12 Eco-Friendly Advent Calendar Brands For A Green Christmas Countdown

Discover a sustainable twist to the festive countdown by diving into the world of sustainable advent calendars

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Get ready to jingle your way into a sustainable Christmas season.

With eco-friendly advent calendars, every December day is a delightful surprise that brings joy to your heart and leaves a lighter footprint on the planet.

Join the festive revolution as we unwrap the magic of sustainable advent calendar countdowns—because ‘tis the season to be green and gleeful!

A 3..2..1 Countdown Of The Best Sustainable Advent Calendars 2023

You can’t go wrong with counting down to Christmas with slave-free, palm oil-free, and single-origin Colombian chocolate, with is exactly what Certified B Corp Love Cocoa offers.

Similarly, Happi’s eco-friendly advent calendars are filled with fair trade chocolate sure to to make anyone happy.

Moore Design Studio offers a nature inspired take on advent calendars including one filled with dried pressed flowers, another made with walnut shells and one of the sweetest DIY advent calendar options we’ve seen.

That’s just a taste of our eco-friendly advent calendar list. Let’s keep ‘em coming (er, counting)—or sneak a peak at the bottom of how we picked these brands.

Our Curated List of The Most Enchanting Ethical Advent Calendars 2023

Ethical Chocolate Advent Calendars
Eco-Friendly Non-Chocolate & Reusable Advent Calendars

Sustainable Chocolate Advent Calendars

1. PLAYin CHOC

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by PLAYin CHOC
Images by PLAYin CHOC

Price Range | £13+  | PLAYin CHOC

Values | Environmental responsibility and wildlife conservation

Ingredients | Vegan, organic chocolate

What We Love | Not only is the chocolate sustainably sourced and made, but all packaging and toys accompanying the chocolates are made from FSC or PEFC sustainably sourced, recycled and recyclable card and paper.

PLAYin CHOC’s Sustainable Chocolate Advent Calendar

PLAYin CHOC offers a range of organic chocolate treats, but for the run-up to Christmas, it’s fun to count down the days with their sustainable chocolate advent calendar. 

Their calendar contains 12/24 drawers, each filled with a fun fact card, chocolate, and 3D puzzle to get your child’s creativity flowing over the festive season. 

Replace each drawer back to front, and a new picture is completed on Christmas Eve. 

Once all the ethical chocolate is eaten, the outer sleeve opens out to create a landscape for all the cardboard toys.  

PLAYin CHOC’s Sustainability

Certifications | Soil Association Organic, Vegan, KLBD Kosher, SALSA, Slave Free Chocolate

Carbon | Recycled and recyclable packaging comes with carbon offset certificates. 

Sourcing & Supply Chain | Packaging and toys are made from FSC or PEFC sustainably sourced recycled and recyclable card and paper with carbon offset certificates. Everything is sourced from UK suppliers and made in the UK. 

Thoughtful Packaging | PLAYin CHOC only uses paper-based recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, and home-compostable materials. 

Pay It Forward | PLAYin CHOC supports several environmental projects including the Sea Life Trust, UNICEF, and the World Wildlife Fund.

2. Love Cocoa

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Love Cocoa
Images by Love Cocoa

Price Range | £15–£25 | Love Cocoa

Values | Ethical sourcing, low waste, charitable giving

Ingredients | Ethically and sustainably sourced cocoa that’s palm-oil-free.

What We Love | Products are plastic-free and recyclable, the company supports charitable causes and has a ‘Plant a Tree’ project.

Love Cocoa’s Plastic-Free Advent Calendar

If you’re looking for a traditional sustainable advent calendar for 2023, Love Cocoa won’t disappoint.

Behind each door, you’ll find a delicious truffle or square of creamy chocolate, handmade from sustainably sourced, palm oil free and slave-free single-origin Colombian cocoa. 

Each bite you take also supports some great causes, including Eden Reforestation. Love Cocoa also runs a ‘Plant a Tree’ project that has planted over 1.6 million trees to date. 

Love Cocoa’s Sustainability 

Certifications | Certified B Corp  

Carbon | Every purchase helps to support reforestation projects around the world.

Sourcing & Supply Chain | The cocoa is sourced ethically and sustainably from a family-run business based in Bogota, Colombia. 

Thoughtful Packaging | Packaging is plastic-free and 100% recyclable. 

Pay It Forward | Love Cocoa is a 1% For The Planet member and is in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects.

3. Happi

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Happi
Images by Happi

Price Range | £12–£15 | Happi

Ingredients | Ethically-sourced chocolate made from gluten- and soya-free oat milk powder.

