I began looking for eco-friendly products while on the beaches of Greece surrounded by plastic waste. Then we traveled to truly remote destinations like Mozambique and Seychelles; however, the plastic hung around and I knew the world had to become more familiar with green products.

While the tourists may have remained in Greece, the plastic waste followed us. Now it’s all over the world. On every beach we visit, every mountain we climb, even in beautiful national parks, it’s the same story – plastic everywhere.

We are all guilty of littering at some point, even if not intentionally. It’s time that we do something and care for Mother Earth, letting us rent space and destroy her day by day. However, we don’t have to stand by and let the world go to crap; we can take measures to become environmentally friendly, starting with what we buy.

Read on for a great list of eco-friendly products to help you go green on your travels. Most of these environmentally friendly products are here to help reduce your waste and make simple purchase decisions. Most importantly, don’t just buy these items for needless consumerism; use them to replace everyday items once they’ve seen their lifetime.

The Best Eco Friendly Products!

What is the Importance of Eco Friendly Products?

We’re destroying the earth, and it’s something that can be prevented. We can all take small steps toward reducing our environmental footprint. Even as travelers, we use a plethora of eco-friendly products that can make a huge difference. A great place to start is to reduce waste when it comes to taking green initiatives. 

By 2050 the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish in the ocean – that statistic is shocking. We all need to replace simple items we use in our everyday lives with environmentally friendly products to have a large impact.

Did you know? According to the World Wildlife Fund

• 90% of the world’s seabirds have plastic fragments in their stomach.
• Only 9% of plastics are recycled around the world. The world needs more green products.
• It will take hundreds of years for a single piece of plastic to decompose, and then it will turn in to dangerous microplastic.
• 80% of ocean plastic originates on land. Then it enters our ocean through rivers and streams.

The Best Eco Friendly Products (Sustainable Products)

Reusable Bamboo Utensil

Starting off this list of eco friendly products are my favorite reusable bamboo utensils. Plastic utensils are not only terrible for the environment, but they are terrible for you too and are not at all earth friendly products.

Did you know that only 6% of all plastic can be recycled in the US? That’s an awful number, and I feel that if more people knew that, they would cut back on their plastic consumption and strive to become more eco-friendly.

On top of that, most plastic silverware is made with BPA, a chemical that is absolutely terrible for your health (scientists have found links to cancer). The first step towards more sustainable lifestyles and travel is with reusable utensils. That’s why we were so excited when we found the To-Go Ware RePEaT Reusable Bamboo Utensil!

This silverware is heat resistant, small, and lightweight making it the perfect environmentally friendly travel product. These eco-friendly utensils have saved us during those random times when we desperately need a spoon or fork to eat too.

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Eco Safety Razor

I just got my hands on a reusable razor and it’s now my most favorite eco-friendly product in the bathroom. These small companies focus on sustainability through their razors. Never buy those cheap wasteful plastic razors again and instead invest in lifelong earth friendly products.

Seriously if you take care of this razor, it will last forever. Just this one-time purchase of a beautiful razor should last years. Each razor purchase comes with blades, though you can buy more blades anywhere once those run-out.

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Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

These makeup pads are a perfect go green biodegradable product and are ready to reuse repeatedly. They are a sustainable product you may not have thought about, but trust me they are amazing and have the cutest designs.

They are made out of organic bamboo fibers and come with a high-quality small laundry bag to wash these. Save money over time by not buying cotton pads and save the environment! I have not purchased cotton rounds or balls in years.

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GoToob Travel Bottle

Don’t lug around a full-sized body wash container; put liquids in little travel bottles instead! GoToob bottles are an earth friendly product made with durable silicon that are food safe, and airplane carry-on approved. Of course, they are 100% BPA-free and also a great eco friendly gift idea.

