In the corporate world, sustainability is more in demand than ever, so many professionals value choosing a gift that aligns with green principles. Supporting eco-friendly businesses can help build a sustainable future, reduce waste, and encourage ethical business practices. Whether you’re shopping for a friend, colleague, or boss, show them that you care about their commitment to sustainability by choosing a thoughtful gift that aligns with their values and helps the planet.
What Makes a Gift Sustainable?
A hallmark of sustainable gifts is minimal negative environmental and social impact. A thoughtful, sustainable gift should support ethical practices, be crafted from recycled materials or designed for reusability, and ideally, be durable and made to last for years. Gifts sourced with these characteristics help reduce the overall environmental footprint, making them a great choice for professionals who value sustainability.
Sustainable practices strive for zero waste, so it’s important to choose the perfect gift that you know the recipient will love and use for years. The best sustainable gifts for professionals are those that not only align with eco-conscious values but also offer style and functionality to help them reach their goals.
Top Sustainable Gift Ideas for Professionals
Looking for the perfect sustainable gift for a colleague or business partner? These functional and environmentally friendly gifts are perfect for professionals who value sustainability and style.
1. Reusable Bamboo Notebook
A bamboo notebook with erasable whiteboard pages allows professionals to jot down notes and scan them using a phone or tablet before erasing them. Between the eco-friendly bamboo cover and the reusable pages, this is the ultimate sustainable gift for writers and professionals who prefer to take handwritten notes.
Find this gift at bambook.org.
2. Solar-Powered Charger
Solar-powered chargers are a must-have for professionals on the go who want to stay connected sustainably. They convert energy from the sun into electricity, and in turn, charge phones, tablets, and laptops. In addition to being eco-friendly, solar-powered chargers are also excellent for travel and quite handy in the event of a power outage.
Find this gift at Amazon and Best Buy.
3. Ethically Sourced Coffee Set
A good cup of coffee can make a day in the office fly by, but finding good, sustainable, and eco-friendly coffee beans can be tough. Give the gift of knowing you’re enjoying a truly excellent cup of coffee with an ethically sourced coffee sample set.
Look for Fair Trade-certified coffee like Grounds for Change, which is certified organic, grown by small farmer cooperatives, and offsets its carbon footprint with tree planting.
Find this gift at Groundsforchange.com.
4. Eco-Friendly Writing Utensils
Traditional pens can negatively impact the environment and contribute to plastic waste and pollution. Eco-friendly pens and pencils make a great gift for any professional looking to stock their desk with sustainable writing implements. Choose pens and pencils made from biodegradable materials such as cardboard, wood, and bamboo, or refillable pens to cut down on waste.
Find this gift at Decomposition.com and Amazon.
5. Recycled Laptop Sleeve
Give the eco-conscious professional in your life the gift of zero waste with a laptop sleeve made from recycled materials. Terra Thread’s heavy-duty organic cotton laptop sleeve is made at Fair Trade-certified factories, making it a purchase you can feel good about. 727 Sailbags offers unique laptop cases made from recycled sails, making them a durable and eco-friendly option.
Find this gift at Terrathread.com and 727sailbags.com.
6. Plant-Based Wellness Kit
A plant-based wellness kit is the perfect thoughtful gift for those who want to prioritize their health with minimal environmental impact. Try a starter supplement kit for those thinking about switching to a vegan lifestyle or plant-based nutrition; it will allow them to sample products and decide which ones they like. doTerra and Sakara Life offer wellness bundles, which make the perfect plant-based gifts.
Find this gift at doTerra.com and Sakara.com.
7. Repurposed Tote Bag
There’s no shortage of unique options when it comes to repurposed tote bags, which make great eco-friendly gifts for professionals who need to carry their belongings to and from the office. RAREFORM is one company that crafts colorful totes from recycled billboards. These bags aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, but spacious and perfect for carrying everyday belongings. On the Road Again reduces waste by crafting upcycled bags and partners with One Tree Planted to give back to the environment.
Find this gift at Rareform.com and Ontheroadagainbags.com.
8. Wooden Desk Planter
A small wooden desktop planter makes a great sustainable gift for the home gardener in your life. These planters have a beautiful, minimal design and can house low-maintenance plants like succulents, which are ideal plant companions for office spaces. You can find a wide array of wooden planters in various shapes and sizes. This planter from Minimum Design is made from recycled wood and corn-based bioplastics.
Find this gift at Amazon.
9. Reusable Storage Bags and Food Wrap
For busy professionals who love bringing their own lunch, reusable bags and food wraps are a must. A beeswax-infused cotton food wrap, such as this one from Bees Wrap, is an excellent alternative to plastic wrap or bags in that it can be reused again and again. Silicone plastic bags make great containers for any eco-conscious individual looking to bring snacks to the office and on the go.
Find this gift at Beeswrap.com and Amazon.
10. Reusable Glass Water Bottle
Glass water bottles are a reusable and sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bottles or refilling cups at the office water cooler. Give the gift of hydration and make drinking water fun with a glass water bottle. These bottles from Water Drop are both reusable and can be paired with water flavor packs. There are also many glass water bottles available in different shapes and sizes, such as cupholder-compatible bottles, which are ideal for commuters.
Find this gift at Waterdrop.com and Amazon.
11. A Wellness Experience
Avoid giving impractical gifts that will only result in clutter and waste. Instead, give the gift of wellness and relaxation with a massage or spa voucher. Taking breaks from the hustle and bustle of office life to focus on health and wellness is essential and can help individuals avoid burnout. Help the professional in your life relax and unwind with a gift card for a sound bath meditation, acupuncture treatment, or wellness retreat.
12. Donation-Based Gifts
The question we’ve all asked: What do you get for the person who has everything? Donating in someone’s honor is a deeply thoughtful gift that requires no materials, no shipping, and zero waste. Donate to their favorite eco-conscious organizations like The Nature Conservancy or NRDC. Let them know a donation has been made in their honor with a thoughtful card or note written on recycled paper, of course! They’ll be thrilled to know you thought of them and contributed to a cause they care about.
How to Choose the Perfect Sustainable Gift
It’s important to keep a few things in mind when choosing the perfect sustainable gift for the professional in your life. When selecting a gift, consider practicality, sustainability certifications, and, of course, the recipient’s preferences. Consider whether the person needs this gift and if it will spark joy for them; the higher the chances of this, the less likely the gift will end up in a landfill.
If you’re unsure about these things, you can’t go wrong with an intangible gift like a donation in their honor or a voucher for a wellness experience. When considering whether a product is sustainable, head to the company’s “About” or “Mission” page and check out what certifications they have, whether their products are organic or ethically sourced, and what kind of packaging they use.
Give the Gift of Sustainability
With the growing demand for sustainable business practices, it’s wonderful for professionals to embrace sustainable products in their personal and professional lives. Choosing eco-friendly gifts is one way to make a positive impact on the environment. Next time you buy for someone in the office, choose one of these sustainable gifts and feel good about it!
Photo courtesy of Just Life/Shutterstock
