All we want for Christmas…is a sustainable gift!

With an ever-increasing focus on making more conscious purchases, sustainability is undoubtedly the best gift you can give. It’s estimated that we produce 25% more waste over the festive season – which means a lot of extra plastic and rubbish that harm the environment. There’s a huge demand for gifts that not only display those holiday well-wishes, but also give the receiver that feel-good feeling of looking after mother nature. So what can you look out for when buying for your nearest and dearest? 

There’s no rule of thumb when it comes to buying greener gifts, but a good place to start is to look out for products that use organic, ethically-sourced, biodegradable or recyclable materials. Recycled wood and plastic is a better alternative to brand new materials, and biodegradable items will decompose quicker when thrown out, leaving less of an impact on the environment. It’s also a good idea to scout companies that produce less waste in their production, and make an active effort to use green energy or less water.

Elephant Gin’s personalised bottles make for the perfect sustainable gift for a loved one. Not only do we dedicate 15% of profits to the endangered African elephant cause, but have continuously been striving to make our business practices more people and planet friendly. In fact, the topic of sustainability and social responsibility is reflected in all facets of our company; from waste reduction and innovative recycling initiatives to smarter bar initiatives as well as furthering education and providing work opportunities in wildlife conservation.Our Elephant London Dry Gin, Elephant Sloe Gin, and Elephant Strength Gin bottles can all be personalised with a bespoke hand-written name or message by our calligrapher, adding that extra personal touch. Visit our shop for more information!

When looking for other ideas, doing your research is key! We recommend reading the Our Good Brands directory, which displays a comprehensive list of ethical small businesses and social entrepreneurs (and includes Elephant Gin, of course).

Looking out for a long-lasting product that can be used again and again is also a step in the right direction. Poorly-made items will need to be thrown out after a while, adding more rubbish to the landfill. Check the reviews before buying, so you can make sure it will stand the test of time. You could even go one step further and look for gifts that encourage cutting back on waste, such as a water bottle or travel mug, which discourage using plastic bottles and cardboard cups.

There’s a vast number of other brands out there advocating environment responsibility, and a few which we’re particularly fond of. One of the biggest and most vocal is Patagonia, which is transparent about its suppliers and production and uses recyclable materials in 68% of its huge line. Tony’s Chocolonely has been making a lot of noise about social inequality and injustice since its beginning in 2004, with a mission to end modern slavery and illegal child labor in the chocolate industry. With plenty of flavours, it’s the perfect gift for those with a sweet tooth. Wearth London, a platform specialising in zero waste products for everyday life, is great for browsing when you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Bebe Moss offers a range of adorable soft toys, and provides sustainable jobs with fair pay to stay-at-home mothers in Turkey. A great choice for sustainable fashion is Ecoalf, the first Spanish brand to become a B Corp.