Eco-friendly travel is more popular now than ever before. In fact, it’s one of the top travel trends for 2019.
Why? Because travelers are becoming more conscious about minimising their environmental footprint.
The increasing popularity and accessibility of travel is great for anyone who loves to explore new places (which is basically everyone, right?!). But it also means that there is a greater impact on the planet.
There’s a ton of ways to make your travel eco-friendly, from doing sustainable activities like riding a bike or walking everywhere, to taking the train instead of a plane.
You can even stay ateco-friendly resorts that eliminate plastic and have their own sustainable gardens, among other things.
All these eco-friendly options will have you and the planet feeling pretty good. But did you know that you can take your eco-friendly travel up a notch by packing and using sustainable products?
That’s right, often the things you throw into your suitcase aren’t so great for the environment. Luckily, there’s a ton of great sustainable travel products out there that will have you and the environment covered while you travel.
Keep reading to find out 15 eco-friendly travel products that you need to try on your next trip!
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Personal Items
1. Bamboo Toothbrush
Dentists generally recommend changing your toothbrush every 3 – 4 months. So that’s a lot of plastic ending up in landfills!
Of course you have to brush your teeth (twice daily, as recommended by your dentist!). Instead of using a plastic toothbrush, opt for an eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush. You’ll minimise your carbon footprint with this one.
For bonus points, you could get a bamboo toothbrush with organically grown bristles. They don’t last as long as standard nylon bristles but are fully biodegradable.
2. Mineral sunscreen
Did you know that regular sunscreen contains oxybenzone which is 100% toxic to coral reefs and marine animals?!
While protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays is super important, it’s even better if you can protect yourself and the planet at the same time.
Fortunately, natural mineral sunscreens can offer you the best of both worlds.
An eco-friendly mineral sunscreen, like Sunology sunscreen, protects and nourishes your skin with all of it’s natural ingredients and won’t release nasty toxins into water, which keeps coral reefs and marine animals happy and healthy too!
3. Menstrual Cup
For all you traveling ladies out there! We all know that traditional sanitary items like pads and tampons are no good for the environment. Plus, they’re a pain to carry around when you’re traveling and have limited space in your suitcase.
But, you need something on hand when Aunty Flo pays a visit, right! Enter: the Menstrual Cup. An eco-friendly way to keep yourself protected during that time of the month.
Menstrual cups are a little pricey at around $30 USD for one. But, you’re guaranteed bang for your buck with these. They last around 10 years, only require a bit of soap and hot water to clean and will dramatically decrease landfill pollution. Now that’s a win!
4. Body Bars
Gone are the days where you use your shampoo, conditioner, body wash and moisturiser out of plastic tubes. Body bars an eco-friendly way to stay fresh and clean, and keep the environment fresh and clean too!
In fact, places like Lush Cosmetics tick all of the boxes when it comes to eco-friendly travel toiletries as:
- they sell body bars with reusable tins for easy transportation,
- they don’t test on animals,
- their products are all natural (aka, good for you), and
- their products are 100% vegetarian.
They also sell great travel products for your teeth, to pair up with your eco-friendly toothbrush, like toothpaste powder and mouthwash tablets, and a ton of great cosmetics too if that’s your jam.
5. Natural Deodorant
Just like sunscreen, a lot of deodorants contain chemicals like aluminium that are harmful to the environment (and potentially to you too).
Natural deodorants are a great alternative, but, you really have to test them out to find the right one for you.
You’ve probably heard/read some horror stories about people switching over to natural deodorant. You know, where they get a bit stinky for a few weeks as their body adjusts to chemical free deodorant.
But, once your body adjusts you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing you don’t smell, and the environment is happy thanks to your eco-friendly natural deodorant.
6. DEET Free Insect Repellant
Every traveler knows that insect repellant is a must have when you’re out traveling. But the key ingredient in most insect repellents, DEET, is harmful to wildlife.
Fortunately natural, eco-friendly insect repellents are readily available.
Usually full of essential oils like tea tree, citronella, lemongrass and eucalyptus, DEET free insect repellent will keep insects away without harming the environment.
Food and Drink Items
7. Reusable Drinking Straws
So straws aren’t necessarily for everyone, but for those who can’t live without them, reusable drinking straws are the way to go!
Did you know that around 500 million straws are used daily in the United States? That’s a lot of unnecessary plastic heading to landfills.
Cutting out plastic straws by using reusable straws is an easy fix to this problem. Plus they’re not too heavy so are easy enough to carry around when traveling.
