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I’ve always been an Earth-enthusiast. I grew up with a hippie father and have always been a nature lover—I even worked as an environmental restorationist in South Florida. So, needless to say, I was so excited to try out EarthHero’s Zero Waste Gift Box.
Since I’m always looking for new ways to reduce my use of single-use plastics, I was thrilled to learn I’d get to try a
- bamboo toothbrush,
- bamboo utensils,
- silicone sandwich bag,
- produce bags, and
- a stainless steel straw.
Really, this gift box is a say “no” to single-use plastic survivalist’s toolkit… except your tools are functional as well as beautiful.
All of this is to say, I was elated to put these products to good use—and boy did they perform.
First Impressions
The Zero Waste Gift Box arrived in a cardboard box with eco-friendly tape. This made me smile right away. I strive to be a true zero-waster, which means I use cardboard boxes in my garden as a weed barrier—I also compost the extras, and there’s one step in that process that I’m happy to skip: pulling the plastic tape off and tossing it in the trash to be hauled to the landfill.
So… first impression: an eco-friendly A+
Within the larger shipping box was the beautiful brown EarthHero gift box. Within the box was a thick layer of crinkled kraft paper (made from recycled paper) that hid the goodies beneath. If this were a surprise gift, I can imagine how much fun it would be to uncover such a bounty of beautifully crafted items.
The gift box as a whole is a thoughtful collection of items that will get used nearly daily.
Each Zero-Waste Item In Use—One Week Later
Silicone Stasher Sandwich Bag
Of all the items in this gift box, the silicone sandwich baggie AKA the stasher is likely my favorite. The silicone is thick and feels incredibly durable. I was also quite surprised to read that it’s dishwasher safe. It can require a little bit of patience and some careful squeezing to get a bigger sandwich to fit through the opening, though.
However, what shocked me the most upon closer examination was the packaging claims this baggie can be used for cooking! That’s right. The Stasher can be baked and boiled. As a foodie, I had to put this to the test. And the results: You can sous vide small portions of food in the Stasher and use it in the oven—as an en papillote preparation. (Watch out Gordon Ramsey!)
I have also sent it through the dishwasher. You have to prop it open a bit to ensure it gets fully rinsed, though.
As far as durability goes—so far, so good!
rePETe Produce Bags
The gift box came with two bright green Bagito produce bags. The tags say they’re made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles and bacteria-resistant, which is wonderful. Hidden within the bag is a tag that explains the bags can be machine washed and hang-dried—which is a hidden win in my eyes.
The bags hold a lot of produce. They also seem quite durable, so far. The seams have held up well and they fold back up extremely easily for storage.
If you’re using multiple on one shopping trip, you do need to open the bag to see what’s within to ring them up. If you regularly get the same fruits or veggies, you can label them to speed things up a little.
Bamboo Utensil Set
Bamboo—Yes I do! When I received this box, I’ll be honest—I wasn’t 100% sure what I would use these utensils for. Luckily, my dad arrived just a few days after the box arrived and was as excited as a kid in a toy store when he saw them. He’d driven up and told me that he was feeling guilty about having to use plastic cutlery each time he stopped to eat (I bet you can guess what I’m getting him for his birthday).
With my dad’s insight, I also realized that the EarthHero utensils came with their own carrying case that can be easily clipped into a work bag. So, now they come everywhere with me.
As far as performance, they are excellent. While the fork tines are thicker than plastic forks or typical silverware, they get the job done and the space between makes them easy to clean.
The real show stopper is the chopsticks. They’re gorgeous and extremely photogenic.
Stainless Steel Straw and Brush Set
A stainless steel straw is a must-have for everybody. Not only can keeping one in the car help you cut back on plastic straws when you’re ordering a soft drink at a restaurant, but I’ve found mine to be a real treat to use with my homemade smoothies.
The brush does a great job scrubbing the straw clean.
Pro tip: Keep the straw and brush in your EarthHero utensil carrying case.
Adult Bamboo Toothbrush
I’ll be honest. I was most skeptical of the bamboo toothbrush. Why? I’m a little bit of a dental health snob. However, I can confirm that it works exactly like a normal toothbrush—and the compostable handle is a huge plus. I usually keep some extra toothbrushes in my Airbnb for guests, and after trying this one out, I believe I’ll make the switch to offering these, instead.
After brushing, my teeth feel squeaky clean, so job well done.
The Entire Zero Waste Gift Box—As a Gift
So, ultimately, I would be ecstatic to receive this gift box as a present. Moreover, I would order one for a friend, family member, or coworker. What I love about this assortment of products is that as a gift is they’re extremely practical. The gift recipient doesn’t necessarily have to be super eco-friendly to appreciate each of these.
This gift box would make a great go-to choice for anyone that’s hard to shop for or you don’t know extremely well. It’s a great way to spread the green spirit and give a gift to the Earth in doing so.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to gift-giving, it’s the thought that counts. And the thought behind the Zero Waste Gift Box is impactful. This gift box is a great way to encourage others to be Earth-conscious without feeling preachy. This is a well-thought-out compilation of everyday use products that anyone and everyone would appreciate.
Not a day goes by that I do not use at least one item from this gift box. So, if you want to give a gift that will leave a lasting impression—this is it.
