Traveling the world and learning about other countries and cultures is a great opportunity.
However, exceeding your normal pedaling rates can present a few sustainability issues.
While things like flights and hotels are often out of your control, there are plenty of ways to reduce the environmental footprint of your adventures.
A great place to start is with the products you pack.
Enter: eco-friendly travel products to help you travel light on your next trip.
So leave your environmental concerns at home and pack wisely for your next zero-waste trip.
From coffee mugs for conscious caffeine consumption to eco-friendly toiletries to help you freshen up without polluting the planet, there’s a whole range of planet-friendly products.
(County) jump down to the bottom of the article to find out how we packed our bags with eco-friendly travel gear for a greener adventure.
Everything we recommend to you at Sustainable Jungle is independently researched and we ask all brands to back up their claims. To avoid waste, we test products as needed. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here.
1. Durable backpacks
A quality, durable and sustainable backpack is the perfect travel companion and perhaps the most important of all sustainable travel essentials.
Whether you’re using it as a carry-on, a personal item or a daypack, choose wisely and it’ll be one of those eco-friendly travel products you’ll use forever.
Solgaard’s Lifepack has it in a recycled plastic bag. It’s made from upcycled ocean-bound plastic and has a built-in solar panel, an anti-theft lock, and plenty of organization. Add a power bank and solar-powered Bluetooth speaker for a next-level backpacking experience.
Meanwhile, if you’re traveling the galaxy, Patagonia’s Black Hole line of Fair Trade-certified eco-friendly travel bags are made from 100% recycled materials that can withstand a lot of abuse from the airline baggage belt.
With a comfortable back, padded shoulder straps, reusable water bottle pockets, and plenty of storage options, it’s perfect for hiking through woodlands or walking through TSA Pre-Check.
2. Low impact luggage
For shorter trips, we recommend traveling light and keeping it in a carry-on backpack, bag or suitcase. However, longer journeys require checked sustainable luggage.
Eco-friendly travel bags can be expensive, but your piece(s) will last you years if well made. Look for eco-friendly materials (like recycled plastic) and try to find styles that can be repaired if needed so you can maintain them throughout your travels.
Certified Carbon Neutral, Paravel backs its stylish luggage with a five-year warranty.
Their Aviator hardshell collection is the world’s first 100% carbon neutral luggage. Made from recycled materials, the Paravel offsets all the emissions associated with its production and transport – and that includes the emissions from your first plane ride!
They also offer duffles and weekenders if you need an eco-friendly weekend bag for shorter trips.
Horizn Studios’ Circle One series is the world’s first biodegradable hard-shell suitcase. Made in Europe from BioX, a plant-based material that is lightweight and robust, these durable cases are designed to be repairable.
3. Ecological packing cubes
Well-organized luggage will not only save you digging through a mountain of clothes, but will also help you maximize the amount of space in your suitcase.
Packing cubes help with this and come in different shapes and sizes to meet different needs.
Eco-friendly materials are a key consideration, so look for eco-friendly packing cubes made from sustainable fabrics.
It’s Paravel to the rescue again with its sustainable packing cubes made from recycled bottles. They come in a variety of sizes and can even be customized with custom embroidery (useful if you’re packing for multiple people).
They also offer compression cubes to help save space in your suitcase.
Anchal is a non-profit social enterprise supporting women in India who come out of the sex trade. Their gorgeous color block toiletry bags and organizers are made from hand-embroidered GOTS certified organic cotton.
They are available in several styles and sizes and are perfect for organizing all your small items.
ANCHAL SHOP
4. Secure travel wallet and passport holder
If there’s one thing you need to protect on the road, it’s your money and your ID.
Keep your passport close with a secure passport holder and consider investing in a sustainable RFID-equipped wallet to prevent fraudsters from downloading financial information from your cards.
Materials matter, so look out for vegan leather wallets or other sustainable fabrics made with social responsibility in mind.
Every Bellroy wallet – card holders, flip wallets, zip wallets and more – is equipped with RFID protection. Certified B Corp uses a variety of environmentally friendly materials, including 100% recycled nylon or ethical leather sourced from LWG Gold certified tanneries.
Bellroy’s Travel Folio passport cases are made of eco-tanned leather and are designed not only for passports, but also for the safe storage of your other travel documents.
Ekster wallets are also equipped with RFID protection along with a solar GPS tracking system. As if that wasn’t “unlosable” enough, it magnetically attaches to your phone so you can keep all your essentials together when you’re out and about.
