Think twice about your sunscreen and opt for this reef-friendly option that won't contribute to coral bleaching.

You can't take up precious luggage space with your electric toothbrush, so pack these bamboo ones instead.

Don't feel guilty for wanting to see the world — just make sure you take good care of it while you do. We've rounded up the best eco-friendly products that you should take with you on your next trip.

Traveling isn't just about the destination. Carry On is our series devoted to how we get away in the digital age, from the choices we make to the experiences we share.

Flying is looked down upon in Sweden as much as plastic bags are in California.

Seriously, if you tell someone you plan on taking a plane for a journey that can definitely be done on the ground, like going from Stockholm to Oslo, you'll probably experience some flygskam — that's a now-popular Swedish word that loosely translates to "flight shame."

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Air travel is responsible for about 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions and the United Nations expects this to triple by 2050.

Why is this happening? Well, if you ask Joaquin Phoenix he might mention a slight addiction that some of his peers in Hollywood seem to have to taking private jets everywhere. Those quick flights to and from Palm Springs definitely account for some emissions.

Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, spoke in December at Global Media Days and said that "flying is freedom." This is certainly true, otherwise so many people wouldn't be choosing to travel as often as they can. However, as Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "with freedom comes responsibility." (That's not a typo. You're thinking of Uncle Ben from Spiderman who said "with great power, comes great responsibility").

So how do we offset our carbon footprint? You can pack lighter so that planes don't have to burn as much fuel or, if you're extra brave, you can fly airlines like Spirit that fit more people on their planes (which essentially decreases the amount of planes being used but also the level of comfort).

Airlines are trying to do their part too. Lufthansa has partnered with myclimate.org to give customers the option to calculate how much carbon dioxide their trip is releasing. With that calculation, you're given a monetary amount you can donate that can "offset" the damage by contributing to climate protection projects. JetBlue has agreed to participate in something similar to this, calculating and compensating for their own flights. France may even be introducing an "eco-tax" on flights that depart from any French airport. The money that is gained will then be invested in more eco-friendly transportation, such as trains.

But there are other things you can do, too. You don't have to vow to never get on an airplane again in order to make your contribution. Instead, make sure that whatever you pack is helping our planet instead of hurting it.

We've rounded up the best eco-friendly products that you should take with you on your next trip.

Best reusable water bottle Image: Invigorated Water The Good Adds minerals to water • Plastic-free Adds minerals to water • Plastic-free The Bad Pricey • Weighs more than the typical reusable bottle • Doesn't remove bacteria or other pathogens Pricey • Weighs more than the typical reusable bottle • Doesn't remove bacteria or other pathogens The Bottom Line The extra weight of the glass is worth it, since you'll have peace of mind knowing that you're not creating plastic waste. The extra weight of the glass is worth it, since you'll have peace of mind knowing that you're not creating plastic waste. Replaces: Single-use plastic bottles $43.97 from Amazon 1. pH HYDRATE Glass Alkaline Water Bottle This glass bottle stands out from the rest by not only taking out the bad but also putting in some good.

While all reusable bottles are obviously eco-friendly, this is the be-all and end-all. Not only is it plastic-free, but this pH HYDRATE does exactly what its name suggests. It includes a "pH ON-THE-GO" alkaline water filter that removes heavy metals, chlorine, and fluoride but also increases pH and adds minerals including zinc, magnesium, selenium, and iron to your water. However, it makes no claims about removing bacteria or other pathogens, so this is more of a supplementary bottle.

Each filter pouch is good for 300 cups (16 gallons/72 liters) which ends up lasting about 30 days for the average person.

Just keep in mind, since the bottle is glass, it weighs about 1.8 lbs, which is definitely a good amount more than the average water bottle. But don't worry, if you decide the extra weight is not worth it, they offer a 100% money back guarantee.

