15 Eco-Friendly Travel Products To Reduce Your Environmental Impact

Best Eco-Friendly Travel Products

One of my favourite sayings is that being environmentally friendly isn’t people being 100% environmentally friendly all the time, but about everyone being imperfect but trying.

I will be the first to admit there are a few products that I know I could use an eco-friendly alternative, but won’t because I either haven’t found an alternative I like or I find the product works too well, but that doesn’t stop me from trying at home and when I travel.

In many countries, being eco-friendly is not the norm or not even possible, so it’s by the small actions we take that can help reduce our own eco footprints. Many of the pieces listed below can be used at home and when travelling, and I see their cost as an investment to doing my small part to make the world a little better.

* While I would love you to support Hey Jetsetter by shopping through the Amazon link (at no additional cost to you), I encourage you to check local stores and online sellers to see if you can support those in your community making and selling these items. I have also linked to shops which have global shipping where possible.

Eco-Friendly Travel Products for Travel

Reusable bags

I have a bunch of these cotton mesh tote bags that I use daily at home, but also take with me when I travel. Light and compact, strong and machine washable, they’re the perfect item to take to the market to pick up food, throw in a towel, a book and some water for a day at the beach, or stuff my winter jacket in when I’m getting onboard a plane. Just, uh, remember to wash it between uses to ensure it stays germ-free, okay?

Check the priceAmazon

Kindle

While I don’t think I will ever forgo my love of a quality paperback, when I travel I do enjoy an eReader. I have the Kindle app on my mobile but it’s not quite large enough – plus, I prefer to conserve my phone battery when on long-haul flights, trains and buses for emergencies.

This is where a Kindle steps in. Lightweight, long batteries, and can store thousands of reads accessible at the touch of a finger.

One of the other great things is that eBooks tend to be a little cheaper in price, meaning more books for less dough. That I can get behind!

Check the priceAmazon

Travel Towel

While microfibre towels are fine, if you want to treat yourself then a turkish towel is what you should be looking for.

These natural fibre and quick drying towels are light and soft, making it a travellers perfect companion for the beach, hostel, pool, sauna, or more.

Best of all, they come in a range of funky colours and patterns!

Check the priceAmazon

Food & Cutlery

Plastic-Free Food Canisters

I bought a bunch of these in early 2020 as my goal for the year was to become more sustainable. While I’m not using them for work lunches, I have used them on a few adventures (both local and international) and can say I’m sold.

These insulated stainless steel food canisters come in a range of sizes. Being vaccum insulated means your food stays hot or cold while on the go.

Perfect for snacks or food to eat on your flight, bus or hike; I’m a big fan of the Klean Kanister Insulated Strainless Steed Food Canisters!

Check the priceAmazon

Reusable Water Bottle

I drink a lot of water when I travel, especially to more humid or tropical locations, and while I do try to refill the bottles or buy large bottles to cut down on the amount of plastic I’m buying, there’s definitly more tht I could be doing to reduce my plastic bottle footpring.

Enter Klean Insulated Classic Water Bottle. Much like the food canisters I mentioned above, these reusable water bottles are durable and come in a range of sizes.

Check the priceKlean

Silicone Bags

If you don’t want the bulk of the food containers, instead consider silicone bags. These bags are durable, easy to wash, last for years, and perfect for a range of things.

I have several of these bags in different sizes that can be used for snacks and food, to store toiletries (because no one wants exploded shampoo or toothpaste in their luggage!), and wet clothing.

Check the priceAmazon

Beauty and Hygiene Products

Bamboo Toothbrush

Are you still using regular toothbrushes? Consider making the switch to a bamboo toothbrush!

Most adults use 6-12 toothbrushes a year which over a lifetime can add up to a whole lot of plastic in landfill. If you travel, you may even use more if you leave your toothbrush at home, use the toothbrush you get in your airline amenity kit or from the hotel.

Bamboo is a fast growing plant, making it perfect for biodegradable toothbrushes!

I have been experimenting with a range of different bamboo toothbrush brands lately, but have been really enjoying the Greenzla Bamboo Toothbrush Travel Set. Included in the kit were four toothbrushes, a bamboo carry case, and some toothpaste tabs – a non-liquid toothpaste perfect for travellers!

