Everyone Needs This Reusable Smart Notebook With 50,000 5-Star Reviews
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Everyone Needs This Reusable Smart Notebook With 50,000 5-Star Reviews
Now more than ever, people are not only thinking about the price of the gifts they give others, but also the impact. When it comes to being a conscious consumer, you want to make sure you find eco-friendly and sustainable gifts that aren't just labeled as such. It's important that the companies are using best practices to make sure their products and the production of those products don't cause harm to people, a society or the environment.
Words like "eco-friendly," "green" and "sustainable" get thrown around often — but the environmental experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute don’t take such marketing terms at face value. "Sustainability, for us, is using the Earth’s resources in such a way that future generations can meet their needs," says Birnur Aral, Ph.D., executive director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Our list includes items that have at least one sustainable attribute (if not more!), including ideas that are reusable, sustainably sourced or made from recycled or repurposed materials. You'll find top eco-friendly products, selects from sustainable clothing brands and winners from our Sustainable Innovation Awards, as well as some popular picks that anyone would love.
Oui the People / Girlfriend Collective - 2/40
1) Bolga Fan
Baba Tree
goodeeworld.com
$35.00
Ethically sourced from Ghana, this stunning piece, which also comes in a slew of other colors, can be hung on their wall as part of a gallery. If you go with the set of three, the fans will make a statement all on their own.
goodeeworld.com - 3/40
2) Reusable Notebook
Rocketbook
amazon.com
$21.69
No need for excess paper here! All they have to do is jot down their notes and thoughts in this smart notebook, and they can be saved to an app in seconds, so they never get lost. It'll cut down on the amount of paper they use, which can help with carbon emissions.
amazon.com - 4/40
3) Hand Repair Set
Burt's Bees
amazon.com
$14.99
The brand is Certified Carbon Neutral, and announced plans to achieve net-zero plastic to nature by 2025. Impressive! But so are how well the products themselves work. This set, which includes two hand creams, cuticle lotion and gloves has rave reviews on Amazon for not only smell amazing, but really helping with dry skin.
amazon.com - 5/40
4) Hydrating Body Gloss
Oui the People
ouithepeople.com
$65.00
The brand makes everything from razors to bath soak, but it's this lovely body oil, which claims to leave skin brighter and more hydrated, and help with collagen production, that everyone's talking about. (One reviewer on the site called it "liquid butter"). It comes in a glass jar, which the brand promotes to be used and reused.
ouithepeople.com - 6/40
5) Short Robe
Pact
wearpact.com
$68.00
All of the cotton garments from this brand — like this cute robe! —are certified organic by GOTS, meaning the entire manufacturing process follows organic guidelines. They’re also Fair Trade Certified. The robe itself is super soft, has a relaxed fit and is available in two other sweet patterns.
wearpact.com - 7/40
6) Classic Easy Tote
Cuyana
cuyana.com
$248.00
When you invest in a leather piece, like this versatile tote, it lasts longer. And although the fabric isn't considered a sustainable material, buying it might mean you'll be shopping less because it's stood the test of time. That's win. But also,the brand manufactures mindfully, choosing factories that are near the raw materials so there’s less shipping involved.
cuyana.com - 8/40
7) 50/50 Classic Hoodie
girlfriend.com
$88.00
The brand claims this ultra-plush pullover is 100% biodegradable. On top of that, it features a sustainability report that says it's been designed with 50% Texloop RCOT™ Recycled Cotton, made from fabric scraps found on cutting room floors, and 50% organic cotton.
girlfriend.com - 9/40
8) Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
Bee's Wrap
amazon.com
$17.49
If they are just dipping their toes into the sustainability pool, you can't go wrong with food wraps. They can get rid of their single-use plastic baggies and still keep all of their food fresh. Plus, when it's time to get new ones, the brand says they can be composted or used as a fire starter.
amazon.com - 10/40
9) Happsy Organic Latex Pillow
Happsy
amazon.com
$59.00
This pillow was named the best value in the Good Housekeeping Institute's test for organic pillows. Although smaller than standard pillows, it does feature a fully GOLS-certified latex core and GOTS-certified cotton cover, meaning the whole production of that cover followed strict organic guidelines.
RELATED: Best Organic Pillows, According to Sustainability and Bedding Experts
amazon.com - 11/40
10) Recipe Stand
UncommonGoods
uncommongoods.com
$120.00
Made from reclaimed wood from European buildings, this is functional and cute. They can display their cookbook or iPad as they cook up a storm in the kitchen.
uncommongoods.com - 12/40
11) Indoor Garden
iDOO
amazon.com
$63.99
When you indoor garden, you're using fewer resources and getting some fresh food. The experts in our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab loved this herb garden in particular because it can fit up to 12 plants, and you can also use your own seeds.