Customer

"The packaging on this product is of high quality. Upon opening the top you are immediately greeted with the fragrance of the wood top. Quite a surprise. Water tastes great. Everything about this bottle is 100% high quality." At this point, everyone knows that single use plastic is essentially evil. It's wreaking havoc on our planet and ditching it is the absolute bare minimum that you can do.While all reusable bottles are obviously eco-friendly, this is the be-all and end-all. Not only is it plastic-free, but this pH HYDRATE does exactly what its name suggests. It includes a "pH ON-THE-GO" alkaline water filter that removes heavy metals, chlorine, and fluoride but also increases pH and adds minerals including zinc, magnesium, selenium, and iron to your water. However, it makes no claims about removing bacteria or other pathogens, so this is more of a supplementary bottle.Each filter pouch is good for 300 cups (16 gallons/72 liters) which ends up lasting about 30 days for the average person.Just keep in mind, since the bottle is glass, it weighs about 1.8 lbs, which is definitely a good amount more than the average water bottle. But don't worry, if you decide the extra weight is not worth it, they offer a 100% money back guarantee.Customer B. Nash said:

Best eco-friendly suitcase Image: paravel The Good Made from recycled plastic water bottles • 360° rotation • 5-year warranty Made from recycled plastic water bottles • 360° rotation • 5-year warranty The Bad Pricer than other carry-on sized luggage Pricer than other carry-on sized luggage The Bottom Line Paravel has succeeded in creating a conscientious product that is simultaneously appealing to the eye. Paravel has succeeded in creating a conscientious product that is simultaneously appealing to the eye. Replaces: Plastic luggage, unfriendly materials $255 from Paravel 2. Paravel Aviator Carry-On Built using recycled materials, this fashion-forward carry-on is a worthy investment if it's time to upgrade your luggage.

Looking at their products, you would never guess that the inside lining is made completely of recycled plastic water bottles or that the handle is recycled aluminum or that the leather details aren't in fact leather but instead vegan materials.

Not to mention, it has a TSA-approved lock and a removable accessories pouch. Paravel also has

Customer

"Just got back home from a week+ long international trip, and am SO impressed by the Paravel carryon. When I first got it, I was having buyers doubt because I wasn’t sure how sturdy it would be, and was also sure there was no way I’d be able to fit everything in something so small! I couldn’t have been more wrong! This fit everything I needed (and MORE... I am a notorious for way overpacking) for a week+ (without needing to do laundry). This includes two pairs of sandals and rock climbing shoes. I carried my bathroom kit in my tote, but the carryon has a stealthy amount of room. I also avoided all anxiety about this fitting on all the international flights, when other passengers were forced to check their bags. Don’t let the light weight detour you, it makes it much easier to haul it into the overhead bins. On a few international flight it also fit under the seat when over head space was limited."



Have you ever walked past a strange-looking gallery and realized it was a bit odd because everything was made out of recycled plastic? Kudos to those places for turning trash into treasure, but if you found yourself wishing recycled products could blend in a bit more, Paravel is the company for you.Looking at their products, you would never guess that the inside lining is made completely of recycled plastic water bottles or that the handle is recycled aluminum or that the leather details aren't in fact leather but instead vegan materials.Not to mention, it has a TSA-approved lock and a removable accessories pouch. Paravel also has duffles, handbags, and packing cubes worth checking out, so your entire luggage arsenal can now be eco-friendly.Customer Dalana B. said:

Best reusable snack bags Image: glamfields The Good PVC & BPA free • Nearly just a dollar for each bag PVC & BPA free • Nearly just a dollar for each bag The Bad Not dishwasher safe Not dishwasher safe The Bottom Line A better bang for your buck that is as useful while you're at home as well as when traveling. A better bang for your buck that is as useful while you're at home as well as when traveling. Replaces: Single-use Ziplock bags, disposable snack bags $12.99 from Amazon 3. Glamfields Reusable Snack Bags These reusable and durable bags made from food grade PEVA will make eco-friendly snacking a whole lot easier.

Snack bags come in handy when you want the ability to bring your own fruit or nuts instead of buying them. But, snack bags can waste a ton of space and plastic if you choose to pack a different bag for each food item.

These FDA-certified Glamfields bags can be washed and used again so you can restock at each stop without having to put more plastic in the landfill. They have a double sealed pressed lock that reviewers have found to be spill-free.

