The Best Eco-Friendly Travel Accessories for 2025
Travelling sustainably is more important than ever.
Humans only have one Earth – so we need to look after it.
If you have travelled to some less-developed countries before, you will know that plastic waste is becoming an increasingly big problem.
But even if you travel to first-world destinations, you should try to do so as sustainably as possible.
Here are some of the best eco-friendly travel accessories for 2025 to enjoy green and sustainable travel.
1. Reusable Water Bottle
If you are not already travelling with a reusable water bottle, you are doing it wrong.
Many hotels, resorts and even cruise ships around the world are now providing filtered water stations to refill reusable water bottles and reduce the use of bottled water which generates huge amounts of plastic waste.
Most airports we’ve been to also provide filtered water stations, and you can even find them in some train stations these days.
Globally, over 1 million plastic water bottles are purchased every minute.
This is not sustainable and tourists are a big part of the problem.
Here’s our favourite water bottle – which stays cold all day.
2. Portable water filter
Have you ever got Bali Belly?
What about Thai Tummy?
Or any other stomach illness overseas?
It could have been because you drank contaminated water.
Many travellers purchase bottled water to try and avoid this, but that is not eco-friendly or sustainable.
At Hack Your Trip, we recently stumbled across a great alternative – a high-quality and highly portable travel water filter that removes all the nasties from any water.
It’s called the Waterman Portable Filter and is compact and convenient to take with you on your travels.
3. Reef safe sunscreen
The oceans need our protection and many coral reefs are sadly dying worldwide.
Be sure to do your bit by using reef-safe sunscreen if you are planning to take a dip in the ocean or enjoy some snorkelling.
Reef-safe sunscreens don’t have harmful chemicals, instead use only mineral UV-blocking ingredients.
There are plenty of brands offering reef-friendly sunscreen these days so there is no excuse.
4. Reusable coffee mug
Estimates suggest that more than 500 billion disposable coffee cups are discarded each year.
We can’t continue producing so much waste at such a staggering rate.
Bring your own ceramic, glass or stainless steel coffee cup with you on your travels so that you don’t add to the problem.
There is a bonus to this too – your coffee will stay warmer for longer.
We use these THERMOcafe travel cups.
5. Quality luggage set
We’ve made the mistake before.
You buy a cheap luggage set and it is lucky to last you a single flight before a wheel has broken off or there is a sizeable crack in the case.
If it’s beyond repair, the luggage set then ends up in a landfill.
However, you can buy a quality luggage set that is built to last.
Personally, we use Antler luggage and have enjoyed many trips with our current sets since upgrading.
Antler offers a lifetime warranty on all their suitcases, including hard-sided and soft-sided collections.
That is what we call eco-friendly – a luggage set for a lifetime.
6. Deet-free insect repellent
Often during trips to tropical locations, insect repellent is essential.
But many popular brands that contain the chemical Deet are neither good for you nor the environment.
Look for Deet-free alternatives or non-toxic patches instead.
7. Reusable ear plugs
When you travel, you need ear plugs.
There are often crying babies on planes and some soundproofing of hotel rooms can be better than others.
But don’t be wasteful by purchasing disposable ear plugs.
There are reusable ear plugs these days which do just as good – if not better – a job.
They will also last you multiple trips, as opposed to one flight or hotel night.
Check out these popular reusable ear plugs on Amazon.
8. Reusable cutlery set
Takeaway food can be a quick and easy meal option during trips.
But it is hard to eat noodles or fried rice without the help of some utensils and disposal forks and spoons are neither good to use nor eco-friendly.
Get yourself a reusable cutlery set to take with you on your travels and avoid this added waste.
9. Reusable straw
We all want to save the turtles, but not many of us like paper straws in our drinks.
If you want to avoid this, simply pack your own stainless steel straw to take with you on your travels.
These straws can easily fit into any purse or handbag.
10. Reusable tote bag
Plastic bags have been phased out in many places now – and for good reason.
But bags are convenient, whether you are doing some shopping or heading down to the beach while on a trip.
Get yourself a quality, reusable tote bag to take on your travels.
Sturdy canvas bags are a good option and can still fold up small in your other bags when not in use.
11. Solid toiletries
What are solid toiletries, you ask?
Well, we’re talking about bars of things like shampoo and conditioner, rather than plastic bottles.
Not only are these bars space-saving for travel, but they are also much more eco-friendly.
Other Best Eco-Friendly Travel Accessories
Some people pack the eco-friendly travel accessories listed above - and more.
Portable solar power devices, reusable napkins, menstrual cups and reusable chopsticks are among other items that you may choose to take with you on your travels.
Summary
Travelling sustainably has never been more important. With eco-friendly travel accessories, you can minimise your environmental impact and enjoy green travel. Check out these top accessories for 2025 to make your trips more eco-friendly and responsible.
Written By: Chris
Updated: November 2024