5. Portable solar panels
We’ve all experienced the stress of being out and about with a dead phone and no outlets to find. The last thing you want while traveling is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead cell phone or camera.
A portable solar panel can solve both of these problems. It’s an innovative, eco-friendly way to charge electronic devices on the go and is an essential part of your sustainable travel kit if you’re going off-grid.
Whether you’re in the woods or in the middle of the city, BioLite portable solar panels will keep you powered in a planet-friendly way. Climate Neutral Certified offers 5W, 10W and 100W panels with integrated sundials for proper placement.
Designed for rugged adventures, Goal Zero Portable Solar Panels are perfect for your next van or RV life. Their Boulder 200 Briefcase model is foldable without the need for roof mounting.
They also donate a percentage of their profits to humanitarian causes, making them one of the best travel gear companies out there.
6. Reusable water bottle and coffee cup
One of the easiest green switches you can make is to get rid of plastic bottles.
Using single-use plastic bottles when traveling is both environmentally and financially costly, especially if you want to prioritize eco-friendly travel gear.
Save money and the planet and BYOB for greener water bottles.
Hydroflask offers the classic option of reusable water bottles with stainless steel bottles that keep liquids hot and cold for hours. They also offer reusable coffee cups and glasses for a sustainable cup of coffee on the go.
For your reusable coffee cup and water bottle needs, Klean Kanteen offers water bottles with stainless steel straws and lids, as well as reusable cups, mugs and thermoses.
Notice how both brands rely on metal. While a reusable plastic bottle may serve you well, try choosing a plastic-free water bottle made from a stronger material, such as stainless steel, for extra durability.
Plastic bottles can slowly leach synthetic particles into your water, especially on a warm day, so if you plan to be outside then a non-plastic option is ideal.
SELL HYDRO FLASKS
7. Water purifier
While some travel destinations have all the amenities of the first world, other places may not have things we take for granted – like clean drinking water.
Unless you’re traveling to countries with the cleanest water in the world, having your own water purifier can help you avoid water-borne illnesses, especially if you’re traveling off the grid or otherwise outside the infrastructure.
Lifestraw is a popular brand for on-the-go water filtration. You’ve probably heard of their independent Lifestraw filter (from which the Climate Neutral and Certified B Corp brand gets its name), but they also offer a range of reusable water bottles with built-in filtration systems.
Say goodbye to inconsiderate tap water with the straw-in-a-bottle filtration system from Epic Water Filters. Compatible with Hydro Flask and Nalgene water bottles, they’re an easy way to keep your water clean when you’re on the go.
LIFESTRAW SHOP
8. Food storage and reusable cutlery
Some useful eco-friendly travel products to have on hand are on-the-go food supplies.
Plastic-free food storage and reusable cutlery make it easy to take leftovers from the street stall back to your hotel room – without having to deal with styrofoam take-out containers, disposable plastic cutlery and plastic straws.
The best eco-friendly travel containers should be sealable, durable, and small enough to fit in your bag without adding too much weight to your pack.
Try a reusable can at home first to get used to it, but when you’re ready to hit the road, pack it with sustainable snacks.
For food storage, U Konserve offers sustainable travel containers made of non-toxic stainless steel with plastic-free silicone lids.
Made from 100% platinum silicone (read: better than food grade), the collapsible pouches are perfect for snacks, leftovers, and any stashable item you can think of. They are self-sealing, airtight and dishwasher, freezer, microwave, oven and sous vide safe.
Do you want to give up plastic cutlery and forks for more sustainability?
To-Go Ware’s Bamboo Utensil Set features a fork, knife, spoon and chopstick housed in a portable case made from recycled water bottles. Spoons, knives and forks are also available in five-packs.
Climate Neutral and Certified B Corp also offers children’s bamboo utensils for mini eco-warriors.
9. Travel toiletries
A word on personal care: keeping clean is a lot less complicated than the big companies might think it is, especially when it comes to eco-friendly travel products.
Instead of packing a bunch of different products, pare down to the essentials to reduce waste and save space in your carry-on.
You may be familiar with reusable silicone travel bottles, but an even more sustainable option is to eliminate liquids altogether and opt for solid products with plastic-free packaging. Solid bars also have the bonus of being TSA friendly.
Here’s our essential list of the best travel-ready eco-friendly toiletries:
A solid bar of soap
A quality soap that is gentle on the skin is an essential travel item. EcoRoots offers zero-waste organic body soap that is handcrafted in small batches. Put it in a reusable can to keep you feeling fresh no matter where your travels take you.
