Traveling doesn’t have to leave a trail of waste behind. By packing a few eco-friendly essentials—such as reusable tote bags or solid toiletries—you can reduce your environmental impact while still having a great time. Eco-conscious packing isn’t just better for the planet; it makes your trip simpler, lighter, and a lot more satisfying. Ready to travel smarter and greener? Let’s dive into the must-haves for a more sustainable suitcase.

Packing solutions

Brand: Quince

About the product: The Eco-Compression Packing Cubes, six pack, $60. Included is one X-Large, one large, two medium, one small, and one X-Small cube. Each is made from 61 recycled water bottles, while remaining durable and water-repellent. These packing cubes are manufactured in Sedex Certified factories, which aim to improve working conditions throughout the supply chain.

Is it travel-friendly? These packing cubes can each be compressed by up to 60%, so you never have to worry about overpacking again. The compression zipper reduces each cube's height up to 60%, effectively saving space.

Brand: Baggu

About the product: Packing cube set, consisting of two pouches - one medium and one small - for $36. These packing cubes are machine washable, made from pre-consumer waste, which saves scrap material from being landfilled, conserves petroleum resources, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. There are 14 different colors and patterns. Two of my favorite patterns are Painted Prairie and Get Ready With Me. The packing is also recyclable, made from FSC-certified 100% recycled paper stock with non-plastic eco-friendly coatings that are fully recyclable.

Is it travel-friendly? The original packing cube set is designed to keep smaller items, such as socks and t-shirts, organized in your travel bag. The large packing cube set is designed to fit bulkier items. The large pouch fits two pairs of sweats plus two hooded sweatshirts.

Tote Bags/reusable shopping bags

Brand: Bumkins

About the product: The Bumkins packable tote bag, priced at $29.75, can hold up to 50 pounds, and replaces 2-3 plastic bags. This bag features comfortable no-slip shoulder straps with a snap closure for item security. The Bumkins signature fabric is both soft and firm, features no stiff layer of plastic backing, and is backed by colorfast technology. This ensures that prints and designs stay bright and colorful for many washes. Not only is the fabric easy to wipe clean, but it is also resistant to stains and odors.

Is it travel-friendly? The Bumkins tote bag can be easily folded into a compact size. Then it can be unfolded, making it perfect for carrying daily essentials, groceries, gym clothes, and more.

Brand: Patagonia

About the product: The recycled market tote, $45, is made from scraps of their uprisal styles and is produced in fair trade-certified factories. By utilizing fabric scraps and recycled bottles in production, they’re reducing the reliance on virgin raw materials.

Is it travel-friendly? This tote features an internal stash pocket to keep small items accessible, making it perfect for everyday use and keeping your items safe and secure.

Eco-friendly toiletry bottles

Brand: Keep Your Cadence

About the product: The capsule system is available in four different sizes, comes in various colors, and offers different bundles, including a carrying case. Although these are on the pricier side, ranging from $38 to $8 for the individual containers and $459 to $256 for the bundles, they are built to last, and you’ll never need any other travel bottles again. Each container is made from recycled materials and is meant for everything you drip, splash, or pour. The Flex Small is ideal for balms and serums, the Medium for cleansers and pills, and the Flex Large for body and hair care. There are also extenders if you need to make one of the containers slightly larger. Each container also comes with magnetic labels, known as tiles.

Is it travel-friendly? These containers are leakproof, TSA-compliant, BPA- and PFA-free, and magnetize to each other.

Brand: Ries

About the product: Ries limited edition gift set includes the five best welling refillable travel bottles. The bottles included are perfect for storing shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, or any other personal care product. The lids of each container are wide and open enough for easy cleaning and refilling. Each bottle is silicone-free, dishwasher-safe, and features a fully recyclable and refillable design.

Is it travel-friendly? Ries travel bottles are all TSA-compliant. Unlike traditional toiletry bottles, these feature a unique airless pump for easy dispensing.

Shampoo and conditioner bars

Brand: Seek Bamboo

About the product: Seek Bamboo offers a range of shampoo and conditioner bars specifically designed to meet your unique hair needs. Individual bars are $17 each, or you can purchase a shampoo and conditioner duo bundle for $34. Seek offers a hair quiz to help you find your ideal bar if you’re unsure what to get. These bars are eco-friendly, natural, and have vegan bar options.

