It’s estimated that 13 percent of holiday gifts are returned after Christmas worldwide, and in the US alone, 34 percent of people say they return at least one gift after the holiday season. Unfortunately, most returns end up going straight to landfill.
Rather than buying a physical gift that someone may or may not love, I love giving digital gift cards, because it allows the recipient to choose something that they’ll actually use. It takes the guesswork out of gifting and is a great way to avoid holiday waste.
Making online donations in someone’s name is another awesome and totally Zero Waste gift idea that will not only leave the recipient feeling good and put a smile on their face, but the donation will also help a selected cause or organization. Two gifts in one!
Not to mention, both great for all of you last-minute holiday shoppers out there!
Here are some of my favorite digital gifts and donation ideas…
1. Buy them a membership or pass to an activity they’ll enjoy (think: a membership to a local yoga studio, painting classes, rock climbing lessons, a ski pass, etc)
2. Treat them to a compost pickup service. This is the perfect gift for someone who is interested in composting, but may be hesitant or unsure of how to start.
3. Cover their Spotify, Hulu, or Netflix service for the year.
4. Plant a tree or adopt a coral reef, name a star, or an animal in their name!
5. Donate to an animal shelter. I adopted Rose through Safe & Sound Satos and they’re always looking for donations, but I’m sure there are lots of local shelters near you that could use the help!
6. Donate to an organization they care about. If you have the means to do so, financially supporting organizations can go a long way. I suggest finding an organization that the recipient is passionate about, but here are some of my favorites…
- Les Ecology Center: Public donations allow them to continue to provide free and affordable composting, e-waste recycling, and educational programming to everyone in their diverse NYC community. I had the privilege of visiting their composting site to see how composting works, step by step. Check that out here!
- SÜPRSEED: A Non-Profit organization aimed at making fresh food easy and affordable for the people who need it most in Los Angeles. Contributions to SÜPRSEED allow them to provide workshops, events, natural product giveaways, and create experiences that make healthy lifestyles accessible to all.
7. Give a Package Free gift card. At Package Free, we provide sustainable alternatives for everyday products that people will actually use PLUS they help to reduce waste! If you know someone who is looking to reduce their waste or is interested in living more sustainably, this is a great gift idea!
Looking for more Zero Waste gifts to give? Check out my Zero Waste Holiday Gift Guide!