The GoToob is made by HumanGear who makes a wide range of reusable products. We love their eco-friendly product line for things like their FlexiBowl, GoBites, and GoTubbs. It’s all gear made to be reusable, thus eliminating one-use plastic products. It’s simple switches like this that can make a big impact on your environmental footprint. This also allows for liquids to be bought in bulk, but you should also consider alternative options like solid shampoo and conditioner.

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GoTubb

As mentioned, I love Humangear products, especially GoTubb, they make fantastic eco-friendly products. When I first got these, I had no clue what I would actually do with them and actually considered returning them. Six months later, and the truth is I use these all the time and keep one in my car.

They are great for all those little things you never know what to do with on travels. I’m talking things like bobby pins, earrings, keys, and now I store a few pairs of earbuds in them for the plane. Even if you don’t know what you need them for immediately I promise they are a great eco alternative to plastic bags.

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GoCup

Never pick up a plastic cup again with the GoCup. This eco friendly product is so perfect for traveling, hiking, and on a long haul flight. It’s compact, made from FDA food grade silicone, and a fitted lid with an integrated pill container should you need medication.

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Reusable Coffee Cup Cover

Reusable coffee lids are one of those eco friendly home products you need. We have a few of these because we absolutely love coffee and tea. Although we make a lot of our own coffee we do have the occasional $5 cappuccino.

This escalates when we travel, and we usually have a cup of coffee a day. I’m not too fond of those plastic lids given out, and this is the best alternative to a wasteful plastic lid. Plus, I love drinking off the silicone top. Alternatively, many coffee shops these days, including Starbucks, will allow you to bring your own coffee thermos.

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Stanley Travel Mug

Speaking of coffee lids, did you know that most of those coffee cups we grab daily from Starbucks are not recyclable? I just learned this, and it blew my mind that the UK alone throws out 2.5 billion of them a year.

Of course, I’m not saying to give up your coffee, but why not completely switch to a reusable coffee-to-go tumbler? It’s one of those eco-friendly items everyone should have. We just got this last year and have traveled the world with it ever since. Yes, I’m serious.

The Stanley Tragger Action Travel Mug is a great mug to invest in. It’s one of the best insulated coffee mugs out there and continues to remain our favorite in the cupboard.

Not just because we absolutely love Stanley products but because it never leaks and fits well in a carry on bag or purse. The trigger mug comes in a range of classic colors too.

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Bamboo Drinking Straw

I once saw this video and broke down in tears and knew it was time to get on the go green products. Marine life everywhere is threatened because of our plastic consumption. It pains me that they are paying the price for our greed and need to be completely comfortable.

For some reason, every bartender, barista, and restaurant thinks we need a plastic straw for our drinks. Seriously, the next time you go out to eat, question if you need that straw. Most people do not need a straw, and I think they should be done away with all together except for those in medical need.

The reality is that we use these little things once and then they go right into the landfill. That’s where these bamboo drinking straws can come to the rescue. They are reusable and look cute in any drink – talk about a cool eco friendly product! They are also handcrafted by artisans in Ubud, Bali using rare Bali mountain bamboo. Bonus! Drink in style while knowing you are supporting a small business.

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Collapsible Straws

This is another straw alternative that easily fits in your purse or pocket while traveling. Essentially this straw is collapsible and has a small carrying case. You can travel with it everywhere and then never have to take a plastic straw with your iced coffee. The Final Straw is so awesome Time even ranked it as one of the ’10 Smartest Sustainable Products of 2018.’

This is not only a good eco friendly product for travel, but also a perfect eco friendly products for the home.

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Silicone Straws

I know this is yet another eco-friendly straw, however, I knew that I had to mention it because silicone straws are my FAVORITE plastic straw alternative and a great eco-friendly product. I bought our silicone straws after trying out glass straws, avocado straws, paper straws, metal straws, and everything in between.

I find that the silicone is comfortable on your teeth and is big enough to slurp up a smoothie in the morning. You can use these straws when you are traveling as well as at home. Keep them clean with the scrub brush.

