Giving Plastic-Free Gifts

By Ghia Ulrey

Choosing the perfect gift can be a challenging task. Making sure the gift is environmentally-conscious and plastic-free may seem even more challenging. In this post, we hope to inspire you to give thoughtful, fantastic gifts while decreasing your overall environmental impact.

Read below to explore the many ways to give a gift!

1. Give the gift of experience: Most people have a hobby they enjoy, whether it’s going to concerts, making art, or playing sports. This year, instead of buying them another paintbrush or basketball, look for tickets to an event or a class to learn a new skill. Make it something you can do together because they are more likely to remember the experience you’ve facilitated than an item that you bought. 
   
   
2. Make it edible: The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Prepare a favorite dish or treat and bring it over in a reusable container to avoid plastic packaging. If you’re not the best cook, purchase a gift card to their favorite restaurant, bar, coffee shop, etc. Try to avoid the plastic card with an email gift card or a paper one if the shop provides. You could also pick up something tasty from a local shop. Ask in advance if they would be willing to put it into your own container so you can be prepared. If not, ask for it on their dine-in dishes and transfer it to your own container.
   
   During the time of COVID-19, most businesses are not accepting reusables. Don’t let this stop you from supporting your local businesses! Reducing our plastic waste is important, but in the scheme of things supporting our local community makes a big impact, too. 
   
   
3. Be intentional and purchase quality: Ever received a gift you didn’t want? What happened to it? Instead of getting someone a gift that is going to end up in a thrift store or the landfill, talk to your friend or family member about what they really need or want. When you find the perfect gift but realize it is made from plastic, search the internet for the same gift made with better quality materials (i.e. glass, stainless steel, wood). If you’re buying clothes, opt for natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk. Polyester, acrylic, nylon, and more are synthetic fibers that shed microplastics when washed. 
   
   
4. Alternative wrapping: Most wrapping paper can’t be recycled due to dyes, lamination, or other additives. Check with your local recycling organization before throwing it in your bin. In Buncombe County, Curbie does not accept wrapping paper.
   
   Instead, you could try these low-waste alternatives: brown paper, newspaper, and fabric. If these are too plain, decorate them yourself with paints or stamps! Swap your scotch tape for paper tape or avoid tape completely by using the furoshiki method, a Japanese wrapping technique that uses only fabric to elegantly wrap a gift. Skip bows and ribbons for a sprig of their favorite herb or a flower. The receiver will hopefully take a bit longer to cherish your thoughtfulness before getting to what is inside. 

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Ghia Ulrey lives a low waste life with her rescue pup, Yama. She cares about plastic reduction because she really wants to go to the beach and not have to collect trash. With her TRUE Advisor certification, she hopes she can help businesses start zero waste programs. ​

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