5 Sustainable Travel Gift Guides (40+ Ideas)

The holidays are upon us! With the flurry of activity that accompanies this festive time of year, these five sustainable travel gift guides are here to spark some eco-friendly inspiration for gift giving. Of course, the most sustainable gift you can give is not material. Think of gifting experiences (like concert tickets), donations to a cause, something homemade, or regifting something dear to you that is ready for a new home. 

If you are planning to buy “stuff” this year, we hope these sustainable travel gift guides will help. They are designed to help any traveler in your life be more green on the go. Our five gift guides cover the following:

• plastic-free/zero-waste enthusiasts
• cityscape travelers
• outdoorsy adventurers
• lady travelers
• stocking stuffers

Access Gift Guides

While the gift guides are a handy reference, below we’ll go into more detail about what actually makes each of our recommendations sustainable. We guarantee that at least one thing on our list will make you say, “Hmm! I didn’t know there was a sustainable version of that!”

Plastic-free/Zero-waste Enthusiasts

We all know the folks who are ultra gung-ho about reducing their footprint both at home and on the go. This list is to help anybody who is trying to lessen their environmental impact. Our sustainable travel gift guide is full of recommendations suitable for people brand new to the idea of plastic-free alternatives as well as those who absolutely insist on the zero-waste lifestyle.

1. Water filtration bottle: As common as reusable water bottles are, many travelers are still buying plastic water bottles due to concerns about safe drinking water. With these everyday water bottles, avoid plastic and come one step closer to clean water wherever you are – simply purify on the go. Water-to-Go creates reusable, BPA-free water bottles that use a built-in, unique, 3-in-1 filter technology that can remove up to 99.9999% of microbiological contaminants in water. One filter can replace 400 single-use plastic water bottles! The filters are compostable and can be easily replaced. Fun fact: Their filtration technology was originally designed for NASA.

2. Reusable storage bag: Staying organized is key, especially during your travels when you’re belongings are packed away. Keep items in place with these reusable, biodegradable, and recyclable storage bags. Whether it be snacks for a hike, or neatly sorting your toiletries, these travel bags will make your life easier… and the planet will thank you, too.

3. (E)co Explorers Kit (for 2 people): What’s better than one sustainable traveler? Two sustainable travelers! (We would actually love hundreds of thousands, but… let’s start small.) The “(E)Co-Explorers” kit has everything you and your travel buddy need for your next adventure. 

4. Liquid-free detergent strips: We’ve all had those moments on a trip where we desperately need to wash something. Life-changing (ok, maybe that’s dramatic) laundry detergent strips are your new best friend! Plastic-free, liquid-free, harmful chemical-free strips are the way to go. You can throw these strips into a sink or a machine to wash your clothes on the go — and actually, these strips are perfect for home use too if you want to ditch the big plastic detergent jugs. 

5. Eco-conscious laptop sleeve: This laptop sleeve fits a 13″ computer, protecting it with coconut fiber and plastic-free padding. The inner lining is made of 100% recycled plastic, while the outer is durable, water-resistant vegan leather. 

6. Bamboo cutlery with stainless steel straws: This lightweight, bamboo reusable cutlery set is the perfect addition to your carry-on or day bag. By using a reusable cutlery set, you can avoid discarding up to 200 plastic utensils and 300 plastic straws per year! 

7. Reusable ear swab: This small item is the most used single-use bathroom product that impacts the plastic problem and cotton production issues. Gallons of water are used to produce these swabs (1.5 million swabs are made every single day), only to be disposed of in under one minute and sent to the landfill or in the ocean where they can affect marine life. An easy switch is to disposable swabs! 

8. Bamboo toothbrush: Did you know that it takes plastic toothbrushes 400 years to decompose? The solution is easy: transition to compostable, bamboo toothbrushes. They’ll help you save up to 300 toothbrushes from landfills in your lifetime. 

9. Toothpaste tablets: Toothpaste tubes can take up to 500 years to decompose. They’ll help you save up to 900 toothpaste tubes from landfills in your lifetime.  

10. Charcoal dental floss: Clean your teeth, while whitening them, and being eco-friendly. Zero-waste floss not only protects our environment (it can take up to 200 years for nylon floss to decompose), but it protects your health. Standard floss is coated in a toxic chemical called PFAS, which is a subdivision of PFCs, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. These chemicals can also lead to liver damage, cancer, or development issues.  

