11 Gifts For the Tech-Savvy Environmentalist

If they love the environment, then they're definitely into composting—but no one wants a smelly plastic bin sitting on the kitchen counter. Upgrade your eco-friendly loved one to this beautiful composter instead. Made of black bamboo fiber wood, its carbon filter minimizes stench from banana peels and coffee grinds, while its compact size fits neatly in any kitchen nook.

The latest addition to Nest's line of energy-saving thermostats, the E, was designed with ease of use in mind. It lets you set the temperature, adjust the temperature, and control your smart home—all while saving energy, and by proxy, saving the planet. If your eco-minded friends and family aren't already using a Nest thermostat, this is the perfect (and cheapest!) model to start on.

These funky, algae-green shoes feel like most other barefoot runners, with a super-thin sole and lightweight upper. The big difference? These ones are molded entirely out of algae-derived foam, collected from waterways with excess algal bloom. They can be worn sockless in wet conditions too, with a Crocs-like construction that’s sure to turn heads.

What better way to remind your eco-conscious pal about the total hopelessness of climate change than with this great work of futuristic fiction? J. G. Ballard’s 1962 novel imagines the world in 2145. The ice caps have all melted; the planet’s delicate ecosystems have broken down. Society—or what’s left of it—has devolved into a dystopia full of giant iguanas and swarms of bugs. So no, this isn’t the gift you buy for someone to feel warm and fuzzy about saving the planet. But it makes for a gripping read, and provides a perfect excuse for the environmentalist in your life to yammer on about all the ways we’re ruining the Earth.

Sure, you could get them another Tesla-branded keychain or one of those t-shirts that says “Save Us Elon!” But your Tesla-driving friend will be even more thrilled to receive this miniaturized Supercharger. The desktop version perfectly models the real thing—except that it’s designed to charge a humble cell phone, not a souped-up electric car.

Suga's speckled mats are thick and cushy—but more importantly, they give non-biodegradable neoprene wetsuits a second life. The California-based company collects unwanted wetsuits (mail 'em in here) and reincarnates them as artful yoga mats. Great for surfers, great for yogis, and great for the environment. Namaste!

These are an all-day-on-your-feet, marathon-errand, 10,000-steps-before-noon kind of shoe. The cushioned sole makes them feel like sneakers; when they get stinky, you can throw them in the washing machine. Best of all: Rothy’s repurposes plastic water bottles to make the 3-D knit fabric on these flats, making these both stylish and sustainable. Did we mention they come in leopard print?

They have a whole collection of reusable bags, but do they have this reusable bag? Shopping-staple Baggu brings together form and function with its standard bag, which holds twice as much as a plastic grocery bag and comes in more than 30 colors and patterns. When it's not in use, the whole thing stuffs down to the size of a dinner napkin.

They love to light candles—it's romantic and eco-friendlier than leaving the lights on. This aluminum holder provides a pretty place to store matches.

Looptworks takes scrap fabric and repurposes it into beautiful products—luggage, handbags, wallets. This iPad folio case comes from upcycled Italian leather and offers a place to stash a tablet and a notepad alike.

Everyone needs a glass water bottle. This one holds 17 ounces of H2O, with a bamboo cap designed to prevent leaks and a silicone sleeve for easier gripping. Bonus: Soma donates part of every purchase to charity:water, a non-profit that delivers clean drinking water to the third world, so you can feel doubly good about your gift-giving.