10 Unique Eco-Friendly Gifts for Father's Day

Patagonia Men’s Polo ($59)

Nearly every guy has a classic polo shirt in his wardrobe. After all, what’s better to wear on Casual Friday? But this one, from Patagonia, a company known for its dedication to environmentalism, is made from 100 percent organic cotton piqué.

Organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals, using methods that are safe not only for the environment but the people who work and live nearby.

OffGrid Solar Backpack ($229)

Is your dad the adventurous type who enjoys camping or hiking? If so, consider getting him the OffGrid Solar Backpack by Voltaic Systems.

This versatile bag not only has plenty of room—1,500 cubic inches, to be exact—but it also sports a solar panel that allows you to charge all of your handheld electronics, from phones and digital cameras to MP3 players. Just one hour in the sun gives you three hours of talk time on a typical phone; four to five hours provides a full charge. The backpack comes in silver, charcoal and orange. A great idea for hurricane season.

Bunker Gear Tri-Fold Wallet ($48.95)

Dads are already our heroes. So this Father’s Day, give your own personal hero a wallet made from the decommissioned bunker gear of a public hero—a firefighter.

This wallet, sold by Black Helmet, a company owned by a third-generation firefighter, was made in the U.S. from recycled pants and jackets that protected the men and women of the London Fire Brigade, the largest fire and rescue service in the United Kingdom.

The company donates a portion of its sales to charities such as the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. This is a unique gift—every one is different—and one that your father will cherish forever.

Kiss My Face Moisture Shaves ($7.95/11 oz.)

No man enjoys shaving. But you can pamper your papa’s cheeks and chin with these delectable, yet surprisingly affordable, shave creams from a company committed to natural, healthy, Earth-friendly products.

Made from healing antiseptic botanicals and soothing aloe vera, these shave creams come in enticing scents such as Pomegranate Grapefruit, Green Tea & Bamboo, and Key Lime. And they’re biodegradable, vegan-friendly and contain no artificial fragrances.

Now remember—dad’s cheeks are for kissing, not tasting!

Feelgoodz Cinnaflopz ($30)

Does your dad have tired, aching or—heaven forbid--smelly feet?

Then Abe’s Market, a purveyor of natural goods, has a perfect gift for him: Cinnaflopz, a cinnamon-infused flip flop made entirely from sustainable materials, including natural hemp, rubber and cinnamon.

Crafted by the Hmong women in Vietnam, these sweet smelling sandals mold to the shape of dad’s foot, are 100 percent recyclable and biodegradable. Cinnamon is thought to have a positive physical and emotional impact on the body, so you’ll be helping your man’s tootsies look good, feel good and smell good too.

And he’ll be helping to save the Earth with every step.

Rift Valley Accessory Tray ($39.95)

The perfect place to stow keys, spare change or a cell phone, this beautiful accessory tray, from The Leakey Collection, is handcrafted from fallen wood from the East African Acacia Tortilis tree. This sustainably harvested hardwood, which has an elegant swirling grain, is then hand shaped, sanded and oiled to a perfect luster by 25 Maasai artisans in Kenya.

This unique tray is truly a work of art and the perfect gift for any discerning dad. 

ThinkEco Modlet ($50)

Sure, dad loves his 50-inch television, his laptop, printer and stereo system. But does he realize that they’re drawing power—and wasting electricity—even when he’s not using them?

Enter the ThinkEco modlet, a wireless smart outlet that saves energy (and money!) by cutting the power at the plug, eliminating the energy-wasting problem known as standby, or vampire, power.

Depending on the number and type of appliances you have, the modlet can shave approximately 10 percent off dad’s energy bill, with minimal effort. He can even track and manage his power consumption wirelessly via the Internet or an iPhone or Android app. This gadget not only saves energy, but it’s easy and fun to use—even for the dad who’s not exactly a techno-geek. 

Wine Grape Bonsai ($75.95)

Any man who is a wine connoisseur (or fancies himself to be) will appreciate this eco-conscious Wine Grape Bonsai tree. This 10- to 12-year-old miniature tree will literally bring a piece of California’s wine country into anyone’s home.

A sustainable gift, this tree is even shipped in a box made from recycled materials. It ships from Organic Bouquet, a mission-based company that focuses on environmental, social and economic sustainability. Cheers!

Elliott Dopp Kit Toiletry Bag ($32)

Any fashionable, yet eco-conscious, man will appreciate the utility and good looks of this toiletry bag.

Sure, it has plenty of room to carry all your essential grooming supplies. But it’s also constructed from upcycled truck inner tubes, which makes it environmentally friendly. (Upcycling is the process of taking what would be waste material and converting it into something better.)

This bag is waterproof and features a shiny bicycle valve as a zipper pull—an unexpected touch in an otherwise classic Dopp bag. A great gift for a man who appreciates classic design with a green twist.