The Sustainable and Minimal Travel Packing List

Something about springtime and summertime always increases those wanderlust vibes. Warm weather calls for beaches, hiking, camping, and exploring new places! When the travel bug calls (or screams, in my case) your name, you pack a bag (or two or three) and head out on an epic adventure!

But do you ever consider how the items you bring on your travels affect the environment? We tend to prefer convenience when traveling because we’re on a mission to see and do as much as possible. And since we don’t have access to our home and all of its luxuries, many of us think stuffing as much as we can in our carry-on or checked bags will increase the ease and comfortability of our trip. But I’m here to tell you that this doesn’t have to be the (suit)case!

Here's how to travel sustainably. This short list of sustainable living tips, zero waste beauty products, and sustainable travel products will help protect and sustain the planet and your body. 

I’ve recommended products from my favorite sustainable product store Package Free Shop! I’m not an affiliate; I genuinely love the products and business! Read about the amazing sustainable living products below!

Sustainable Travel Packing List Tips

Pack Light

The more weight you pack, the worse it is for the environment. It seems quite minimal for a single person, but when you add up all the weight that every person brings with them on planes or road trips, it stacks up the CO2! Consider a pick-up truck, for example. The larger the load you carry in the bed of a truck, the worse gas mileage it gets, right?

Not only does a heavy checked bag weigh down a plane or car, but it’s harmful for other reasons, too. Your bag is weighed and then carried along a conveyor belt during check-in, landing, and at baggage claim, and these processes require energy and power. 

Pack light instead, with a carry-on or even just a backpack. Only bring what you need, and consider reusing clothes on your trip by mixing and matching pieces to form new outfits. 

Reusable Grocery Bags

You don’t have to sacrifice your pledge to say no to single-use plastics while traveling. Bring your reusable grocery and produce bags with you! I bring a few bags and fold them up really small in a corner of my backpack. Then, I can go grocery shopping on the road without sacrificing my sustainability values.

Reusable Bottles and Utensils

Some of my favorite sustainable travel products include reusable drink containers and utensils.

Pack a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and an insulated cup for hot drinks. They’ll fit nicely in the water bottle compartments of your backpack. Then, you won’t have to purchase single-use plastic water bottles, and you’ll have a cup to take with you to coffee shops.

My go-to water bottle I take with me while traveling is a reusable Nalgene I purchased from REI. Or, I'll bring my hydration bladder, which is very easy to pack and takes up little space. I also always carry my 20-ounce insulated stainless steel Yeti to coffee shops.

And don't forget to pack a reusable utensil kit. I use this bamboo cutlery kit and stick a reusable stainless steel straw into the carrying case. You’ll never have to eat with a single-use plastic fork or drink with a single-use plastic straw again! You just have to get into the habit of requesting that the waiter does not hand you single-use plastics. 

Sustainable Soap

Shampoo and conditioner bars are great travel options for sustainable beauty products. Browse through these clean, sustainable, package-free haircare products from Package Free Shop to find the best bars for you!  

To travel, you can plop them into reusable sustainable travel containers. Look for stainless steel, aluminum, or silicone materials. 

Ethical and sustainable package-free body wash bar soap can also be found at Package Free Shop.

Another alternative is the All-In-One Soap from Dr. Bronner’s. This soap can be used for everything from washing your body, to the dishes, to the laundry! If you buy them in bulk to minimize packaging, you can travel with your bars in plastic-free, silicone travel-size containers.

Brush Your Teeth the Eco-Friendly Way

The sustainable, plastic-free way to brush your teeth is simple. A bamboo toothbrush is cheap and biodegradable. Toothpaste and mouthwash tablets are easy to travel with. Finally, refillable floss minimizes single-use plastic. Check out sustainable oral care products here!

Eco-Friendly Sunscreen and Bug Repellent

Travel-size, eco-friendly, organic sunscreen and bug repellent are not only healthier for the environment, but they are healthier for your skin.

Sustainable Deodorant

Travel-size and sustainable deodorant options are easy to find at Package Free Shop. I purchased Meow Meow Tweet’s deodorant jar and then when I ran out, I made my own deodorant to refill it. And I found a tiny glass honey jar that I now use as my travel-size deodorant! This is the recipe I use to make my own deodorant.

Sustainable Razor

Instead of using plastic razors that are tossed in landfills, consider investing in a nice stainless steel razor that will last for many years.

Sustainable Travel Containers

If you need to pack bulk items into smaller quantities (like medicine, face wash, moisturizer, etc.), you can purchase small, sustainable silicone travel containers that come in packs and serve as a long-lasting alternative to single-use plastic containers.

Sustainable Period Products

You can even have a sustainable period while you travel! Consider using a menstrual cup, made of soft, medical-grade silicone, to eliminate waste created from tampons, pads, and all of their packaging. The Diva Cup is a great all-around option, and the Lily Cup is great for someone with a high-sitting cervix because it’s a little longer. Other sustainable period products include reusable organic cotton pads or reusable period underwear. 

Happy travels to you and the environment!!

Mental Health Blog Disclaimer

I am not a medical professional, therapist, or mental healthcare professional. The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only, comes from my own personal experiences, and may be read, interpreted, and practiced at your own risk. Do not rely on this information as a substitute to medical advice or treatment from a healthcare professional.