Go Green With These Eco-Friendly Travel Essentials
Reduce your carbon footprint on the go with these sustainable choices, from reusable makeup-remover cloths to reef-friendly sunscreen to sunglasses made from recycled plastic.
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Recycled Plastic Sunglasses
I’m a big fan of Sunski sunglasses. The frames are stylish, polarized and don’t break the bank, but the best feature is what you don’t see. The sunglasses are made from recycled scrap plastics that save more plastic from going into landfills.
Buy It: Sunski, $68.00
Bamboo Toothbrushes
It’s estimated that more than one billion toothbrushes are thrown away every year. Most of those toothbrushes are plastic, and most of those toothbrushes go straight to a landfill. Cut down on your plastic use with bamboo toothbrushes instead. The handles and even the packaging are biodegradable. Check out more ways to cut down on single-use plastic here.
Buy It: Amazon, $11.39 (Pack of 8)
Makeup Removing Pads
Reduce your liquids and ditch the single-use makeup-removing cloths with Croon. These magical pads remove makeup with just water and can be washed and reused. Just toss in the wash with your towels and clothes. The pads aren’t great with waterproof makeup or heavy eyeliner but take off most makeup just fine. Check out more eco-friendly, travel beauty products here.
Buy It: Amazon, $32.50, Set of 2
Reef-Friendly Sunscreen
Protect your skin and the coral reefs at the same time with reef-friendly sunscreen. Many sunscreens contain two chemicals that are deadly for coral reefs: oxybenzone and octinoxate. Brands, such as All Good, don’t contain these harmful ingredients but still provide UVA and UVB broad-spectrum coverage. Their sport sunscreen is great if you’re going to be in and out of the water a lot. Check out more of our favorite reef-friendly sunscreens here.
Buy It: Amazon, $15.99
Reusable Liquids Bag
Instead of grabbing a new quart-size plastic bag for the TSA line every time you fly, buy this bag once and reuse it for future trips.
Buy It: Amazon, $10.49
Travel-Size Bottles
Instead of buying those tiny plastic bottles of shampoo and body wash for every trip, buy these reusable tubes once and fill them up with your own soap at home. Not only does it cut down on waste, but it’s also budget-friendly.
Buy It: Amazon, $19.12 (Pack of 3)
Reusable Straws
Cut down on your single-use plastics with a travel-friendly reusable straw. Attach this handy keychain carrying case to your key ring or bag and always have a stainless steel straw with you on the go. This one expands like a telescope and comes with a small cleaning brush. Check out more top-rated reusable straws from our friends at HGTV.
Buy It: Amazon, $6.99
Travel Utensils
Just like a travel straw, reusable flatware is great for cutting down on single-use plastics. I love this compact set with a carrying case from Anthropologie.
Buy It: Anthropologie, $24.00
Reusable, Recycled Razor
If you’re guilty of using those cheap, single-use disposable razors, check out this reusable razor. The handle is made from recycled yogurt cups!
Buy It: Amazon, $12.99
Eco-Friendly Toothpaste
Goodwell Co. got their start producing non-plastic toothbrushes as a way to cut down on plastic. They’ve since expanded their oral care line to floss and toothpaste, too. Their Pacific Mint toothpaste comes in 100% recycled packaging and the paste itself is free of synthetic ingredients, preservatives, flavors, colorants, carrageenan, surfactants and synthetic fluoride.
Buy It: Free People, $6.99