Zero-Waste Travel Kit [2023 Update]
Top 17 Best Products your Zero-Waste Travel Kit Needs
The more news we watch about environmental pollution in tourist places, the more we realize the huge need for a zero-waste travel kit for travelers.
There is a shocking truth: only 9% of ALL plastic ever made has been recycled. This means we need to do more recycling, people!
And not only at home, but also when traveling, since tourists create more waste than you can imagine. This is why you should (slowly but certainly) start to build a zero-waste travel kit that you’ll take with you everywhere.
You’ll realize how convenient it is, and trust me, you’ll also understand the negative impact you had on the environment before having your kit.
WWB Writer Saymé Pérez will show some of the best products to have for zero waste travel.
Related Posts:
- 31 Eco Friendly Travel Products For A Guilt Free Trip
- 13 Eco Friendly Backpacks For Every Occasion
- 11 Sustainable Travel Bags To Explore The World With
What are Zero-Waste Travel Products and Why Do You Need Them?
Zero waste travel products are a biodegradable version of the usual travel products you have. They are perfect for traveling more sustainably and to reduce waste when traveling.
By making small changes in your daily life, you can have a huge impact on the ecosystems of the places you visit.
Simply put: you will minimize your environmental impact while traveling.
These products work perfectly, and eventually, the goal should be to have a plastic-free travel kit. Sounds impossible, but it’s not, trust me.
You should start by putting together a beginner zero-waste travel kit, and then go from there. We´ll show you the best products to include on that kit, so buckle up and let’s begin.
Top 17 Zero-waste travel kit products for your Zero-Waste Travel Kit
- Zero Waste Travel Cutlery
- Reusable Straw
- Water Bottle
- Reusable Coffee Mugs
- Food Containers
- Reusable Bags
- Mesh Bags
- Solid Shampoo Bars
- Solid Conditioner Bars
- Biodegradable Soap/Body wash
- Soap Travel Tin
- Plastic-Free Deodorant
- Organic Sunscreen
- Eco-Friendly Packing Cubes
- Biodegradable Wet Wipes
- Non-Toxic Insect Repellent
- Eco-Friendly Backpack
- Zero Waste Starter Kit for Beginners
This kit is simple but highly comfortable to carry and use everywhere. You will need:
- Zero Waste Travel Cutlery Kit
This kit is perfect if you want to eat in a mall or a street market. Most probably the cutlery in these places is going to be disposable.
You will love this zero-waste travel kit, and you will be able to carry it with you everywhere.
Our Pick:
The utensils of this zero-waste travel kit are made with 100% strong fiber bamboo. They can last for a long time without staining or warping.
The kit includes:
- a fork
- a spoon
- a knife
- a pair of chopsticks
- a bamboo charcoal toothbrush
- a reusable bamboo straw and brush for cleaning
It’s a very complete package for starting to eat in an eco-friendly way!
The utensils come in a strong canvas to protect them and carry them around safely.
Because the set is made of 100% bamboo, it’s completely recyclable and BPA-free (Bisphenol-A-free). The set has been carefully crafted to provide a comfortable feeling in the hands and mouth.
Some users, though, have complained about the fork being broken after a few uses.
Pros:
- 100% natural and biodegradable
- Complete kit it with carry canvas
- BPA-free
- Comfortable to use
Cons:
- The fork is a bit weak
- Reusable Straw
According to a study, straws are among the top 10 items of trash collected from the oceans.
They are extremely damaging to many marine creatures, like sea turtles and fishes.
But we still want to enjoy our iced lemonade or coffee, right? Luckily, reusable straws are our solution.
These straws are usually made of bamboo, silicone, glass, but we recommend metal ones, being very durable and easier to maintain.
Our Pick:
These straws are made of stainless steel, therefore there´s no oxidation and no colorfast. It´s plastic and BPA-free.
These straws come with a portable travel case, a keychain, a cleaning brush, silicone tips, and two packs.
