I always purchase little gifts like plastic sporks or tiny headlamps as stocking stuffers for my gear-nerd friends, but it seems like these items go unused (and, worse, are likely bound for an eternity as microplastics littering the ocean). What are some good stocking-stuffer ideas that aren’t terrible for the planet? —Trying for Tchotchkes
Dear Tchotchke,
I get not wanting to contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch this holiday season—even if it’s for good friends or family. At a certain point, it can feel like the best present for an environmentally conscious hiker is nothing at all! But traditions are traditions, and there absolutely are trinkets you can safely stuff in a stocking that won’t end up in a sea turtle’s mouth.
From an ecological standpoint, replacing single-use items with reusable gear is an obvious tactic. And while they won’t have the same pizzazz as a fancy new headlamp, toiletry items are a great place to reduce single-use products. A little two-ounce container of won’t damage waterways, is endlessly refillable, and can be used for nearly any cleaning purpose, from washing your hair to doing your laundry. For folks who squat when they pee, an antimicrobial can replace toilet paper in the backcountry—plus they come in beautiful designs. A refillable can be used to uphold backcountry hygiene while avoiding the parade of plastic dental floss dispensers.
Technically, none of the aforementioned products are made from biodegradable materials—at least not the kind you’d put in your home compost bin. For the eco-focused folks in your life, you can do one better. While many brands make dehydrated backpacking food in compostable bags, , based in Portland, Oregon, makes spectacular plant-based meals in packaging that biodegrades and burns safely (hello, weight savings). gives skis and snowboards an extra kick without adding a trail of petroleum to the spring snowmelt. And for friends and family with foot issues (who doesn’t have some light plantar fasciitis?), is a lightweight godsend after a long day of athletic exertion.
Before you purchase a gift, consider reading up on whether the brand is greenwashing. For example, while an item might claim to be biodegradable, does the website say how long that could take? Another good strategy is to look for third-party certification such as Fair Trade, B Corp, and Oeko Tex. And be sure to check out these eco-friendly homemade gift ideas from our sustainability columnist, Kristin Hostetter.
Whether your family will love your sustainable gifts or not is a question for Dr. Freud and his colleagues. But if your tchotchkes end up getting tossed, you’ll at least sleep better knowing it wasn’t at Mother Nature’s expense.
Send your questions to deargear@outsideinc.com.