Shampoo and conditioner bars
Suds & Co’s vegan and waste-free shampoos and conditioners are made with natural ingredients and come in a variety of scents. Each bar replaces 2-3 plastic bottles, making them an essential part of your sustainable travel kit.
10. Toothpaste tablets
Traveling with liquid toothpaste can be tricky. Toothpaste tablets are a less messy and more sustainable plastic-free teeth cleaning option.
Try Huppy’s 100% plastic-free vegan teeth cleaning tablets – and don’t forget to pack a sustainable bamboo toothbrush!
Solid moisturizing cream
A good moisturizer can have multiple uses. Simple emollients like shea butter or jojoba oil can be used as face moisturizer, body lotion, hair conditioner and lip balm.
Alternatively, Ethique solid face creams come in a plastic-free, compostable tube, ideal for zero-waste travel.
Sunscreen
Getting sunburned is a great way to ruin a vacation, so sunscreen is a must.
A zero-waste sunscreen or reef-safe biodegradable sunscreen is best, and even better if it has natural ingredients and biodegradable packaging. Check out ATTITUDE Sunscreen SPF 30 with a plastic-free compostable tube and EWG Skin Deep Verified ingredients.
Solid deodorant.
Some travel destinations can make it easy to get outdoors, but if that’s not your jam, then you’ll want some deodorant (not an antiperspirant that clogs your pores).
Ethique Zero Waste Solid Deodorants come in a compostable tube and are made from sustainable natural ingredients. They are also vegan, cruelty free and palm oil free.
Periodic care
If you’re a person with periods, then travel-friendly period care is essential for a hassle-free trip.
The menstrual cup is ideal for travel; they are reusable, easy to clean and won’t take up space in your luggage.
The Saalt menstrual cup is made of medical-grade silicone, while the HEVEA biodegradable natural rubber menstrual cup has a loop on the stem for easy use.
Sustainable period underwear is another low-waste option (though you’ll probably want a way to wash them soon after wearing them). Modibodi offers a choice of styles, including sizes, and a 60-day risk-free trial to get you started.
SELL SUDS & CO.
Travel towel
Most hotels provide towels, but if you’re staying in a hostel, traveling in the forest, or planning to hit the beach, you’ll need to bring your own.
The best eco-friendly travel towels and sustainable beach towels are lightweight and quick-drying, so you’ll be back on the road or trail in no time. There’s nothing worse than packing a wet towel… Mini and Ultralight towels from Nomadix are designed for travel and camping. Made from 88-90% recycled polyester, they’re super light, quick-drying, and have tons of fun prints.
Also made from recycled plastic bottles, the Evolve Travel Goods eco-friendly towel is lightweight, antimicrobial and quick drying. Sand doesn’t stick to it, making it the perfect double bath and beach towel.
Evolve also donates 10% of profits to environmental charities.
NOMADIX SHOP
11. Laundry
If you’re traveling for more than a few days, you’ll probably find yourself doing laundry at some point during your trip.
Depending on how far off the beaten track you are, you may not always have access to laundromats, and while you can go to a laundromat or use your hotel’s laundromat, these aren’t always the most sustainable options, especially if you only need to wash a few items.
Doing your own laundry while traveling can make more efficient use of your travel wardrobe and can be done in the sink or bathtub if needed.
Alternatively, try the Scrubba Portable Wash Bag. It’s a collapsible bag made of TPU-coated nylon fabric with an inner wash board, so you can wash your clothes without electricity and with minimal water wherever you are.
Eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets are ideal for travel. Those from EcoRoots are plant-based, biodegradable and have a powerful cleaning power – just tear the sheet in half and wash a regular sized load.
The slim plastic-free packaging and liquid-free design make it easy to pack with your next eco-friendly travel product – without the added weight.
SHOP EKOOOTS
12. Travel diary
If you like documenting your travels or jotting down your thoughts and sketches, then an eco-friendly notebook is a travel must-have. Choose one on the smaller side so you can fill it up during your trip to create a sustainable souvenir.
Agood Company’s stone paper notebooks were the first climate positive journals to hit the market. Stone paper is produced from recycled stone by-products from the construction industry. It’s waterproof and tear-resistant, making it ideal for turbulent travel.
Every laptop purchase also helps support this Certified B Corp’s mission to provide safe, clean water to those who need it most.