What We Love | Not only is each Happi advent calendar eco-friendly, but also suitable for vegans and made with Fairtrade single origin chocolate sourced via a transparent supply chain.

Happi’s Eco-Friendly Advent Calendar 2023

We’ve got some great news for those who prefer to go dairy free this Christmas. Say ‘hi’ to Happi’s vegan range of advent calendars that are eco-friendly. 

You can choose from a 3 flavour advent calendar or one with individually wrapped Neopolitan-style chocolates behind each door.

Happi’s Sustainability 

Sourcing & Supply Chain | Happi purchases the chocolate for their products from Luker Chocolate, a family-owned business in Columbia. They guarantee that their chocolate is slave- and child labour-free and their farm-to-bar method ensures a transparent and ethical supply chain. 

Thoughtful Packaging | Happi’s cardboard packets are fully recyclable, and the inner material is made from plant material (Natureflex) and can be home-composted. 

Pay It Forward | Happi supports the Kids for Nature project, which aims to help protect Colombia’s wildlife by educating Colombian children.

4. Tony’s Chocolonely

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Tony’s Chocolonely
Images by Tony’s Chocolonely

Price Range | £16 | Tony’s Chocolonely

Values | Social responsibility and sourcing

Ingredients | Dark, milk, and white chocolate with a variety of fun ingredients like caramel, popping candy, pretzel toffee, and almond honey nougat.

What We Love | Tony’s chocolate is 100% slave free and trades directly with cocoa farmers and cooperatives.

Tony’s Chocolonely Eco-Friendly Chocolate Advent Calendar

Countdown to Christmas with Tony’s Chocolonely advent calendar that champions Fairtrade ingredients.

As well as their sustainable advent calendar filled with 100% slave-free chocolate, this company has made it their mission to make it a reality for all chocolate. 

Tony’s Chocolonely Sustainability 

Certifications |  Certified B Corp, Fairtrade, FSC

Sourcing & Supply Chain | Tony’s sources slave-free traceable cocoa from West African (Ghana and Ivory Coast) farms. 

Thoughtful Packaging | Chocolate wrappers are not coated with porcelain or kaolin and are made from a mixture of recycled and FSC-certified paper and foil. The outer advent calendar is made of uncoated, recycled FSC-certified paper.

Pay It Forward | They pay a higher price to their cacao farmers that includes a Fairtrade premium plus Tony’s additional premium that invests in these communities.

5. Montezuma’s

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Montezuma’s
Images by Montezuma’s

Price Range | £12  | Montezuma’s

Values | Slave free, organic

Ingredients | Organic chocolate

What We Love | The cocoa used is not associated with slave or forced labour and all team members are paid above the National Living Wage.

Montezuma’s Ethical Advent Calendar

Montezuma has grown from a kitchen-sink-sized machine into a leading ethical chocolate company that’s available worldwide. 

Their sustainable advent calendar fillers are appetising chunks of organic milk chocolate. The advent calendar also features decorative festive illustrations on the cover. 

Montezuma’s Sustainability 

Certifications | Soil Association Organic

Carbon | Products are manufactured in a factory solely run on renewable energy. 

Sourcing & Supply Chain | The cocoa used is sourced from many different regions, but never those associated with slave or forced labour. 

Thoughtful Packaging | All Montezuma’s packaging is either widely recyclable, biodegradable, or home compostable. 

Pay It Forward | For more than 10 years, Montezuma’s has worked with Children on the Edge to support marginalised youth.

6. Fetcha Chocolates

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Fetcha Chocolates
Images by Fetcha Chocolates

Price Range | £42 | Fetcha Chocolates

Values | Palm free, supporting small businesses

Ingredients | Artisan chocolates and truffles that are vegan, and free of gluten, soy, and palm oil.

What We Love | The deliciously chocolates in this rather fetching eco-friendly advent calendar are handcrafted, fully vegan, gluten, soy, and palm oil-free.

Fetcha Chocolate’s Sustainable Advent Calendars   

Handmade chocolates in a variety of flavours fill Fetcha Chocolate’s luxury chocolate advent calendar. Flavours include salted caramel, dark chocolate ginger, hot chocolate, cinnamon bun, dark mint creme, and Yule log. 

To make sure everyone gets a little taste of the chocolate they like the most, this year’s selection contains 1/3 white chocolates, 1/3 milk chocolates, and 1/3 dark chocolates.  

Fetcha Chocolate’s Sustainability 

Carbon | As an Etsy supplier, carbon emissions from delivery and packaging are offset. 

Sourcing & Supply Chain | The ethical chocolate contains no trace of palm oil and is handmade in Scotland. 

