The 20 Best Sustainable Travel Essentials Recommended by a Seasoned Nomad
Searching for the best eco-friendly travel products that will make your next trip more sustainable? Look no further! It’s one thing to seek out items and products that are made ethically from environmentally friendly materials – finding items that will increase your level of sustainability during your trip is even better. As a seasoned traveller who has visited over 85 countries and now spends winters abroad, I’ve learned a few things! Here are the best sustainable travel essentials that will help you create a more eco-friendly and responsible adventure.
jump ahead to sustainable travel essentials recommendations
Over the many years I’ve been travelling and numerous countries visited, I have come to consider myself as somewhat of an expert when it comes to packing. I have not only learned what not to pack, but also which items are essential for creating a more sustainable adventure. Along with some zero waste travel tips, I’ve curated a list of sustainable travel solutions that will help you decrease your carbon footprint while abroad.
Reusable travel items
It can be difficult to avoid single-use plastics while travelling. Help reduce the 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year we produce every year and bring these reusable and sustainable travel essentials with you.
Environmentally Friendly Water Bottle
At the very top of the greener travel accessories list is a reusable water bottle. Cutting back on purchasing disposable water bottles is essential for sustainable tourism. Fill and carry your bottle with you everywhere you go to stay hydrated. When out and about, ask at cafes or restaurants if they can refill for you. Not sure the water is safe to drink? We have a solution for that, too!
32oz Wide Mouth Insulated Water Bottle – hydro flask
- BPA-free and phthalate-free
- 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel for a pure taste and no flavor transfer
- Maintains cold beverages for 24 hours and hot beverages for 12 hours
- Dishwasher safe
- Limited lifetime warranty
Eco Travel Cutlery
Packing this environmentally conscious travel item is a must if you hope to reduce your use of single use plastics while abroad. Use them for eating your meals provided on planes or trains, and any other time you’re offered a disposable set rather than reusable utensils.
The Sarita Flatware Set – Olive + Comet
- Hand-carved from sustainable bamboo
- Natural jute and cotton pouch
- Coating & chemical-free
- Reusable, recyclable & biodegradable
- This multipack includes a fork, knife, spoon, straw, straw cleaning wand, and travel pouch
- Produced in Thanh Hóa by artisans paid fairly for their work
Eco-friendly travel Mug
If you’re a regular coffee drinker, this item should definitely be part of your zero-waste travel kit! Brew some beans at your accommodation and bring a cup with you, or take it out empty to the local cafe you’ve been dying to try!
ceramic coffee mug – frank green
- BPA free, FDA/EU approved
- Made of ceramic and stainless steel
- Triple-walled and vacuum insulated
- One-handed push-button design
- Leak-proof seal
- 100% recyclable at end of life
Zero Waste Travel Containers
Another must have low-impact travel essential are some reusable, eco-friendly travel containers or pouches. I have some silicone bags like these that come in handy for transporting toiletries, snacks, and dinner leftovers while travelling. Avoiding single-use ziploc bags and containers can help you reduce your plastic waste on vacation.
reusable silicone bags- stasher
- Lead, latex, BPA, BPS, & other phthalates free
- Premium food-grade silicone
- Deemed safe by the FDA and EU food safety certification
- Manufacturing facility has received the SA8000 certification
- Can be recycled when needed through Terracycle with free shipping label
- Woman founded and led
One last reusable earth-friendly travel essential you want to bring with you is a tote bag for any shopping you want to do! Whether it’s for locally-made and handcrafted souvenirs, or groceries from the market, say no thanks to plastic pollution!
Green travel toiletries
Here are my top picks for the best sustainable travel essentials to pack in your toiletry bag.
Non Toxic Shampoo & Conditioner
Using a solid shampoo and conditioner in bar form helps eliminate some of the 120 billion packaging units per year created by the personal care and cosmetics industry. It also helps you cut down on the amount of liquids you have inyour eco-friendly suitcase!
shampoo and CONDITIONER BAR & AFTER SWIM DETANGLER – axiology
- Plastic free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Suitable for all hair types
- Specially formulated to detangle & protect post-swim or seawater surf hair
- Plant-based ingredients like Prickly Pear, Plum, Karanja Seed Oil, and Amla Seed Oil for a lovely fragrance
Need a new bar of body soap? Choose from the wide selection of cruelty-free and USDA certified organic options at Chagrin Valley Soap Co.
