There’s a lot more that goes into a packing list than the clothes, and sometimes it can be tough to figure out what to bring to round out your suitcase. From packing supplies to toiletries, it’s important to cover all of the bases – but what if you could do so with minimal environmental impact?
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Ever since we committed to travel responsibly, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about what eco-friendly travel products and travel accessories to bring along with you on trips. Get personal opinions of their overall style and quality watches, read more on this site, you will find adventurous watch styles.
Truth is, a lot of the stuff that you’re throwing into your suitcase isn’t great for the environment – whether it be full of chemicals, packaged in plastic, or energy draining. But fear not!
All of these things can be easily replaced by eco-friendly alternatives – without sacrificing utility or luxury. We’ve listed a bunch of our favourite eco-friendly travel acessories and products below that will help reduce your carbon footprint.
Eco-Friendly Toiletries
Eco-Friendly Hair Care: Ethique
With all the sun, sea and sand, having great products for your hair on the road is important and there are loads of options on the market that allow you to take care of your locks without harming the planet.
We particularly like Ethique, a New Zealand brand offering a haircare range that is vegan, sustainably sourced and uses only biodegradable ingredients and packaging.
Their eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars are not only zero-waste but also really economical. One shampoo bar is the equivalent of 3 standard-sized bottles and 1 conditioner bar, the same as 5 bottles!
Because they are made entirely from natural ingredients, they are super nourishing for your hair, skin and scalp. They also have bars suitable for all hair types. We recommend the following:
Eco-Friendly Shampoo: Ethique Damage Control Shampoo
We find Damage Control Shampoo to be an ideal shampoo for the road when your hair is under the extra stress of wind, sun, and salty air. This coconut oil, coconut cream, cocoa butter, and peppermint formulation will smooth out your locks without weighing them down, making it a perfect addition to your eco-friendly beauty products.
Eco-Friendly Conditioner Bar: Ethique Guardian Conditioner Bar
If your hair tends to dry out in the sun or get frizzy, then try the Guardian Conditioner Bar. This eco-friendly beauty bar is packed full of natural goodness like, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and vitamin B5 that gets right into the root to hydrate dry hair.
READ NEXT: Best Zero Waste Shampoo & Conditioner Bars That are Perfect For Travel
Raw Elements Organic Sunscreen
Taking care of the planet starts with taking care of yourself! This Raw Elements Sunscreen is our go-to for sun protection!
It’s not only plastic-free (conveniently packaged in a reusable tin), but it’s also free from harsh chemicals that can harm the reefs. Seriously, sunscreen pollution is a real problem!
All ingredients are organic with Zinc Oxide being the only active ingredient in the formulation. It’s completely waterproof and ideal not just for a day on the beach, but also to use on more active days while hiking or exploring new cities!
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Raw Elements also makes a great Tinted Facial Moisturizer, ideal for those looking for everyday protection in a daily moisturizer. We have found it impossible to find a natural everyday moisturizer with effective SPF protection, so this little tin has been an awesome addition to our travel accessories kit!
Eco-Friendly Deodorant
Most deodorants and antiperspirants sold in drugstores include ingredients that might be harmful to our bodies and the environment.
So we’ve been on a search to find a good eco-friendly natural deodorant alternative. It hasn’t been easy (trust me, we’ve tried a few). Most need to be reapplied frequently and many are not able to fight body odours as well as the drugstore varieties. But our recent discovery, Coconut Matter Mood Deodorant has been an amazing find: it’s natural, it’s zero-waste, and it actually works!
Coconut Matter deodorant uses all natural, organic, fair trade ingredients, but the not-so-secret ingredient in their formulation is fair trade coconut, harvested from the Solomon Islands. Coconut oil has a unique antibacterial properties which we tink is the reason for the efficacy behind this deodorant.
Unlike most other deodorants, Coconut Matter Mood Deodorant comes in fully biodegradable, plastic-free packaging, right down to the label. The company prides itself on being sustainable and using only the best ingredients and materials.
The product is handmade, vegan, and cruelty-free. Mood Deodorant comes in 4 unique scents: Oksana’s favourite – spring (lavender, geranium and lime), zen (cedarwood, bergamot, vetiver), hero (eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary) and free (unscented).
READ NEXT: 10 Best Organic Tea Brands That You Need to Know About
Eco-Friendly Bamboo Toothbrush
On average, we go through a toothbrush every six months. That’s a lot of plastic ending up in a landfill on behalf of our teeth! Switching to a toothbrush with a bamboo handle and organically grown bristles eliminates that waste completely doesn’t break the bank, and pairs great with organic toothpaste!
There are lots of different options on the market these days, but we find this 4-pack of Mother’s Vault Bamboo Toothbrushes to be the Best Value when it comes to eco-friendly travel accessories!