Furthermore, they are collapsible and perfectly compatible with 10~40oz cups or tumblers.
They’re easy to clean using a brush, and it’s safe for dishwashers too.
Very convenient and easy to carry, and the metal collapsible straws with stainless travel case and keychain make it fit in your pocket, purse, or hooks on your backpack, shoulder bag.
Users have said that this last feature is not very reliable and that the travel case can come undone and the straw falls, with daily use and bouncing.
Pros:
- Stainless steel
- BPA-free
- Plastic-free
- Collapsible and portable
Cons:
- The hanging can make it come undone
3. Water Bottle
Having your water bottle is a great option when traveling. Just think about not having to buy plastic bottles over and over.
They can be pricey, but you probably have to wait a long time to buy another one, anyway. You’ll also greatly contribute to a plastic-free world.
This is one of the zero waste travel essentials you need to start in your zero waste travel path.
Our Pick:
This bottle is amazing. It keeps beverages cold up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12 hours when using the lid. It is BPA-free and phthalate-free.
It’s made from high-quality stainless steel and comes with a cap to help reduce spills, and features a new slip-free and dishwasher-safe powder coating, along with a lifetime warranty.
On the downside, the lid is not leak-proof, and it’s a bit pricey.
Pros:
- High-quality
- BPA-free
- Cap to reduce spills
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
- Pricey
- Lid not leak-proof
- Advanced Zero-Waste Travel Kit
If you feel comfortable using the zero-waste travel kit for beginners, it’s time to move into deeper waters. A more advanced sustainable travel kit includes:
7. Mesh Bags
4. Reusable Coffee Mugs
These mugs are a great option for enjoying your coffee even having a regular glass wherever you are.
The cups are insulated, so they’ll keep the beverages hot or cold. And are a fantastic substitute for disposable cups, being one of the best zero waste products out there.
Our Pick:
These clever cups are perfect as an everyday carry piece.
They have flexible silicone walls that collapse flat for compact packing. This means you can make it a pocket-sized drinking cup that you can take anywhere!
Not only that, but they’re sturdy, and calibrated as a measuring cup. They´re BPA-free, spill-resistant, and easy to pour from.
They also come in different colors and are microwavable, heat-resistant, and safe for dishwashers.
Users have said that it would be even better if it had a lid that allows you to drink while walking without causing spills.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Collapsible and packable
- Different colors
- Spill-resistant
- Can be used in the microwave, dishwasher and resist heat.
Cons:
- No lids
5. Food Containers
Amazing option if you’re on a road trip or traveling by train. Also, if you want to grab some food from any food spot, they will give you plastic containers.
You can have your food go in these plastic-free travel containers, eat it comfortably, collapse them, and put them in your backpack once you finish.
Our Pick:
This package includes four silicone collapsible lunch boxes, each of different sizes, and two collapsible mugs.
They’re made of silicone and are BPA-free, and can be used in the microwave. Being collapsible, they save a lot of space and are perfect for traveling. They also have lids.
Additionally, they’re easy to clean and don’t hold the smell of the food. One user complained about the lids breaking fast.
Pros:
- Collapsible and easy to storage
- BPA-free
- Safe for microwaves
- Easy to clean
- Don’t hold the smell of food.
Cons:
- Lids might break rapidly
6. Reusable Bags
One of the incredibly good zero waste travel products out there is sustainable travel bags. They make a huge difference when it comes to protecting the environment.
There are seriously sad videos of sea turtles eating plastic bags. Using some reusable bags will help avoid things like that from happening.
Our Pick:
Beautifully designed, these bags are eco-friendly and have gorgeous patterns. They can be folded away, so are very packable.
They can be washed and reused over and over. Strong yet lightweight, these shopping bags can hold up to 35 lbs.
Additionally, they have an extra-large capacity, are wear-resistant, and all the seams are double-stitched which makes them hold heavy loads safely.