Eco-minded travel supplies for your period
Still using disposable pads or tampons? There’s a better way! Whether you’re a pad gal or tampon truster, there’s an alternative for you. I made the switch to a menstrual cup a couple of years ago, and as an active runner, hiker, and cyclist I’ve never had any issues!
reusable pads and period underwear – tree hugger
- Made in Canada
- Carbon neutral delivery
- Family owned and run
- Choose your fabric and size
- One tree planted for each purchase
menstrual cup – Saalt
- Made with medical grade silicone in the USA
- BPA, latex, and chemical-free
- FDA registered and compliant
- Certified B Corporation
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Up to 12 hours of protection
Reef-friendly sPF
With travel comes swimming and other water-based activities. Protect your skin and the marine environment with an eco-friendly and moisturizing mineral sunscreen – a must-have sustainable travel essential!
Reflector SPF 30 Facial Sun Protection – cocoon apothecary
- PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Certified
- Protects from UVA and UVB
- Made in small batch in Ontario, Canada
- Non GMO & chemical-free
- Titanium dioxide & zinc oxide active ingredients
- Recyclable packaging
- Use code SUCCESSFULLYSUSTAINABLE for 10% off!
Take a look at our article “Best Reef-Friendly Sunscreens 2024” for more eco-friendly SPF options!
Natural insect repellent
As a mosquito magnet, sustainable insect repellent is a must for me no matter where I am. I hate putting chemicals on my body, so this one that is all natural works for me!
DUAL PURPOSE NATURAL INSECT REPELLENT & ITCH RELIEF – love bites only
- Repels insects and soothes existing bites for itch relief
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Made in the UK
- Recyclable glass bottle
- Tea tree oil, lavender oil, citronella grass oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil
Sustainable Toothpaste
Toothpaste tubes are one of the more difficult items to recycle, and more often than not they end up in the landfill. Why not make the switch to tabs and decrease the amount of liquids or gels you’re carrying through airport security at the same time?
Toothpaste Tabs with Mint – Huppy
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Non GMO
- Non chalky with satisfying foam
- Plastic-free
- Made in the U.S.
- Aluminum tin and FSC certified box.
- Refill pouches made of biodegradable cellulose available
Natural deodorant
I will admit, I don’t often use deodorant, but when I do it’s this one! I love the smell, and even my boyfriend says it covers his B.O.
polite pits handmade organic deodorant- butter me up organics
- Cruelty-free
- Organic & Non GMO
- No sulfates, phthalates or parabens
- Soy ink labels on recycled paper
- Aluminum, paraben, propylene, triclosan and glycol-free
- Save 10% with coupon code SSANDBMUO
For a more extensive list of zero waste travel toiletries, have a look at our article here.
sustainable travel clothing
Packing light not only makes travel easier on you, but on the environment as well. Versatile items that can be worn in many scenarios have always been my go-to. Here are some eco-friendly and ethical clothing choices for those essential pieces that must go in your adventure travel luggage.
Eco-friendly bathing suit
It’s my hope for you that some of your eco-friendly trip will be spent at the ocean! Choosing a sustainable and eco-friendly bathing suit the next time you need one is a great choice.
sustainable suits – berlook
- Made with eco-friendly materials:
- GOTS certified organic cotton
- Washable vegan silk & linen
- TENCEL™ and ECONYL®
- GRS certified recycled materials
- Packing bags made from degradable materials
Sustainable everyday wear
Creating a travel capsule wardrobe with fewer pieces that can be combined and worn in different ways is key for packing light. Encircled has mastered this concept with their 3×3 method, and their slow-fashion athleisure clothing is perfect for travel.
wanderleisure – encircled
- Certified B Corporation
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified dyes
- Woman-owed, Canadian based brand
- Variety of eco-fabrics such as non GMO organic cotton, Tencel™ Lyocell, and Lenzing™ ECOVERO™ certified Viscose
- Prioritize responsible sourcing, certified fabrics and local knitting
Responsible Activewear
Whether you like to run, hike, bike, or hit the streets on foot, you’ll need some comfortable and breathable activewear for your trip!
