Give to the environment too by choosing eco-friendly stocking stuffers from the Peterborough GreenUP store

GreenUP has many affordable gifts from local makers, with a portion of purchases supporting climate programming in the community

By GreenUP -
Published
The Peterborough GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough offers many eco-friendly choices for your holiday gift giving, including locally made items that support the local economy while decreasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from delivery vehicles. (Photo: Eileen Kimmett / GreenUP)
The Peterborough GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough offers many eco-friendly choices for your holiday gift giving, including locally made items that support the local economy while decreasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from delivery vehicles. (Photo: Eileen Kimmett / GreenUP)

Are you looking from eco-friendly stocking stuffers in time for Christmas?

Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s column is by Eileen Kimmett, Program Coordinator for the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre.

With weeks left until the holiday giving season, think of how your gifts meet high environmental and ethical trade, labour, and human rights standards. Whether that be to source waste-free, long-lasting, or locally made gifts, your choice can create a positive climate impact.

The GreenUP Store and Resource Centre is a unique starting point for anyone looking to support a non-profit organization, while making better purchasing decisions. Choosing the environment can be affordable, too. Low-impact stocking stuffers that range from under $5 to $25 are sure to keep you on the ‘nice list’ — for the planet and your wallet too.

Keep the environment in mind when choosing decorations or small gifts. Pictured is an example of how you can decorate your tree with homemade ornaments, and gift small and sustainable stocking stuffers that have a positive environmental impact. (Photo: Eileen Kimmett / GreenUP)
Keep the environment in mind when choosing decorations or small gifts. Pictured is an example of how you can decorate your tree with homemade ornaments, and gift small and sustainable stocking stuffers that have a positive environmental impact. (Photo: Eileen Kimmett / GreenUP)

This year, GreenUP has many locally sourced items from small businesses. We’ve compiled a list of stocking stuffers at various price points below to help kick-start your journey towards an environmentally friendly holiday.

Items with an asterisk* are local makers from around Peterborough and the Kawarthas. A portion of purchases towards local makers also goes towards climate programming in the community, so it’s a win-win!

 

Gifts under $5

Gifts under $5 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include buttons and stickers designed by local artist Brianna Gosselin. (Photo: Funagoshi Stickers)
Gifts under $5 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include buttons and stickers designed by local artist Brianna Gosselin. (Photo: Funagoshi Stickers)
  • Ornaments from EcoMum and RDR Creations
  • Stainless Steel Straws
  • Bamboo Eating Utensils, Spoon, Fork, and Knife
  • Beeswax Tealights from This Old Flame*
  • Vegetable/Flower Seeds from Urban Tomato Lady*
  • Shower Steamers from Milieu Market
  • Handmade Gift Bags and Stockings from Marie Oliver*
  • Buttons and Stickers from Brianna Gosselin*

* Local makers

 

Gifts between $5 to $10

Handmade cards, bamboo toothbrushes, and handmade soap are a few gifts between $5 and $10 you can get at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough. Items which have no packaging, low-waste packaging, or recycled packaging are more beneficial for keeping waste out of the landfill and out of the environment. These items often also required less energy to make, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo: Eileen Kimmett / GreenUP)
Handmade cards, bamboo toothbrushes, and handmade soap are a few gifts between $5 and $10 you can get at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough. Items which have no packaging, low-waste packaging, or recycled packaging are more beneficial for keeping waste out of the landfill and out of the environment. These items often also required less energy to make, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. (Photo: Eileen Kimmett / GreenUP)
  • Bamboo Toothbrushes
  • Lip Balm from Swift Acres*
  • Handmade Soap from Swift Acres*
  • Christmas Cards from Three Tree Cottage* and Brianna Gosselin*
  • Handmade Cards from Anita Clifford* and Ella Mollie*
  • Handmade Key Chains from Spruce Moose*
  • Birch Baby Diaper Balm, Baby Lotion, or Shampoo Sample Packet from Birch Babe*

* Local makers

 

Gifts between $10 to $15

Gifts between $10 to $15 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include liquid wildflower honey from Swift Acres in Apsley, whose apiary is surrounded by wildflower fields and backs onto Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. (Photo: GreenUP)
Gifts between $10 to $15 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include liquid wildflower honey from Swift Acres in Apsley, whose apiary is surrounded by wildflower fields and backs onto Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. (Photo: GreenUP)
  • Small Bowls/Pottery from Kristina Albright*
  • Shampoo Bar from Birch Babe*
  • Lip Tint from Birch Babe*
  • Lotion Bar and Cucumber Soap from Milieu Market
  • Handmade Soap from Purple Urchin
  • Natural Deodorant from Swift Acres*
  • Knitted Pocket Animals from RDR Creations*
  • Spork from Ahimsa Eco
  • Honey from Swift Acres*
  • Maple Syrup Tasting Trio from Red Mill*
  • Beeswax Candles from This Old Flame*
  • Herbal/Medicinal Tea from Community Medicine Garden*

* Local makers

 

Gifts between $15 to $20

Gifts between $15 to $20 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include Unpaper Towels from Peterborough-based Cheeks Ahoy. These rewashable single-ply cotton flannel cloths can replace single-use paper towels and napkins. (Photo: GreenUP)
Gifts between $15 to $20 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include Unpaper Towels from Peterborough-based Cheeks Ahoy. These rewashable single-ply cotton flannel cloths can replace single-use paper towels and napkins. (Photo: GreenUP)
  • Coffee from Birds & Beans, Rapids End*, Old Rail
  • Beeswax Jar Candles from Swift Acres*
  • Bath Salts from Purple Urchin
  • Black Pepper and Birch Muscle Rub from Purple Urchin
  • Beeswax Food Wrap from Abeego, Lake Reflections Apiary*
  • Chocolate Face Mask from Purple Urchin
  • Mittens and Hats from RDR Creations* and Brianna Gosselin*
  • Mascara Set from Birch Babe*
  • Hand/Body Butter from Sweet Flowering Wellness*
  • Unpaper Towels from Cheeks Ahoy*
  • 3in1 (Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash) Kids Starter Kit from Myni

* Local makers

 

Gifts between $20 to $25

Gifts between $20 to $25 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include one-of-a-kind "Beerings" (earrings made out of beer cans) by Peterborough maker Keetarella. (Photo: Keetarella)
Gifts between $20 to $25 at the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre in downtown Peterborough include one-of-a-kind “Beerings” (earrings made out of beer cans) by Peterborough maker Keetarella. (Photo: Keetarella)
  • Christmas Cards (five pack) from Jackson Creek Press*
  • Earrings made out of beer cans from Keeterella*
  • Candles from Swift Acres*

* Local makers

 

Choosing gifts from local makers is good for Peterborough's local economy as well as the environment. (Photo: Joon Kim)
Choosing gifts from local makers is good for Peterborough’s local economy as well as the environment. (Photo: Joon Kim)

When you choose to buy sustainable products, you are helping to reduce your impact on the environment and are helping to mitigate climate change. When you choose to buy local, waste-free, and handmade, you directly support the planet.

The GreenUP Store and Resource Centre is located at 378 Aylmer Street North in downtown Peterborough between Hunter and Simcoe Streets and online at shop.greenup.on.ca.

Beginning December 14 until December 23, the GreenUP Store and Resource Centre will have extended hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day between Monday and Saturday (closed on Sundays). We hope to see you soon!

 

This story was published in partnership with Peterborough GreenUP.

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