As travellers, we have the incredible opportunity to explore the world, immersing ourselves in new cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences. However, it’s crucial to remember that our adventures should not come at the expense of the environment. With the increasing awareness of our planet’s fragility, eco-friendly travel and eco-friendly travel products have become a paramount aspect of responsible tourism.
In this blog post I’m diving headfirst into the world of eco-friendly travel products. These innovative and sustainable companions are here to make your journey greener, to reduce waste, and to keep our beautiful destinations intact.
I know what you might think though:
“But I don’t have space in my luggage to pack all those things”. Or…
“I don’t have extra budget to spend on some eco-friendly travel products. They must be expensive”. Or..
“Ehh…I probably won’t use them anyway, so what’s the point”.
Or all of above!
Firstly, if you love travelling and you want to continue doing it, you should be using them. With the excessive use of single-use plastics used in many popular travel destinations every plastic straw that you don’t use and every plastic bottle that you won’t drink from counts! Even if it might not seem that way. And who knows, maybe your awesome water bottle will inspire someone to get a similar one. Even more plastic will be spared then.
Secondly, the eco-friendly travel products I list here are easy peasy swaps of your every day products just in an eco-friendly way. I personally carry them with me to every destination whilst full time travelling. They don’t take much space, they’re small, light and easy to pack. And they definitely won’t break your budget.
So, gear up and get ready to explore 13 simple eco-friendly travel products!
One more thing, the links listed below are just here to present you the product I’m writing about. You’re of course welcome to use them for your purchase (the post contains affiliate links). But I really encourage you to shop locally.
1. Reusable water bottle with filter
If I had to name one thing that helped me save the most plastic during my travels, this would have to be it! Water bottle with filter! Not having to buy a plastic bottled drink every time you’re thirsty reduces a lot of waste! Think of those millions of plastic bottles being brought across the world every minute and how amazing you’d feel if you could save at least a few. And with this particular bottle you don’t have to worry about getting a belly bug. It filters 99% of waterborne bacteria and parasites and has 1000 litre lifespan. It travels with me everywhere and in my humble opinion it’s an absolute must when going on a trip.
2. Life straw
If you’re more of an outdoorsy traveller, you can opt for a Life Straw. It’s a portable water filter that allows you to drink water from various sources without worrying about contaminants. It utilizes advanced technology to remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water, making it safe for consumption. The company gives 99,99999% guarantee of protection from Salmonella and E.coli and claims that the membrane microfilter will last up to 4,000 litres of water – that’s enough drinking for one person for over 5 years!
3. Tote bag
That’s the next – after water bottle with filter – item that I’m using the most while travelling. Well, I bet…I hope you’re using it all the time too. There’s no point writing anything scientific about a tote bag. A tote bag is a tote bag and you know what it does – it helps saving the environment from a million plastic bags that end up in the trash every minute. But I can give you a little tip: when shopping in the markets, for example in South East Asian countries, be super quick with saying: NO PLASTIC BAG! Market sellers are so quick at packing your fruit and veg into plastic bags. They do it automatically. So you have to be even quicker and basically thrust your tote bag in their faces. The same relates to stores.
4. Reusable cutlery
Disposable plastic cutlery is a significant contributor to plastic pollution, often ending up in landfills or polluting our oceans. So having your own reusable cutlery made out of stainless steel or bamboo, is another simple yet impactful way to reduce plastic waste. Get a set and carry it with you – it’s lightweight, compact, and easy to carry. You never know when you might end up eating street food and you’ll never have to rely on flimsy plastic alternatives.
5. Reusable straws
Don’t forget to include a reusable straw made of stainless steel, bamboo, or silicone in your cutlery set as well. And – that’s also a reminder to myself, since I often forget to throw it in my tote bag – carry it with you! If you happen not to have one whenever you order a drink, request it without a plastic straw or stirrer. And again – be quick with saying: NO STRAW!