Is it travel-friendly? When you subscribe to receive refill bars whenever you run out, you’ll receive a sleek travel tin with them, perfect for your travels. Because they are bars, packing them in a toiletry bag will take up less space than a traditional bottle.

Brand: Eco Roots

About the product: Eco Roots shampoo and conditioner bars include nourishing vegan ingredients to cleanse, hydrate, and restore all hair types. You’ll be reducing plastic waste while nourishing your scalp to decrease hair breakage. They’re also silicon-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free, and color-safe, making them suitable for all hair types. There are 10 scents for both shampoo and conditioner, including an unscented option. You can mix and match as you please.

Is it travel-friendly? These Eco Roots shampoo and conditioner bars are travel-friendly thanks to their compact size.

Safety razors

Brand: Leaf Shave

About the product: Leaf Shave offers the most advanced safety razor for eco-friendly shaving. You buy once, refill for life. Their safety razor is designed and engineered for closer, more comfortable shaves. These razors are money-saving, dermatologist-tested, and safe for sensitive skin. They’re also great for shaving your body, face, head, and peach fuzz. Made of metal handles and recyclable stainless steel refills, and coming in a variety of cool colors, unlike any other in the market. The signature Leaf Razor, priced at $109, is perfect for both body and head shaving. The single-edge razor, priced at $79, is designed for face shaving. And the dermaplaner for removing peach fuzz on your face. Leaf Shave also offers different bundles and sets.

Is it travel-friendly? Leaf razors are of similar size to traditional razors, meaning they’ll still be easy to pack and not take up too much space.

Brand: Albatross

About the product: Albatross is the original zero-waste shave, made to last and includes a limited lifetime warranty. Their three-piece safety razor set, priced at $25, is designed for all genders and shaving needs. Delivering a close, razor-burn-free shave every time. The high-polished finish prevents corrosion, ensuring no rust, and the entire shaving kit is made from plastic-free materials.

Is it travel-friendly? Albatross razors are ideal for travelers, as they disassemble into a compact size for easy storage and travel. The razors also come with 10 blades and a hemp storage bag.

Plastic-free deodorant

Brand: Hi Bar

About the product: Hi Bar deodorant is safe and gentle for all skin types, delivering absolute assurance of fresh, all-day protection. Available in five scents, the plastic-free deodorant, priced at $12.95, is aluminum-free and paraben-free, and is crafted exclusively with naturally derived ingredients. The uniquely designed, easy-to-use, and recyclable cardboard container complements the product. When you’re finished with it, simply recycle.

Is it travel-friendly? Hi Bar plastic-free deodorant is TSA-compliant and slightly smaller and more compact than the average deodorant.

Brand: Humble

About the brand: Humble deodorant is formulated to absorb and neutralize body odor, keeping you feeling fresh and confident. They offer three formulas: original, vegan, and sensitive, all of which contain just four simple ingredients, plus botanically based fragrances. They also offer two different types of packaging, one that is completely plastic-free, made from biodegradable materials, and a container made from 75% post-consumer recycled plastic. Humble is a 1% for the Planet member, and their products are certified cruelty-free by the Leaping Bunny. They ship orders in recyclable brown paper envelopes or cardboard shipping boxes, depending on the order's volume.

Is it travel-friendly? Humble offers a travel-size version of their deodorant in a container made from 75% post-consumer recycled plastic.

Toothpaste tablets

Brand: Bite

About the product: Fluoride-free toothpaste bits, $32. Dentists trust that bite toothpaste bits contain no harsh chemicals. While still being perfectly portioned and easy to use. These bits strengthen teeth, brighten, fight cavities, and freshen bad breath. These zero-waste toothpaste bits come in three flavors and are made with better-for-you ingredients. Bite products are also vegan, cruelty-free, carbon-neutral, and women-owned.

Is it travel-friendly? Bite toothpaste bits are TSA-approved and come in a refillable jar.

Brand: Biom

About the product: Biom’s nobs toothpaste tablets, $15. These tablets are available in two different supply amounts: a one-month supply of 62 tablets and a three-month supply of 186 tablets. Biom products are everything toothpaste should be: only the good stuff, with none of the junk. These toothpaste tablets protect your teeth long term, clean effectively without damaging the enamel, and are even safe for the whole family. These zero-waste tablets are sized perfectly and come in a reusable glass jar.

