To explore our beautiful planet while also doing your bit to protect it, you’ll want to start thinking about sustainability long before you set off. While it’s only a small part of traveling responsibly, what you pack in your suitcase matters, and can go a long way in boosting your trip’s eco-friendliness.

For fun-filled, planet-friendly travel, be sure to pack these four essential items.

Eco-friendly bag or suitcase

For luggage that has less impact on the planet, opt for a durable bag made from recycled materials. TORRAIN bags are made from upcycled cement and feed sacks, making them more resilient to general wear and tear and suitable for different weather conditions, which you’re bound to encounter while traveling.

Try to pack only what you really need to bring with you in your eco bag. The lighter your luggage is, the easier it will be to move it through airports, train stations, and busy streets. The heavier it is, the more fuel will be needed to transport it – a lighter load that can be easily carried on foot or packed onto the back of a bike is a far more sustainable option.

Reusable containers and bottles

A reusable water bottle is one of the most useful things you can pack for any trip. Many public places – particularly those frequented by travelers and tourists – have refill points, helping you avoid buying plastic bottles that are harmful to the environment.

Reusable food containers are equally as practical and useful, and you can use them for storing takeaway meals, market snacks, or leftovers from restaurants. This cuts down on the amount of disposable packaging that would usually end up in landfill, as well as saving you money while on your travels.

Solid toiletries

Solid toiletries tend to take up less space in your luggage than liquid toiletries, and they also reduce plastic waste. Shampoo bars, conditioner bars, and soap bars usually last longer than liquid products and won’t leak inside your luggage, further reducing unnecessary waste.

You can also switch to solid deodorant, toothpaste tablets, or a bar-style shaving soap. Many solid products come in cardboard packaging instead of plastic bottles, making them easier to recycle or compost once they’re empty.

When possible, try to choose toiletries that use natural ingredients and avoid heavily fragranced products that may contain chemicals, as once they’re disposed of, they can cause serious harm to the environment.

Reef-safe sunscreen

A report from Original Travel shows that tourism is having an increasingly detrimental effect on marine life. As such, it’s important to take steps to reduce your individual impact.

Some common sunscreen chemicals, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, can damage coral reefs and marine ecosystems. It’s best to avoid products containing these chemicals, and opt instead for mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients. This way, you can enjoy the water while knowing you’re protecting our precious oceans.

Take small steps to make a big impact

Taking small steps to reduce your impact on the environment goes a long way. You don’t have to be perfect, and it may take some time to get it just right. But by making sustainable switches and packing the essentials for your trip abroad, you’ll be off to a great start.

By guest author, Emily Bradley