However, some users have complained that the seams come undone fast.
Pros:
- Easy to pack
- Reusable
- Sturdy
- Can hold up to 35lbs.
- Large capacity
- Double-stitched seams
Cons:
- Seams undo fast
7. Mesh Bags
Perfect for food shopping, especially fruits and vegetables. Although, they´re not recommended for small items that can slip through.
They are convenient and just one of those zero waste travel products that are perfect if you´re staying in an Airbnb. Plus, they help you to make a difference.
Our Pick:
These bags are stylish and made of 100% cotton net. Highly durable and eco-friendly, they have good breathability to store your food.
They come in five different colors, and cotton netting naturally stretches, giving more space.
It has an extra-thick shoulder handle and can be used for different purposes, such as carrying swim gear in the summer or shopping for your veggies.
They also don’t dye-bleed when being washed.
Pros:
- 100% natural cotton
- 5 different colors
- Durable and sturdy
- Good breathability
- Thick shoulder handle
- Versatile
Cons:
- None we could find
- Other Products for your Zero-Waste Travel Kit
You can easily put together a sustainable travel kit of toiletries since they´re essential for personal hygiene while traveling.
For a zero-waste travel toiletries kit, all you need is:
10. Biodegradable Soap/Body wash
11. Soap Travel Tin
14. Eco-Friendly Packing Cubes
16. Non-Toxic Insect Repellent
8. Solid Shampoo Bars
The shampoo bar is like soap but made of shampoo. It works perfectly and achieves the same cleaning results as the liquid ones.
Once you have your bar, use it to make some lather and apply it all over your scalp.
You can even find them to suit your hair type! And the most important part is that they don’t come in plastic containers.
Our Pick:
These bars are vegan, and a great option for cleaning the scalp. The ingredients include amazing things for our hair, such as :
- Olive oil
- Coconut oil
- Castor oil
- Antioxidants
- Vitamins A, B, and E
They come in a set of three, with different added oils:
- Tea tree and hemp oils
- Jojoba and peppermint oils
- Coconut and Argan oils
They don’t include synthetic oils, detergents, or chemicals, it’s a mild sulfate-free shampoo that is perfect for perms, colored, and naturally curly hair.
Furthermore, they are also ideal for travel, gym, camping, backpacking, etc.
On the downside, it is difficult to contact the seller, the bars dissolve very quickly, and some people claim it dries their hair.
Pros:
- Vegan
- Packable
- Include several types of natural oils
- Include Vitamins A, B, and E
- Sulphate-free
Cons:
- Difficult to contact the seller
- The bars dissolve quickly
- Dry-hair feeling at first
9. Solid Conditioner Bars
Conditioner is essential for nurturing several types of hair. Luckily for us, we can now have access to several conditioner bars that are eco-friendly!
Our Pick:
Although a bit pricey, these bars are 100% plastic-free and are durable. They leave the hair soft, and it’s biodegradable, vegan, and ph-balanced.
In addition, there is zero-waste packaging.
This brand bets on ethically sourced products, made from natural and effective ingredients. It’s the world’s first zero-waste and most sustainable lifestyle beauty brand!
A few users have claimed that it doesn’t make enough lather.
Pros:
- 100% plastic-free
- Vegan
- Biodegradable
- Zero-waste packaging
Cons:
- Doesn’t make enough lather
10. Biodegradable Soap/Body Wash
Perfect for travelers, and especially for backpackers, hikers, and campers. Why?
Well, the type of soap they use is extra important because common soap and body wash have chemicals that affect the wilderness’ life.
A biodegradable one is certainly a smart move for living zero waste as a responsible traveler.
Our Pick:
A natural body wash bar, perfect for sensitive skin, and plastic-free. It is also vegan and 100% sustainable.
It’s cruelty-free and makes a nice lather. Users stated that the Amazon package wasn’t recyclable and had stickers on the bars.