activewear – Bamboo clothing
- Certified B Corporation
- Next gen nature-based fabrics such as Mallea and Novea
- 86% traceability for all tiers right back to the forest
- 95% of the fibres used are bio-based, organic, or recycled
- Viscose producers hold OEKO-TEX step level 3 certification
- Blue-Sign Certified Ruco-Dry Eco PFC-Free water repellent finish
Eco-Friendly Footwear
A comfortable and versatile pair of shoes that can take you from sidewalk to dinner are a must-have sustainable travel essential.
the seeker – 8000 kicks
- Vegan and biodegradable
- Mix of a recycled rubber bottom with a sleek designed hemp upper
- Proprietary anti-bacterial and anti-microbial hemp insole
- Dry feet all day long
- 8000 Kicks also makes sustainable small adventure travel bags!
- Get 10% off with coupon code 8000KICKSANDSS
other Green travel must-haves
There are a few more items that will help make your adventure more sustainable yet!
Water Purification tablets
There have been many times that I’m out exploring and want to fill my reusable water bottle, but alas, the available water sources are not safe to drink. Rather than purchasing a disposable bottle of water, I use one of these tabs!
canadian pack Water Purification Tablets – aquatabs
- Effective against Giardia cysts, bacteria and viruses
- Iodine-Free, Chlorite-Free and individually foil sealed with a 5-year shelf life
- NSF 60 Approved
- Meets European Standards for drinking water and the World Health Organization specs for drinking water
- 50 tablets per package, each tablet treats 1L (32 oz)
Versatile Travel Towel
When it comes to a beach towel, I prefer something like a sarong or this turkish towel that can double as a blanket or wrap for versatility!
TEAL TIE DYE TURKISH BEACH TOWEL – slate + Salt
- 100% Turkish cotton
- Handmade with love in Turkey
- Larger in size than traditional towels
- Lightweight and quick drying
- Available in a variety of colours
Solar Power Bank
If you’re anything like me, you spend all day away from your accommodation exploring your surroundings while you travel. Perhaps you even opt for a multi-day trek or two. In that case, having a solar power bank to charge your eco-friendly gadgets is essential.
Luci Pro Series – mpowerd
- Recharge via solar panel or quick charge via USB
- Available in clear and matte finishes
- 150 lumens (clear) / 135 lumens (matte)
- Lightweight at 6.1 oz (173 g) & waterproof
- Built-in two-way USB port
- Up to 50 hours on single charge
Chemical-Free Laundry strips
Planning on doing any laundry during your trip? Skip the hotel laundry service and visit the laundromat for a more budget-friendly trip. These laundry strips are perfect for travel!
Laundry sheets – kind laundry
- Free from Parabens, Phthalates, Optical Brighteners, Dyes, Phosphates, Formaldehyde, 1,4 dioxane, & Starch
- No toxic chemicals
- Zero waste packaging
- Canadian company
- Get 10% off with code JULIENAVITKA
Tree-Saving Travel Bidet
Toilet paper increases deforestation and requires a ton of water to produce. What better way to reduce your water use in the bathroom while travelling than a bidet? Even though many other countries have adopted this water-saving strategy, many of the accommodations I’ve stayed in have not had a bidet installed.
travel bidet – tushy
- Collapsible and expandable for discreet portability
- Hinged nozzle with 3-point spout for a 5-star clean
- Can hold up to 11 fl oz of water
- Ultralight – weighs only 3.2 oz when empty
- Comes with a NEW airmesh carrying case for faster drying and carabiner to hook on to your sustainable travel bag
Want a more extensive eco-friendly travel products list complete with more minimalist zero waste travel essentials? Check out our article “What to Pack for a Year of Sustainable Travel” for eco-friendly luggage options, adventure travel gear, and a whole lot more!
Final thoughts on the best sustainable travel essentials
Although adding responsibly-made products to your sustainable travel pack is a great start, bringing items that will also enable sustainable practices while abroad are key. These items will help you reduce your water use and cut down on single use plastics, just to name a few. Consider packing these planet-friendly items for your next sustainable vacation!
All products recommended to you on Successfully Sustainable are independently researched in depth. To avoid waste and lead a minimal lifestyle, we test products only when required. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about this here.
