Have you been wanting to get into sustainable gift-giving but are not sure where to start?
These eco friendly travel gifts will be great if you’re about to embark on a trip, but don’t know what to bring for your friends.
Or you know someone who is going on their own adventure and you’d like to get something for them.
Well, you’re in the right place. After all, it’s not like travelers in your life need another scarf or pair of shoes.
So if you’re looking for sustainable travel gifts that are both thoughtful and practical, look no further than my list of eco friendly travel gifts.
Why Eco Friendly Travel Gifts Are Important
Most of the time an explosion of tourism launches a city or area into overdrive.
This fast development can bring short-term benefits, but also brutal long-term consequences. Travelers need to keep this in mind to try to be more responsible travelers.
Not only will this help our world’s environment and the specific arrival destination, but hopefully you will have more meaningful travel experiences too!
Eco friendly travel gifts can help you and your friends reduce waste by using reusable products and avoiding single-use products.
If you are already abroad, fear not. You can still be sustainable by putting extra revenue into the hands of locals (instead of big corporations) by supporting local businesses as you purchase souvenirs!
Let’s get into it – here are the 21 eco friendly travel gifts you’ve been waiting for.
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1. Travel Jewelry Case
A travel jewelry case is a great way to keep jewelry organized. It can be used as a go-to storage solution when traveling, or while at home.
There are many different types of travel jewelry cases on the market: some have compartments for favorite pieces, while others come with several interchangeable inserts that organize by color or type of material (gold vs silver).
There’s no wrong answer here—it’s all about what works best and how often the case will be used.
2. Bamboo Utensils
Bamboo is a great choice for an eco-friendly utensil set because it’s renewable, biodegradable, and sustainably harvested.
It is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world and can grow up to 35 feet per year.
In addition to being renewable, bamboo’s versatile nature makes it an excellent sustainable material—it doesn’t require pesticides or fertilizers to grow.
Instead, it harnesses natural resources from its surroundings (i.e., sunlight and water).
3. Reusable Straws
Reusable straws are great eco friendly travel gifts. They can be used when traveling and can reduce waste while radventuring.
These straws are small items that can be kept in a purse or backpack while out exploring. It comes with a cute little brush making it easy to clean too.
4. Bamboo Toothbrush & Zero Waste Toothpaste
A bamboo toothbrush is biodegradable and compostable.
The handle is made from a renewable resource, making it a good alternative to plastic toothbrushes that will land in a landfill for years to come.
It’s also a good alternative to plastic toothpaste brushes, which typically come in wasteful packaging.
Bamboo is actually an incredibly strong and durable material that can be used for anything from flooring to furniture.
This makes it the perfect material for any sustainable product you might want to give as an eco friendly travel gift.
A nice addition would be to also include some zero-waste toothpaste!
5. Shampoo Bar & Soap Bar
Shampoo bars and soap bars are two of the most popular eco-friendly travel gifts. They are also great for those who have all types of hair.
Shampoo bars come in a variety of sizes, scents, and colors. They can be used for long periods since they last a long time too.
They are great for travelers because they’re small enough to fit into any bag or luggage compartment.
They also don’t take up space in your liquids bag at the airport. If you’re like me, I never can fit all of my products in that small plastic bag.
The bars won’t melt if left out in hot conditions so they are good for even extreme environments.
Showering with soap might seem strange at first, but it’s easy to get used to.
6. Silicone Refillable Travel Bottles
Silicone refillable travel bottles are a convenient, eco-friendly gift for any travel lover.
They are made from food-grade silicone, which means they’re not only reusable but also dishwasher-safe.
These lightweight bottles can be filled with any liquids needed like shampoo, conditioner, lotion sunscreen, etc. They come in plenty of colors to match any traveler’s style.
The silicone material is durable so you don’t have to worry about these bottles cracking or breaking in transit if they are accidentally dropped at the airport.
7. Reusable Collapsable Cup With A Lid
Reusable collapsable cups are a great idea for traveling.