RELATED: Best Indoor Herb Garden Kits for Fresh Herbs All Year
amazon.com - 13/40
12) Meal Subscription
Purple Carrot
purplecarrot.com
$59.50
Purple Carrot was named the best vegan meal delivery service in our experts' tests. Not only were the meals flavorful, but eating a plant-based, even just once a week, is great for the environment.
RELATED: Best Meal Delivery Services
purplecarrot.com - 14/40
13) Drinking Glasses with Bamboo Lids and Glass Straw
NETANY
amazon.com
$29.99
You've likely seen these all over TikTok, and while they are cute and trendy, opting for reusable glasses and non-plastic straws are always a good idea. Eight come in a pack, and Amazon reviewers say they are really durable.
amazon.com - 15/40
14) Clean Skin Duo
BlueLand
blueland.com
$37.00
Oat, vitamin E and kaolin clay are highlighted in this refillable set. Those ingredients will leave your skin feeling refreshed and moisturized. The facial cleanser and body wash come together, and the bottles can be refilled with the brand's powder packs whenever they need.
blueland.com - 16/40
15) Smart Water Bottle
Hidrate Spark
amazon.com
$79.99
Made from BPA-free stainless steel, this gift is fun and useful. It will keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours, but will also track how much water they're drinking, and lights up to remind them to take a sip.
RELATED: Best Smart Water Bottles of 2023
amazon.com - 17/40
16) Huntington Cruiser Bike
Schwinn
walmart.com
$149.00
The best way to get around town? A durable bike! Schwinn is known for being the "it" bike brand, and this single-speed version is perfect for running errands, commuting to local spots and just having fun.
walmart.com - 18/40
17) Gel Pens
PILOT
amazon.com
$17.69
Each of these pens are made from recycled bottles, how cool is that? Twelve come in a pack, and there are a bunch of fun colors to pick from. Plus, these pens are known to be super comfortable.
amazon.com - 19/40
18) reezable Grocery Shopping Bag
PackIt
amazon.com
$21.82
Lexie Sachs, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles Lab's executive director, tried these bags out first-hand, and noted that they keep frozen food, well, frozen, even during a longer commute. That's because it comes with built-in ice packs, which is pretty clever.
amazon.com - 20/40
19) Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin
OXO
amazon.com
$22.95
Composting at home is a great way for people to turn their scraps of food and paper into something useful for the environment. Even if they don't have a backyard, they can still practice with this indoor version. Our experts liked this one because of its counter-top design, and how easy it was to clean.
RELATED: Best Compost Bins of 2023
amazon.com - 21/40
20) Stainless Steel 4-Piece Reusable Straw Set
OXO
amazon.com
$13.95
Reusable straws are a no-brainer to help limit the amount of plastic that is in oceans. But the key is finding a good one that you'll use all the time. Our experts loved this set because the straws are extendable, and it comes with a sturdy cleaning brush.
RELATED: Best Reusable Straws
amazon.com - 22/40
21) Recycled Glass Birth Month Flower Vase
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$75.00
These unique, handmade vases are made from recycled glass — and they're decorated with the color of each birth month flower, making it the perfect birthday gift (especially when paired with a bouquet of those flowers!).
Uncommon Goods - 23/40
22) Zero Waste Kit
Nipaqui
amazon.com
$36.99
For the eco-conscious friend in your life that's trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, this zero-waste kit includes everything from food storage bags and beeswax wraps to mesh produce bags and metal straws.
Amazon - 24/40
23) Funny Produce Bags
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$15.00
These reusable (and punny!) produce bags actually keep your fruits fresh for longer than the single use plastic ones the store supplies — just make sure to subtract the bag's weight when you check out.
Uncommon goods - 25/40
24) There's Only One Planet Earth Tote
Package Free
packagefreeshop.com
$14.00
This chic tote (with the perfect eco-conscious message!) is great for carrying on grocery runs to help eliminate plastic bag use — plus, it's made from organic cotton, and the company uses zero or minimal packaging as part of its zero-waste lifestyle commitment.
Package Free - 26/40
25) Solar-Powered Phone Charger
BLAVOR
amazon.com
$28.99
This wireless, solar-powered charger also features a compass and flashlight, making it a must-have for any camping trip.
