What inexpensive items can I put into a Go-Green Ecofriendly Gift basket?

[3littlekeets]

I am trying to put together a gift basket for my church -- each group has a "theme" and ours is Go-Green and everyone has to contribute. What ideas can I give my group. I'm awful at this - other than CFLs and Simple Green cleaner, LOL.

[Caroline]

Baking soda and white vinegar
reusable food storage
cloth napkins
wash cloths to use instead of paper towels or paper napkins
reusable grocery sacks (I have a friend who gives these for Christmas presents, and she paints on them first. Very class looking)
A book on composting

[3littlekeets]

Ah, food storage and composting -- I would have NEVER thought of those...thanks :-).


Please keep the ideas coming :-)

[CindyPTN]

Finding a few local products such as chocolates, veggies, or simple products that aren't terribly expensive? Maybe that's more a local support than Go Green, but I know there are local farmers that are organic and could also use the little support.

[Stirsmommy]

How about a recycling bin instead of a basket? Maybe you could put in some or organic seed for a garden as well. I a craft show on DIY once I saw them making aprons out recycled grocery bags. Fun recycled items might add a touch of whimsy.

[Caroline]

I think local items are considered "green" because they didn't have to be shipped in, therefore using less gas. I think that is what Colleen has convinced me. (I consider Colleen my green guru.)

[Jennifer in MI]

Clothes line with clothes pins or drying rack
Battery charger with rechargeable batteries
Books on making your own cleaning products with ingredients (vinegar, baking soda, tea tree oil, spray bottles)
Cloth diapers (just a couple!) or some eco-friendly disposables
Glass food storage containers
Cloth napkins, cloth towels for kitchen use, cloth rags for cleaning
Flourescent light bulbs

Look through a website like Gaiam - they have a TON of fun ideas!

[Doran]

BTW, I really like the local vendor items. If you can't find things this time of year, maybe just include a flyer from your Cooperative Extension office -- ours puts out a Farmers' Market Directory. I know, sounds too much like work! But, having spent years as one of "those" farmers, this would be a real plus to your basket!

Not sure if YOU are buying these things all on your own or if others are contributing. Hopefully, it's a joint venture because this would be a lot for any one person.

Other ideas:

Fair trade coffee and reusable travel mug
Kleen Kanteen to replace plastic water bottles
earth friendly dish soap (BioKleen, Seventh Gen., Ecover, etc.)
rechargeable batteries and charger
recycled computer paper
natural sponges or loofah for use in sink or shower
soy or beeswax candles
catalog for future purchases (Seventh Generation/Real Goods/other)

Doran

[3littlekeets]

Love all the wonderful ideas! Thank you. I'll take pics as I pull all of our items together.

[mcconnellboys]

What type of reusable storage? If plastic okay for this, or a no-no?

Regena

[3littlekeets]

Yikes -- good question??!! Is plastic okay?

[Jodi-FL]

if you sew and have some extra material around, it's real easy to sew some re-usable grocery bags (or our grocery stores are selling them here for only .99cents a piece). we were making some ourselves, using a plastic grocery bag as a pattern until my sewing machine broke :(

if you want to be REAL green, add some worms in a vented glass jar with instructions for worm composting. to me, glass is always better than plastic. I don't know if that's politically correct green speak or not, just something I learned from my very green (not on purpose, but out of necessity) grandmother.