13 Zero Waste & Eco-Friendly Travel Products

Sustainable travel is becoming increasingly popular among travelers eager to change their consumer habits for a better environment and general well-being. Eco-friendly travel products can be a bit more expensive than regular ones; however, they last longer, are more durable, hypoallergenic, save space in your backpack, and are made from non-harmful and toxic ingredients.

So if you are interested in changing your travel accessories and toiletries, here’s a list of some of the best eco-friendly products I use. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy something through them—at no extra cost to you. It helps support my blog and lets me share real, first-hand travel tips. Learn more

Zero waste eco-friendly dental care

Bamboo toothbrush

Did you know that around 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are used worldwide each year? Or that those plastic toothbrushes take up a thousand years to decompose? For this reason, I have been using bamboo toothbrushes for a long time. I even purchased this combo a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately, not all bamboo toothbrushes are fully biodegradable. And those that are, use natural bristles made from tapioca, corn, or pig hair; therefore, they are compostable. Some of them are not vegan-friendly.

Besides, many dentists have claimed that some of those not fully biodegradable toothbrushes are pretty hard for our gums and a ground for bacteria. Instead, look for a toothbrush with bamboo handles and bristles made from BPA-free nylon.

Eco-friendly toothpaste and toothpowder

The market is full of natural and organic toothpaste, chewable toothpaste tablets, and toothpowder. However, this doesn’t mean that they are eco-friendly and zero-waste.

The packaging needs to be environmentally free, meaning recyclable plastic, glass jars, biodegradable paper boxes, or tins. Natural and eco-friendly toothpaste comes in different forms; try them, and see which one best suits your dental care routine.

Biodegradable dental floss

One of the essential eco-friendly travel products is the floss to keep our dental hygiene at its best during our adventures. Made with natural silk or bamboo fiber, the floss usually comes in a refillable glass bottle and is 20-30 meters long.

Most of the time, biodegradable floss packaging is made of Kraft paper and can go straight to the compost pile. Alternatively, there’s charcoal floss on the market. 

Zero waste & eco-friendly hygiene products

Organic shampoo bars

One of my all-time favorite eco-friendly travel products that last me at least six months are shampoo bars, conditioners, and organic soaps. Since I shifted from regular shampoo bottles to shampoo bars, I don’t have to worry about pouring it into small bottles or exceeding the 100ML limit when traveling with a carry-on. Besides being thrifty, shampoo bars and organic soaps take up less space in my toiletry bag.

Zero waste deodorant

Zero waste deodorants in eco-packaging have grown quite fast over the past two-three years. Several companies produce these eco-friendly travel products with natural and organic ingredients that are not toxic to our health. For example, Ethnique, Meow Meow Tweet, Primal Life, and Fat and the Moon are just a few. 

Zero-waste deodorants come in different forms and types. They come in roll-on sticks, solid bars, and cream in glass jars. 

Menstrual Cups

I changed from usual menstrual pads to menstrual cups almost three years ago, and I wish I have done this sooner. It’s the most comfortable thing I have ever encountered during these days of the month.

It surely needs a bit of practice and getting to know your body parts, but it’s worth it! It gives me HUGE confidence while traveling as I know there is no chance of leakage when appropriately inserted. Moreover, I can wear anything I want and do everything I couldn’t before, like swimming or adventure sports!

The market has tons of menstrual cups nowadays. It all started with a Diva Cup, but I started using OrganiCup, recently rebranded as AllMatters, from the beginning due to its eco-friendliness and zero-waste approach. Their cups are made of 100% flexible medical-grade silicone and are super easy to insert. Plus, it doesn’t cause infections and is allergy certified.

OrganiCup comes in three sizes: A – for those who haven’t given birth, B – for those who have, and Mini for teenagers or need a similar size.

Reusable Menstrual Pads

Personally, I haven’t used reusable menstrual pads myself. However, my friend did. She couldn’t use the menstrual cup for a particular reason I don’t want to go into. She loves it and uses it until she can find the cup that suits her body.

These reusable menstrual pads are a great alternative if you can’t get used to the cups for whatever reason. They are usually made from organic cotton or charcoal bamboo layers that are odorless, leak-free, and ultra-absorbent.

Reusable makeup wipes or towel

Single-use makeup wipes are one of the worst enemies of the environment. They are convenient when we are lazy or busy washing our face with water and reaching out for a wipe.

We never think about how big of an impact these wipes may have. They need longer to decompose than you might imagine. Therefore, reusable makeup wipes or a makeup remover towel are another eco-friendly travel product I switched to a while back. 

These makeup wipes or a towel easily remove makeup. Washing them is effortless as they come in a laundry bag if you wish to clean them in the washing machine.

Safety Razor

Disposable razors with plastic sticks also significantly impact the environment as any other plastic product. Therefore, they have to go from our bathroom essentials and be replaced with a safety razor that lasts longer and doesn’t end up in a landfill taking around 1000 years to decompose.

With safety razors, there is less chance of razor burns, nicks, and ingrown hair when used correctly. So, as they are making a comeback, it’s a wise investment!  

Other eco-friendly travel products

Reusable water bottle 

Using a reusable water bottle was one of the first eco-friendly travel products I switched to. These water bottles come in different shapes, materials, colors, and sizes, depending on your preference. I love my Stojo’s collapsible water bottle.

Reusable grocery mesh bags

These grocery bags are a great alternative to single-use plastic bags for daily use and traveling. Made from natural ingredients, the mash produce bags are washable, easy to carry, and lightweight. They are ideal for fruits, vegetables, and grains. It also keeps groceries fresh. 

Zero waste travel cutlery

Zero-waste travel cutlery is ideal for those who love picnics, hiking, and camping, and it will last you for quite some time. However, note that if you’re traveling by airplane, you might want wooden or wheat grass cutlery as they are lighter than metal ones. 

Reusable lunch boxes and bags

Stainless steel lunch boxes are ideal eco-friendly travel products for those who love the outdoors, hiking, and camping. Depending on the company, such lunch boxes come in different sets, making it exceptionally comfortable to carry your lunch during the day. 

Alternatively, if you are looking for space-saver items to carry your snacks or fruits while exploring a city, opt in for reusable silicone bags that are: BPA, PVC, and latex-free. And some of those bags are microwave and dishwasher-safe, while others are easily cleaned with a detergent. 

Want more inspiration?

Follow on Pinterest