Pros:
- 100% natural
- Plastic-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Sustainable
Cons:
- The distributor uses a non-recyclable package
11. Soap Travel Tin
Travel tin is an underrated yet important item. Perfect for keeping your soap/shampoo bars safe, it’s one of the best zero waste travel products in the market.
Our Pick:
These are made of bamboo and cornstarch and are completely compostable. With proper care, they will last up to five years in our shower or bathroom.
It’s 100% made of recycled materials.
Some users complain that it doesn’t shut properly over brand-new bars, but the seller explained that sometimes they cut the soap bars slightly larger than they should be.
After a couple of washes, the bar was down to normal size and fit perfectly in the dish.
Pros:
- Sustainable
- Made of bamboo and cornstarch
- Made of recycled materials
- Allow bars to breath
Cons:
- Brand new bars don’t fit properly
12. Plastic-Free Deodorant
Deodorant is usually on the top of many people’s list of toiletries. If you want to smell nice and still living zero waste, then an eco-friendly deodorant is a perfect solution.
Our Pick:
This deodorant is lime and eucalyptus-scented and comes in a zero-waste package.
Additionally, it’s aluminum-free, which is very helpful for our health.
It’s also baking soda-free and has incorporated jojoba and sweet almond oil for silky smooth underarms. It’s antiperspirant and highly packable.
Furthermore, it can last up to three or four months. Users mentioned it is a little soft but does not give them a rash or itchy underarms.
Pros:
- Vegan
- Aluminium-free
- Baking Soda-free
- Zero-waste package
- Antiperspirant
Cons:
- A little soft
13. Organic Sunscreen
I was shocked when I learned that regular sunscreens out there have chemicals that are harmful to marine organisms, especially the delicate corals.
Sadly enough, on top of that, they usually come in a plastic tube.
It would be nice to have a non-harmful product that came in non-plastic bottles. Hopefully, that day will come soon.
Our Pick:
This reef-safe sunscreen provides an SPF of 50, and it´s waterproof for up to 80 minutes.
It’s moisturizing and provides sun protection from UVA / UVB rays to help protect you from sunburn and DNA damage.
It’s safe for marine and aquatic life including coral reefs since it´s zinc oxide-based and 100% oxybenzone free, octinoxate free (two of the most harmful to marine life chemicals), and completely chemical-free.
100% natural, and organic.
It’s a non-sticky, non-oily water-based & biodegradable mineral sunscreen and doesn’t leave the hated white cast or ghosting effect. It’s safe for sensitive or damaged skin.
On top of that, it’s also cruelty-free and biodegradable.
It’s a bit expensive and will leave white residue on clothes, according to some users, and it comes in a plastic container.
Pros:
- Marine life safe
- SPF 50
- 100% natural and organic
- Non-sticky
- Cruelty-free
- No white cast
- Biodegradable
Cons:
- Pricey
- Plastic container
- Residues on clothes
14. Eco-friendly Packing Cubes
I love packing cubes. They are perfect to pack away your items separately and in an organized way.
The days of not finding anything in our backpacks are gone.
Our Pack:
These stylish packing cubes are made of recycled packing bottles! The set includes seven pieces.
Perfect to find your clothes quickly and easily keep track of your belongings. It has additional zippers to compress the clothes and save space.
One of the large cubes is waterproof and highly breathable, so you can store your wet clothes separated from the dry ones.
They are thick, lightweight and of high quality, so they’re perfect for traveling.
Pros:
- High quality
- Lightweight
- Seven pieces included
- Save space
- Can store dry and wet clothes separately
Cons:
- None we could find
15. Biodegradable Wet Wipes
We can all agree that we can’t live without wet wipes when we travel.
Especially for visiting natural spaces.
Using biodegradable products when doing outdoor activities is always recommendable, to protect the environment.
Our Pick:
These wipes are made of 100% natural organic bamboo. They also contain tea tree extract, vitamin E, and Aloe Vera.
