6 Things to Bring on Your Sustainable Road Trip This Summer

Anyone who's been on a road trip knows doing so sustainably isn't always easy. There's the fast food and takeout, single-use water bottles and utensils, and plastic travel-size toiletries—all things that are convenient, but not exactly planet-friendly. But when you plan ahead, you can be just as eco-friendly on the road as you are at home.

In order to have a sustainable road trip, you just need some handy eco-swaps. There's no need for gas station snacks when you have Stasher bags filled with your favorites, and who needs single-use toiletries when you have reusable containers on hand?

The next time you're planning on hitting the road, consider bringing some of these eco-friendly staples along for the ride.

6 Essentials for Your Sustainable Road Trip

1. Stasher Bag Bundle, $62

Stasher bags aren't just great for storing your leftovers. The reusable bags are also perfect for packing up road trip snacks like nuts, crackers, chopped veggies, and more.

2. LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle, $95

While bringing along any reusable water bottle is great, it's hard to find a good place to give it the deep-cleaning it needs. That's why LARQ is an all-star option: It's self-cleaning and eliminates contaminants in your water in 60 seconds. Aside being more hygienic than other options, it also doesn't require a replacement filter, has a long-lasting battery, and keeps your water cold for 24 hours or hot for 12.

3. Designed by Claire Reusable Utensil Set, $22

If you're on a long road trip, stopping for food along the way is unavoidable. (And, TBH, part of the fun.) When you have reusable utensils on hand—like a fork, spoon, knife, and straw—you're able to cut down on waste from drive-throughs and takeout. Either pack up cutlery you already have at home, or get a kit like the option above.

4. Cadence 'Build Your 6' Bundle, $70

Say goodbye to plastic travel-size toiletries! These reusable magnetic capsules are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. They're non-leaching, BPA-free, leak-proof, and keep everything you need on the road nice and organized (from toothpaste to moisturizer).

5. Igloo Parks Project Cooler, $50

There's no composting on the road, and that means leftovers from takeout typically go in the trash. If you bring along a cooler, you're able to save some of those meals for later.

Igloo has been taking steps to become more eco-friendly with a line of coolers that are made with recycled plastic from yogurt cups and milk jugs. If you get the limited edition version above, a portion of the proceeds goes to the National Parks Conservation Association.

6. Paume Antibacterial Hand Gel Travel Bottle, $14

Yes, hand sanitizer can be chic. And Paume is proof. This travel-size option is great for road trips. Aside from containing ethyl alcohol to kill germs, it also contains plant-based emollients to keep your hands soft and essential oils for a mood-boosting scent. The bottle is made from recycled plastic and can be refilled as many times as you want from the brand's handy refill bag.