6. Travel lunch box
I know what you’re thinking: “a lunch box? I’m 100% sure I’m not gonna need it during my travels”. Ok, maybe if you’re going on an all-inclusive vacation and you intend to spend your days at the pool, you really won’t need it. But a lunch box/a reusable food box/Tupperware…however you call it, was actually something I realized I very much needed during my travels and I’m never going anywhere without one. It has so many applications: you can throw leftover food you want to eat later in there; you can take it to the food market and eat from it instead of using plastic plates or you can treat it as a bowl/plate if you’re staying somewhere with no tableware. It’s also not that hard to fit it in your suitcase: you can always fill it with some socks or other pieces of wardrobe.
7. Reusable coffee cup
500 million cups are made and thrown away globally every year. This uses 200 million trees and enough energy to power 530,000 homes. Shocking, right? Don’t be a part of this problem, be part of the solution and equip yourself with a reusable coffee cup. You can be sure that you’ll use it repeatedly during your travels. And not only for coffee. But funnily enough this particular one is made from recycled coffee cups.
8. Bamboo toothbrush + Case
Using a non-plastic toothbrush is super important for keeping our planet clean and our smiles sparkling. Traditional plastic toothbrushes contribute to the global plastic pollution crisis, taking hundreds of years to decompose. That’s why switching to a non-plastic toothbrush made from sustainable materials like bamboo is important. You can brush your teeth guilt-free, knowing you’re doing your part to save the Earth. But when travelling something else can be equally important – a toothbrush case. It helps to keep your toothbrush clean and sanitized when constantly changing locations and accommodations.
9. Toothpaste tablets
Did you know that traditional toothpaste tubes are often made of non-recyclable plastic? A mixture of plastic and aluminium makes them impossible to recycle in most recycle centres. Using toothpaste tablets, on the other hand, is a cool way to take care of your teeth while saving the planet. They usually come in compostable packaging, so you don’t have to deal with all that plastic waste. Plus you can chew them! Win for you, win for the planet!
10. Reusable razor
It was a bit scary to switch in the beginning, but now I personally can’t imagine using a plastic razor. Because as colourful and convenient disposable razors are, they are indeed – disposable – and we dispose them very easily, which comes at a cost to our planet. By switching to a non-plastic razor, made from stainless steel, you not only protecting the planet, but also your pocket – all you have to do is to change the blade from time to time and you can find them in every supermarket. And look, how pink and pretty this one is!
11. Bar soap
Cute little hotel toiletries? No, no, no! That’s so much single-use plastic! Because how many showers can you have with a tiny bottle of shower gel? Using bar soap while traveling is not only convenient but also environmentally friendly. Bar soaps are compact, lightweight, and easily fit into your travel bag, eliminating the need for bulky and wasteful plastic bottles of liquid soap. Additionally, bar soaps are often made of natural ingredients, making them gentle on your skin and suitable for various travel adventures. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, or even shaving bar? Or maybe all in one? Stoke up for your next adventure!
12. Travel soap dish
I don’t want to keep saying that this is another must have eco-friendly travel product, but it kinda is. If you’re already equipped with bar soap, you simply can’t go without a box to put it in. You’ll keep your soap in hygienic conditions and you’ll prevent the soap residue spreading all over your cosmetic bag or even on your clothes. The one linked here is small, light, stylish and made from 100% biodegradable material. I use it a lot.
13. Reusable face pads
Using reusable face pads is another fantastic way to reduce waste and promote sustainable skincare practices. Disposable cotton pads contribute to unnecessary landfill waste. They are harmful for the environment and to your skin. Opt for reusable pads, made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo or organic cotton. They can be washed and used used repeatedly. It’s a small (really small) switch that makes a big difference in caring for both your skin and the planet.
And that’s it!
Hope you enjoyed my list of 13 simple eco-friendly travel products.
As promised all the products featured here are small and light and inexpensive, but incorporating them into your journey can significantly reduce your environmental impact, inspire others to make sustainable choices, and contribute to a more sustainable and responsible approach to travel.
So, get ready to travel the world with a lighter carbon footprint and a bigger love for our planet.
Happy eco-friendly travels, everyone!
What would you add to this list? Comment below or hit me up on Instagram!
Hi, it’s Aga, the author of this blog. If you found this blog post interesting, entertaining or useful, please think of buying me a virtual coffee to support the site’s running costs. But if you know me, I might actually spend it on coffee 🙂 Thanks!
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