Go Green with Gen Z: 21 Cool, Sustainable, and Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas
Did you know that Generation Z, closely following Millennials, emerges as a fervent force championing a multitude of global issues and the wellbeing of our planet? They possess a penchant for sustainable products and an eagerness to embrace eco-friendly alternatives.
So, whether it's a birthday, Christmas, graduation, or just an ordinary day, we've curated a list of practical gift ideas that are nothing short of "fire" (a Gen Z term signifying something truly remarkable or cool - stay tuned for more of these slangs throughout the blog!). These gifts are tailor-made for your beloved Zoomers, iGeneration, Centennials, and Post-Millennials, guaranteed to ignite their enthusiasm!
1. Insulated Lunch Bag
An insulated Lunch Bag is big enough for snacks, lunch, and a drink too! Back to school or work - carry it everywhere! Why do we think Gen Zers will love it? Because it is made from BPA, Phthalate & PVC-free, Vegan-friendly Cotton Canvas – which means no plastic and is good-looking enough to be carried to school, work, or anywhere!
This bag can also be an cool gift idea for the next Gen Alpha!
2. Backpack Featuring Indigenous Design
Does your Gen Z friend “stan”(support) local artists and their beautiful artworks? Alperstein Design’s fold-up backpacks that feature incredible aboriginal artwork make a great travel, hiking, or back-to-school gift!
Packaged with information about the artist and artwork, royalties from this product directly benefit the artist and their community.
3. Recycled Ink from Lousy Ink
Reimagine waste like Lousy Ink! World's first 100% recycled artist ink sourced from upcycled inkjet printer cartridges collected within Australia – these art supplies encourage sustainable creative practices. This an inspiring gift idea for any generation!
4. Plastic-Free Hair Ties
Have you ever counted how many plastic hari ties you find lying on the footpaths and the roads? Go plastic-free with hair accessories! Brush it On’s 12-pack plastic-free hair ties made with natural rubber and certified organic cotton are fully biodegradable and plastic-free – making it a simple but impactful gift that will always make you proud whenever you tie your hair!
5. Beeswax Food Wraps
It's bee-love with these gorgeous food wraps!! On the go or not, these beeswax food wraps from Apiary Made know the importance of bees and the health-conscious Gen Z! Washable and reusable, created using certified organic cotton, pure beeswax, and organic jojoba butter. Perfect for wrapping cheese, bread, herbs, sandwiches, and salads, or to keep those fruits and veggies fresh!
6. Triple Clay Face Pack
The youthful Gen Z skin will “glow-up” (improve from how/where it used to be!) after using these. Everything needed for radiant, healthy skin - this pack from Summer Salt Body contains three cruelty-free, handmade, and vegan-friendly facial masques to nourish, detoxify and purify your skin. The best skincare gift pack for a natural beauty routine!
7. Zero Waste Soap Bars
For all the passionate-about-the-planet post-millennials who have kick-started their zero-waste journey, this Zero Waste Starter Pack from ANSC is the one! A shaving soap, Australian Pink Clay Soap, Original Solid Shampoo, and Dish & Laundry Soap that are all of the plastic-free goodness will save 9 plastic bottles going to landfill!
8. Recycled Earrings
Having a deep passion for re-using and up-cycling (like most of our centennials), Singleuse.Multiverse gives milk cartons, straws, plastic lids, shampoo bottles, formula lids, dish-washing liquid containers, and meat trays, among other items, a new fashion-forward life! Using melted plastic as paint, Jessica handcrafts unique earrings that are colourful, fun, and ever ’green’ in style!!
9. Pack of Wheat Straw Toothbrushes
Going eco-friendly starts in the morning in the bathroom. An idea that our zoomers would love to switch over to is plastic-free toothbrushes. And these wheat straw brushes from Brush It On might be the right ones! A strong and durable alternative for making paper and plastic products, wheat straw is what’s left over once the wheat is harvested and using it in plastic production, making it an ideal zero-waste option. And as wheat straw plastic decomposes at a rate similar to paper, it leaves behind no toxic material, which means using the compost for future plant growth.
