As the anticipation builds for your next adventure, perhaps you’re already thinking about what to pack in your suitcase. Responsible travel is at the core of what we do, and if you share our passion for the planet, we suggest making the best use of what you already own first of all. But, we’ve also curated a responsible packing guide to help you choose any new items that you do need, focused on products that have a lower impact on the environment.
In fact, the eco-friendly essentials mentioned in our sustainable packing list come from Certified B Corporation™ brands — just like Audley. That means they meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. In other words, when you buy from them, you know you’re making a positive choice for the planet.
Clothing from TWOTHIRDS
Fashion overproduction costs the Earth — quite literally. It wastes precious resources, and many perfectly good items end up in landfill. combats that through its PRE ORDER-System initiative, so items are created only when they’re wanted.
The sustainable fashion brand uses a range of eco-friendly materials like TENCEL™ lyocell, linen, and organic cotton. Compared to conventional cotton, these use less water, produce less CO2, and are less toxic for the environment.
We love the variety that TWOTHIRDS offers, from stylish recycled-polyester swimwear and towels fit for sun-gilded beach relaxation to elegant casualwear suited to city adventures and laidback strolls in the countryside. If you’re looking to add a couple of thoughtfully crafted pieces to your travel wardrobe, you’ll likely find them here.
Skincare & sunscreen from Project Reef
Founded in Maui, puts the Hawaiian practice of m膩lama — meaning to take care of and protect — at the heart of its suncare products. For every purchase, the company recovers 0.5 kg (1 lb) of ocean-bound plastic, the equivalent of 22 plastic bottles. The company also provides more than 90 local families with jobs through plastic cleanups and has organized the restoration and reforestation of a degraded landscape on the island.
Project Reef creates mineral sunscreens, which are particularly good for sensitive skin. They use natural ingredients like non-nano zinc oxide, vitamin C, aloe vera, and raspberry seeds. And, as the name suggests, they’re reef-safe and Hawaii Reef Compliant, too.
This sustainable suncare range includes SPF 30-50 creams, SPF 30 non-aerosol mist, and an SPF 50 sunstick. You might also like the cooling lotion and aloe cooling mist — ideal for soothing your skin in warmer climes.
Toothbrushes from SURI
Over four billion toothbrushes are thrown away every year, and was founded to tackle that. The company has created a sustainable electric toothbrush featuring plant-based heads that, if you’re based in the UK or the USA, you can send back to them for recycling free of charge — creating a design that delivers an exceptional clean for your teeth with a minimal impact on the planet.
Each sleek aluminum toothbrush has a 40+ day battery life, so they’re ideal for travel. We also recommend purchasing the UV travel case, which kills 99.99% bacteria while keeping your brush clean and tidy in your travel bag.
SURI also works with ClimatePartner to offset 100% of its brushes’ emissions.
Tech & travel accessories from Bitmore
Available from duty-free retail outlets in the US and around the world, tech and travel accessories are made from RCS- and GRS-certified recycled plastics and include power banks, charging cables and earphones. They’re also certified carbon neutral by Climate Partners.
We particularly like their Snooza Memory Foam Pillow, a wraparound neck pillow that provides comfort when you’re in transit and is made from recycled plastic bottles collected within 50 km (31 miles) of coastlines.
Bitmore is a member of 1% for the Planet’, a global network of businesses and organizations committed to donating at least 1% of annual sales to environmental causes.
Other sustainable travel tips
- Take a reusable water bottle to refill at hotels or refill stations. You can find refill locations via apps and websites like Refill My Bottle and Refill Not Landfill.
- If a hotel offers a free reusable water bottle, don’t feel obliged to accept it if you already have one.
- Pack a reusable coffee cup and a reusable cutlery set or spork to reduce single-use plastic when you’re out and about.
- Ask for drinks without straws when ordering in bars and restaurants.
- Take a reusable shopping bag with you when purchasing souvenirs.
- Recycle packaging of new items at home before you travel.
- Bring used batteries home with you if they can’t be recycled in the destination.
- Use travel soap and shampoo bars to reduce packaging waste.
You can read more of our sustainable travel tips here.