Top 7 Green Gifts under $25

By Kristen LaRocque, GreenUP Store and Resource Centre Coordinator

1. To-Go Ware

A To-Go Ware Reusable Bamboo Utensils Set includes a sturdy bamboo fork, knife, spoon, and chopsticks, all neatly held together in a convenient pouch made from recycled water bottles. This stocking stuffer or gift garnish provides a sustainable solution and a healthy alternative to single-use plastic cutlery.

2. Warm Cozy Natural Fibres

Warm cozy gifts are the best at this chilly time of year. Twoloom Alpacas insoles are made from 100% alpaca wool and they are a must-have for winter in Ontario! They are a great addition to any boot for warm feet all season long. Twoloom Alpacas is a 12-acre farm in the beautiful rolling hills of Northumberland County, so you’ll also be supporting a local farmer when you purchase their products. We also carry their alpaca wool socks in a variety of colours and sizes.

3. Cheeks Ahoy Unpaper Towels

Cheeks Ahoy Unpaper Towels handmade in Peterborough by Leah Black. When Leah had her first child in 2013 she began making her own reusable flannel wipes to replace the standard disposable ones. Now Leah has two growing children, and she makes a range of reusable textiles. These include makeup removing pads, napkins, and face cloths. All Cheeks Ahoy products can be easily laundered and reused again and again. Leah uses biodegradable materials like bamboo and cotton flannel. At the GreenUP Store, we are using (and reusing) a set of single ply Unpaper Towels for lint-free dusting and wiping up spills at our refill station.

Unpaper Towels are also great for wiping hands and faces as well as washing and drying dishes. A set of 8 Unpaper Towels can easily replace several single-use items, including paper napkins, paper towels, and even facial tissue. Choosing to use washable, reusable textiles is a great way to reduce household waste and kick the single-use habit

4. Stasher Bags

If your family uses re-sealable plastic sandwich bags, then reusable silicone Stasher bags are an excellent alternative. They are airtight, dishwasher friendly, and plastic free. Like their single use counterpart, Stasher bags are easy to use, whether you’re packing lunchtime snacks or freezing leftovers. Stasher is non-toxic and temperature-resistant, so you can safely use a Stasher to cook and reheat food in the microwave, stovetop, or oven.

Stasher is a Woman-Owned B Corporation, which means they are committed to high standards of social and environmental transparency, accountability, and performance. Although based in California, Stasher products are made responsibly in China with accountable and ethical manufacturing practices. The company is charitable and socially-minded. They have pledged 1% of their annual profits to environmental charities.

GreenUP’s Dawn Pond is a Stasher Bag enthusiast. (Pond is the coordinator of GreenUP’s Depave Paradise and Downtown Vibrancy projects.) Pond says, “I like Stasher Bags because you can clean them very easily and they seal really well. Having a good sealing container is nice for wet foods or things you don’t want to be exposed to the air like avocadoes or cheese. I use them every day and I am so happy that I don’t need to buy disposal/single-use plastic bags now!”

Pond also says, “Stasher Bags caught my eye on social media as many eco-living and food vloggers use them for bulk food preparation and they looked so useful (and colourful!). I bought some and now I use them all the time as space efficient food containers for snacks for work or for storing food in the fridge and pantry. They have completely replaced disposal plastic bags in my house.”

5. Reusable Stainless Steel Straws

Reusable straws are one of the best-selling items at the GreenUP Store; they have grown in popularity as the #RefuseTheStraw movement has continued to gain momentum. We carry a variety of sizes of straws and their associated cleaning brushes. This holiday season we have brought in new colours including bronze, iridescent blue, and rose gold. Brightly coloured reusable straws can make an excellent garnish on your gifts this year, and are a great replacement for a single use, plastic bow.

6. Wooden Ornaments

Wooden ornaments are not only traditional, but also better for the environment than plastic. This is especially true when the ornaments are made from reclaimed wood like those made by members of The Brain Injury Association Peterborough Region (BIAPR), a local agency that provides a range of support services to individuals living with an Acquired Brain Injury. They strive to engage members in meaningful activities and promote participation in our community as a way of enhancing overall wellbeing and quality of life. Decorate your home beautifully this holiday season, with handmade items that also give back to the community.

The GreenUP Store also carries wooden ornaments made by Light & Paper. Ali Harrison is the owner and designer of this small Toronto-based company. She begins with an intricate paper cutting, which she carves by hand with an X-acto knife. Her original designs are then scanned and converted to be laser cut into thin sheets of wood to create coasters, wall art and Christmas tree ornaments.

7. Woodland Puppets

Do you have a little nature lover on your list this year? The GreenUP Store carries a number of woodland finger puppets that are available in a variety of local species including raccoon, skunk, chipmunk, and turtle.

 

Thank you!

GreenUP is a non-profit charity. When you shop at the GreenUP Store you are directly supporting GreenUP and all proceeds support environmental programs in the Peterborough area – that’s a gift that gives twice! The GreenUP Store is located at 378 Aylmer Street in downtown Peterborough. Check out greenup.on.ca for holiday hours, gift ideas, and more.

With so much good stuff to choose from, you may want to give gift certificates, which can be purchased at the GreenUP Store or through our website by clicking here >

You also have the option to support our Ecology Park fundraising campaign by adding a donation to your gift by clicking here > You’ll receive a charitable tax receipt for your contribution. With the funds raised this holiday season, we plan to install features that will help make Ecology Park accessible for all visitors, and you’ll also ensure that our renowned environmental programs will continue for years to come.

During the holiday season our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. In this spirit we say simply and sincerely, thank you and best wishes for the Holiday Season and a Happy New Year, from all of us at GreenUP.