Issue No. 16
28 August 2014
Eco-friendly gift giving guide
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hoosing eco-friendly gifts is not only possible, it is also affordable. You don't have to buy trendy (i.e. expensive) gifts to stay sustainable. Here are some green gifts giving ideas that will help guide you through your shopping whether you are buying for a birthday, wedding, or Christmas present. •
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Buy local. Search craft shows, swap meets, or local listings for a one-of-a-kind and locally-made eco-friendly gifts. Do not buy new. Used, secondhand, vintage, antique... call it what you will. Try a teapot with accessories for a mother in need of some pampering, some vintage handkerchiefs for the businessman’s suit, or old tools for the carpenter in your life. You are saving resources and scoring points for uniqueness. Educate. Put a spin on green gift giving: Instead of just buying things that are green, try buying things that teach green like a vegetable gardening book with a few garden tools, or some shade grown coffee. Give the gift of charity. Any impossible-to-buy-for people on your list? Donate money, plant a tree, and support their favorite church or charitable organization in their name. Handmade. Find someone who can help you paint, crochet or knit, or take nice photos to make one-of-a-kind eco-friendly gifts. Homemade. Green gift giving does not have to include anything complicated. Homemade cookies, cakes, and pies are always appreciated by those wishing to cut back on unnecessary gift giving. The activity can be enjoyed by the whole family and can save money. Quality, not quantity. Forego lots of inexpensive and poorly made items and opt for fewer quality items that will last longer when purchasing gifts. The items’ lifespan will soon outweigh any initial cost.
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Scale down. Shopping for eco-friendly gifts starts with these questions: Who do you really need to buy for? How much do you really need to spend? Do the presents you are buying have a purpose or meaning? Ask yourself these questions and commit to cutting back. Sustainable materials. As hard as it may be, eco-friendly gifts should avoid plastics, polyesters, hardwoods, or any other non-sustainable materials. Many of these materials are not easily renewable and/or may produce toxins either in their manufacturing or during use. Opt instead for cotton, bamboo, wool, etc. Try to find organic when possible.
Source: http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/green-giftgiving.html
Published by the Knowledge Management and Information Service (KMIS) for the DTI ENERCON Management Team in support of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. If you have Enercon tips to share, other suggestions or requested topics, please e-mail us at publications@dti.gov.ph.