7 eco-friendly packing hacks

Travelling is a fantastic experience, but it can seem like half your luggage is plastic. Never fear though, we're here with some simple packing hacks to reduce plastic and waste while travelling. Read on to discover 7 simple tricks!

Updated by: Aimee White - Copywriter at Explore Worldwide
Updated: 8 August 2025

Packing sustainably doesn’t have to be a challenge. You can make easy swaps for eco-friendly products that will actually make your travels smoother and more rewarding.

Explore clever, eco-friendly packing hacks that help reduce waste, save space and lighten your environmental footprint. From reusable essentials to second-hand shopping, these tips are perfect for conscious travellers who want to explore the world without leaving a trail of plastic behind.

Whether you're heading off on hike or a long-haul adventure, these eco-friendly packing hacks will help you pack smarter and greener. Ready to travel lighter and kinder? Let's unpack...

1. Water-to-Go bottles

Water quality is a common worry for travellers in new destinations, with many resorting to buying bottled water to make sure they drink clean, safe water. However, even using a larger bottle to top-up still means using a lot of single-use plastic, so an easy and affordable alternative is a reusable filtration bottle.

Drink clean, safe water with a Water-to-Go bottle. It uses a special filter that eliminates over 99.9% of all microbiological contaminants including viruses, bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals from any non-salt water source. This means you can refill from any tap and even streams! Stay hydrated and help eliminate single-use items – claim your 15% discount on your Water-to-Go bottle below.

Grab a 15% discount here

2. Compact reusable carrier bags and dry sacks

An increasing number of countries are banning single-use plastics, from the Inca Trail in Peru to Kenya. In some cases, even plastic straws, cups and utensils have been banned too, enforcing hefty fines on those bringing them in.

It's worth using eco-friendly carrier bags and dry sacks wherever you travel. Compact foldaway bags are ideal for souvenir shopping or separating dirty or wet clothes. A dry bag is another useful item, especially when hiking; available in various sizes and colours, you can split kit and snacks into bags so they're easier to find.

Our walking & trekking tours

3. Beeswax wraps

If you're on one of our hiking or cycling tours, you'll likely be stopping off mid-route for lunch. Beeswax wraps are a great clingfilm replacement, ideal for keeping food like sandwiches fresh.

They're light and easy to carry, and can also be used in small sheets, placed over the top of toiletry bottles with the cap placed over the top to make sure that they don't explode into your wash-bag mid-flight.

Use them to wrap your lunch during a European cycling trip or while relaxing on the beaches of southern Thailand – it's a nifty, versatile item that barely uses any space in your suitcase!

Our cycling & biking tours

4. Shampoo and conditioner bars

Shampoo and conditioner bars are an ideal way to minimise plastic use while travelling. They last a great deal longer than their liquid counterparts and minimise the risk of liquid explosions in your bag or suitcase!

You can even get some 3-in-1 soap bars, incorporating body wash too. They may come in their own case or packaging, or why not wrap it with your beeswax wraps?

5. Bamboo toothbrushes, coffee cups and utensils

Bamboo is a fantastic replacement for plastic; it can be treated and moulded into many shapes, and is now being used for reusable coffee cups, straws, utensils and of course, toothbrushes.

The average person uses 300 plastic toothbrushes in their lifetime, so when you consider how many people there are using toothbrushes, you can see why finding a suitable replacement will really help cut down plastic waste. Even if it's single-use bamboo, it can be composted and recycled.

6. Reusable face cloths

In the UK, around 11 billion wet wipes are sent to landfill each year, taking up to 100 years to biodegrade. It may not be the first thing you think of, but reusable face cloths will really help to cut down the number of plastics that enter our oceans. Opt for thin towelling ones that are easy to make and are washable.

They're exceptionally helpful for our walking, hiking and cycling trips, but you'll find they come in handy for whatever trip you're on. If you can, why not pick up a local-made cloth during your travels?

7. Quick-dry towels

Using your own towels when travelling saves hotels from having to wash the towels you use when you leave, saving water. If you use a quick dry towel as well then you don't need to worry about packing wet gear which is really handy when you're on a busy trip.

If you don't have space to pack your own towel, reuse your hotel's if you can – more hotels have signs encouraging you to reuse your towel.

More eco-friendly packing tips

Your tour leader will point out safe water refill points, or there may be a refill station in your vehicle.
Instead of buying brand new items, you could borrow items instead, from packing cubes to walking poles. You can also use second-hand websites and marketplaces like eBay and Vinted.
Pack reusable or refillable items: think refillable roll-on deodarants, small sewing kits for minor fixes, and items that serve more than one function.
Download our Explore Worldwide app, which is your on-tour travel guide. Our app has everything you'll need for your trip, including your personal itinerary, accommodation and flights. You'll also receive instant updates, including flight time changes and live weather. No need for physical copies!

Don't just travel, Explore!

Did you know we're B Corp Certified? You can find out more about our ongoing sustainability efforts, from our animal wildlife policy to carbon measurements, and find out more about the Explore Foundation.

Sustainability At EXPLORE