It’s never been so important to minimize your impact on the environment—and it’s also getting easier, as companies answer the demand for sustainable products. Travel gear is no exception. There are many brands out there that can offer up useful, practical travel products in sustainable, reusable materials, and often with an additional commitment to support conservation efforts through philanthropy. Here are five great brands and our top faves among their products to add to your travel gear selection.
Paravel Luggage
This baggage brand leans into sustainability with the carbon-neutral wheeled luggage Aviator collection. Each suitcase is made from recycled materials (polycarbonate, aluminum, and faux leather) and the company offsets all carbon emission created from making and shipping their products, plus they offset the estimated emissions of your first trip with your new bag. If you aren’t in the market for a new suitcase, try one of Paravel’s totes, backpacks or weekenders—they’re crafted from recycled plastic bottles.
Sand Cloud
Bring a beach/shower/everything towel that folds up compactly and supports the Earth. Choose a fast-drying Turkish towel like those from Sand Cloud, which donates 10% of sales to marine conservation nonprofits worldwide, such as the Coral Restoration Foundation and Hawaii Wildlife Fund. Plus, the towels are hand-loomed in Turkey from organic cotton.
Lifestraw Water Bottle
One of the easiest things you can do to make sure your travel is less taxing on the Earth is ditch the disposable plastic bottles and opt for a durable, reusable water bottle. If you’re the type to travel to countries where the water may need purifying, try the Lifestraw water bottle. It comes in either BPA-free plastic or stainless steel, and filters out contaminants using a membrane microfilter and replaceable charcoal filter. If you don’t need filtering, look for a reusable bottle made of stainless steel or glass to stay hydrated on the go without the plastic waste.
Solid Beauty Bars
Not only are these easier to schlep—they are smaller and more compact, usually—but solid toiletry items such as shampoo bars and solid lotion bars are easier on the planet, too. They usually require little or no plastic packaging, and less water means a lower carbon footprint. Choose a brand that’s committed to nontoxic ingredients so the runoff is less harmful to the environment. There are tons of solid beauty shampoos, conditioners, lotions and soaps available, and you can find them everywhere from major big-box retailers to small indie brands. Try Nopalera’s all-natural lotion and soap bars, or shampoo bars from HiBar, Lush, or even Trader Joe’s.