Is it travel-friendly? Biom toothpaste tablets are easy to store and use anywhere and are TSA-approved. They’re also mess-free and waste-free.

Non-toxic sunscreens

Brand: Sky and Sol

About the product: Face and body sunscreen SPF 50, $30, was crafted to nourish, protect, and bring out your skin’s natural glow. As a brand, Sky and Sol follows one rule: if it’s not safe enough to trust around your body, it has no business on your skin. They use food-derived, nutrient-rich ingredients, no added fragrances, parabens, gluten, or harsh preservatives. The only thing their sunscreen contains is clean, well-tolerated ingredients for sensitive skin, with dermatologist-approved and non-comedogenic ingredients.

Is it travel-friendly? Sky and Sol sunscreens use a reef-conscious formula, so no worries of harming ocean life when at the beach.

Brand: Project Reef

About the product: SPF 50 reef-safe sunscreen, $26. This is the perfect lightweight sunscreen, providing sheer coverage while offering a full range of UV protection. Project Reef formulates their products with ethically sourced ingredients and is cruelty-free, sustainable, and vegan. The tubes their products come in are made from ocean-bound plastic and post-consumer plastic. Project Reef formulas are always safe, FDA-approved, and recyclable.

Is it travel-friendly? As the company name implies, Project Reef’s sunscreen is reef-safe, providing you with peace of mind and relaxation on your beach vacation.

Menstrual products

Brand: Saalt

About the product: Saat discs and cups come in two different sizes, ensuring a perfect fit. The soft cup, priced at $32, is also available in three different colors. Saalt menstrual cups are reusable up to 10 years and provide 12 hours of protection day or night. The ultra-soft silicone is designed to be both gentle and highly comfortable for those with bladder sensitivity, cramping, or discomfort with firmer cups. The soft cup is BPA- and latex-free, made from 100% medical-grade silicone. The soft cup is guaranteed to be odor-free, biocompatible, vegan, and cruelty-free.

The Saalt disc, $35, is designed to be the most comfortable and easiest reusable menstrual disc to insert and remove. A custom finger notch is featured to aid in easy removal. This disc is ideal for those with a weak pelvic floor or a high or low cervix, as it is inserted and located behind your pubic bone.

Is it travel-friendly? The small, compact design of both of these products makes them very convenient for travel. A travel bag is also included with the purchase of either the disc or cup.

Brand: Saalt

About the product: Saalt period underwear is available in a variety of styles and cuts, all offered at different prices. There are also different absorbency levels to choose from. Saalt period underwear is the thinnest and driest gusset technology on the market.. Each pair is machine washable and free from PFAS treatment. Saalt period underwear comes in sizes XXS-4XL.

Is it travel-friendly? Saalt period underwear is no more bulky than a traditional pair of underwear, meaning it won't take up any extra space.

DEET-free bug spray

Brand: Primally Pure

About the product: The nature spray (mosquito repellent), $22, is a DEET-free spray filled with ingredients that bugs can’t stand. Primally Pure utilizes a plant-based defense system that still protects your skin barrier, meaning no irritation. This clean ingredient bug spray is effective against mosquitoes, ants, ticks, and other insects. Primally Pure uses compostable pulp, recyclable glass, and eco-friendly aluminum packaging.

Is it travel-friendly? The Primally Pure nature spray is under the limit for liquids allotted by TSA, making this bug spray TSA-compliant.

Brand: Wink Well

About the product: The Wink Well shield bug protection spray, $23. This spray is DEET-free, safe for the whole family, and a non-irritating natural form of bug protection. Stay protected from pesky bugs while still helping to soothe, condition, and soften your skin.

Is it travel-friendly? Wink Well Shield Bug Spray comes in a smaller size that is TSA compliant.

Eco-friendly travel doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul—just a few smart swaps in your suitcase. By choosing reusable, sustainable, and low-waste items, you’re not only making your travels more planet-friendly but also setting a positive example for others on the road. Small changes add up, and every eco-conscious choice helps preserve the places we love to explore. So next time you pack, think green—you’ll be glad you did.

Green on the Go: Must-Have Sustainable Travel Essentials