Sustainable Travel Accessories For A Greener Getaway

Swapping holidays abroad for staycations close to home has no doubt made many of our travel plans more eco-friendly this year. But skipping flights isn’t the only way to make your next getaway greener – you can also opt for sustainable travel accessories to accompany you on the journey. 

We’ve rounded up three social enterprise brands who take their eco commitments seriously and offer useful, stylish items for travellers. All their products are made to last and have an inspiring story behind them. 

So if you’re ready to replace the worn-out backpacks, weekend bags, luggage tags and other accessories you usually holiday with, read on to discover new alternatives made in a planet-friendly way by brands with purpose. 

Elvis & Kresse 

Elvis & Kresse’s waste-saving range gives you a chance to take an unusual piece of London life on your travels. They collect decommissioned fire hoses from the London Fire Brigade and transform them into luxury bags, luggage tags, card holders and other invaluable accessories. Having built up a great relationship with the brigade, 50% of profits also go to the Fire Fighters Charity. 

The hardy fire hose material will keep your belongings safe and sound for decades to come, while that distinctive red colour is totally timeless. A top pick from their impeccably made collection is the Overnight Bag – a roomy weekend bag with plenty of handy pockets. As well as looking beautiful from the outside, it’s lined with old auction banners, making every one completely unique inside. 

Another piece from the range great for getaways is the Wash Bag. The water-resistant fire hose material stops any pesky spillages from your toiletries leaking out onto everything else in your bag!  

Been London

Saving perfectly good materials destined for landfill is also at the heart of Been London’s mission. Rather than let them go to waste, they recycle these materials and give them a new lease of life as beautiful luxury accessories. Everything is handmade at their London studio, where their innovative team are always chasing cutting-edge sustainable design techniques to improve and grow their range. 

The brand’s knack for combining style and functionality means their products are perfect for travellers who want useful accessories that also look great. We love the Upper Street Waist Bag for keeping your essentials close and your hands free while you’re exploring, as well as handy accessories like the London Lane Passport Cover and Dalston Laptop Case for protecting the important stuff.  

 

Madlug 

Made to first-rate sustainable standards, with a focus on minimising waste and environmental impact, Madlug’s bags also have a special social impact. For every bag purchased, the brand gives a bag to a child in care.

Inspired by the founder discovering that most children in care had to transport their belongings in a bin bag, this buy-one-give-one approach is a way to help these kids travel with dignity and make them feel valued. With such a worthy mission behind the label, it’s safe to say you can wear your Madlug bag with pride. 

Available in fun colours from mustard yellow to burgundy, the brand’s high-quality backpacks and daypacks are ideal for carrying your belongings on-the-go. Whether you’ll be spending time on a long old hike, at the beach or sauntering around the city, count on their comfortable designs to be a top travel companion.

 

Will you be taking any of these sustainable travel accessories on your next getaway? We’d love to see them in action – be sure to post a photo on Instagram and tag @thesocialsupermarket. 

Find even more bags, accessories and clothes made by social enterprise brands who put people and the planet first here.