Even with all of the joy of the holidays quickly approaching and gift giving in high gear, we know this can be a hard time of year for those sustainably-minded supporters of Circular Philadelphia. How do you spread that holiday cheer, support our economy and lessen your impact on the planet?
Thankfully, Circular Philadelphia and many of our member organizations have you covered. What better way to show your support for a thriving, low-waste lifestyle than giving someone the gift of Circular Philadelphia membership? This is the gift that truly keeps on giving all year long as you give someone the opportunity to actively take part in helping us build a circular economy in the region. And while you’re checking off your list, check out our holiday gift guide below for all the great gifts our members have to offer.
Philly Food Works
For that foodie on your list who wants to support local agriculture, why don’t you try the holiday selection from Philly Food Works filled with the best local food and home products the Philadelphia region has to offer. Whether it’s botanical hot sauce or a cider doughnut making kit, give the gift of Yum this holiday.
The Rounds
We know the boring stuff doesn’t always make for the best gift (“Not another pair of socks,” child whines). But for everyone adulting, there is no way around it. So why not make the boring stuff like personal and cleaning products, or even more fun things like coffee and food, as low-waste as possible with a gift membership to The Rounds. This is an especially great gift for those college kids in your life attending school in Philly, DC, Atlanta or Miami. Find out if The Rounds in your area using this link.
Good Buy Supply
If you’re looking to keep it local–like South Philly local–then head on down to Good Buy Supply at 1737 E. Passyunk Avenue. It’s crazy to stuff already-packaged items in a stocking. So why not skip the packaging and get all of the fun stuff every stocking needs at Good Buy Supply? Things like luxurious bathroom supplies (think creams and balms) to those great kitchen items like reusable coffee making supplies make great stocking stuffers.
Bennett Compost and Circle Compost
Food waste is the worst. It stinks up the kitchen and fills up our landfills with nasty methane (a leading greenhouse gas). Although we don’t have citywide composting in Philly and the surrounding region, we thankfully have two amazing companies Circle Compost and Bennett Compost. You can’t go wrong with either one. So check them out and give the gift of a better smelling and more sustainable kitchen to that friend who’s always inviting you over for dinner by signing them up for a membership today. Also, for those gardeners in your life you can buy soil from Bennett Compost as well.
The Resource Exchange
Here’s a great option for that person on your list whom you don’t exactly know what to get. If you need some options and inspiration, the Resource Exchange’s vast selection of everything from vintage furniture, art supplies and other treasured objects recovered from homes and movie sets is a treasure trove of gifts for that person who needs a gift as unique as they are. You can cruise right to their awesome shop at 1800 N. American St. or you can browse their inventory online before you go and shop right from their site.
Rutabaga Toy Library
Looking for good little toys for good little girls and boys and those identifying outside the binary but don’t want to fill up the homes of those young ones with too many toys? Then do those parents a huge favor and gift them a membership to this fantastic toy library in East Falls. Once signed up, kids can sign out toys just like they would at a library. The store also doubles as an event space, too, so it’s a great idea for a kid’s birthday or even holiday party.
Remark Glass
After finishing a bottle of wine, have you ever stared at that beautiful glass before you threw it in the blue bin and thought, “You could be so much more than a bottle?” Well, the folks at Remark Glass certainly have. So they can take blue and green and clear and pink and whatever other color bottle you can think of and turn them into glass bowls, cups, lighting fixtures and stunning jewelry. Head on down to the basement of the BOK Building at 900 Mifflin St. to check out their showroom or shop online. After a long year of building a circular economy, we at Circular Philadelphia may just treat ourselves to that rocks set.
The Big Favorite
As the cliche goes, no one likes getting socks or underwear for Christmas. But what if we told you your underwear can be stylish and sustainable. If that piques your interest and you need those intimates for you or a loved one, the Big Favorite is a Philly-based brand that has a wide selection of undergarments that are made from recyclable and upcycled textiles. Go to their online store to see the whole catalog of men’s and women’s wear as well as options for natural dyes.
We at Circular Philadelphia are so proud that our member businesses span such a wide variety of gifts that are reducing waste and use of raw materials. We hope you find a way to support these innovative businesses that are leading the charge to a circular economy and remember, it’s membership support that keeps this work moving forward. So please consider a membership for you or a loved one today. And most importantly, Happy Holidays!
Leave a Reply