Natural Toothpaste
Keep your gnashers sparkling while traveling with Hello Fluoride Free and SLS Free Natural Toothpaste. There are no artificial additives, colourants, chemicals or artificial flavours. This activated charcoal fluoride-free whitening toothpaste not only keeps your pearly whites strong and gums healthy, but it is also vegan and not tested on animals.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Want to take your toothpaste game even further? Consider traveling with tooth tablets or an All Natural Tooth Powder that’s not only natural but also zero-waste!
Soap Bar
A soap bar is more environmentally-friendly than body wash in a plastic container which ends up in landfills. Soap bars are also great for travelling as they are lightweight and leakproof.
The trick is to find one which is not made using palm oil or if it does, that uses responsibly sourced palm oil. If you can also buy a local brand of bar soap with natural products, then even better!
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
If you want to buy before you go, then we recommend Yellow Bird’s All Natural Soap. It’s all-natural and handmade to ensure total control over the ingredients used. Not only is this soap bar earth-friendly, but it’s also skin-friendly! It moisturizes, detoxes, and rejuvenates skin without any harsh chemicals.
Eco-Friendly Insect Repellent
There’s no holiday buzzkill greater than that of mosquitos buzzing and biting away at you! Insect repellent is a must while camping, visiting tropical destinations, or really anywhere that advises against bug bites – but DEET can be harmful to both you and the environment!
We found Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent to be a great alternative that’s not only DEET- Free, but also Plastic-free, ideal for any eco-conscious adventure. The Balm is made with all-natural ingredients, like Olive Oil, Beeswax, Castor Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Rosemary Oil, Cedarwood Oil, and Peppermint Oil. The balm is made in the USA, contains natural ingredients, and is not tested on animals
We also love their Big Relief Soothing Balm, designed to soothe and calm the itch from mosquito and flying insect bites. Both of them make for ideal sustainable travel products, so you can get one of each without worrying.
Eco-Friendly Menstrual Cup
LADIES! If you’ve traveled while on your period, you know how much of a hassle it can be to tote around a bunch of pads/tampons – they take up an incredible amount of space and you live in constant stress of running out! As it turns out, feminine hygiene products are NOT all the same around the world, so you won’t be able to easily replace your favourite brand while on the road.
Menstrual cups are not a new invention, but they’re becoming increasingly popular because of their environmental benefits. Oksana recommends the Diva Cup.
Diva Cup
One menstrual cup can last up to TEN years, only requires hot water and soap to clean, and help to dramatically decrease sea/landfill pollution. The price might be a little intimidating at first – coming in at just over $30USD – but within a few months the purchase pays itself off! And further, your switch alone will reduce the number of sanitary products found in the ocean and on beaches by over 10,000!
Eco-Friendly Travel Accessories
Eco-Friendly Wash Bag
Nothing beats clean clothes while on the road. But a lot of times, hotel laundry isn’t very cheap, and laundromats aren’t easy to find. That’s why we love the Scrubba Wash Bag! It’s a compact, water-tight bag with a flexible internal washboard.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
You can throw your clothes in, add water and detergent (we recommend an eco-friendly one like this!), and start rubbing! Your clothes get machine-clean, without the machine. They also sell supplies for drying your clothes on their website, but if you don’t want to purchase that make sure you have a clothesline of your own.
Reusable Cutlery
Even if you aren’t camping, we recommend popping a few pieces of reusable cutlery into your bags, as they make great eco-friendly travel accessories. We swear by this Bamboo Cutlery Travel Set!
If you’re ordering takeaway – or sitting in at a restaurant that only offers plastic forks and spoons – you can whip these out and eliminate potential waste! These are also incredibly handy to use on flights when eliminating the use of plastic cutlery can be extra difficult.
The reusable utensils come with their own carry case making them super portable and easy to slip into your backpack for the day. BONUS: The set also comes with a reusable drinking straw that we carry around with us no matter where we go!
Reusable Snack Bags
If you’re gearing up for a long travel day, headed to the beach, or preparing a picnic, skip the zip lock bags and opt for something a little more responsible! Bumkins sandwich bags are made from reusable easy-wipe and waterproof fabric.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Resusable Water Bottle
This is one of our top eco-friendly travel accessories and a trusted favourite of ours! We’ve been using Hydro Flasks ourselves for years and we LOVE them. These reusable stainless steel bottles are responsibly manufactured and expertly designed to keep your drinks cold for 24 hours or hot for 12.
Hydro Flasks come in a range of different sizes, colours and styles – and even have food containers!
Eco-Friendly Belt
Whether you are going for a hike or out for the night, having a belt while on the road is a must! Jelt Belts are stylish, functional, come in a variety of colours and the best part is that they are made from recycled plastic bottles, so they’re perfect eco-friendly travel accessories.
If that isn’t great enough, Jelt Belts are manufactured by women in rural Montana and by the Women’s Prison in Billings through the Montana Correctional Enterprise Program. On top of all that, Jelt donates a portion of every purchase to veterans, kids, and the environment.