Blavor - 27/40
26) Upcycled Wine Bottle Heart Chime
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$24.00
Have someone on your list that loves whimsical, one-of-a-kind gifts? They'll definitely appreciate this charming wind chime made from an upcycled wine bottle, which they can hang in their porch or garden.
Uncommon Goods - 28/40
27) Socks That Plant Trees
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$15.00
Not only are these socks made with organic cotton, they also go towards a great environmental cause: Buying a pair will give $1 (enough to plant 10 trees!) to a non-profit called Trees for the Future, which focuses on reforestation and helping communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
Uncommon Goods - 29/40
28) Ekos Tukumã Body Lotion
Natura
amazon.com
$24.80
For those who need a little pampering, this body lotion from Brazilian cosmetics company Natura is the perfect self-care gift. It's another winner of our Sustainable Innovation Awards, for using bottles and refills that contain 100% post-consumer recycled materials.
Amazon - 30/40
29) Sea Glass Necklace
SmartGlassKP
etsy.com
$46.00
Made from recycled glass bottles, this gorgeous sea glass-styled necklace is the perfect sustainable gift for anyone who loves jewelry. Plus, you can choose from five beautiful colors!
RELATED: Unique Etsy Gifts You Really Won't Find Anywhere Else
Etsy/SmartGlassKP - 31/40
30) Repurposed Sari Patchwork Apron
uncommongoods.com
$30.00
Looking for the perfect sustainable gift for a chef or home cook? This fun, colorful apron (each one is unique!) is made by artisans in Bangladesh, using repurposed sari swatches.
RELATED: Best Gift Ideas for Chefs and Cooks, According to Our Test Kitchen Pros
Uncommon Goods - 32/40
31) Recycled Notebook
CognitiveSurplus
etsy.com
$24.95
This notebook not only has a pretty cover design that gives ode to the earth — it's also made from 100 percent recycled paper and printed with soy inks.
Etsy - 33/40
32) Reusable Grocery Bag
JM-capricorns
amazon.com
$10.98
This airy, chic market bag is a reusable grocery bag that you can take everywhere. Plus, the stitching makes it surprisingly durable.
amazon.com - 34/40
33) Grove Subscription
An online retailer that sells personal and home care products, Grove Collaborative was named a winner of our 2020 Sustainable Innovation Awards for its commitment to offset the amount of plastic contained in every order. This customizable subscription box will deliver cleaning products with reusable packaging to your doorstep each month!
Grove - 35/40
34) Cleanformance Clay Multi-Cleanser
Babor
amazon.com
$26.90
Skincare enthusiasts will love this clay cleanser from Doctor Babor — another winner of our 2021 Sustainable Innovation Awards. The brand not only packages products with recycled paper, it's also 100% carbon-neutral and uses between 95% and 98% naturally derived ingredients.
Amazon - 36/40
35) Boysenberry Vanilla Natural Lip Balm
Farmstead Apothecary
amazon.com
$7.97
Farmstead Apothecary’s ultra-hydrating lip balm makes for the perfect small-but-thoughtful gift. It also awarded a Good Housekeeping Sustainable Innovation Award in 2020, thanks to its functional and compostable unbleached-cardboard packaging.
Farmstead Apothecary Store - 37/40
36) BPA-Free Fire Truck
Green Toys
amazon.com
$23.09
Can you believe that this fire truck (which is a Good Housekeeping Sustainable Packaging Awards winner, by the way!) is made completely from recycled plastic milk containers? Neither will the lucky kids who get to play with it.
Green Toys - 38/40
37) Stainless Steel Water Bottle
S'well
amazon.com
$32.55
This pretty S'well water bottle not only sidesteps the need for single-use plastic water bottles, it also keeps your drink cold for up to 24 hours.
S'well - 39/40
38) Women's Tree Pipers Sneakers
Allbirds
allbirds.com
$105.00
This popular shoe brand was awarded a Good Housekeeping Sustainable Innovation Award in 2021, thanks to its Free the Footprint calculator that measures carbon footprint and is available for any brand to use it.
RELATED: We Tested Every Style of the Popular Allbirds Sneakers
AllBirds - 40/40
39) Recycled Wine Bottle Platter with Spreader
Uncommon Goods
uncommongoods.com
$24.00
Need a truly one-of-a-kind gift? Made from recycled bottles gathered from roads and parks, these glass platters can be used to serve cheeses and hors d'oeuvres — and they even come paired with a cork-topped cheese knife.
Uncommon Goods