Little cute baby, mother and daughter are in the garden.

Celebrate Mother’s Day sustainably: ideas, tips, and activities

Written by

Shahira Mohamed

on

May 1, 2025

4 minutes to read

Mother’s Day is a time to honour the women who nurture, guide, and inspire us. This year, let’s celebrate them in ways that are also kind to the planet. Choosing sustainable gifts, experiences, and activities help extend our love beyond our family to the environment.

Sustainable gift ideas

Instead of traditional, mass-produced items, opt for gifts that show care for your mother and the planet:

Eco-friendly flowers: Choosing locally grown flowers reduces the carbon emissions linked to long-distance transportation and supports sustainable farming practices¹. Look for seasonal blooms from local growers or consider gifting a potted plant for a lasting, eco-friendly touch.
Handmade and upcycled gifts: Supporting artisans who use sustainable materials like recycled metals or organic fabrics encourages a circular economy and minimizes waste².
Experience-based gifts: Experiences often bring more long-term happiness than physical items, according to research from Cornell University³. Local tours, craft workshops, or nature outings make meaningful alternatives.

When purchasing gifts, prioritize brands with strong sustainability practices and minimal packaging.

Grandmother teaching her granddaughters to work with plants — Photo by DragonImages on Envato

Tips for a greener celebration

Small changes make a big impact. Here are some ways to make your Mother’s Day gathering more sustainable:

Decorate with reusable items: Single-use decorations contribute to the 300 million tonnes of plastic waste produced every year⁴. Instead, opt for cloth banners, candles, or reusable plants.
Cook with local ingredients: Buying local food ingredients can significantly cut down on emissions tied to food transportation. It also helps sustain regional farming communities⁵.
Send digital cards: Producing a standard paper greeting card emits around 140 grams of CO₂, while premium cards can have a footprint in excess of 200 grams. E-cards are an easy way to share love while saving resources.

Encourage carpooling, cycling, or walking to family gatherings to minimize transportation emissions.

Meaningful activities to enjoy together

Activities often create deeper, longer-lasting memories than gifts. Here are some ideas that are also earth-friendly:

Plant a garden together: Gardening boosts mental well-being and contributes to biodiversity⁷. Whether it is herbs, flowers, fruits, or vegetables, planting together nurtures a connection to the earth.
Volunteer side-by-side: Participating in community activities such as park clean-ups or food centre volunteering strengthens community ties and has a positive environmental impact.
DIY home spa day: Creating homemade skincare using ingredients like oats, honey, and essential oils helps reduce plastic packaging waste.
Have a nature walk or picnic: Spending time outdoors supports mental health while fostering environmental stewardship⁸. A homemade, zero-waste picnic helps keep nature pristine.

These activities offer quality time and help nurture a love for sustainability.

Final thought

Mother’s Day is about love — for our mothers, and for Mother Earth. By making intentional, sustainable choices, we can show gratitude that lasts beyond just an annual observance.

This year, celebrate in a way that honours both Mom and the Earth. Let your gift be a legacy of care.

A heartwarming and intimate moment between a mother and her young child, captured in a lush, vibrant garden. — Plastic collection member from Indonesia with her son

At Plastic Bank, we believe that sustainability starts with the small choices we make every day. Our work enables recycling in underserved areas with high rates of poverty and plastic pollution, helping communities create environmental, social, and economic impact.
By stopping plastic from polluting the environment and empowering collection members to access life-improving benefits, we are building regenerative, circular economies around the world.

This Mother’s Day, we also honour and celebrate the mothers within our collection communities — women who work tirelessly to create better futures for their families and their environment. Their strength, resilience, and leadership inspire real, lasting change.

As you make sustainable choices to honour the women who inspire you, know that every mindful action — whether it is supporting local growers, choosing eco-friendly gifts, or reducing waste — echoes the same global commitment to care, dignity, and stewardship that we uphold at Plastic Bank.Learn more about how you can be part of the movement at: https://plasticbank.com/join/