Looking for something a little more eccentric?
Dingbats* makes 100% vegan notebooks with covers made of artificial leather or recycled textiles filled with FSC certified paper.
COMPANY TO SHOP
13. Travel pillows
Traveling to and from destinations can be a real headache.
Whether you’re sitting comfortably on the train or camping out at the airport waiting for your red-eye, a travel pillow is a useful accessory to have on hand,
An eco-friendly pillow should be natural, non-toxic and ideally recycled or reused at the end of its life. Plastic-free pillows are the way to go, so look for natural fillings and outer coverings.
The Avocado Organic Mini Pillow (from the same brand that makes Avocado organic mattresses) is a small, travel-sized pillow made from kapok, latex and cotton – all GOTS certified organic.
Sleep & Beyond offers the MYTRAVEL PILLOW, a U-shaped neck support pillow made from washable British wool and natural cotton. It has a zip opening so you can remove some of the wool for comfort.
What is the most sustainable form of travel?
Well, a round trip from LAX to JFK emits over 1,200 pounds of CO2 per person. Since it takes about 50 trees (two round trips from LA to NYC) to absorb 1 ton of CO2, air travel can quickly take its toll on the environment.
Traveling by car and train usually results in a significantly lower carbon output per passenger. But there are still environmental factors to consider, including the use of fossil fuels and the waste associated with longer travel times (think of how much fast food you eat on a cross-country road trip).
In short, there is no single solution to green travel. Sometimes you can only get to certain destinations by air, and if you’re traveling for work or with family, you don’t always have control over all your travel options.
So what are the sustainable travel options you have control over?
You can support the local economy by buying from small, independent businesses and contribute to a regenerative travel model. And you can support the local environment by consuming more carefully so you don’t contribute to unnecessary waste.
If you book your trip through a travel agent, consider visiting one of the growing number of ecotourism companies.
You can also consider purchasing carbon offsets from an organization like Terrapass to offset the equivalent carbon output of your trip.
And of course you can choose eco-friendly travel products to take with you to minimize waste from the start.
How we found the best green travel products
What is an example of a sustainable travel product?
Sustainable travel products can have many different attributes. They can be made from conscious materials (read: plastic-free), can be a tool to help you conserve resources, and can help you be more efficient so you waste less and tread lightly.
If you’re taking a product with you, you want it to last you throughout your trip, and ideally, you want eco-friendly travel products that you’ll use forever.
We’ve prioritized lightweight, packable, long-lasting products so you can get the most out of them. Bonus points if the product can be repaired and its life extended.
Fortunately, eco-friendly travel products like liquid and plastic-free toiletries and reusable bottles tend to travel well.
When choosing which eco-friendly travel products to buy, it’s also important to consider the brand’s business ethics and what steps the company is taking to reduce its environmental footprint.
When choosing eco-friendly travel products for the pro-planet suitcase, we considered the following criteria.
Materials:
Sustainable materials and non-toxic ingredients are a key factor in making an environmentally friendly purchase decision. Look for products made from responsibly sourced renewable materials that will safely and quickly biodegrade once the product has reached the end of its useful life.
Recycled materials are also a good choice, especially if they are made from post-consumer waste. It’s surprising how many things you can make from recycled plastic bottles!
Certification: Environmental Working Group (EWG), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Leather Working Group (LWG)
Supply Chain and Workflows:
At the brand level, we looked for companies with transparent supply chains and ethical working practices. You should know where your product was made and who made it, and the best eco-friendly travel brands will tell you.
Certification: B Corporation (B Corp), fair trade, Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)
Carbon commitments and green practices:
While eco-friendly travel products can reduce your carbon footprint as a consumer, we’ve been looking for companies that are taking real steps to reduce their carbon footprint, and it’s encouraging to see a growing number of Climate Neutral certified brands.
Many sustainable brands are now purchasing carbon offsets and working to reduce their emissions throughout their supply chains.
Community and Charitable Donations:
You can feel extra good about your travels knowing that your eco-friendly travel products are helping to make the world a better place. Brands can give back in many ways, such as employee volunteering, raising awareness, and donating products and funds to worthy causes.
Final thoughts on eco-friendly travel products
Whether you’re heading to Central America or Western Europe, backpacking or exploring a new city, eco-friendly travel products are a great way to be environmentally friendly while saving money and space on your trip.
We should at least be kind to her while adventuring around the planet. Check out our sustainable travel tips for more ways to stay green when you’re on the go.