These ingredients will soothe and protect the skin providing you with a refreshed feeling.
They start to biodegrade in only 29 days! It’s an all-purpose wipe and comes in big sizes.
You’d need 2-3 wipes to do a good clean of the whole body.
Pros:
- 100% organic
- Biodegradable
- Has skin-friendly ingredients
- Simple and easy to use
- Big size
Cons:
- Need several for a good cleaning
16. Non-Toxic Insect Repellent
Mosquitoes are there wherever you go, so a repellent is always useful.
However, many insect repellents contain damaging products to the surroundings.
So, using a 100% natural insect repellent sounds perfect to me!
Our Pick:
This repellent is 100%, it’s made of several essential oils, and it’s highly effective. It also has a good influence on the skin, moisturizing, and softening it.
In addition, it´s gluten-free, cruelty-free, and it smells good!
It only provides 3 hours of protection, so you would need to apply it several times during an outdoor trip.
Pros:
- 100% natural
- Good Protection
- Moisturizes the skin
- Gluten and cruelty-free
Cons:
- Only 3 hours of protection
17. Eco-friendly Backpack
How amazing is it that you can take your zero waste kits inside your eco-friendly backpack?
Our Pick:
Made of fabric made from recycled water bottles and heather polyester, this backpack is the epitome of zero-waste travel products.
It has two large main compartments, and the shoulder straps are comfortable. It’s lightweight and suitable for traveling or stuffing your laptop in.
The backpack includes a trolley sleeve built into the back that allows the backpack to slide onto extended luggage, making the transportation of the belongings easy and convenient.
Pros:
- Made of recycled materials
- Two large compartments
- Lightweight
- Convenient transportation
Cons:
- None we could find
Benefits of Using Zero Waste Travel Products
Using zero-waste travel kit products has huge consequences, not only on the environment but for the local communities as well.
Here are some of the benefits:
- Reduces our climate impact: Reducing, reusing, and recycling are key to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
- Minimizes pollution: getting raw materials from natural spaces requires large amounts of energy and causes a lot of pollution.
- Supports a local circular economy and creates jobs: Reducing and reusing materials create more jobs and the money stays in the communities.
- Increases creativity
Things to Look for When Buying Zero Waste Travel Products
The most important advice is don’t go crazy buying new things. If there’s something at home you can reuse, that would be a great choice.
Look for high-quality items that are more likely to last. Remember, it’s a long time investment, the one you’re making.
They don’t have to be new products. You can always buy second-hand things that are in perfect condition.
Follow the waste hierarchy: ‘reduce, reuse, recycle.’
Buy good quality, well-produced food. Trash food creates a lot of waste. Both the environment and your health will be grateful.
Conclusion
The current situation of the human consumption industry is unsustainable.
We keep generating waste that takes many years to erase.
As travelers, we have the responsibility to make a difference, such as using a zero-waste travel kit that will generate a positive impact on the environment of the places we visit.
We hope this list of zero-waste travel kits and products, helps you to be the responsible traveler you want to become.
If you like what you just read, remember that sharing is caring, share this post on your social media and leave a comment in the box below 🙂
Remember, zero waste is a mindset. It might seem hard at first, but keep going, because you’ll be truly making a difference in protecting our beautiful planet.
![5 Plus Size Hiking Activewear [For Women and Men] 2023](https://womenwanderingbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/plus-size-hiking-768x512.jpg)
![27 Travel Board Games for Adults [2023 Update]](https://womenwanderingbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/travel-board-games-for-adults-5.jpg)
![How To Stop Boots From Rubbing Ankles in 13 Tested Ways! [2023]](https://womenwanderingbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/How-To-Stop-Boots-From-Rubbing-Ankles-1-768x512.jpg)
![25 Best Backpacker Gifts [20223 Update]](https://womenwanderingbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Backpacker-gifts-1-768x512.jpg)