FROM BRANDS THAT GIVE BACK
Earth Day is April 22 this spring. April as a whole is also Earth Month, making this a great time to reflect on your impact on the environment and consider changes to more eco-friendly practices. Surprisingly, gift-giving is one practice you can adapt to be more earth-loving. It’s a chance to support sustainable brands. If you’re on the hunt for thoughtful gifts for friends and family and the greater good – whether that’s for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries – you’re in the right place: These brands not only make sustainable gift-worthy products but also have charitable initiatives that support important causes. Here are some of our favorite sustainable gifts from companies that give back, any of which would make an amazing present – whether for someone you love or yourself.
Protect Ocean Animals Gift Box
For the one always missing a pair of socks Who couldn’t use a few extra pairs of socks? These pairs from Conscious Step would make a particularly great gift, as each pair you buy helps to support a charity. For instance, the Protect Ocean Animals trio supports Oceana and its work to save marine life and restore oceans. Other pairs help to support Habitat for Humanity, Room to Read, Conservation International, and more, and to date, the brand has donated more than $1,486,000 to its charitable partners.
Plus, these ocean-themed socks have cute marine life patterns, and they’re made from organic cotton that’s been sustainably sourced. They’re also vegan and fair trade-certified, so it’s truly a gift you can feel good about giving.
$30 at Conscious Step
Patagonia Jacket
For the one who’s always cold
Patagonia is widely known for its sustainability efforts, and it doesn’t hurt that its products are top-of-the-line, either. The brand offers a wide selection, from sweaters to winter accessories, but we particularly love its incredibly warm and cozy coats.
As if you need more to love, Patagonia has pledged 1% of its sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment since 1985 and awarded more than $140 million in cash and in-kind donations to environmental groups.
From $89 at Patagonia
Allbirds Sneakers
For the gymgoer
We’ve tested and loved Allbirds sneakers, which are extremely popular on social media. These shoes are made from sustainably sourced materials, and they’re also comfortable, lightweight, and supportive. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and both men’s and women’s sizes.
A certified B Corp, Allbirds is carbon neutral, and it also gives back through Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that donates gently used shoes to
communities in need all across the world. $98 at Allbirds
Bee’s Wrap Assorted 3-pack
For the one who always meal preps Anyone who regularly packs bagged lunches needs Bee’s Wrap! These sustainable food wraps are made from organic cotton, sustainably sourced beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin, and they can be reused for up to a year. The warmth of your hands on the wrap creates a seal around food, and this assorted pack comes with a small, medium, and large wrap.
Bee’s Wrap also supports a variety of good causes, including 1% for the Planet, the TrashBlitz Project, which supports an effort to making public parks free of plastic pollution.
$17 at Amazon
Ethique Hair Shampoo Bar
For the one who’s into hair care
For anyone on your list who’s looking to use less plastic, this Ethique shampoo bar will be a welcome addition to their daily routine. The vegan and cruelty-free brand offers products for different hair types, including one that’s formulated for dry scalps using ground oatmeal and neem oil.
The hair care company gives back to sustainable initiatives including Ecologi, which plants a tree for every online order. Ethique also donates two percent of every sale to organizations that align with its values on fostering a meaningful impact on communities and the environment.
$13 at Amazon
Death Wish Coffee
For coffee drinkers
Death Wish Coffee has made a name for itself among coffee drinkers who enjoy their brew strong and caffeinated. Death Wish Coffee roasts some of the best beans out there with a low acidity, intoxicating aromas, and luxurious mouthfeel.
Since its founding in 2012, Death Wish Coffee
has sought to make premium coffee beans a more sustainable and ethical business. It guarantees minimum prices, so farmers in India, Peru, and other countries can count on thriving livelihoods. It also sponsors community funds in coffee-growing regions, to not simply improve lives, but improve the environment. Just about all their blends are worth trying, and some of them are even available in pod forms if you like the speed and convenience of a Keurig.
From $11 at Amazon
S’well
For the one always carrying a plastic water bottle
Many of us are making efforts to reduce our waste, and the good news is we can look stylish while doing it. These S’well water bottles not only come in dozens of colors, patterns and sizes for nearly every person on your gift list, but they’re vacuum-insulated to keep beverages hot or cold for an extended period of time.
Even better, S’well is dedicated to giving back. Its partnership with Water.org seeks to give access to clean water and sanitation to the 771 million people around the world who lack access to it.
$33 at Amazon
Uncommon Goods Recycled Wine Bottle Platter
For the wine lover
As artist Val Huegerich wanders the national forest near her home in Wyoming, she collects and then reimagines left-behind glass bottles. Her upcycled trays even come paired with cheese knives fashioned with wine cork handles.
The handmade gift is available at e-tailer Uncommon Goods, which donates $1 for every purchase through its Better to Give program. Customers choose the destination of the proceeds, picking from partners such as American Forests, International Rescue Committee, RAINN, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. $24 at Uncommon Goods
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.