Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials
Packing light is one of the best ways to promote sustainable travel. Not only can it save on luggage weight but it can also cut fuel usage during air travel – saving both resources and money in the process.
Opt for fabrics that are breathable and adaptable to different weather conditions. Reduce waste by carrying around reusable water bottles and coffee cups instead of single-use plastic items.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are essential travel accessories for keeping your suitcase and backpack organized, providing easy access to items without searching through everything in the suitcase or pack. Their zippered pouches allow you to sort items by category or by item type – making it simple to find your favorite shirt without searching all through it all! Additionally, these convenient organizers help maximize space efficiency by fitting as much clothing into each bag as possible.
Packing cubes come in various styles and designs, but it’s essential that you find one that best meets your individual needs. Take into account what kind of trip it is as well as any accessories or special pieces you plan on bringing with you when selecting a cube – some options have compression technology for fitting extra clothes and toiletries in while others feature waterproof materials or ventilation features for improved ventilation.
Peak Design offers lightweight packing cubes to meet your travel needs, made from nylon and poly with two-way zippers and tear-away zippers for fast access and dividers to help distinguish clean from dirty clothes.
SteamLine makes durable and eco-friendly packing cubes that make great companions on short trips – they’re made from recycled bottles and machine washable – which make for added convenience and make packing for shorter trips much simpler. Commerce producer Paris Wilson especially likes these for carry-on or duffel bag travel.
If you’re on a tight budget, Amazon’s lightweight packing cubes may be just what you need to maximize space within your luggage while remaining affordable and compressive enough for more packing in each bag. Plus, their easy opening/closing mechanism means less risk of your belongings spilling out during transit!
Reusable Water Bottle
One of the key eco-friendly travel products for responsible travelers is a high-quality reusable water bottle. From sipping steamy cappuccinos in cozy cafes to refreshing fruit smoothies on beaches or quenching your thirst with pure mountain stream water during outdoor adventures, these handy travel accessories make combatting plastic pollution and staying hydrated throughout your journey easier than ever!
Reusable drinkware isn’t just good for the environment — it also helps you track and monitor your water consumption. Plus, the best water bottles for travel are designed with portability in mind so they’ll fit easily in your bag or attach to a gym bag, bike cage or backpack.
No matter your personal style and budget, there are numerous water bottles that fit both. Hydro Flask makes classic stainless steel bottles designed to keep beverages hot or cold for hours at a time; Klean Kanteen provides stylish cups and tumblers perfect for coffee on-the-go needs.
Many reusable water bottles come equipped with detachable straws for your convenience, or you could pack a set of bamboo, pasta (yes!) or stainless steel straws so that when out and about they won’t need to rely on single-use plastic ones as often.
If you enjoy travel writing or sketching on the go, be sure to pack an eco-friendly notebook. Look for paper that is either 100% recycled or certified B Corp; such as Agood Company’s climate positive stone paper notebook for example. Not only are eco-friendly travel journals great for supporting local communities and sustainable tourism in developing nations but they can also contribute to ecotourism initiatives in these places.
Reusable Shopping Bags
As an essential eco-friendly travel essential, an eco-friendly shopping bag is an absolute necessity when making purchases or visiting markets. Instead of opting for disposable plastic bags that pollute our environment, choose instead a stylish yet durable cloth or canvas bag to store all your purchases fresh and secure – many eco-friendly bags feature an inner liner to help separate and store produce more effectively, which reduces overall food waste.
Avoid unnecessary plastic waste by packing two durable stainless steel food tins or Tupperware to help cut back on wasteful plastic use. By keeping them handy at restaurants and markets, these containers can save styrofoam containers while containing food waste – plus they make perfect space-saving solutions to store leftovers that would otherwise go to waste!
Zero waste travelers should always pack a durable and waterproof reusable water bottle as an essential piece of gear. Plastic water bottles take centuries to decompose and place strain on our planet’s resources and marine life; while durable stainless steel or silicone water bottles provide a more eco-friendly option that can last throughout your travels.
While purchasing new products may seem necessary, it’s essential that we consider their impact on the environment when making this purchase. When shopping for travel-sized toiletries, prefer liquid soaps or shampoos sold in bar form instead of the typical plastic bottles as this reduces packaging while local markets provide ample opportunities for sustainable purchases!
Eco-Friendly Toiletries
Eco friendly toiletries make reducing plastic consumption easy in the bathroom, and travel-sized solid body washes such as Lush’s organic soap bars are an ideal way to do just that. Their waste-free packaging and lightweight design makes them great options for minimalist travelers looking to reduce plastic usage.
As with other personal care items made of plastic, toothbrushes, deodorant, and other personal care items that typically come packaged in plastic. Instead, switch to using bamboo toothbrushes which are biodegradable; zero-waste deodorants use natural clay bases that absorb moisture without chemicals; or you could reduce waste even further by purchasing water resistant, reusable travel bags for transporting products between home, airports, and destinations.
Reusable hairbrushes crafted from recycled materials make an easy replacement for plastic-filled brushes, while eco-friendly travel pillows with nontoxic filling and an outer cover made from recycled textiles or FSC-certified paper are also great eco options. We love the Avocado Organic Mini Pillow which contains organic filling made of kapok, latex, cotton GOTS-certified organic materials – an easy alternative.
Sustainable travel kits must include portable water filters to avoid drinking disgusting tap water while away. One popular portable filter from Epic Water Filters is its travel-sized in-bottle straw compatible with both Hydro Flask and Nalgene water bottles; its in-bottle straw filters out up to 90% of lead, cadmium and other contaminants from your bottle, keeping it safe to drink from during your next adventure. Alternatively, Scrubba also provides collapsible filter kits which include wash bags with straws so you can directly drink from streams or rivers without adding weight to your luggage – ideal!
Travel Accessories
Packing for travel requires some essential items. A carryon bag that accommodates your clothes and electronics, a suitcase with wheels, toiletries in small enough bags to pass security checkpoints are all musts; but eco-friendly travel accessories also help make trips more enjoyable by staying organized, saving space and providing peace of mind on journeys.
Some travel accessories are tailored specifically for specific trips, like hiking and camping; others can help make any adventure better, such as using a compression sack to save space in your pack when packing your sleeping bag or keeping you hydrated without creating unnecessary plastic waste with single-use bottles.
As another essential travel accessory, be sure to pack a sewing kit. A sewing kit can help repair clothes or gear if they become damaged; while a clothspin makes drying items quick and easy. Or consider investing in portable washing machines like Scrubba Wash Bag for easier clothing maintenance while traveling.
Other travel accessories, like travel pillows and noise cancelling headphones, can make long bus rides and flights more comfortable. A solar-powered charger provides an eco-friendly travel accessory to charge phones and devices while bamboo utensil sets from To-Go Ware reduce carbon footprint while offering sturdy alternatives to disposable plastic utensils.