11. Quick-dry travel: Made with recycled plastic, purchasing this quick-dry and sand-free (sand is shaken off super easily) towel diverts 28 plastic bottles from landfills and oceans. It can be packed tightly down to the size of a water bottle. Whether you’re at the beach or in the park, it’s the perfect match for afternoons outdoors!  

12. Packable “extra” bags: These little guys pack a punch!  They fold up small enough to fit in your pocket (literally) or throw in your bag and can carry up to 30 pounds of weight. They are absolutely perfect as a vessel for takeaway food, souvenirs, or knickknacks. Once you discover the beauty of these tiny, lightweight bags, you might not ever leave your house – or for another trip – without them again.

13. Reusable earplugs: Get away from disposable foam earplugs with these reusable and washable ergonomic earplugs. Great for trains, planes, or sleeping in the middle of a city, drown out the sound and rest peacefully on your travels (or at home!). 

14. Reusable napkins: Finally, you can avoid a huge area of unnecessary waste really easily. Every time you grab food on the go, establishments tend to give you a stack of disposable, paper napkins. This little trick is genius- just carry around these reusable, washable cocktail napkins. You might be shocked at how frequently they come in handy, and how easy it is to throw them in the wash and reuse them.

15. Collapsible water bottles: Yes – there are a ton of reusable water bottle options out there. But these ones are cool because they can squish up really small! If taking up space in your luggage was a reason you weren’t bringing a reusable water bottle with you, then let this provide a solution.

Cityscape Travelers

Whether you’re playing tourist in your hometown for the day or escaping by train for a weekend to somewhere nearby, you need to pack light and well. Here’s a convenient list of sustainable travel products that won’t weigh you down and keep you going – sustainably – as you wander along.

1. City guidebooks, like this one for Paris: Maybe this is a little old-fashioned, but a good guidebook in your pocket can be a lifesaver on trips. Instead of being absorbed in a screen, flip through carefully laid out advice from experts in these insightful guides.

2. Bamboo cutlery, straw, and toothbrush: Here’s another option for a sustainable bamboo set. This one is nice because it includes the bamboo toothbrush along with the cutlery. It can help you avoid all the single-use plastic restaurant sets, and equip you with a toothbrush that won’t end up in a landfill.

3. “The Works” sustainable travel kit: If you’re ready to dive into the zero-waste lifestyle, this is for you. With “The Works” kit, you get everything in the “Essentials” kit and then some: you also get the sustainable travel towel and the packable backpack. In other words, you’ll have everything you need to be a responsible traveler with this collection of eco-friendly travel products. Buying as a convenient set also helps you save 30%.

4. Recycled backpack: Out of so many bags to choose from, consider this one that is made out of 100% recycled materials. Perfect for bumming around a city, a day at a cafe, or a picnic in the park.

5. Eco-market bags: You’ve seen these everywhere! These reusable totes replace the need for plastic bags when you’re perusing local markets on your travels. Lightweight, foldable, washable, and able to carry up to 40 pounds, these are worthy of some space in your luggage.

6. Liquid-free detergent strips: We already raved about these up above, so we’ll keep it short: These are magic in a strip! Try these eco-strips to experience their greatness!

7. Rollable water bottle: Maybe you have a reusable water bottle already, but does it…roll? This one-liter bottle can stand upright when it’s full, but roll up to next to nothing when it’s empty. The fact that it can shrink in size, and has a carabiner attached, makes it a breeze to pack so that you’re never without a water bottle when you’re out and about.

8. Eco-essentials pouch: Small bags help you stay organized while you travel, and we love them even more when they’re made with durable, vegan leather and a 100% recycled plastic lining… and they’re water resistant! Even better, OneNine5’s packaging is biodegradable and recyclable or made from recycled materials. Also, if your pouch ever reaches its “end of life” moment, they have a nifty recycling return program that’s the first of its kind in the travel goods industry.

Outdoorsy Adventurers

You know the type: always up for something a little more hard-core than the rest of the group. A morning hike, a backpacking trip, a rugged adventure. This gift guide contains some essential sustainable travel products that can truly help you “leave no trace” – while keeping you hydrated, charged, and more.

1. Water filtration bottle: As common as reusable water bottles are, many travelers are still buying plastic water bottles due to concerns about safe drinking water. With these everyday water bottles, avoid plastic and come one step closer to clean water wherever you are – simply purify on the go. Water-to-Go creates reusable, BPA-free water bottles that use a built-in, unique, 3-in-1 filter technology that can remove up to 99.9999% of microbiological contaminants in water. One filter can replace 400 single-use plastic water bottles! The filters are compostable and can be easily replaced. Fun fact: Their filtration technology was originally designed for NASA.