Thoughtful Packaging | 100% plastic-free and fully recyclable cardboard.

Non-Chocolate & Reusable Advent Calendars

7. Pukka Herbs

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Pukka Herbs
Images by Pukka Herbs

Price Range | £9  |  Pukka Herbs

Values | Organic, carbon neutral, compostable, charitable giving

Ingredients | Organic tea leaves and herbs

What We Love | Eco-friendly tea brand, donations made to environmental and social projects

Pukka Herb’s Zero Waste Advent Calendar

Everybody loves chocolate, but if chocolate isn’t your cuppa, this drinkable advent calendar just may be.

Pukka Herbs is well-known for their plastic free teabags and their festive non-candy advent calendar.

Inside their tea advent calendar you’ll find an excellent choice of artisan herbal tea infusions such as Ginseng Matcha Green, Feel New, and Peppermint and Licorice.  

Pukka Herb’s Sustainability 

Certifications | Certified B Corp, Soil Association Organic, Fair for Life, Fair Wild

Carbon Goals | Pukka is a carbon-neutral company.

Sourcing & Supply Chain | Pukka has long-standing partnerships with organic growers in more than 20 different countries. 

Thoughtful Packaging | Sustainably sourced premium card, organic cotton string, FSC-certified paper, which is fully recyclable. The tea bags are home compostable.  

Pay It Forward | Pukka is a member of 1% for the Planet and supports numerous eco-minded non-profits.

8. Busy Puzzle

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Busy Puzzle
Images by Busy Puzzle

Price Range | £38–£80 | Busy Puzzle

Materials | Maple wood

What We Love | Made from high-quality wood, this gorgeous reusable advent calendar can be used over and over again.

Busy Puzzle’s Reusable Christmas Advent Calendars 

Advent calendars that are reusable are the ultimate in sustainable festive ideas. 

And Busy Puzzle’s—made from wood and available in a range of designs—are so gorgeous you may never want to put it away even after the Christmas tree comes down.

A little wooden advent calendar star is used to count down the days, with the option of adding your own hooks and hanging advent calendar gifts from each number. 

There’s also a set that includes a wooden nativity scene because advent calendars shouldn’t be just about getting a daily gift.    

Busy Puzzle’s Sustainability 

Carbon | As an Etsy seller, carbon emissions from delivery and packaging are offset.

9. Hide & Seek Textiles

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Hide & Seek Textiles
Images by Hide & Seek Textiles

Price Range | £100–£145 | Hide & Seek Textiles

Materials | Unbleached natural cotton. Where possible, textiles are from sustainable and Fairtrade sources.

Values | Homemade. All unused scraps from the workshop in West Sussex are recycled.

What We Love | These calendars are made in limited quantities, durable enough to last many years and may even become a family heirloom

Hide & Seek Textiles Reusable Advent Calendars For Kids & Adults

Each of Hide & Seek Textiles reusable advent calendars for adults and kids are perfectly sized for stuffing with sweet treats, miniature bottles of booze, gifts, or any other advent calendar filler ideas you can think of.

Alternatively, there is the option of purchasing your fabric advent calendar filled with toys made almost entirely from wood, tin, cotton, and fabric.      

Hide & Seek Textiles Sustainability 

Sourcing & Supply Chain | Items are handmade in the Etsy shop owner’s workshop.

10. Moore Design Studio

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Moore Design Studio
Images by Moore Design Studio

Price Range | £49–£133 | Moore Design Studio

Materials | Flowers, walnut shells, organic gifts

Values | Handmade, low waste

What We Love | This is a really novel idea and one that you can use for your own advent calendar for years to come

Moore Design Studio’s Reusable Advent Calendar Ideas

If you’re looking for novel eco-friendly advent calendar ideas, Moore Design Studio has plenty to share. 

From their Botanical advent calendars filled with dried pressed flowers to the Deluxe Walnut Surprise advent calendar filled with a variety of gifts including jewellery, candles, and Christmas aromas.  

Moore Design Studios Sustainability 

Sourcing & Supply Chain | Items are made by hand in Switzerland. 

Thoughtful Packaging | Products are shipped in honeycomb and standard brown paper.

11. Inspired by Alma

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Inspired by Alma
Images by Inspired by Alma

Price Range | £34 | Inspired by Alma

Materials | Canvas, wood, artificial foliage garland, wooden beads, and white rope

What We Love | This reusable eco-friendly advent calendar allows you to put your own twist on your festive celebrations

Inspired by Alma’s Refillable Advent Calendar

While we’ve not been able to ascertain any sustainability related attriubutes for the cotton and other materials used in Inspired by Alma’s zero-waste advent calendar, we had to feature this Etsy seller in our list because an advent calendar that’s refillable is a beautiful idea. 

