Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Travelers • The Blonde Abroad

Updated: November 2022

Travel can leave a big carbon footprint, so I always try to opt for green and earth-friendly products whenever possible. Using eco-friendly travel products can make a huge difference in the environmental impact of travelers and help to reduce waste.

I hope you find some new eco-friendly travel products to take with you on your next trip abroad or gift to that special traveler in your life.

If you’d like to opt to shop small this year, search for a “refillery” or “zero-waste” shop in your area! You can typically find awesome eco-products, refillable home and cleaning products, and buy a gift card to give as a gift — all while supporting your local businesses.

Here are my favorite eco-friendly gift ideas for travelers!

Electric Bike

Give the gift of getting around this holiday season! Using an electric bike is so much better for the environment than driving—plus it’s a great way to be active and to cover more miles (comfortably) compared to a traditional bike.

I love Blix’s e-bikes! They combine style, utility, and performance at an affordable price point. You can use code ‘TBA50’ to get $50 off your Blix e-bike purchase.

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Reusable + Collapsible Straw

FinalStraw

FinalStraw’s mission is to create less waste in the world and cut down on single-use plastics! The FinalStraw product will truly last you a lifetime, and comes in different colors—I love the teal and blue colors! These straws are BPA free, dishwasher safe and can easily attach to your keys! They collapse into a handy carrying case, come with a cleaning wand, and can be taken anywhere along your travels. They also make awesome stocking stuffer gifts!

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Reusable Water Bottle

Self-Sanitizing

Cut down on single-use plastic water bottles and to-go cups! This 32oz insulated water bottle is perfect for hot or cold beverages and is made of high-grade, BPA-free stainless steel and a silicone sleeve. The LARQ Bottle is the world’s first self-cleaning water bottle and water purification system. It uses UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants from your water and bottle.

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Sports Bra from Recycled Materials

Girlfriend Collective

Like I mentioned, Girlfriend Collective makes the stylish and sustainable activewear out of recycled plastic bottles— the dream! These sports bras are made from the same stretchy material as the high-rise leggings. Grab a matching set before your next trip!

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Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

Cotton + Bamboo

Crafted from a soft blend of cotton and bamboo fibers, these wash pads are naturally hypoallergenic and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types. Reusable and biodegradable, they’re an eco-friendly alternative to single-use cotton rounds.

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Shampoo + Conditioner Bars

Duo Set

I love the concept of shampoo and conditioner bars — they don’t use plastic packaging, and are way easier to travel with (no liquid allowance issues)! This duo set offers environmentally-friendly, salon-quality haircare that cleans your hair, with honeyquat and shea butter to add a bit of shine without any sulfates, parabens, silicone and phthalates. Plus, recyclable packaging!

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Portable Charger

Solar Charger + Power Bank

A portable charger is so handy when traveling! You can charge your phone, tablet, and more, on the go. This charger operates off of solar, stores up in its power bank, and has a USB output. Plus, it’s dust and waterproof!

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Travel Containter

Insulated + Leak-Proof

Skip the single-use, to-go cups! Designed in a double-walled construction with a vacuum-insulated seal, this leak-proof container is perfect for packing everything from hot soups to cold smoothies.

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Container Set

Stainless Steel

This set of three lidded storage containers are perfectly sized to fit inside a tote for on-the-go meals. Crafted from premium stainless steel with leak-resistant lids, they’re a must-have for leftovers, lunches, sauces, and more.

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Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat

Biodegradable

This sustainable yoga mat has been crafted using biodegradable natural tree rubber and PU for ultimate stability and cushion. Wider and longer than standard size mats, the upper layer is non-slip, offering the grippiest of grips even when the sweat is pouring and you’re begging for savasana.

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Public Goods Subscription

Eco-Friendly Products

Not sure what to get? A membership to Public Goods is a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving! They offer healthy and sustainable products, delivered straight to your door, in minimal packaging. Or, they have lots of gift sets to pick from. I’ve found the products to be well-designed with some great eco-friendly essentials!

*You can use the code ‘BLONDEABROAD’ for 25% off your first Public Goods order.

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Leggings from Recycled Materials

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective makes the stylish and sustainable activewear out of recycled plastic bottles— the dream! These high-rise, compressive legging with flattering seam details are made using recycled water bottles—79% RPET and 21% spandex—and offer a four-way stretchy and breathable fit. I always try to opt for sustainable apparel over fast fashion, and these are the perfect travel leggings.

SHOP NOW

I hope this list helps you find new eco-friendly travel products to use during your travels.

Be sure to check out my Holiday Travel Gift Guide or Easy Ways to Use Alternatives to Plastic for more ideas!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love, and the income goes to keeping this site updated and free for everyone!

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18090265751115394

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18094787833947297

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18083248064243187

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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Gina

Interesting options there. Only recently I came across the statistic: 8% of global carbon emissions come from the travel industry… Shocking and kind of puts a damper on travel, huh!

December 12, 2018 at 11:20 pm · Reply

Kiersten Rich

Agree! But we can all do something to reduce our footprint as much as possible.

December 14, 2018 at 9:21 am · Reply

Kim

I love this list! I just received some Ethique products for Christmas that I’m super excited to try out. I’ve always been partial to Lush (I’m obsessed with their skincare products), but I may be incorporating Ethique into my skincare routine soon! And that yoga mat?! So adorable.

December 30, 2018 at 1:27 pm · Reply

Kiersten Rich

I also have a soft spot for Lush! I really love their face masks.

December 31, 2018 at 7:39 am · Reply

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Here are my favorite eco-friendly gift ideas for travelers!

Electric Bike

FinalStraw

Self-Sanitizing

Girlfriend Collective

Cotton + Bamboo

Duo Set

Solar Charger + Power Bank

Insulated + Leak-Proof

Stainless Steel

Biodegradable

Eco-Friendly Products

Girlfriend Collective

Be sure to check out my Holiday Travel Gift Guide or Easy Ways to Use Alternatives to Plastic for more ideas!

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