Eco-friendly travel essentials

Minimise your impact on the environment with our guide to packing green, ethically sound travel items

Organic cotton hankies by Hankette
Protect the forests by ditching your usual disposable tissues and wipes. Opt for hankies instead. Pop a damp hanky soaked in water and cologne in a waterproof container in your handbag to use as a refreshing wipe. Simply wash it clean at the end of the day and reuse. This box of eight organic cotton flannel hankies from www.organic-ally.co.uk costs just £13.49 and comes in a stylish re-usable pop-up box.

A'kin Babies and Sensitive Scalp Shampoo
Tourism Concern's The Ethical Travel Guide advises against taking numerous different soaps, shampoos, hand washes and so on. Instead invest in an all-purpose multiuse liquid soap. This mild, non-toxic, unscented shampoo from A'kin doubles up as a shower gel and can be used to wash those organic hankies. Campers can even use it to gently rinse mugs and plates. £6.45 for 225ml from www.mypure.co.uk.

Solio™ solar charger
Don't clutter your luggage with your phone, iPod, camera and PDA chargers and clumsy converter plugs. Generate your own free electricity instead with the brilliant Solio solar-powered charger. Using the Solio will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere and save the energy supplies of the country you're visiting. What's more, all the components come from sustainable ethical sources. Designed and manufactured by Better Energy Systems Ltd, the Solio costs £49.99, and is available from www.solio.com.

Green People: No Scent Sun Lotion SPF22
This biodegradable sun lotion - containing organic aloe vera, green tea and echinacea - provides natural protection from UVA and UVB radiation and is rich in antioxidants. It's also water resistant, but do make sure you reapply after swimming or excessive perspiration. £15.99 from www.greenpeople-organic-health.co.uk

Bugger Off Insect Spray by Emma Cool
An amusingly named chemical-free insect repellent spray from Australia that's made from 100 per cent natural ingredients. These include aloe vera and a blend of lavender, rosemary, citronella, neem and sage - essential oils that help keep biting insects at bay, without causing the negative impact on the environment that other repellents containing DEET can. Available from www.mypure.co.uk £5.99 for 125ml

Water-powered multi-function clock
A really cool alarm clock that runs on nothing but water. That's right good old H20. No more expensive batteries that leak nasty chemicals into the soil via landfill. Simply top it up with water every two to three months and you'll have no excuses for missing those spectacular sunrises on your trip. £14.95 from www.nigelsecostore.co.uk.