13 SUSTAINABLE WINTER ESSENTIALS THAT WILL KEEP YOU COZY AND WARM ALL SEASON

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Winter has never been a season I particularly enjoy. I don’t like how the sun sets incredibly early and how cold everything is.

I love when it snows, but unfortunately, it rarely does where I live. 

Cold and short days also mean that we spend most of the season locked inside.

However, spending so much time indoors can be fun and enjoyable too! 

Many things contribute to my well-being during the cold winter months, and I wanted to share them with you today. 

Here is a list of 13 sustainable winter essentials that will keep you cozy and warm all season! 

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What are sustainable winter essentials?

Winter essentials are anything that can make the winter season go smoother for you and your family.

These are items that will keep you warm when it is cold outside.

They will also add to the cozy atmosphere of your home and improve your comfort levels in your everyday life. 

And as I strive to live as sustainably as possible, I try to only promote eco-friendly products on this blog.

So all the winter essentials I include in this article are high-quality as well as sustainably and ethically made.

But keep in mind that you don’t have to buy anything this winter season if you don’t want to. 

These are just ideas of things that may contribute to your well-being during the colder months, so take what you want from this list. 

13 sustainable winter essentials to keep you warm and cozy all season

1 – Warm blanket

As I am wrapped in a blanket all the time during the winter months, this has to be my number one on this list! 

Since I try to save energy whenever I can, I try to limit how much I use the heating in my home when it’s cold outside.

If you’re mindful of your energy consumption as well, a warm blanket is essential to have around! 

I have two blankets that my boyfriend and I share.

Unfortunately, since we bought them years ago, we did not make a sustainable choice.

But they’re still in excellent condition, so we’ll keep using them for years to come. 

However, if you need a new blanket this winter season, I highly recommend this one from Cozy Earth, which is sold with a 10-year warranty. 

Made from bamboo viscose, its fabric is very breathable and has great temperature-regulating properties.

It is also incredibly soft, and its timeless design makes it the perfect addition to any room in your home!

Read more: 12 organic cotton blankets and throws to keep you cuddled up in warmth 

2 – Knitwear

Sweaters are my favorite clothing items to wear in the winter!

I love how they make an outfit look super cozy, and they keep us warm and toasty. 

Unfortunately, since we wear them regularly, sweaters sometimes need to be replaced as they wear out over time. 

The issue is that many sweaters we can buy at the store contain synthetic materials, like acrylic, which are very unsustainable.

But thankfully, there are more eco-friendly options for us to choose from!

Outerknown has a great selection of sustainable knitwear, including beautiful pieces made from recycled cashmere.

You can choose between different crewneck sweaters, turtlenecks, and cardigans. 

The brand also works with Fair Trade-certified factories, so you know the clothes are made sustainably and with the workers’ well-being in mind. 

Read more: 14 sustainable sweaters to keep you warm and cozy all winter

3 – Cozy slippers

Slippers are great accessories for those who always have cold feet! 

Sometimes, warm fuzzy socks are not enough, and we need an extra layer to protect our precious feet. 

But especially when it comes to slippers, it is important to choose high-quality pieces.

Most slippers are very poorly made and they wear out pretty quickly.

I remember, when I used to buy those, they would only last a year or so, which is a shame. 

Parachute offers a high-quality pair of wool slippers featuring a classic, closed-toe silhouette.

Not only are these built to last, but they are also so soft and cozy that you’ll never want to take them off!

They look (and feel) like comfy fluffy clouds!

What’s more, they are breathable, so you can wear them all day long without having sweaty feet.

Read more: 9 cozy, sustainable slippers to keep your feet and the planet happy

4 – Hot beverage

There is nothing like warming up with a nice cup of hot cocoa when it’s cold outside.

This one is Fair Trade and USDA-certified organic, and it’s absolutely delicious!

If you’re more into coffee, I recommend the brand Gourmesso.

It has a large selection of fair trade, organic, and Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee!

Personally, my favorite hot beverage is tea. I drink it all the time!

The Republic of Tea sells all kinds of loose-leaf, organic tea, so feel free to check it out. 

Read more: 18 minimalist kitchen essentials for simple, efficient cooking

5 – Winter scarf

In the winter months, I never leave my home without a warm scarf around my neck.

If I do, I get a sore throat almost immediately, which is not fun! 

If you are on the lookout for a new scarf this year, The Tartan Blanket Co has some lovely models made from sustainably sourced wool. 

I particularly love this one, which is made from soft lambswool and features fringe detailing!

It is sold in seven different colors and patterns, and the brand donates 2% of its revenue to environmental and social charities.

Read more: 10 sustainable scarves you’ll love to wrap up in

6 – Beanie

For those who live in a cold climate, a beanie is another winter essential to have around at all times.

You can pair your scarf with Pact’s cozy knit pom beanie.

It’s also made of organic cotton, which is super soft and eco-friendly.

I love that you can choose between several colors and the pom-pom adds a lovely touch to it! 

And, did you know that Pact is carbon-neutral and a partner of Fair Trade USA?

So its clothes are an amazing ethical and sustainable alternative to what is currently on the market! 