They’re lightweight and compact, so they can fit in a backpack or suitcase easily.
The lid snaps into place over the cup, and you can fill them with ice to keep drinks cool. They are even dishwasher-safe.
To make cleaning easier, include one of these awesome silicone brushes that will get into tiny nooks and crannies.
8. Reusable Water Bottle & Water Filter
To reduce my plastic consumption, I always travel with a reusable water bottle.
Nalgene water bottles are my favorite because they are lightweight, practically indestructible and come in lots of different colors.
Depending on your friend’s travel destination, drinking water from the tap might not be safe though.
In these situations, they might have to buy bottled water. Sometimes filtering your own water is a good option.
It’s not practical to carry around a large filter system of course so a reusable filter bottle can help solve this issue.
LifeStraw water bottles are my favorite for this, it’s a high-quality brand.
9. No-Waste Travel Kit
A no-waste travel kit is a great gift for anyone who wants to make giving sustainable travel gifts easy.
These kits have a variety of different bottles and containers that your friend will be able to fill with their favorite products.
They are a great option if you have someone that is a little picky because they can customize it how they would like.
It is also good to get a leakproof kit so they can put it in their suitcase without worrying about getting the contents wet by accident while traveling by air or sea!
10. Silicone Bags & Wax Wraps
If you’re looking for a gift that will do more than one thing, look no further.
Silicone bags are reusable and waterproof, making them perfect for storing food or keeping electronics dry.
They can be washed in the dishwasher and reused again and again.
The silicone bags also come in handy when traveling by train or plane, since they help prevent your belongings from getting wet during heavy rainstorms.
Include some wax wraps too which work well as a replacement for single-use aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
11. Travel Towel & Washcloth
Travel towels and washcloths are perfect for those who travel light.
They take up less space in a bag, dry faster than regular towels, and are biodegradable so they don’t add to the problem of microfibers polluting the environment.
Travel towels can also be used as beach towels if you find yourself with no other options.
12. Tote Bag
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly travel gift that screams sustainability, one of the best things you can give is a sustainable tote bag.
However, it’s important to remember that some bags are better than others.
For example, gift them a durable bag like this one that can be used for a wide range of things.
Getting something versatile means they will need to purchase fewer items in the long run.
This is great for someone pursuing a minimalistic lifestyle. Alternatively, if your friend loves to hike, get her or him an Osprey hiking backpack—one they’ll use again and again.
Look for lightweight bags with multiple compartments so they can carry all of their stuff around in style.
13. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are one of the most useful organizational tools for travelers.
They reduce the effort of packing and repacking when you’re on the road, as well as reducing wrinkles and keeping clothes from getting lost and messy in suitcases.
Packing cubes are also great for saving space in luggage since they can be compressed more than conventional bags or containers.
This means that your friend will have room for more items in their bag, which will make traveling easier (and less stressful).
Additionally, when not being used for travel purposes, packing cubes make excellent storage items—they take up very little space on shelves or under beds when empty!
Though packing cubes aren’t usually made of sustainable material, they will help to organize and compress items, which should help to eliminate the need for many different suitcases.
14. Alternative Laundry Soap
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly gift for the traveler in your life, look no further than their laundry needs.
Laundry detergents and fabric softeners can be toxic to aquatic life, so load up on a biodegradable travel laundry soap that won’t pollute the water supply.
For clothes that have been exposed to dirt or germs during travel, a specific wash bag will keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones.
15. Books About The Destination
One of the best things you can give your friend is a tool to educate themselves about their upcoming destination.
There are so many books available that can teach about local history and traditions, wildlife, flora, etc.
Personally, I love physical books but as a traveler, I really appreciate having digital content to consume instead.
It takes so much weight off of my shoulders – literally from my backpack, books are heavy!
If you want something that’s eco and travel friendly, ebooks and audiobooks are the way to go for sure!
16. Travel Insurance
Purchasing travel insurance is important for everyone so they are covered in case of emergency.