Once you’ve made your purchase, all you’ve got to worry about is sourcing reusable advent calendar fillers.

Inspired by Alma’s Sustainability 

Thoughtful Packaging | Packaging is recyclable and FSC-certified.

12. Lush

Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars by Lush
Images by Lush

Price Range | £185 | Lush

Materials | 100% recycled board and paper and 100% recycled polyester ribbon

Values | Fighting against animal testing, environmental responsibility

Ingredients | Vegetarian and mostly natural and vegan ingredients

What We Love | Lush products are ethical and cruelty-free, boxes are reusable and solid bars are used to minimise packaging, Lush is also 10% employee-owned

Lush’s Eco-Friendly Beauty Advent Calendar

If you’re looking for an ethical beauty advent calendar this year, you better get in there quick because Lush’s are always highly sought after and quick to sell out. 

The contents and design change every year, but you’re bound to get a good selection of Lush beauty products, and they’re all vegan and cruelty-free. 

This year, you’ll find self-care delights like bath bombs, shower gels, lip scrubs, and Boogie Woogie soap (an advent calendar exclusive item).

Plus, if you miss out on this year’s advent calendar, there is also a festive alternative that counts down the last 12 days before Christmas.

Lush’s Sustainability 

Sourcing & Supply Chain | 67% of ingredients are sourced directly, and Lush commits to exceeding the government minimum standards of staff wages and conditions in all countries in which it operates. 

Thoughtful Packaging | Lush’s advent calendar boxes are constructed by hand and made from 100% recycled board and paper. You can either recycle it, regift it, or keep it as a pretty box for trinkets such as sustainable jewellery

Pay It Forward | In the last five years, Lush has raised and given £50 million and last year funded 3,500 groups.

What’s The Issue With Traditional Advent Calendars?

There’s no denying that Christmas can be a seriously wasteful time of the year. 

UK households collectively throw out an extraordinary amount (3 million tonnes) of rubbish over the festive season, a percentage of which will be advent calendars.

In 2019, it’s estimated that as many as 16.5 million advent calendars containing single-use plastic were bought in the UK, and these numbers just keep increasing. 

The plastic makes them impossible to recycle, so they end up being sent to landfill or getting incinerated.  

So instead, opt for eco-friendly advent calendars that are reusable or made of 100% compostable and easily recyclable materials (like uncoated cardboard).

Our Considerations for Choosing Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars

Materials:

We prioritised advent calendars using eco-friendly materials—recyclable paper, sustainably sourced wood, and minimal plastic—to align with sustainability goals.

Better yet, we sought these materials put together in reusable packages. Advent calendars that are reusable help reduce your holiday waste year after year.

Ingredients:

Calendars featuring ethically sourced, Fair Trade, natural, and organic ingredients took precedence, ensuring a mindful and planet-friendly countdown.

Certifications:

Soil Association, B Corporation (B Corp), Fairtrade, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),  KLBD Kosher, Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA), Slave Free Chocolate

Carbon:

Our choices emphasised brands making carbon commitments, employing eco-friendly manufacturing and transportation practices, contributing to a lower overall carbon footprint.

Sourcing & Supply Chain:

We favoured calendars with ethically sourced materials, from chocolates to small gifts, ensuring a positive impact on local communities and ecosystems.

Thoughtful Packaging:

Advent calendars with minimal, recyclable, or reusable packaging ranked higher, promoting sustainability and reducing unnecessary waste.

Pay It Forward:

We celebrated brands incorporating charitable giving, community support, or sustainable development initiatives, ensuring the advent season spread joy and positive impact.

Closing Thoughts On The Best Eco-Friendly Advent Calendars

As we wrap up our journey through the enchanting world of better, more sustainable advent calendars, let the spirit of more conscious festivities linger in your heart.

Choosing a green countdown isn’t just about marking the days; it’s a commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future.

With each recycled door and reusable treasure, we’ve celebrated not just the festive season, but also a small victory for our planet. 

So, as you embark on your own eco-conscious countdown, may the joy of giving and the gift of sustainability continue to shine brightly in your celebrations.

Go even further with your low impact Christmas this year with help from our sustainability focused guides: eco-friendly Christmas gifts, reusable gifts,  eco-firendly crackersDIY wreathseco Christmas decorations, DIY decorations and popcorn garlands. And perhaps you’d like to add a sustainable Christmas tree to your shopping list too!

We also encourage you to spread some ethical Christmas cheer by sharing this article.