These reusable straws by Buluh are made from bamboo, which means that they are fully biodegradeable if you dispose of them at some stage.
8. Travel Coffee Mug
Everyone needs their morning cup of coffee (or two!). But often when we’re traveling, it’s more convenient to grab a cup of coffee to go.
Takeaway coffee cups are often not recyclable as they contain a plastic lining to make them waterproof.
Luckily an eco-friendly solution exists! Travel coffee mugs will allow you to enjoy your morning coffee with a smile on your face knowing you are doing your bit for the planet.
9. Drink Bottle
Keeping your fluids up when traveling is super important. But staying hydrated by buying endless plastic bottles of water is obviously bad for the environment.
The LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottles are perfect for travel as they can easily attach to your bag and they contain a filter that removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites without chemicals, iodine or batteries.
Perfect for keeping you hydrated no matter where in the world you are, while also reducing plastic waste.
10. Reusable Snack Bags
If you’ve got a long day of travel ahead of you, be sure to pack your own snacks.
Buying snacks on the go is generally not eco-friendly because of the excess (and often non-recyclable) packaging.
Instead, travel with some reusable snack bags so you can avoid getting hangry and reduce your use of excess packaging.
Accessories
11. Solar Power Banks
Charging your phone is a necessity even when you’re not traveling, right?
A good quality power bank is a great accessory to have on hand, especially when you’re traveling.
A solar powered power bank is a good, eco-friendly way to keep your devices charged so you can use them on the go!
12. Reuseable Tote Bags
It’s time to say goodbye to single use plastic bags! A good quality tote bag is easy enough to carry in your day bag for if (or when) you buy things while you’re out and about.
Plus, with so many tote bag choices out there, you can turn your tote bag into a bit of a fashion statement.
13. Eco-Friendly Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a game changer! They organize your luggage and keep it organized while you’re traveling, and they save you heaps of space.
It sounds like it couldn’t get any better, but it can! Eco-friendly packing cubes, made from recycled materials will save you space in your bag and save the planet at the same time.
14. Solar Powered Portable Speaker
That’s right, eco-friendly speakers exist so you can listen to you favourite tunes no matter where in the world you are!
This portable solar powered bamboo speaker and phone charger by Reveal ticks all the boxes.
With a 15 hour battery life, you’ll be able to keep your phone going and listen to music all night long!
Reveal also plant a tree for every product sold so you’re basically doubling your contribution to the planet.
15. Eco-Friendly Laptop Case
Traveling with a laptop is pretty standard business, especially if you are working while traveling.
Why not keep your laptop protected with an eco-friendly laptop case?
These laptop cases by Caseza are made from 100% recucled PET bottles to save resources and reduce plastic waste. The fact that you can pick a from three different (and cool) colours, well that’s just an added bonus!
Which of these awesome eco-friendly travel products have you used? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to share this post so we can spead the eco-friendly love!
16. Re-Usable Produce Bags
It’s great that you’re using re-usable grocery shopping bags, but don’t forget about all of those little plastic bags you use for produce! They can really add up! Avoid them by bringing re-usable produce bags, that are a double-win, because you can also easily wash the produce in them!
17. Solar Powered Lights
Going camping? Or even just want a cool eco-friendly accessory for photos? Grab some solar powered bulb lights! You’ll never need to waste batteries or electricity for lights again!
18. Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
For my fellow travelers who bring their doggos with them, you will understand how frustrating it is to use multiple plastic bags per day to pick up your dog’s waste. The solution is using biodegradable bags! Also, fun fact, in some cases, this all can be used for compost/fertilizer!
19. Recycled Ocean Plastic Razor
Using a re-usable razor is essential, since disposable razors waste TONS of plastic. But what if that re-usable razor could also be made from ocean plastic? This one is! So you can feel good about looking great!
20. Portable Washing Machine
Save water, electricity, and money by hand washing your clothing with this portable “washing machine”! I’ve actually used a Scrubba for years and can attest that it’s far more eco-friendly than using a laundromat or laundry service! You can also use any fresh outdoor water source! Be sure to always use eco-friendly soap with it, especially if you’re pouring the dirty water out in nature!
I have recently started using the beeswax wraps on my road trips. And I genuinely feel so proud.
Happy to report I use most of these, excluding the poop bags and lights :)) I can’t believe I never heard of the wash bag – what a cool travel gadget!
Great picks! Thank you!