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MPOWERD Luci Outdoor Solar Lantern

We love to travel and hike with a solar-powered lamp! We just got it a week ago and have already had to use it a number of times when we were low on light. This little device is a solar-powered lamp and is a completely environmentally safe product.

It can be used on a table, hung around your neck, or attached to a bicycle. Five hours of sunlight will yield seven hours of bright illumination and 24 hours of low illumination.

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Aurorae Yoga Mat

My yoga mat goes everywhere with me – even a secluded island in Indonesia

I love traveling with my Aurorae mat for yoga sessions on the road. They are my absolute favorite eco friendly yoga mat. Their mats are made from a non-toxic resin free from Phthalates, Phenols, PAHS, Latex, Rubber, and Silicon. On top of that, they are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, and made from eco-safe patented PER. These yoga mats are ¼”  thick, so definitely not as small or compact as the travel mat from Manduka.

That’s why I say it’s my favorite for an actual class where I will spend an hour or more on the mat and want something comfortable. Make sure to pair any yoga mat with a travel bag so it doesn’t get dirty from all the movement. See all our favorite travel yoga mats here!

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Biodegradable Dental Floss

One of my favorite eco friendly home products is not a usual one – and that’s dental floss! I always have to floss my teeth and sometimes even travel around with a spare string of floss in my backpack. I bet you never thought about it, but floss is usually plastic. It’s also toxic and coated with PFCs (harmful chemicals) that make the gloss glide better. These chemicals have even been linked to dementia, cancer, and thyroid disease – yikes!

So I had to mention silk floss on this list of best eco friendly products used in daily life. A good way to avoid all the chemicals and plastic waste is by flossing alternatives like this.

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The Scrubba

Washing your clothes while traveling is never fun. That’s why we were super pumped to get the Scrubba. Which is a tiny and lightweight mobile laundry machine. Just put your dirty clothes in the bag, add water and soap, seal and scrub away. Now you can literally wash your clothes anywhere there is water.

The best part? The Scrubba only uses 3-6 liters per wash. The Scrubba boasts one of the highest price tags on this list, which may make you wonder “Is being eco-friendly expensive?”

Although, the Scrubba retails for just around $50, think about how much money washing your clothes can cost in a hostel, hotel, or laundromat. We usually pay about $5 per load. So you will easily make your money back after just 10 loads of wash. Most importantly, this eco friendly product uses less water than a commercial washing machine and no energy. I also found that this is another fantastic eco-friendly gift idea for travelers and hikers.

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Hemp Flip Flops

We live in flip flops, so when I discovered Rainbow Sandals 10 years ago I bought my first pair and never looked back. Rainbow Sandals are seriously the most comfortable sandal you could ever own and they are a great environmental product. They take a little bit of breaking in, but once they form to your feet they are yours forever.

Rainbow Sandals create strong, quality footwear that won’t end up in a landfill. I’ve only had two pairs in my life. I’ll be getting a third, but not because they didn’t hold up, but because they were stolen from under my seat in Thailand and then again a dog ran away with my flops years later in Nusa Lembongan.

These flip-flops are made using hemp, these strong fibers are durable and long-lasting and are perfect for those living an eco-friendly lifestyle. The hemp sole and strap are double-stitched using nylon thread. The bottom of all Rainbow Sandals is non-slip.

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Alaffia Products

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know we have a deep love for Africa. Recently, when I lost my face wash in Las Vegas I got on Amazon to find something with coconut oil for my skin (my secret ingredient). What I found was even better. Alaffia is a skin care company right from Togo in West Africa. Their eco friendly products are made out of all natural ethically traded ingredients.

It doesn’t end there though. Alaffia empowers and employs women from rural Togo and pays them a real and fair wage and run several empowerment projects. This includes reforestation, education, maternal care, and FMG (female genital mutilation) projects. In case you needed another reason to buy from them, they’ve also planted more than 60,000 trees since 2003. I wish they wouldn’t bottle the products in plastic and hope this changes soon.

