Are you new to the authentic travel movement? Then I’ll let you in on a little secret: good travel behavior starts at home when you’re packing for vacation. It’s super easy to swap out your regular gear with sustainable travel products, making it easier to travel the world and do some good at the same time.
These travel products are tried and tested by the writer at Earth To Editorial, which means that we only recommend items we personally use! Check the roundup of 16 great eco-friendly travel items and let us know if you discover something new.
16 Sustainable Travel Products on Amazon
Whenever I pack for a trip, I always have three things on my mind:
- How do I maximize the space in my bag?
- How can my gear make solo travel safer?
- How can I be kinder to the environment when I travel?
My journey to authentic travel has always had the third question front and center in my brain, because authentic travel isn’t possible if you aren’t consciously protecting the environment at the same time.
For me, this meant cutting down on plastic toiletry bottles, swapping laundry detergent for eco-friendly soap sheets, and bringing my refillable water bottle everywhere I go.
Similarly, when you travel authentically, you may be going to lesser-known places, destination dupes, or spots that are otherwise less accessible. You want to make sure you’re prepared for different scenarios in that case.
I’ve been stranded in the middle of a town where there was only one train per day, and trust me, that is not the time to run out of shampoo!
After testing tons of different items on Amazon, I found that these 16 sustainable travel products were the best for my needs.
Kitsch Toiletry Containers
If you want to travel more sustainably, the key is not to buy those mini toiletry bottles for each product. You know, that special aisle in Target or CVS pharmacy where there are a million little shampoo and conditioner bottles?
Consider that, not only do you have large-sized shampoo and conditioner bottles in your shower at home, but you also have to buy these individual bottles at the store, too. If you travel often, that adds up to a lot of plastic!
Instead, get this cute toiletry container kit from Kitsch. That way, you can simply reuse these containers by filling them with the products you already have at home.
Radius Travel Toothbrush
Ever since I got Invisalign, I’ve been carrying around my travel toothbrush even when I’m at home. I basically have to brush my teeth every time I take them out (a habit I’m actually pretty happy to build), but that means I need to always carry one extra thing.
I really like these travel-friendly toothbrushes. Although they don’t have a carrying case to protect the bristles, you can fold the toothbrush and replace the head. This one comes as a pack of three and is made of plant-based materials.
Owala Coffee Mug
No sooner could you say “Stanley Tumbler,” did Owala hit the scene and became the trendiest travel cup on the market.
Aside from Owala being super chic these days, the ergonomics of this particular cup make it one of my favorite sustainable travel products. As you know, I carry my refillable water bottle everywhere I go, so this also gives me an option for hot beverages.
I love that I can fit it inside my backpack sleeve or carry it around for a walk in the park.
TakeToday Foldable Waterbottle
Since bringing only a backpack on a three-week trip to Morocco, I’ve been empowered by the possibility of traveling light. Being able to just throw a backpack over your shoulder and go somewhere was liberating.
That means I began hunting for items that were easy to bring along for this lightweight ride. One of my favorite discoveries on Amazon was this foldable water bottle. Talk about a super space saver!
ZOKU Stainless Steel Travel Cutlery Set
One time, while traveling in Thailand, I was eating at a night market and had an experience that forever etched itself into my brain.
The food vendor, while chopping fruit, sneezed into his hand, and then proceeded to grab a fork (pointy side up) and hand it to the person buying from him. While eating authentically might not be the most sanitary, you can at least control the cleanliness of your cutlery.
This stainless steel set from ZUKO comes in a compact traveling case, so it’s great for travelers, office workers, and parents with kids on the go!
Scrubba Travel Laundry Wash Bag
Although I’m not much of a camper, I have done my fair share of laundering in hotel sinks! Like the time I had to wash my hiking gear at a hotel in Cusco, Peru.
Or the time that I stayed in an agritourism farmhouse in Sicily. The summer days were so hot that all my clothes were soaked in sweat within an hour of putting them on.
Such is the life of a traveler. Avoid these scenarios by bringing along this nifty wash bag. You’ll be able to get your clothes looking like new in no time.
Kind Laundry Sheets
What’s the perfect companion for a portable washing bag? The travel-friendly and eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets I’ve been loving lately.
I’ve been traveling with Kind Laundry sheets for about two years. I brought a package to wash my clothes during a 14-day trip to Peru.
You can use these to wash your clothes in a laundry bag, a sink, or a washing machine if you have access to one.
ZOKU Reusable Straw
Along with the utensils, I carry my ZOKU reusable straw in my purse, and boy, do I love a stainless steel straw.
After learning about microplastics getting into drinks, I replaced all the plastic straws in my house with metal and glass. This one ensures I can do the same when traveling.
SuperBee Toothpaste Tablets
I was originally attracted to these when I began traveling as a way to save space in my toiletry bag. I always ended up having to stuff a toothpaste tube, which never fit.
Viori Bodywash Bars
Okay, it’s basically just a bar of soap, nothing exciting there. But I really love Viori as a brand. Their products are non-drying, which is very helpful as my skin is dry yearround.
Viori Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Going a step further, Viori makes shampoo and conditioner bars. They come in paper packaging, and you can also get a bamboo container to store them. I love that there’s no plastic waste with Viori products.
Now, I know some people have a hard time with shampoo bars because they tend to be drying. I’m one of those people, but so far I’ve been really happy with the Viori products. I do find that the Terrace Garden scent is more moisturizing and leaves my hair feeling very silky afterward.
HANNI Shower Scarf
The Hanni shower scarf is a Japanese-inspired body scrubber that exfoliates the skin. I originally bought the shower scrubber because who really wants to stuff a loofa or a damp shower pouf into their luggage?
I love this because it exfoliates the skin just as well as a shower pouf, but the key difference is that it’s fast drying. I lay it out flat, and within a few hours, it’s ready to go back in my bag.
Moon Valley Lotion Bar
Lush makes some nice lotion bars, but I’ve been leaning into Moon Valley more lately. I like their scents better, and appreciate the company’s sustainability initiatives.
Plus, the ingredients of this lotion bar leave my skin smooth, not greasy.
Kitsch Bar Soap Saver
I’ve been on a shampoo/conditioner bar kick lately. I really love the products by Viori (listed further down this blog), but couldn’t find any travel-friendly containers for their shampoo bars.
This option by Kitsch comes in a pack of three with labels, so you never get mixed up!
EcoFox Bamboo Q-Tips
Q-tips are a self-care must-have, but my eye twitches every time I need to buy a new plastic package of plastic Q-tips.
Kleany Compressed Towelettes
After flying for eight hours or spending the day running from one cultural landmark to another, you might be too tired to do an entire skincare routine. I’ve been there before: sitting in a hotel bed half-asleep and using a makeup remover towel to wipe my makeup off.
Unfortunately, so many of these makeup remover wipes are non-biodegradable and frankly, very harsh on your skin. As an alternative, I love the Kleany towelettes because they are made of 100% Rayon and are naturally biodegradable.
Each individual towelette is compressed into mini discs, so they fit into your purse or back pocket. Not added plastic package needed! Simply wet them with water and a bit of soap, and you’re good to go.