Customer

"I really like these. They are perfect to keep my diaper bag more organized and keep messy items contained.They open and close easily but with a good hold. Tested to hold water perfectly. The stand open design is very useful and will protect items well. The presentation was nice too and would make a good gift." You don't always have time for a full sit-down meal when traveling, which is why snacking is (quite literally) life-saving.Snack bags come in handy when you want the ability to bring your own fruit or nuts instead of buying them. But, snack bags can waste a ton of space and plastic if you choose to pack a different bag for each food item.These FDA-certified Glamfields bags can be washed and used again so you can restock at each stop without having to put more plastic in the landfill. They have a double sealed pressed lock that reviewers have found to be spill-free.Customer Mrs. Krahn said:

Best eco-friendly toiletries Image: lush The Good Amazing scents • Natural ingredients • Not tested on animals Amazing scents • Natural ingredients • Not tested on animals The Bad Messy to store Messy to store The Bottom Line These are worth the purchase even without the eco-friendly benefits. These are worth the purchase even without the eco-friendly benefits. Replaces: Plastic toiletry bottles, travel-size products $11.95 from Lush 4. Lush Solid Toiletries Lush ditches the unnecessary packaging to give you only natural and delicious smelling shower products.

Not only are they taking up precious space but they also waste plastic. Here's one solution we can really get behind: Ditch the packaging altogether.

Famous for their natural and organic ingredients, Lush is changing the game with their line of solid toiletries. Choose from shampoos,

The only downside to using these when you're traveling instead of in the comfort of your own home may be the messy storage situation. (We recommend repurposing an Altoids tin or buying a reusable container directly from Lush.) Other than that, you'll fall in love with all the scent options. Plus, they products actually work and have thousands of loyal fans.

Customer

"So far so good, I have been using this product for 2 weeks now. I have medium length long thick hair. It leaves my hair soft and manageable enough to get the tangles out without having to use a conditioner. It does not leave your hair greasy at all. Lathers very well (I do have hard water). Bonus, I do love the scent of this bar and the light scent that it leaves in my hair."



Transferring your shampoo and conditioner to those small but somehow always bulky plastic travel bottles is possibly one of the most annoying parts about packing.Not only are they taking up precious space but they also waste plastic. Here's one solution we can really get behind: Ditch the packaging altogether.Famous for their natural and organic ingredients, Lush is changing the game with their line of solid toiletries. Choose from facial cleansers conditioners , and deodorants , you can essentially pack only bar versions of all your essentials.The only downside to using these when you're traveling instead of in the comfort of your own home may be the messy storage situation. (We recommend repurposing an Altoids tin or buying a reusable container directly from Lush.) Other than that, you'll fall in love with all the scent options. Plus, they products actually work and have thousands of loyal fans.Customer Jenn left a review of the Jason and Argan Oil Shampoo Bar and said:

Best for bringing products from home Image: humangear The Good BPA free • Lifetime guarantee • Easy to clean with a 25% larger opening than original Gotoob BPA free • Lifetime guarantee • Easy to clean with a 25% larger opening than original Gotoob The Bad Pricey Pricey The Bottom Line With a lifetime guarantee and hundreds of great reviews, this is a no-brainer. With a lifetime guarantee and hundreds of great reviews, this is a no-brainer. Replaces: Disposable travel toiletries $23.30 from Amazon 5. Gotoob+ Silicone Travel Bottle Out with the plastic, in with the silicone. If you need to bring travel bottles, go BPA free with this set.

You may be wondering what exactly the big deal is and why we keep raving when something is BPA-free. Now's the perfect time to really break it down since this product comes from the company

Besides helping the Earth be free of those kind of toxins, our bodies will also be at a lower risk of certain issues that BPA has been linked to, such as fertility problems, male

This 3-pack is the perfect step towards a plastic-free travel life. They're also TSA-approved and backed by a lifetime warranty so it's a no-risk win.