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Stanley Ice Flow Waterbottle

I absolutely love the Stanley waterbottles, especially their Ice Flow series. This water bottle is extremely durable and keeps drinks cold for literally hours. It’s much better than buying plastic water bottles to take out. Water in those plastic water bottles doesn’t stay cold anyway, and Stanley products keep drinks cool for multiple days on end. I particularly love that these ones have a convenient flip straw for comfortable drinking.

I can’t even count the amount of money and plastic bottles we have saved because of this bottle.  Purchasing a reusable water bottle has to be one of the easiest ways to become earth friendly. If you’re looking to go more in-depth we detail our favorite water bottles.

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Collapsible Tupperware

Instead of always getting takeaway food in styrofoam or plastic container, opt for some Prepworks Tupperware containers. These eco friendly products pack up nice and small and really come in handy for long travel days when you don’t have easy access to food. These collapsible food storage containers are among some of the best environmentally friendly products as they are BPA-free, lead, and phthalates-free. 

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Reusable Snack Bags

Do you know where you can find those little Ziploc bags to put your lunchtime sandwiches outside of North America? Nowhere. Trust me, they are quite impossible to find abroad, and I love that. They are so wasteful, especially when you can get a green product like reusable snack bags. Reusable snack bags come in incredibly handy when traveling and at home. These little snack bags are Lead-free, PVC-free, BPA-free, phthalates-free, and vinyl-free. Score! 

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Beeswax Wraps

These are some of those environmental products I have really come to love through years of using. Get rid of plastic saran wrap and get your hands on some beeswax wrap. This is a great sustainable item and a natural alternative to sandwich bags and plastic wrap. We wrap our vegetables, sandwiches, and baking dough in this stuff, and it works so well.

The beeswax wrap is washable, reusable, and compostable, made out of sustainably harvested beeswax, cotton, and organic jojoba oil. The wax has lasted us at least a year, but we can easily use it as a natural fire starter when it’s no longer working properly.

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AllBirds

If you’re shopping for a new pair of travel shoes, likely, you’ve already come across Allbirds on the internet. They’ve billed themselves as the most comfortable shoes in the world, made to fight odor, be worn without socks, and generally handle the demands of travel exceptionally. Those are all some tall claims – I knew I had to have some.

We both got a pair this month and love them. The feeling of wearing them is best compared to wearing a wool sweater – comfortable and cozy. They are so soft and will be our new all-around travel shoes. Allbirds try their best to source sustainable materials for their shoes, which we love. The style is also great; they look even better in person than online with high-quality details. See the full Allbirds review here.

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Ethique Shampoo/Conditioner/Face Cream

Ethique makes some of the best eco-friendly skincare products on the market right now.  Ethique has a wide range of toiletry products ranging from shampoo to face cream. All of their products use natural and organic ingredients and use completely eco-friendly packaging on their products.

Oh, yea, it doesn’t hurt that a woman started this small business, and every product is Cruelty-Free, TSA Friendly, and Compostable. There are 80 billion shampoo and conditioner plastic bottles thrown out every year, and they all make their way to the ocean. By purchasing one bar from Ethique, you save three plastic bottles from ending up in a landfill.

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Reusable Grocery Bag Set

In today’s day and age, I feel like this is a duh eco friendly product; reusable bags are one of those sustainable home products that really help the environment. If you could help reduce waste on the planet by simply bringing your own bag to the grocery store, would you? Of course! These bags are cute, reusable, and pack up nicely. These aren’t just good for being eco-friendly at home, but for traveling with about anything in general.

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Bamboo Q-Tips

A good go green product is the Q tip. Some may say Q tips are bad for you, but personally, I can’t go one day without cleaning out my ears. I try to opt for organic Q-tips when traveling and at home, which are always at the top of my environmentally friendly products list.

