Whether heading out of town for a weekend or a 9+ day sojourn, I try to keep my waste to a minimum.  No matter what I do I will be creating waste (the system isn’t perfect), but I can pack a zero waste toiletry kit that limits my waste. I

What’s in my toiletry kit when I travel, you ask? Keep reading and see for yourself! I’ll also provide you with links where you can get your own Zero Waste Toiletry Kit must haves!

This blog post contains some affiliate links where I may earn a small commission if you use these links to make a purchase (noted with a *). I use these funds to feed my dog. Thanks for the dog food! All opinions are my own and given as a resource to encourage your own journey into the Zero Waste Movement. 

ZERO WASTE SHOWER ESSENTIALS

• Bar Soap – Who needs tiny bottles of body wash from hotels when you can bring your own sweet smelling scents? I purchase mine locally from Alpine Made, but you can purchase yours at Tiny Yellow Bungalow or elsewhere.
• Shampoo & Conditioner – There is never enough shampoo or conditioner in the hotel bottles for my long hair. So instead, I refill travel-sized bottles I have had for years with Plaine Products*, which comes in returnable, refillable, and reusable aluminum bottles. 

ZERO WASTE MORNING ROUTINE

• Deodorant – Swap out the chemicals and aluminum found it plastic deodorant containers and replace it with something more au naturel.  I purchase mine at a local shop, but you can also try some from Sustainyoself or Tiny Yellow Bungalow. 
• Toothpaste – Every few weeks, I make a five-minute batch of toothpaste from baking soda and coconut oil.  There are many resources and recipes you can find on the internet or you can purchase metal recyclable tubes.  
• Bamboo Toothbrush – While not 100% zero waste (the bristles are a mix of nylon and plant fibers), bamboo toothbrushes do not create the quantity of waste that a traditional plastic toothpaste does.  I’ve purchased mine from Brush with Bamboo, but there are other varieties on the market.  
• Lotion – Depending on the time of year and the dryness of my skin, I’ll bring different lotion concoctions with me when I travel. For the day, I typically use a DIY mixture. At night I’ll lather my face in argan and coconut oil. 
• Cake Mascara – When I finally ran out of the last bit of store-bought mascara, I searched and searched for some DIY recipes but ultimately found a shop on Etsy that made cake mascara that I decided to try. Almost a year later, I’m still working my way through the sample size. 
• Dry Shampoo – Since my hair is so long I’ve been searching for a way to limit the amount of times I have to wash it each week. I found this recipe for a DIY mixture a few years ago and never looked back.  Plus, your hair smells like brownies when you finally wash it.  So yummy! 
• Menstrual Cup – I’ve been using this new system for my monthly cycle for about six months and honestly I am hooked! Traveling during my period has never been easier or lighter (in terms of packing).

ZERO WASTE ESSENTIALS

• See-Through Mesh Bag – Since I don’t have plastic bags in my house, when placing my toiletries in my carry-on, I place them in in a see-through mesh bag I received a few years ago.  I haven’t had any issues when going through security if the few liquids I have are placed in the bag. 
• Handkerchief – I tend to pack 3-5 handkerchiefs in my toiletry bag when I travel. I’ve only run into an issue with this amount when I became sick with a sinus infection the last two days of my trip to Iceland. 

NON-ZERO WASTE ITEMS IN MY KIT

Zero waste is about progress, not perfection.  Simply discarding items that will have to go to the landfill when there is still life left in it does not make sense.  Instead, there are items in my travel toiletry kit that I will continue to use until the end of their lifespan.  

• Bottles for Shampoo & Conditioner – Unfortunately I purchased these containers prior to embarking on my zero waste lifestyle changes and they are indeed made of a plastic-silicone material. Luckily, now you can purchase aluminum travel-size containers from Plaine Products.*
• Makeup – Although my current foundation and blush are a natural powder, they are in plastic containers.  I was given these unopened a few months ago from a friend who had decided not to use them any longer.  
• Contacts & Solution – While, I wear my glasses often, this is one area where I will never be able to identify a zero waste solution. However, I refill the travel-size contact solution bottle with the amount needed for travel from a larger container. Not sure I am really creating less waste that way, though.  
• Razor – I’ve had the same razor since high school and always purchased the biggest package of razor blades possible. So I am currently still working through those razor blades. When I get to the end, I might decide to invest in a safety razor.  

Are there any items on my lists that you can adopt into your travel toiletry kit? Curious about what I’ve packed in my Zero Waste Carry-On? What are your favorite zero waste resources? Share below in the comments!Looking to learn more about zero waste and how to embrace a plastic-free lifestyle? I highly recommend the blog Going Zero Waste for digestible information that you can incorporate into your life. 

This blog post contains some affiliate links where I may earn a small commission if you use these links to make a purchase (noted with a *). I use these funds to feed my dog. Thanks for the dog food. All opinions are my own and given as a resource to encourage your own journey into the Zero Waste Movement.