Customer

"We bought 12 of these for a 2 week international trip. Used for sunblock, bug spray, shampoo, shower gel, sanitizer, laundry detergent, whatever. So far so good. They lasted 11 plane trips and the change in cabin pressure. Whether checked baggage or carry on, the locks worked and none of them leaked. I had a couple clipped to my bag with caribiners throughout rough terrain in the brush of Africa and nothing ever broke or leaked. With the lifetime warranty, we are very happy with these purchases." If you're all for helping the Earth but don't want to give up your shampoo and conditioner set, at least switch to silicone bottles.You may be wondering what exactly the big deal is and why we keep raving when something is BPA-free. Now's the perfect time to really break it down since this product comes from the company HumanGear , which is all about reusable products. From bowls to silverware, they aim to get rid of plastic in every way possible. When plastic breaks down, it turns into tiny microplastics that can harm wildlife when ingested. In addition, these tiny evil bits contain toxins like Bisphenol A, or BPA.Besides helping the Earth be free of those kind of toxins, our bodies will also be at a lower risk of certain issues that BPA has been linked to, such as fertility problems, male impotence , and heart disease This 3-pack is the perfect step towards a plastic-free travel life. They're also TSA-approved and backed by a lifetime warranty so it's a no-risk win.Customer Michael C. Morgan said:

Best for off-the-grid travel Image: scrubba The Good Lightweight • Doesn't take up space • Saves water and energy Lightweight • Doesn't take up space • Saves water and energy The Bad Adds the responsibility of bringing detergent Adds the responsibility of bringing detergent The Bottom Line Great for those adventurous trips where you end up far away from any hotel cleaning service. Great for those adventurous trips where you end up far away from any hotel cleaning service. Replaces: Chemical-laden dry cleaning, washers that require electricity $54.99 from Amazon 6. Scrubba Wash Bag Think of it as a modern day portable washboard that'll save water and energy — just make sure your detergent is eco-friendly and biodegradable.

If you're the latter, the Scrubba Wash Bag may be exactly what you've been waiting for. Fill the bag with your dirty travel clothes, pour in water and detergent, get rid of any excess air through the valve, and start scrubbing away. Scrubbing for just 30 seconds is considered a "quick traveler wash" while a 3-minute scrub will give you a machine quality wash.

You may consider this method even if you don't plan on finding yourself too far from civilization considering the cost of hotel laundry service and laundromats. Plus, besides the personal benefits it brings you, it helps save water and energy.

Customer

"Writing from a cruise ship with a family of 4 and worked Better than I imagined!!! Kids age 2 and 4 messy eaters and use me as a napkin. Took care of days old chocolate ice cream on cotton and a fancy white kids dress with no pretreatment. We got the clothes wet, put them in the bag and used the Tide Sport sink packet (one per load) of which we did I think 4 loads. Husband stood in shower as I used. Scrubba with feet and he wringed out clothes and threw over shower door to me where I rolled the clothes in towels and hinf around the room. Much cheaper than the on board option!! Took care of about 4 days of clothes (minus some formal Wear) which was a giant armload if I were to equate to my home machine. Very impressed." There are two types of travelers. Those who choose to lounge at a 5-star resort with every service at the tip of their fingers and those who search for the adrenaline rush of climbing the highest mountains and crossing the toughest rivers, even if that means being far away from a laundromat.If you're the latter, the Scrubba Wash Bag may be exactly what you've been waiting for. Fill the bag with your dirty travel clothes, pour in water and detergent, get rid of any excess air through the valve, and start scrubbing away. Scrubbing for just 30 seconds is considered a "quick traveler wash" while a 3-minute scrub will give you a machine quality wash.You may consider this method even if you don't plan on finding yourself too far from civilization considering the cost of hotel laundry service and laundromats. Plus, besides the personal benefits it brings you, it helps save water and energy.Customer Leslie said:

Best reef-safe sunscreen Image: sun bum The Good Reef friendly • Range of SPF levels Reef friendly • Range of SPF levels The Bad Only water resistant for up to 80 min Only water resistant for up to 80 min The Bottom Line Priced like any other sunscreen, this is a great way to be a bit kinder to our oceans. Priced like any other sunscreen, this is a great way to be a bit kinder to our oceans. Replaces: Sunscreen that damages coral reefs $14.25 from Amazon 7. Sun Bum Reef Friendly Sunscreen Think twice about your sunscreen and opt for this reef-friendly option that won't contribute to coral bleaching.