Read more: 9 sustainable beanies and winter hats to keep warm in style

7 – Lip balm

I don’t know about you, but I regularly get super dry lips in the winter.

As a result, I always must have a good lip balm on hand, whether I’m at home or out and about. 

If you too struggle with this, consider checking Badger’s moisturizing lip balms.

They are filled with antioxidants and botanical extracts, and they are available in different natural scents. 

These lip balms are USDA-certified organic and completely cruelty-free.

Plus, Badger is a certified B Corporation, so it meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance!

8 – Robe

To be honest, I spend way more time in my bathrobe than I’d like to admit, especially in the winter.

The fluffiness and coziness of a soft bathrobe make winter so much more enjoyable!

If your old bathrobe got worn out this year and needs to be replaced, why don’t you switch to Cozy Earth’s waffle robe? 

The bathrobe features a dual-sided texture and is incredibly absorbent and warm. It also comes with an adjustable tie waist and large pockets.

Made from bamboo viscose and cotton, the bathrobe will make you feel like you’re at the spa! 

Not to mention that the fabric is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning that it is completely free of harmful substances! 

Read more: 9 organic cotton robes for a sustainable spa-life experience

9 – Books

One of my favorite ways to relax and slow down during the winter months is by reading a nice book.

I love fiction books in which we can lose ourselves and discover a whole new world, all from the comfort of our own homes!

I also read self-help books or books that help me learn about a specific topic.

If you’re interested in minimalism or sustainable living, I highly recommend Goodbye Things by Fumio Sasaki or Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson! 

I always read physical books because I love the feeling of paper under my fingers when I read. 

But if you’re regularly on the go or prefer minimizing your book collection, you might want to get yourself an e-reader.

Another amazing option is to get your books from the library, so check if your local one has some good books you can borrow.

10 – Warm winter coat

As much as we like staying inside in the winter, we need to leave the house to go to work, take our kids to school, or run errands.

That’s why a good-quality, warm winter coat has to be on this list of sustainable winter essentials! 

If you need a new winter coat this year, I recommend you check Bernardo’s 3-in-1 puffer coat.

Sold in three different colors, it looks very beautiful all while keeping you toasty warm. 

This winter coat is made with sustainable insulation, produced using 19 post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

It is also certified by bluesign®, so it’s a great ethical and sustainable option!

Read more: 9 sustainable winter coats and jackets for braving the cold and staying toasty

11 – Puzzles & board games

Since we spend a lot more time indoors, we should take advantage of it and start playing some fun board games with our families! 

Board games are great for spending quality time with our loved ones and creating fun memories in the warmth of our homes. 

Everyone has their favorite games, so pick the ones you prefer and finally take the time to play with them, either during the weekends or in the evenings. 

Board games are so easy to find second-hand.

Thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace have so many of them! 

Jigsaw puzzles are another fun activity you can do alone or as a family.

These can also be found second-hand, but if you want a new one, consider choosing puzzles made from recycled cardboard like this one.

Read more: 16 sustainable winter activities to enjoy the colder months

12 – Gloves or mittens

To complete your winter looks and keep your hands warm, a good pair of gloves or mittens are essential to have.

I like having several pairs because I always have cold hands in the winter!

Climate-neutral certified brand The Knotty Ones sells lovely, warm mittens that are handcrafted using superfine alpaca and Peruvian Highland wool. 

They are ethically made in small batches in Lithuania, and colored with OEKO-TEX-certified non-toxic dyes. 

The Knotty Ones also produces its products with a zero-waste approach, ensuring there are no leftover scraps or deadstock fabrics.

How cool is that?!

Read more: 7 sustainable gloves and mittens to keep frostbite at bay

13 – Hot water bottle

Of course, I cannot end this list of sustainable winter essentials without mentioning a hot water bottle! 

I very regularly use mine for warming up during the winter months, when I don’t want to increase the heating.

I like having it on my stomach or my feet, and it keeps me warm and cozy! 

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend a specific model that would be sustainable, because I couldn’t find one.

I inherited mine from my grandmother when she passed away. 

The ones we can buy at the store or online are made of plastic, and I cannot find a more eco-friendly alternative.

So if you don’t already have a hot water bottle and would like one, try and see if you can get one second-hand. 

Or check if you can find one made of recycled plastic or sustainably-harvested natural rubber. 

I also saw that you can DIY microwaveable rice bags, which is a simple project that can be done in an hour.

These are great because they stay warm for a long time and you don’t need to use water with them. 

Final thoughts on these sustainable winter essentials

There you have it! 

I hope this list of 13 sustainable winter essentials inspired you and that some of these things will help you make this winter season as cozy and warm as possible. 

If you don’t want to, you don’t have to incorporate all these things into your life. 

These are just things I love to use when it’s cold outside.

I find that they also make my home more comfortable and make the season more enjoyable. 

If you liked this article, you will also enjoy my other posts about my favorite essentials by season:

• 11 sustainable fall essentials for a cozy, yet eco-friendly autumn
• 8 sustainable spring essentials to make the most out of the season
• 12 sustainable summer essentials to have fun under the sun

What are your favorite sustainable winter essentials?

What helps you enjoy winter and all the magic that comes with it? 

Please, tell us in the comment section.

And don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends!

Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!

It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!

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