10. Socks that Protect Tropical Rainforests Set Box
For a generation that is by large concerned about the health of the planet and the ecosystem, what better gift than a set of comfy and vibrant socks that protect tropical rainforests? A perfect gift box for where the purchase will go to a worthy cause and help make a social and environmental impact!
Conscious Step donates $1 per pair to Conservation International for each box of Socks that Protect Tropical Rainforests sold.
11. Classic T made from Remnant Fabric
This classic unisex t-shirt is far from being called “basic” (a.k.a unoriginal). Made from remnant cotton jersey, the fabrics used to make this comfy T are carefully hand selected from remnant markets where large manufacturers bring discarded off-cuts and deadstock. Consistent, comfortable, soft, high-quality, and a Gen Z must-have!
12. DIY Painted Planters
Ok, you will find any Gen Z “vibing” (getting the positive feels) with this one! A creative kit for any artist (or non-artist) that includes: high-quality acrylic paints, sealant tube, nylon brushes, planter pots made from 8 recycled bottles, and 2 designs to choose from, all packaged up in a gorgeous eco-friendly Crockd Box — which is eco-friendly, functional and perfect for gifting!
13. Seed Cards
A fun way to get Gen Z into the garden – send them greeting cards filled with plantable seeds! It’s a big “W” (win) in every way!
14. Bamboo Bandages
Made with soft, certified organic bamboo fiber and gauze with hypoallergenic pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), PATCH bandages are free from latex, thimerosal, and merthiolate and suitable for everyone and every skin. Completely biodegradable, vegan, cruelty-free, and easy to peel off, these skin-friendly, eco-friendly band-aids are a great alternative to plastic ones.
15. Reclaimed Beer Bottle Diffuser
How cool is it to take an empty beer bottle and fill it with reed diffuser sticks infused in premium-grade fragrance oils? Giving a new luxurious life to bottles that would otherwise end in a landfill and a unique gift for a Gen Z who has just turned 18!!
16. Table Trivets from Recycled Aeroplane Tyres
What do you do with old aeroplane tyres that would otherwise go to landfill? Simple, recycled, and playfully crafted into table trivets. Perfect gift for a Gen Z friend who has moved to a new house or apartment and is always about rescuing and recycling anything to help save landfill!!
17. Travel Folder from Recycled Paper
“Facts” (it is true) that Gen Z loves travelling. Exploring the unexplored and focusing on the quality of travel is a growing trend. Gifting a travel document holder is a great gift option, especially when sustainably made! Made from recycled packaging paper fused to the fabric and coated with Nano Liquid Glass to be water-resistant – Wren Design uses fusion and coating technologies that enhance the paper’s strength, making it a functional material. Time to ditch the leather for a better alternative!
18. Blue Marble Clean Ocean Water Bottle
The always-on-the-go Gen Z needs constant hydration! Sleek designed double insulated stainless steel bottle with a Blue marble design - Earth Bottles support Clean Coast Collective, and 25% of the profits from their CLEAN OCEAN Blue marble range will go towards funding Clean Coast Collective Trash Tribes.
19. Organic Chocolate
Made from the finest organic and fairtrade certified ingredients, Bennetto mainly uses cacao grown under strict conditions, caring for the planet and the people. Deliciously vegan and gluten-free, the packaging is recyclable or compostable - which won’t contribute to ocean waste. Watch out for the elegantly dressed birds on the packaging!!
20. Herbal Eye Pillow
Due to hours spent looking at mobile and computer screens, it's “valid” (understandable) that Gen Z can use some eye care. And what is better and more natural than an eye pillow handmade with herbs taken from the Thurlby Organic Herb Farm in Walpole, Western Australia?!
21. Sand-Free Daze Beach Towel
Did you know that each of these SomerSide towels saves up to 14 plastic bottles from landfill and our ocean? Made from 85% recycled plastic bottles, made into Polyester, and the remaining 15% is Nylon which provides absorbency and softness, these sand-free towels make beach fun a sustainable breeze!
This particular towel is a collaboration with Sydney-based artist Cronulla Folk who has captured summertime beach days.