We don't blame you for spraying your sunscreen and jumping in the water. After all, with skin cancer being so prevalent, you're just trying to care for your skin. But while your e skin is being protected,

That's why Sun Bum has come out with this "reef friendly" sunscreen that took out the bad and kept the good. Not only will it keep the corals thriving, but its oil-free, Vitamin E and UVA/UVB packed formula will keep your skin safe from harmful rays.

Customer

"I purchased this sunscreen primarily because it doesn’t contain ingredients that are toxic to coral reefs. I was vacationing in an area with many coral reefs and would be snorkeling, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t do additional damage to the ecosystem! This sunscreen was amazing. It provided great sun protection and I came back with no burns. Best of all, it was not as greasy as other sunscreens that I have used in the past. The greasiness is always what deterred me from using sunscreen as much as I should, and this brand is much more bearable. It’s a bit pricier than other options, but I think it’s worth it both for their environmentally-friendly ingredients and non-greasiness."



Commonly found in sunscreens the world over, ingredients like octinoxate and oxybenzone are now on the naughty list, and have even been banned in Hawaii We don't blame you for spraying your sunscreen and jumping in the water. After all, with skin cancer being so prevalent, you're just trying to care for your skin. But while your e skin is being protected, marine life is being harmed . As some top-brand sunscreens wash off our bodies into the water, they aren't just disappearing. They're seeping into any nearby coral reefs and hastening their bleaching and deterioration.That's why Sun Bum has come out with this "reef friendly" sunscreen that took out the bad and kept the good. Not only will it keep the corals thriving, but its oil-free, Vitamin E and UVA/UVB packed formula will keep your skin safe from harmful rays.Customer Sarah said:

Best eco-friendly bugspray Image: repel The Good 100% deet-free • Made with lemon eucalyptus oil • Non-sticky 100% deet-free • Made with lemon eucalyptus oil • Non-sticky The Bad Some reviewers claim that the scent of the oil attracts other insects Some reviewers claim that the scent of the oil attracts other insects The Bottom Line With nearly 6,000 reviews and an average of 4.3 stars, this product is definitely worth a shot. With nearly 6,000 reviews and an average of 4.3 stars, this product is definitely worth a shot. Replaces: Bug spray with harmful chemicals $6.99 from Amazon 8. REPEL Plant-Based Insect Repellent Keep mosquitos away without negatively impacting other wildlife.

Repel has completed nixed this problem ingredient from their formula. Instead, they use lemon eucalyptus oil that leaves you feeling cool and smelling fresh. This also gets rid of that gross greasy feeling that comes from most other sprays.

Customer

"I read about this bug spray in Consumer Reports Magazine. It was the most highly rated DEET free bug spray on the market, with a key factor being 30% Lemon Eucalyptus Oil. I live in a rural area that is heavily wooded, and I am one of those people who is a homing beacon for mosquitoes. My backyard can be miserable ‘round the clock, and the front yard can’t be enjoyed from dusk on most nights. This spray has made it possible for me and my kids to go outside without being eaten alive. Mosquitoes and flies will still land occasionally, but they bounce off. They do not bite. I have even had success spraying screen doors, hammocks, and mesh lawn chairs. It has a pleasant smell, and a light feel on the skin that is not greasy. I believe it’s a great alternative to heavy DEET formulas, backed by research, as well as personal experience." If you find yourself taking trips to the woods more than to the beach, we have another product you need to know about — and another word you need to learn. Deet is an insect and tick repellent found in most bug sprays. While it is successful in the prevention of bites, it also has the power to contaminate water and kill fish and beneficial insects.Repel has completed nixed this problem ingredient from their formula. Instead, they use lemon eucalyptus oil that leaves you feeling cool and smelling fresh. This also gets rid of that gross greasy feeling that comes from most other sprays.Customer EBG said:

Source: Mashable

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