Purchasing this eco friendly travel gift is a great way to ensure that your loved one stays fully covered in case their travels don’t go as planned.
If a trip gets canceled, interrupted, or lost entirely due to an unforeseen circumstance, your recipient will be covered.
There is no paper or packaging involved because it’s completely digital, so it’s a great zero waste that’s thoughtful and practical.
I recommend using SafetyWing for the most affordable coverage!
17. Travel Art Prints, Sketches, Calendars From Local Artists
If you want to give a gift that truly supports your friend’s eco-friendly lifestyle, consider something like travel art prints, sketches, or calendars from local artists.
It’s a great way to support their love for the local environment and economy.
Plus, most people treasure artwork that reminds them of special moments in their lives, so it’s sure to be appreciated.
Check out Etsy’s marketplace, it’s filled with beautiful prints made by independent artists using sustainable materials like recycled paper stock or soy ink inks (which are better for our bodies than traditional petroleum-based inks).
18. House Sitting Membership
Get your friends an eco friendly travel gift without any waste involved. A house-sitting membership is the best of both worlds.
You’re giving your friends the ability to stay for free in cool travel destinations all around the world, while at the same time providing them with a totally digital experience.
I recommend gifting a membership from the largest, most reliable online platform, TrustedHousesitters.
19. Work Exchange Membership
A Work Exchange membership is a great gift because you’re giving your friend the ability to exchange their help for free travel accommodation (and sometimes food & activities).
There is no paper or packaging; this gift is completely digital.
Work exchange platforms list different hosts and what they are looking for in exchange for their help.
Your friend will be connected to work exchange hosts that they can help while traveling or living overseas.
They will get access to thousands of exchange opportunities, complete with real-time ratings and reviews.
Your recipient can use the site to book their next trip! You can get a work exchange gift membership here on Workaway and Helpstay.
If you want to get one through Worldpackers, you will have to set up the account on your friends’ behalf because they don’t have a gift membership option.
How To Pick Sustainable Travel Gifts Abroad
Buying local products is an easy way to support local economies, reduce the carbon footprint of your trip, and help keep waste out of landfills.
However, if you’re not careful about what you’re buying, it can be a lot more harmful than helpful.
For example, don’t buy souvenirs – typical ones that is. This might seem obvious but many people don’t realize it.
They can support local communities by buying things like coffee beans or herbs instead of trinkets that will end up at the bottom of their drawers.
The truth is those small purchases add up over time and will have a bigger impact than just one big item bought once in a while.
Try to focus on quality over quantity. If nothing else, this practice will help a home to feel less cluttery and more welcoming when friends come over.
20. Easy-To-Pack Food Products
Dry ingredients like coffee beans, tea, dried herbs, spices, etc. are easy to pack because they don’t take up much space and don’t weigh that much.
You can even buy them in bulk so that you have enough to last months or years!
The best part? Most spice blends are made with local ingredients and fair trade ingredients, meaning that you are supporting small businesses when buying these products.
This makes them a perfect gift for those who want their purchases to help out communities around the world.
PS some countries do not like travelers bringing back organic matter (food, dirt, sand, etc) from other places because it can spread diseases to agriculture or natural environments. The US is well known for this so please keep that in mind.
21. Locally Made Souvenirs
The best souvenirs are the ones that support artisanal craftsmanship, fair wages, and small businesses.
Locally made souvenirs can also be eco-friendly if they use recycled materials or can be easily broken down into compostable items like paper or fabric.
In addition to being great souvenirs and supporting local economies, this type of gift can also help travelers feel more connected with their destination.
Final Thoughts On Sustainable Travel Gifts
Hopefully, these ideas have helped you find the perfect eco friendly travel gifts for your friends.
I’m sure they will appreciate anything that you end up giving. Which of these sustainable travel gifts was your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
If you’re looking for more gift inspiration, make sure to check out these amazing gifts for van life or road-tripping.
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