15 Best Eco-Friendly Travel Gift Ideas
Shop our sustainable travel gift picks sure to please every responsible traveler on your list. We even found eco-friendly gift wrap! Shop on, planet-loving friends.
These days, we're all looking for impactful ways to reduce our carbon footprint and do our part to help save the planet. To help friends and family travel more responsibly, we've compiled the best eco-friendly travel gifts to help reduce their environmental impact. From stylish weekender bags made from single-use plastics to zero-waste beauty products, here are the gifts sure to wow every eco-conscious traveler on your list.
Impress your favorite eco-conscious fashionista with this stylish five-star duffel bag from United by Blue, an outdoor brand that has pledged to #QuitSingleUsePlastics. This well-made bag is part of a durable collection of products, including travel packs and pet accessories, made from single-use plastic water bottles. For every product purchased from United by Blue, one pound of trash is removed from Mother Earth.
Made from three upcycled plastic bottles, this Earth-friendly clear dopp kit is just right for carrying toiletries, like razors, deodorant, cotton balls and toothbrushes. Both Cabana See-Alls feature Oeko-Tex Standard 100- and Global Recycle Standard-certified Ecocraft Canvas with leather details eco-certified by the Leather Working Group. Even better? A water-resistant, eco-friendly silicone coating protects the bags from stains.
Packing cubes have been all the rage, helping travelers better organize their luggage. However, this three-piece packing cube set from Cotopaxi does so much more, enabling travelers to be good to the Earth, too. All three heavy-duty pieces are made from repurposed nylon and mesh. Plus, one percent of revenue from your purchase goes to support the Cotopaxi Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to poverty alleviation in the poorest regions of the world.
For all your travel-size liquids, like shampoo and body wash, look to a clear toiletry bag that's both TSA-friendly and made from organic materials. Travelers will feel good about this toiletry kit, which is made from an "eco lite" material that's been specially formulated to reduce toxins by 95 percent to 99 percent over standard PVC plastic that is used to make most clear vinyl bags. The bag's trim is made from a natural hemp fabric while trim on the bottles is Earth-friendly bamboo.
Every intrepid traveler and busy parent needs a sturdy backpack, like this one from Earth-conscious outdoor lifestyle brand, United by Blue. This good-looking, water-repellent utility backpack is made from 100 percent recycled polyester. Sizable pockets allow for easy on-the-go storage of laptops, tablets, water bottles and notebooks. This durable backpack has a lifetime guarantee and is available in two colors: olive and black.
We all want to save money when we travel (so we can travel more, of course). Cutting back on restaurant meals and walk-up visits to snack shacks is an easy way to do so, making reusable snack and sandwich bags a must for budget-conscious and eco-friendly travelers. An Earth-conscious alternative to single-use plastic bags are these super-cute washable bags from Bumkins. They come in 30+ patterns, like arrows, hearts, rainbows and unicorns.
We all want to be comfortable when we travel, so for the ladies, this long-sleeve crew sweatshirt from Tentree is a must-have item. Made from organic cotton and recycled polyester, this fleece is both comfy and sustainable. Even better, for every item sold, Tentree has pledged to plant 10 trees. Now here's something really cool: Each apparel item comes with a unique tracking code. Wearers can track where the trees will be planted and see their impact on local communities.
Adventurers need a comfortable, adjustable belt that moves with them whether hiking, climbing, biking or simply wandering about a new town. This elastic belt from Jelt fits the bill, but it does so much more than hold up your pants. All Jelt belts are made from recycled plastic water bottles, helping users minimize their impact on the earth. One percent of all sales go to non-profit 1% for the Planet, an environmental cause dedicated to saving Mother Earth.
Warm up cold feet with these sustainable slipper socks from Kosy Sheep. These handmade slippers are made from breathable, moisture-wicking Icelandic wool, so feet will feel warm and cozy without getting sweaty. Perfect for travel, bring a pair on the plane to slip into after take-off or don a pair at the end of the day when you're ready to relax. Kosy Sheep has a Second Life program too, enabling users to return worn-out Kosy Socks for recycling.
Wearers of this widely-recognized signature bracelet from 4Ocean can show their support for ocean conservation wherever they go. Made from recycled materials collected by 4Ocean employees and volunteers, this bracelet serves as a reminder that our oceans need saving from plastic waste. With every bracelet purchase, 4Ocean is able to remove one pound of trash from our precious oceans.
Why yes, there are non-plastic case options for protecting smartphones. Pela cases are designed to be compostable, and shopping some of the collections will contribute five percent toward a cause, such as protecting whale and penguin populations.
More than 40 percent of plastic waste comes from product packaging, like shampoo bottles and twist-up deodorant containers. Eco-friendly beauty brand Ethique is on a mission to change this with beauty products like their eco-conscious body sampler. Inside, you'll find five travel-size hygiene products, including deodorant, body butter and body wash. Each luscious body product is made from biodegradable products and all packaging is compostable.
For those getting familiar with an eco-friendly life, this zero-waste starter kit is a real find. Inside you'll find a variety of 100-percent sustainable products, like a stainless-steel straw, biodegradable bamboo toothbrush, beeswax food wrap and a bamboo cutlery set. As a bonus, this starter kit will arrive in zero-waste packaging. Travelers can easily pack these items into their luggage or carry-on bag to take with them on their next adventure.
For those on your gift-giving list who are eager to explore how they can make more of an impact on conservation efforts, consider Zero Waste Year. This planner and journal include eco-living ideas, like reusable grocery bags and stainless steel straws. A habit tracker helps users track what they are doing — and where they could do better — to help save the earth when they're on the go and at home.
Eco-friendly travel gifts are fantastic but don't forget about Mother Earth when you go to wrap your gifts. Choose an Earth-kind gift wrap that's recyclable, compostable and uses soy-based ink, like this reversible holiday gift wrap from Wrappily. Made from 100-percent recyclable newsprint, Wrappily's gift wrap comes in dozens of patterns just right for the holidays. They also make all-occasion wrap (flowers, watercolors) and whimsical birthday wrapping paper.