15 Best Eco-Friendly Products + Gift Ideas

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle 24/7 starts with … research. Why? Because once you take inventory of your current situation and needs, it’s easier to make decisions to benefit both you and your family and the planet. In this post, we’re taking some of the guesswork out of choosing eco-friendly products for everything from dish soap to reusable lunch bags.

What Does Eco-Friendly Mean?

Eco-friendly means earth-friendly. Essentially, brands and products that use this label attempt to do no harm to the environment, and adopting this value is all about becoming more mindful about how you use resources, and how your choices might impact the air, water, or land.

Other Eco-Friendly Values

There’s some gray area in the industry, but generally, eco-friendly products have to take both environmental and human safety into account. That means at a bare minimum, the ingredients are nontoxic. Beyond that, there are some extra eco-friendly attributes to look out for (many of which we champion on ThriveMarket.com!). Don’t forget to keep an eye out for eco-friendly packaging too!

• Organic ingredients: Ingredients grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or other toxic chemicals.
• Sustainably grown: Produced in ways that don’t deplete the ecosystem
• Made from recycled materials: Contains reclaimed metal, wood, glass, or plastic materials
• Eco-friendly biodegradable: Breaks down through natural decomposition
• Compostable: Can be placed in a residential compost pile, or picked up through your city
• Carbon neutral: Taking action to remove at least as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere you put into the atmosphere.

Simple Swaps for Eco-Friendly Living

Just like any major life change (looking at you, vegan lifestyles or new fitness routines), slow and steady is the best approach. Start with one or two small changes that are easy to incorporate into your day-to-day, and add more as you’re able.

Instead of … Plastic food storage
Try … Glass containers

Glass food storage is durable, reusable, and dishwasher safe, making it a great option for anyone who is looking to be more eco-friendly.

Instead of … Plastic straws
Try … Stainless steel

Stock up on reusable stainless steel straws and you can feel even better about enjoying your daily lemonade, iced latte, or large glass of water.

Instead of … Plastic wrap
Try … Beeswax wrap

As if you need another reason to love the humble honey bee, its wax can be transformed into eco-friendly wrappers. Our members love the Bee’s Wrap line—it offers handmade wraps made from beeswax, organic cloth, tree resin, and organic jojoba oil.

Best Eco-Friendly Products

From produce wash to food-waste solutions, we have everything you need to transform your home into an eco-friendly haven.

Eco-Friendly Home Products

Here are our top picks to help fill your home with eco-friendly products.

Thrive Market Stainless Steel Travel Cup

Whether you take it to go on a daily drive, or just take it to the next room, a reusable cup is ideal for all your favorite beverages.

Earth Friendly Products Lavender Auto Dishwasher Gel

Organic and biodegradable, this dishwasher gel means business (but smells like a soothing field of lavender). The plant-based easily cleans your dishes without the use of dioxane or phosphates.

Ever Bamboo Room Deodorizer & Dehumidifier

Bamboo charcoal is a sustainable ingredient that’s pretty incredible at absorbing unwanted smells. Add this pouch to the bottom of your trash bin, a drawer, closet, or gym bag.

Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Get your house spotless from top to bottom—no chemicals required.

Thrive Market Glass Cleaner

No harsh chemicals here! Our plant-derived formula will make your mirrors and shower doors gleam, all thanks to biodegradable ingredients that let you breathe easy.

Better Life Kitchen & Bath Scrubber

We can’t make weekly chores disappear, but we can offer nontoxic cleaners to get the job done. This powerful scrub helps swipe away soap scum, oil, and grime with ease.

Nellie’s All Natural Wow Stick Stain Remover

Try this cruelty-free stain remover the next time you’re faced with a stubborn spot. The stick uses non-irritating cleansers and essential oils to help lift stains naturally.

Eco-Friendly Kitchen Products

You spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so make sure you’re cleaning it and furnishing it with products that help make the earth a better place.

Thrive Market Stainless Steel Lunch Container

For eco-friendly kitchen storage, try stainless steel containers. Use them for your midday meals, or store nuts or other small snacks.

New Wave Enviro Kid Basix Safe Sippy Cup, Blue

Here’s a safer sippy cup that’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe too. It holds 11-ounces of liquid and an innovative dust cap helps keep the spout clean.

If You Care Unbleached Compostable Parchment Baking Paper

This box of parchment paper is made from biodegradable materials and helps protect your sheet trays from inevitable spills while you bake.

Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas

Need a green gift idea? Picking an eco-friendly option will make the gesture even sweeter.

Beyond Gourmet Reusable Organic Produce Bags

For the friend who’s always shopping at the farmers’ market, a reusable produce bag is the perfect gift.

Three Bluebirds Swedish Dishcloth

Home cooks can never have enough dish cloths. From eco-friendly brand Three Bluebirds, this absorbent towel features a delightful mushroom design.

SOPHi French LatteNail Polish

Need an eco-friendly beauty product? Nail polish is a sure bet. This barely there hue from SOPHi looks sophisticated on any skin tone.

Food Huggers Avocado Huggers

For a stocking stuffer or “just because” gift, this avocado saver will make anyone smile. BPA-free and plastic-free, the container helps keep oxygen out so your cut avocado stays fresh longer.

Eco Kids Eco-Dough

Just like the play-dough of your childhood, but upgraded to feature nontoxic ingredients! This set features six vibrant colors made from sea salt and essential oils, and dyed with fruit and vegetable extracts.

CoffeeSock Chemex Reusable Coffee Filter

If there’s a coffee lover in your life, they’ll love these reusable coffee filters. Each set of two fits with pour-over drippers and will last at least six months before the brew quality fades.