The perfect belt in your travel accessories, Jelt is lightweight, made of stretchy elastic and is metal-free. So going through airport security will be a breeze! There are styles for men, women, and kids including the JeltX Adjustable Elastic Belt which is a one size fit all belt, expanding up to 50 inches, perfect for heavy pants or adventure activities.
Use the code TRAVELJELT at checkout to save 15% on your Jelt Belt order!
Portable Water Purifier
If you’re traveling to a country where the water isn’t recommended for drinking, skip the plastic bottles and treat it yourself!
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
We recommend the SteriPen Ultra. It destroys over 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and is perfect for any sustainable travel kit, especially for long hikes and camping trips. Its long-life battery gives up to 50 treatments per charge.
Solar Power Banks
A good quality power bank is one of the most awesome travel accessories to have on any trip! Nowadays, they come in all shapes, sizes, Wh output capabilities, and prices. You can even find solar-powered options – they just require a few hours of daylight to power your devices for several charges.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
We recommend the Hiluckey Solar Charger. It’s compatible with almost every electronic device, from iOS, Android, tablets, cameras, and more, making it a must for any sustainable travel kit.
Eco-Friendly Packing
Eco-Friendly Bag
The GOT Bag is one of the coolest day bags on the market, a perfect travel accessory for a day on the beach or in the city.
The GOT Bag is an ultimate eco-friendly travel accessory because it’s made from recycled ocean plastic collected by fishermen dedicated to cleaning up our oceans. Each bag uses 3.5kg (7.7 pounds) of plastic to manufacture.
The bag is 100% waterproof and has a capacity of 23 litres. It’s an ideal waterproof bag for those awesome summer days on the beach, but it’s also a great and comfortable bag to carry around the city. GOT Bag has removable neoprene compartments that fit a 15-inch laptop and an iPad. The roll-up top and compression straps make the bag expandable in size. Also, it’s easy to adjust to whatever adventure lies ahead!
Eco-friendly Packing Cubes
Florious Packing Cubes are a real game changer! They not only organize your luggage – and keep it organized for the duration of your trip, they also save a bunch of space in your bag.
Florious offers durable, long-lasting packing cubes made from recycled plastic bottles. An awesome bonus!
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Eco-Friendly Toiletry Bag
Consider this an extension to your packing cubes. Keeping your toiletries organized in an absolute must, but doing it with an eco-friendly toiletry bag is even better.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Travel Containers
This one’s a no-brainer. Most people are already using TSA-approved containers so that they can bring their favourite products on planes. But not all of our options are responsible! Gotoobs are a great leak-proof option for sustainable travel products.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Tech / Recreation
Solar-Powered Speaker
You heard us right: there are eco-friendly portable speakers on the market! Our recommendation, the Reveal Solar Speaker is solar-powered, lasts 8 hours, is Bluetooth capable, AND doubles as a USB charger for your devices. Portable speakers are a great touch for any travel situation!
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Tree Free Organic Journals
It’s always handy to have something to write in on a trip. Whether it be for a grocery list, getting some work done, or an old-fashioned travel diary. Tree free paper allows you to keep writing without the environmental impact – and they’re extremely affordable! It’s a must for any sustainable travel kit.
Recycled Plastic Pens
Now that you’ve found something awesome and eco-friendly to write in, you need something awesome and eco-friendly to write with! There are a bunch of options for pens that are made of recycled material – but these are our picks for eco-friendly travel products.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Eco-friendly Laptop Case
It’s always important to protect your tech! There are so many options out there. We’ve seen them for sale at almost every single market we’ve visited around the world! But, if you want to pick one up before your jet off, then we can recommend the Eco-friendly Cork Sleeve.
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Photo courtesy of Amazon
Hi! Thank you for sharing this list –super helpful! There’s a few I want to add too that I’ve discovered over the years. Looptworks is a small upcycling company that makes lifetime guarantee bags and travel accessories made from materials that were destined to end up in a landfill. I also just started buying from Brush with Bamboo and from the Package Free Shop.
But my main reason for this comment is to ask if you know of any eco friendly travel pillows. I have looked online so much and still haven’t found anything good. Do you have any leads in that area?
Thanks!
Have not been able to find any eco-friendly travel pillows, but the one we use and recommend is DUO Pillow, best pillow we have used in our travels. YOu can buy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KKSIM5
I agree that taking eco-friendly material with you when traveling is being responsible for the environment. My husband and I are very keen on that. We do patronize reusable items. thanks for discussing the items that can be bought with an eco-friendly alternative like cosmetic bags, reusable drinking straws, etc. My husband is looking for an eco-friendly bag. I hope we find one soon before our next mountain adventure.
We just got a really cool bag that we will be trying that might suit your needs. It’s called a GOT Bag and it’s made from ocean plastic. We’ll be doing a review of it soon, so stay tuned for more!
I think you should remove from your list anything that is made of non recycled plastic – otherwise it does not qualify as eco friendly and we should find another alternative
Reusable travel items are more in these days, they make our life easy and keep our nature clean. thanks for sharing this detailed article. loved the way you have nicely explained it.