Not only are they good for the environment, but they are also sturdier and of better quality than your typical ear swap. These particular cotton swabs are disposable, biodegradable, organic, and all-natural bamboo!

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Bamboo Toothbrush

The bamboo toothbrush is one of the best sustainable products out there. These toothbrushes are the best (seriously, check the reviews!). These bamboo toothbrushes are recyclable along with all their packaging. The bamboo ensures they are just as strong as plastic toothbrushes, and at about $3 a toothbrush, they are about the same price as your conventional toothbrush. So why not buy these and help the environment? Even the bristles are BPA-free so you won’t have to stick all those toxins in your mouth!

These are one of my favorite environmentally safe products for traveling and everyday life in general.

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Grayl Ultralight Water Bottle

It’s not always safe to drink water from rivers and streams. We previously used the Lifestraw Go for all those times during our travels when the water is questionable.

However, over time we became annoyed with the water bottle as the filter aged and clogged. In comes the Grayl Ultralight Purifier. It’s a simple design that is effective and does not leak and is a well thought out environmental product.

Most importantly, it is a purifier, not a filter. The Grayl water bottle system purifies water vs. filters which removes viruses and virtually removes all threats of waterborne illnesses. The only drawback is it costs double the Lifestraw Go.

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JeltBelt

Unless I am hiking in leggings I need a belt to secure my pants. The newest one I just got is a Jelt Belt. Jelt is a women-owned social enterprise that produces belts made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and eco friendly materials with an innovative patented flat buckle that won’t show a bump under tops or tees.

Both Cameron and I have a few of these bad boys and they are SO much better than regularly clunky belts.

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Sunscreen

Skin cancer is for real! Not having sun protection can lead to sunburn and in the long term skin cancer/skin aging. You will spend a lot of time outside when you travel and therefore under the sun. We highly recommend getting an eco-friendly sun cream that does not contain harmful chemicals. Once you go into the ocean those harmful chemicals from your sunscreen will run off and ruin the coral and marine life so it’s super important to sunbath responsibly.

Eco-friendly sunscreen is mineral based and usually only cost a few dollars more to help protect our natural bodies of water. If you’re not going to swim and only sunbathe just go with a reliable name brand — granted runoff often still ends in our oceans and lakes.

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Solar Phone Charger

Another great earth friendly product is the solar phone charger. With this waterproof and dustproof solar panel charger, you will be able to stay charged and save energy at the same time.  This was the perfect earth-friendly product for our year-long road trip across Africa. When you’re camping or out in the wilderness, as I’m sure you are aware, there are no outlets.

This solar phone charger can handle charging my phone at least three times before I have to throw it in the sun again. Sometimes we even use it to charge two phones at once! It took me a while to invest in one of these bad boys, but now my camping/outdoor/adventure life has never been the same!

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Travel Towel

We always recommend bringing a travel towel when you’re on the road; they are one of those environmentally safe products that last for years and come in handy all the time. They pack up small, antimicrobial, and are lightweight, so they will save you from always needing a new towel or from constantly washing yours.

The biggest complaint about travel towels is that they often feel nothing like the plush cotton towels we are accustomed to at home and in hotels. However, with the PackTowl you can forget about all of that because they set out to create a towel that mimics its cotton counterparts with the technical features of a travel towel. Travel towels are the ultimate environmentally friendly product.

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Diva Cup

Ladies, have you heard of the diva cup yet? It’s one of those life-changing sustainable products. This 100% silicone piece will eliminate the tampons out of your life. Which means you can eliminate those plastic applicators.

Yes, the DivaCup is a reusable menstrual cup that collects menstrual flow and offers 12 hours of protection. It’s odor-free, comfortable, and definitely saves you money on buying tampons over time. It’s one of my favorite sustainable items for women.

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Beach Cleanups are a great way to always help too!

What other best eco friendly products would you recommend for this list?