2. Packable backpack: Say hello to your new adventure buddy! The Explorer20 is the ultra-light (half the weight of an iPhone), packable backpack you’ve been waiting for. The pack can store up to 20L of space yet downsize into a small case the size of your hand for compact storage. Perfect for the trail or for groceries.

3. Wireless and solar-powered charger: For adventure travel or for more eco-conscious activity at home, this rugged shockproof and dustproof solar-powered phone charger is great for camping and long trips in the outdoors. To note: the solar-powered charging feature is considered an additional feature to use in emergencies. The power bank should be fully charged before you take it out on your adventures.

4. Trail bags: We’ll be the first to say it, this is definitely the least sexy sustainable travel item on this list. But… if you are serious about leaving no trace, that means making sure your waste is, ahem, disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way possible. These little bags are biodegradable and compostable, making them quite handy to have out in the wilderness with you.

5. Reef-safe sunscreen: This vegan, SPF50 sunscreen will keep you protected on the trail or at the beach. If you rinse off in a creek, lake, or jump in the ocean later, you can rest assured that this reef-safe sunscreen will be kind to your skin and local marine life. Plus, purchasing this sunscreen also supports Costa Rican farmers who are doing regenerative farming.

6. Quick-dry travel: We already mentioned this item up above, but just to reiterate: this towel diverts 28 plastic bottles from landfills and oceans and dries 4x faster than traditional cotton towels. A great addition to your pack!

7. Water filter: This small, portable water filter can purify water on the go, making sure you always have access to clean drinking water, even in the remote wilderness. It removes 99.99%+ of waterborne bacteria and parasites, as well as microplastics. As an added bonus, every purchase of this water filter also supports a child in accessing clean water for the duration of one school year.

8. Collapsible water bottle: Options, options, options! We’ve already covered water bottles with built-in filtration systems, and rollable water bottles…but we still want to introduce you to collapsible water bottles. Similar to the rollable water bottles, these guys can fold up really small and are lightweight, making them easy to pack up and take with you anywhere. If you prefer more of a classic water bottle feel (as opposed to a cantine kind of feel), then these are for you.

Lady Travelers

Gals, we’ve got you covered. This list has been curated for you by a fellow female traveler, who is obsessed with packing light and leaving behind as little waste as possible.

1. Reusable makeup wipes: The average makeup wipe takes up to 100 years to decompose. For cotton make-up rounds, there are several other problems. They take a lot of water to produce, the cotton is usually grown using pesticides, and the rounds themselves usually end up in landfills. These reusable makeup wipes are the solution. Take only as many as you need on your trip, and – voila! – you’ve cut out one more disposable toiletry item from your everyday use. (By the way, these are fantastic to use at home, too.)

2. Eco-friendly safety razor: With a handle made of bamboo instead of plastic, these are already more eco-friendly than your normal razor. On top of that though, traditional razor cartridge heads are not recyclable. With this razor, you just need to replace the metal blades – not throw out the head of the razor every time it needs a refresh. As a bonus, purchasing this razor comes with two homemade shaving cream recipes!

3. Eco-travel wash bag: Similar to the other OneNine5 products listed, this eco-travel wash bag – also called a toiletry bag, or a dop kit – is made with durable, vegan leather and a 100% recycled plastic lining… and they’re water resistant! Even better, OneNine5’s packaging is biodegradable and recyclable or made from recycled materials. Also, if your pouch ever reaches its “end of life” moment, they have a nifty recycling return program that’s the first of its kind in the travel goods industry.

4. Reusable beauty swab: These nylon and silicone reusable makeup remover swabs easily resolve another cotton, single-use bathroom product that piles up in your trash can. Any gal who has ever worn mascara has had to reach for a cotton bud at some point to clean up their edges. With these, just dip one of the delicate ends in a makeup remover and gently remove excess mascara. This also comes in a certified ocean-bound plastic case, so you can keep it safe and clean on your travels.

5. Silicone menstrual cup: If you’re waiting for a sign to take the plunge and get a cup, this is it! With up to 12 hours of protection, this little silicone cup can drastically reduce – or even completely remove – your need for pads and tampons. On your travels, this is great! It means less stuff to pack, and less stuff to throw away. This brand is also B-Corp certified, which we love!

6. Eco-essentials pouch: We covered this up in the Cityscape section, but this is another OneNine5 product made of vegan leather with 100% recycled plastic lining. We included this pouch on the lady list though because it’s perfect to hold makeup essentials. Just put what you need in the pouch, and throw the whole thing in your purse. 

