Finding functional, eco-friendly travel gear can be daunting; there are so many new ones on the market daily. Knowing whether they are truly eco-friendly or not can be confusing.
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As SCUBA divers, we love the ocean; go figure! As travelers, we also love the planet and know that if we, as stewards of our world, don’t do something now to decrease the amount of garbage and plastic, there won’t be much left for future generations.
Here are our favorite eco-friendly travel products that will be a hit and help protect our environment.
Reef Safe Shampoo & Conditioning Bars
We love these shampoo bars and conditioners by Reef Safe. Made from 100% organic ingredients, they are vegan, sulfate, and paraben-free and safe to use on children. The coconut scent is like taking a trip to the islands every time you use it.
These solid shampoo bars are not tested on animals and contain no animal derivatives like beeswax or palm oil.
Besides being 100% safe for the environment, including the coral reefs and the marine environment, the packaging is 100% biodegradable. Since they are solid, they are TSA-compliant for carry-on luggage.
Reef Safe Conditioning Bar
The Reef Safe Conditioner bar is the perfect partner to the shampoo bar. With a fresh, fruity tangerine scent, this fantastic bar not only conditions, but it also controls tangles and frizziness, something that is a plus when you’re in humid climates.
Like the shampoo bar, it is 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. Free of parabens, silicone, and sulfates, it is not only good for the environment but great for your hair.
With olive oil and vitamin B5, it leaves hair wonderfully soft and manageable.
Also, it is TSA approved for carry-on and 100% safe for the marine environment.
LifeStraw Go Water Bottle
We all know how important hydration is, especially when traveling but who wants to spend money on bottles of water and add to the single-use plastic issue? Not us!
Not to mention, how many times have you gone on a trip and questioned how safe it was to drink the water? Sometimes, you can’t be sure there will be safe water available at your destination.
The original LifeStraw makers have answered the problem with the LifeStraw Go water bottle.
Made of PBA-free Tritan, the bottle contains the LifeStraw filter, which filters 99.9999% waterborne bacteria and 99.99% waterborne protozoan parasites. With a silicone mouthpiece, and replacement filters readily available, this is the perfect water bottle for anyone who travels abroad, hikes, or camps.
Quick tip – download the Refill My Bottle app and get access to the locations of refill stations all over the world.
Stainless Steel Travel Flatware Set
Whether it’s plastic straws or plastic forks, it’s no secret that single-use plastic utensils and straws are a huge issue when it comes to the environment. We have seen, first hand, what straws can do to marine life and have picked many up off beaches when we travel.
That’s why we love this travel flatware set. Not only does it include two stainless steel straws, but it also comes with a fork, knife, spoon, and even chopsticks. Add in the bottle brush to clean the straws, and there’s nothing else you need.
The entire set fits nicely into the included travel case and is TSA carry-on approved. That means you can toss it into your backpack or tote bag and you’ll have it for the plane flight as well (it’s easier to drink a cocktail with a straw anyway).
Add in the fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty, and you can’t go wrong. It’s perfect for the traveler, hiker, camper on your list, or even your office desk.
Haiku Eco-Friendly Tote Bag
Sometimes, you need a fabulous tote bag. Whether on the plane, in the car, at the park, or wherever you go, this eco-friendly tote bag by Haiku is beautiful and takes discarded water bottles and turns them into something functional.
Haiku is a women-owned and led company, so they know what type of bags women want and design them with form and function in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.
The bag comes in various colors and patterns, and with the four large exterior pockets and generous interior, it’s sure to become your favorite tote.
Plus, it has a water-resistant outer coating and water-resistant interior, which makes it perfect for the beach or pool.
Haiku Eco-Friendly Backpack
From the same fantastic company that makes the eco-friendly tote bag comes the Haiku eco-friendly backpack.
Made in the same way as the tote bag, using 100% recycled materials, the bag has handles on the top and back, so it can use used two ways – as a tote or a backpack. How is that for utilitarian function?
With a generous interior and two side pockets perfect for your water bottles, it also has a laptop pocket, which makes it ideal for the eco-friendly student or traveling worker (like us bloggers).
Whether you’re headed to the airport or on a day of hiking and sightseeing, this bag is perfect and is sure to hold everything you need.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Sheets
Have you ever been on a trip and needed to do a load, or 2, of laundry but didn’t want to buy a whole bottle of laundry detergent?
Homevative has the perfect answer with their laundry detergent sheets. These single-use sheets are the equivalent of 1 laundry pod or cap of detergent but much easier to use and TSA approved, so you can pop them into your carry-on.
Besides being super convenient and safe for sensitive skin (no harmful phosphates), the package is bio-degradable, which means it isn’t detrimental to the environment. They are safe for colors and whites and perfect for travel or college students.
Haiku Women’s Trailblazer Backpack
We couldn’t resist one last amazing product from Haiku. This time, it’s the Women’s Trailblazer backpack.
Of course, it’s made from the same recycled polyester (again, fewer water bottles in the landfills) that all their products are made from, but this time, it’s bigger and roomier.
With three interior slip pockets and a roomy main compartment, it will surely hold everything you need. Plus, it has two side pockets and a small zippered pocket on the back that is perfect for your passport and valuables.
Its water-resistant coating and interior fabric make it great for taking on hikes, to the beach, the pool, or on the boat (who doesn’t love a great boat ride?)
Add in the fact that it has a convenient top carrying handles, and it goes from handheld to backpack in a flash. It’s perfect as a carry-on or a great gift for the student.
Restraw Stainless Steel Straws
We love stainless steel straws! Sometimes, it can be challenging to remember to “pack” the straw when we are on the road or even at work. That’s where these collapsible stainless steel straws by Restraw come in handy.
Each straw collapses down into a handy storage case that can be clipped onto a backpack, handbag, or tossed into a carry-on.
With the bonus of having silicone tips, the straws are super comfortable to drink with, as our lips don’t get “frostbite” when we drink cold beverages. Each straw also comes with a handy collapsible cleaning brush for fast and easy cleanup after each use.
The set of 2 straws makes it easy to keep one for yourself and give one as a gift or keep one in the car and one at work.
Greenzla Bamboo Toothbrush Set
Growing up, we were told to change our toothbrushes every three months. When you consider that equates to approximately 1 billion in the U.S. alone this year, it’s frightening to think about how many are in landfills worldwide.
Greenzla has the answer to that problem with these bamboo and charcoal-infused toothbrushes. We have all heard about the benefits of using bamboo products, primarily when sourced sustainably. These brushes are 100% biodegradable, so they won’t clog our landfills when replaced.
Paired with the charcoal-infused bamboo fiber dental floss with candelilla wax and mint infusion, it’s the perfect combination for a healthy smile.
The attractive bamboo travel case is a perfect size and holds both the toothbrush and floss so you can take your brush and floss everywhere you travel.
Whether you’re looking for great eco-friendly gear for yourself or shopping for a great gift, hopefully, you found something here that is sure to be an excellent addition.
It’s not hard to be eco-friendly. One small item at a time can make a huge difference and help decrease the amount of plastic and chemicals in our environment.
Won’t you join us in our pledge to do our part in ensuring that our planet is healthy for generations to come?
