Where are you traveling to next? Be sure to do it the sustainable way, with these eco-travel accessories that can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Don’t let the wanderlust end even as the weather cools. And as emissions-heavy as travel can be these days, we’re extra careful to make sure all of our travel accessories are as sustainable as possible. Here are our top picks to help you travel the eco and stylish way.
Why make your travel accessories sustainable?
Air travel is a leading cause of climate emissions, emitting 100 times more CO2 per hour than busses and trains. Annually, air travel produces one billion tons of CO2 per year — more than the annual emissions of most countries.
While the aviation industry is working to reduce its emissions, it faces challenges including the allowable amount of sustainable aviation fuel, and the weight of electric or hybrid engines.
“Recognizing that the decarbonization of the aviation sector is extremely challenging, the ability of the U.S. aviation sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 will depend on a number of factors including the sector’s rate of growth, success in scaling up the production of SAF with significant life cycle emissions reductions, the introduction of new aircraft and engine technologies to reduce the amount of fuel required to move people and goods, and operational efficiency improvements,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in its 2022 Climate Action Plan.
Travel is also inherently wasteful, with single-use plastics rampant in airports, restaurants, and hotels, as well as emissions related to local travel and excursions.
Decreasing your carbon footprint by traveling with eco-friendly accessories also helps to tackle the problems with the fashion and luggage industries, which often rely on plastic and other virgin materials.
Essential eco-friendly travel accessories
Whether you’re planning a cruise, an island getaway, or heading to the mountains, do it with travel accessories for peace of mind and a serene, guilt-free holiday.
Packing cubes and compression bags
Prepare for an inevitable shift in the organizing process if you’re not currently using packing cubes — especially if you tend to overload a bag! To help you arrange things and conserve essential room, a range of packing cube designs will fit your requirements, baggage situation, and packing list. They’ll be included in your list of essentials for foreign travel because they’ll also keep things tidy and reduce creasing.
Portable charger
If your travel is always a mix of work and play, you probably suck the juice out of your phone by noon. Traveling with a portable charger is a game changer and life saver.
You’ll love this compact charger from Nimble because it is smaller than a pack of cards and easily fits into any purse or pack. The 10,000 mAh holds a battery for up to 3 days of power, plenty to charge up my iPhone as many times as needed. The design is made with 100 percent recycled plastic and ships in plastic-free packaging as well.
Baggage meter to comply with weight requirements
You won’t have to worry about waiting in queues for tickets or paying more for overweight luggage anymore when you carry a mobile luggage scale. These small, compact scales are fastened to the handle of your bag and only need to be raised to provide you with the measurements of your luggage instantaneously.
Carry-all tote
Travel rule number one: tote bags. Part purse, part briefcase, part snack central, if you’re traveling (especially with kids) the tote back is an absolute must.
There are lots of great tote bags out there, but Stella McCartney does it like no one. Not only is it roomy and gorgeous, but it’s one of the most eco-friendly bags out there — this bag is made entirely out of plant leather. Times are indeed changing, and this bag is symbolic of all of that. Load it up and enjoy.
Bucket hat
In this new age of germ awareness, leaning your head against a community seat unprotected isn’t what it used to be. Enter: the bucket hat. Since it’s got a modest brim, you can wear it comfortably on a plane seat. They’re cuter than a standard beanie or baseball cap. And if you haven’t seen the news, they’re super on-trend with everyone from Rihanna, to Hailey Bieber to Brad Pitt sporting them.
Luggage
The first step to sustainable travel is sustainable luggage! Paravel is a leader when it comes to eco-friendly suitcases as most of their designs feature a recycled polycarbonate exterior, recycled aluminum handles, vegan leather details, and even recycled zippers. All in, this set above is made from 31 post-consumer plastic water bottles.
Overly organized travelers take note: the travel cubes that come with this set help keep all of your clothes tidy and organized, and they fit perfectly into the suitcase.
Travel beauty essentials
This 6-step skincare routine from clean beauty pioneers, Tata Harper lets you take your skincare routine with you, wherever you go and without the hassle of big bulky leak-prone products.
The travel-sized essentials bundle includes everything you need to keep your skin clean, acne-free, and glowing while traveling including a cleanser, mask, floral essence, serum, moisturizer, and face oil.
Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are an absolute must when traveling. They are also extremely helpful when you’re working on the road from cafes or have to join a conference call while on the go.
These wireless headphones from eco-tech brand House of Marley are sleek, stylish, and sustainable. They are designed with FSC certified wood, recyclable aluminum, durable stainless steel and shipped in 100 percent recyclable packaging. They are also equipped with 30 hours of playtime and a travel-friendly foldable design.
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