Following our article “Go Zero-Plastic,” and continuing our commitment to protecting the environment, here are a few tips for packing a more “eco-friendly” suitcase.

#1. An eco-friendly toiletry bag An outdoor bathroom with green plants. An eco-friendly bathroom Maximize space in your eco-friendly suitcase by choosing:

• A bamboo toothbrush with a replaceable head
• Solid toothpaste
• A shampoo bar (organic if possible, since not all countries/destinations have proper wastewater treatment systems)
• Plastic-free cotton swabs
• Reusable cotton pads
• Solid soap to carry in a small steel tin (organic if possible)
• And for women: a menstrual cup or washable pads

2. Bring your own towels

Blue and white towels drying outside on a terrace facing the mountains. Microfiber towels to pack in your eco-friendly suitcase Even if you’re staying at a hotel and towels are provided, it might be a good idea to bring your own. Especially if you’re moving around a lot, this helps reduce hotels’ water consumption. If you’re short on space in your suitcase, microfiber towels are very practical and lightweight to carry.

#3. Eco-friendly sunscreen?! A little boy dressed in red with flip-flops, sitting on the ground against a pole with mud on his face and legs to protect himself from the sun Eco-friendly natural sunscreen 25,000 tons of sunscreen are washed into the oceans every year. And yes, did you know that sunscreen can kill coral in 48 hours?? So protecting our skin is great, but if we can also protect our oceans, it’s a win-win. So be mindful of the sunscreen you choose for your trip and opt for an eco-friendly option?!

#4. Bring baking soda Small, non-reflective glass bottles for cosmetics. Use them and pack them in your eco-friendly suitcase Baking soda can come in handy while traveling. It’s multi-purpose—you can use it as deodorant, a toothbrush cleaner, or even toothpaste. It’s natural, easy to pack in your suitcase, and eco-friendly! And if you’re prone to heartburn, a big glass of water (drinking water!) with a spoonful of baking soda will have you feeling like new!

#5. The List: Zero-Plastic Goal A woman wearing a straw hat, with her feet in the water, drinking a coconut with a wooden straw. A wooden straw packed in her eco-friendly suitcase We talked about this in our previous article, which you can find here. But since we’re not lazy here at Soguide, I’m going to give you a quick checklist of items to pack in your suitcase to minimize your plastic footprint.

• A stainless steel water bottle
• Metal chopsticks or cutlery
• Bamboo or stainless steel straws
• Reusable coffee mug
• Reusable fabric tote bag