved ones this year? Let us know in the comments below! Happy shopping!
