On Teachers’ Day, choose from these eco-friendly ideas to express your appreciation

Former Indian President and aerospace scientist Dr A P J Abdul Kalam said memorably, “I believe there is no other profession in the world that is more important to society than that of a teacher,” to underline the value of educators. This year on Teachers’ Day (September 5), why not celebrate your mentors with gifts that express appreciation and respect not just for them but also for the planet? Those who nurture you to reach your full potential deserve a gift that can nurture the environment as well.

Here is a curated list of eco-friendly gifts for your favourite teacher:

Bamboo pens

The gift of a bamboo pen set to your teacher will not only reduce plastic waste but also serve as a unique and stylish writing tool. Unlike ballpoint pens, most bamboo pens are easily refillable, are biodegradable and have minimal environmental footprint. Combining aesthetics with eco-sensitivity, bamboo pens can also be paired with plantable seed paper stationery. Brown paper seed pens are also easily available online.

A green dedication via a tree

How about dedicating a tree to honour your teacher? Platforms like Grow-Trees.com now offer you the opportunity to gift a tree with just a few clicks. You can also support various projects that nurture biodiversity through this initiative. Grow-Trees will send a special eTreeCertificate®️ to the teacher you are honouring, letting them know about your thoughtful gesture. There are also options for dedicating trees to multiple mentors with personalised messages to them. Such thoughtful gifts will support carbon sequestration, augment green cover and serve as an evergreen tribute to the educators who nurture our minds.

Plantable Greeting Cards

Plantable greeting cards signify not just heartfelt respect but also connote environmental consciousness. Crafted from seed-embedded paper, these cards blossom into plants when planted in soil. As the seeds grow, the paper composts away. You could also create a gift hamper of bookmarks and diaries made from handmade paper, soy candles, seed packets, and a bunch of seasonal flowers.

Potted greens

A colourful succulent, a lucky bamboo tied with a pretty ribbon, a fast-growing money plant, a terrarium or indoor options including Spider Plant, Syngonium Pink Plant, Aralia Green Plant, Lucky Jade Plant, or Wandering Jew Plant can bring instant green cheer to your teacher’s office or study at home. As the plants thrive and grow, they will also act as a daily reminder of your appreciation for your teacher and nature’s abundance.