7. Absorbent panties: Aside from the trail bags in the Outdoorsy section….this might actually be a tie for the second least sexiest product on this list (OK…third if you count the menstrual cup). But, we’re sure you’ve heard of these! These panties are not a replacement for a cup/pad/tampon, but you can think of them as a ‘backup guard’ or perhaps a replacement for panty liners. With the power of the cup and the panties combined…you might actually say goodbye to all those disposable lady time products!

8. Dry shampoo powder: Gals, we’ve got you! It’s not always practical to carry an aerosol can of dry shampoo around. Enter this natural, organic, vegan powder that you can easily take with you on the go. If you don’t want to take the whole container, you could easily tap out some powder into a smaller, reusable cosmetic container (think about saving empty jars of things like eye creams for future use).

9. A guide to solo female travel: We’re not sure we can say it better than the book description: “This book is for the travelers, the feminists, the adventurers, the seekers, and the curious.” Get usable tips and advice on how to live the vagabond life of gritty adventure.

Stocking Stuffers

Small and practical delights, all under $15! These gender-neutral suggestions are perfect for any type of traveler, and can all actually be used at home, as well!

1. Solid shampoo bar: Over 40% of plastic comes from packaging. Making the transition to plastic-free takes time and patience, but an easy, big-win change is ridding yourself of the accumulation of bathroom plastic products by using a solid shampoo bar. Every hair type is different but, nowadays, there are tons of different options out there for normal, oily, dry, fine, curly, and other hair types. This shampoo bar can replace up to 3 plastic bottles!

2. Solid conditioner bar: You probably saw this coming – this solid conditioner bar is the perfect pairing to keep the solid shampoo bar company. This eco-friendly, all-natural bar can replace one 16 oz plastic bottle. 

3. Silicone bottle: Whether it’s hand sanitizer, wash products, or lotions, reusable travel bottles are a must. So, push away the hotel bathroom amenities and make room for your reusable travel bottles! By bringing your own liquids and creams in reusable bottles, you’re standing up against single-use plastic toiletry amenities at hotels.

4. Bamboo toothbrush: Did you know that it takes plastic toothbrushes 400 years to decompose? The solution is easy: bamboo toothbrushes. By making the transition, you alone can save up to 300 toothbrushes from landfills in your lifetime. Grab one (or four) of these little bamboo essentials to stock your suitcase (and your home)!

5. Bamboo charcoal floss: Clean your teeth, while whitening them, while being eco-friendly! Win-win-win. Zero-waste floss not only protects our environment (it can take up to 200 years for nylon floss to decompose), but also it protects your health. Standard floss is coated in a toxic chemical called PFAS, which is a subdivision of PFCs, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. These chemicals can also lead to liver damage, cancer, or development issues. Try switching to this plastic-free floss today and see how you like it!

6. Toothpaste tablets: Toothpaste tubes can take up to 500 years to decompose! By switching over to chewable toothpaste tablets, you can save up to 900 toothpaste tubes from finding their way to landfills. Some added benefits for travelers: there’s no liquid involved in these tablets, which makes taking them through the airport a breeze; and, you can count out how many tablets to take with you if you want to pack super light and not bring the whole container.

7. Reusable ear swab: This little guy is so important, it’s worth repeating. Cotton ear swabs are the most used single-use bathroom product that impacts the plastic problem and cotton production issues. Gallons of water are used to produce these swabs (1.5 million swabs are made every single day), only to be disposed of in under one minute and sent to the landfill or in the ocean where they can affect marine life. An easy switch is to disposable swabs! 

8. Biodegradable hair ties: One single hair tie can take up to 500 years to decompose. If you’re not using a cute scrunchie to hold your hair back, use these biodegradable black hair ties and know you’re impact is minimized, one ponytail at a time. Guys – don’t feel left out. These will be perfectly suitable for your man buns, too!

9. Plastic-free eco razor: This gender-neutral razor has a bamboo handle and reusable metal parts. Please don’t burden the planet with plastic razors and make the switch today to this more eco-friendly alternative. 

We hope our sustainable travel gift guides help you find the perfect way to bring a little extra joy to the travelers in your life… and perhaps you discovered some things to put on your wishlist, too!

If you liked this list, please check out our Earthsider Eco-Shop and consider snagging our sustainable travel packing list. It is downloadable and reusable, and it has even more ideas to help you pack your bags responsibly. 

The best gift of all... travel! Collect memories, not stuff. 

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