Modern couples are increasingly more conscious of their impact on the environment, and are planning their big day with sustainability in mind. As a wedding guest, it’s a great idea to treat your newlyweds with an eco-friendly gift that will put them on the right path for their life together.

If you’re attending the wedding of an eco-warrior, or just want to be more conscious of your own purchases, give one of these gifts a try:

The Wonderbag – R206 – R933 on Wonderbagworld.com

The Wonderbag is a simple but revolutionary non-electric, portable slow cooker. It continues to cook food (which has been brought to a boil by conventional methods) for up to 8 hours without the use of additional electricity or fuel. The Wonderbag business model is based on a buy one, donate one. For every retail Wonderbag bought, $1 is donated to the Wonderbag Foundation to subsidize Wonderbags and host WonderFeasts in vulnerable communities around the world.

EcoPlanet Bamboo Charcoal Filter – R135 on Faithful to Nature

Ensure the water your newlyweds drink is clean, healthy and safe with with high-grade bamboo charcoal filter that has a high and positively charged adsorbent surface area that draws impurities out of the water. The filter can effectively absorb and remove bacteria, chlorine and other chemicals, while improving the taste and freshness of any water. All this while being natural and non-toxic.

The Great Living Co Sustainable Bamboo Kitchen Utensils Set – R125 via Faithful to Nature

Fast-growing, renewable and long lasting, bamboo is an incredibly sustainable product that can be used in a variety of ways. This miracle plant can also absorb greenhouse gases and supports economic development in a variety of less developed areas of the world. Replace plastic with bamboo for an eco-friendly alternative to serving utensils.

The Joinery recycled plastic bottle wine tote – R495 via The Joinery

The Joinery is a sustainable and ethical product design brand based in South Africa that focuses on finding solutions to environmental and community issues through design. Their products are made of recycled plastic and crafted by local sewing co-operatives in the informal settlements of South Africa, by up-skilled artisans and by sustainable production houses. This wine tote is a great way to travel in style while making a difference.

Sealpod Afficionado Capsule 10pk – R2399 at @Home

The Sealpod allows coffee-fans to reuse their coffeepods and is designed to work with Nespresso and Nespresso compatible coffee machines. This reduces the amount of coffee pods you have to purchase and is also better for your health and there are no plastic toxins leeching into the water. The Aficionado edition contains 10 stainless steel pods, 102 aluminium seals and an acrylic refilling station so you can fill 10 pods at a time.

My Butchers Block Salt & Pepper Holder – R519 via YuppieChef

Proudly made in South Africa from sustainably sourced Knysna Blackwood, this beautiful salt and pepper holder is ideal for holding salt, pepper and other spices.

MicroGarden Reusable Sprout Bag with Lentil Seeds – R99 via YuppieChef

This reusable microgarden sprout bag is designed to be highly productive, sustainable, and energy and space efficient. This bag comes with 50 gsm lentil seeds which will yield approximately 130 gsm sprouts, and allows you to grow sprouts over and over again. Simply sterilise the bag, soak the seeds overnight, drain and rinse the seeds twice daily. Within 3-5 days your sprouts will be ready to harvest.

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Feature image: Pexels

Asking for wedding gifts can be a bit awkward. It gets even more uncomfortable if you’re asking for money instead of gifts. But, perhaps you don’t want gifts at all. If you and your partner are philanthropic people, then you may be considering ways to use your wedding to give back.

Requesting charitable replacements for wedding gifts is much easier than asking for alternative wedding gifts such as money. People are likely to be on board, because who could resist such a sweet gesture!

If you’ve set your heart on asking for something charitable to make the world a better place, then consider these ideas:

– Plant some trees 

This is one of the simplest ways to give back. Request that guest plant a tree in place of your gift. You can provide them with seeds or have them buy their own. Either way, its a great option.

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– Donate to a charity 

Organisations such as Greater Good SA, Starfish Greathearts Foundation, Prodder, and Play Your Part are great to help you find and set up a way to use your wedding to donate to a charity. Get in contact with them and find out how you can make the world a better place with your nuptials.

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– Ask for a charity pack 

Decide on a cause, for example helping the homeless or providing for a child at an orphanage. Then request that each guest bring a basket or bag filled with goods for somebody in need. You can take the packs to an organisation who will give them out to those who need them most or you can keep a few in your car and give them to somebody in need if you pass them somewhere.

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– Help a child in need

There are wonderful organisations that allow for you to easily help a child in need. Get into contact with an organisation with UNICEF and ask how you can donate to their causes. Perhaps you could get every guest to donate a small amount of money, using your wedding as a collection point.

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– Set up donation boxes 

Let your guests know you will be having a clothing drive or a food drive at your wedding. Set up some boxes and collect!

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Image: Unsplash