Check the priceAmazon

Eco-Friendly Cotton Rounds

Another product I’ve been using for years is Face Halo. These reusable makeup remove pads wipe away the days makeup with ease, and are the plushest and soft reusable cotton pads I’ve found to date.

I can respect that Face Halo’s are an investment and are a little more on the expensive side. My colleague recently bought these Greenzla Reusable Makeup remover Pads and they seemed to be quite high quality and she had good things to say

Check the priceFace Halo | Greenzla

Bio-degradable Face Wipes

More and more brands are getting onboard the biodegradable wipe bandwagon! While they are admittedly not quite as good as reusable cotton rounds, for those who don’t want the hassle of washing and drying them daily, I recommend trying bio-degradable face wipes.

My favourite biodegradable makeup wipes is Bioderma. I use their Micellar Water, and the face wipes deliver the same great clean that’s perfect for sensitive skin.

Other brands that offer biodegradable facial wipes include Rawganic and Ursa Major.

Check the priceAmazon

Solid Toiletries

Eco-friendly toiletries have finally become a lot more mainstream making them so much easier to find. And with their popularity, also comes more products to choose from which is great – less plastic, better for your body, and less harmful to the planet!

There are a lot of brands offering solid deodorants, solid shampoo, and toothpaste tabs. Ethique has a great range that includes solid face cream, face cleanser, face serum, body scrubs, hand wash, pet care, and more!

Like any new skincare or body care product, I highly recommend you trial these before you head off on your trip to make sure you like them!

Check the priceAmazon | Lush | Ethique

Silicon Travel Bottles

These easy to use BPA-free silicone travel bottles are great for those who don’t want to carry bulky liquids when they’re travelling, but want to skip buying ‘travel sized’ toiletries in the name of being eco-friendly.

Best of all, they’re carry-on approved so you won’t need to stress when you are in the airport security line! Or use them at home – they’re perfect for the gym, handbag or overnight bags.

Check the priceAmazon

Reef Friendly Sunscreen

Did you know that many sunscreens contain chemicals that are harmful to coral reefs and marine life?

If you love to swim, snorkel, or surf then consider swapping your current sunscreen to one that is reef safe. Not only is it better for the environment, but in many cases, they are also better for you too!

Some of my favourite reef safe sunscreens in Australia include:

  • Sukin – Sheer Touch Facial Sunscreen SPF 30
  • Endota Spa – Natural Clear Zinc SPF 50+
  • Ultra Violette – Extreme Screen Hydrating Body and Hand SPF 50+
  • We Are Feel Good Inc. – Signature Sunscreen SPF 50+
  • Mecca – To Save Body SPF50 Superscreen

PS: At the time of writing Woolworths & Coles do not stock any reef safe sunscreen. Head to your local Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, or other beauty store to find these brands.

Eco-Friendly Laundry Items

Scrubba Wash Bag

Are you a fan of camping or active adventures? The Scrubba Portable Wash Bag may be just the thing you need.

Scrubba allows you to safely wash clothes anywhere.

Best of all, it folds down small and does not take up much room in your luggage.

Check the priceAmazon

Eco-Friendly Detergent

Looking for some eco friendly laundry detergent strips? Lazy Coconuts Eco Friendly Laundry Detergent Strips are by far my favourite!

These fragrance-free, earth-friendly, and plastic-free laundry detergents do a fantastic job cleaning clothes. And their tiny package means they’re perfectly portable for those who are on the road.

I picked some of these up when I was in the USA, and they have fast become one of my favourite items to keep in my suitcase for when I travel. Best of all, they have a three-year expiry so unlike other eco-friendly laundry detergents, they won’t degrade between your travels.

Check the priceAmazon

Soap Nuts

Ready to ditch detergent altogether? Soap nuts seem to be one of the newest (or oldest?) crazes when it comes to eco-friendly clothes washing. These 100% organic, 100% natural product is part of the lychee family.

These berries do require you to wash your clothes with warm water for them to become ‘soapy’. It must also be mentioned that if you have stains or whites, soap nuts will never be as effective as manufactured detergent (which contains bleach) but overall, when used correctly, soap nuts do a great job.

Best of all, if used correctly, they can be used for three or four washes before you compost them, because they’re 100% biodegradable!

Check the priceAmazon


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