Sustainability has long been a top priority at LEIGH. Our newest collection of antimicrobial nylon bags are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, complete with the same antimicrobial properties as our linings. Being a company dedicated to reducing waste and reusing post-consumer materials is important to our mission, and forging a sustainable path in manufacturing is not only something we believe in, but it’s where we strive to lead by example, and lead the way – the LEIGHway. 

Commencing on International Earth Day, LEIGH customers will save 20% on their purchases in-store and online, and than an additional 20% will be donated to The Nature Conservatory, one of the most wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world working to address the biodiversity and climate crises our planet faces. Naturally, we’re launching this initiative on Earth Day (Friday, April 22nd) and extending it through Monday, April 25th. 

By its very nature, travel has a pretty unfavorable carbon footprint, but every person can make small steps to minimize their environmental impact. We’re proud that our eco-friendly travel bag collection, and we have a few other like-minded travel favorites as well: 

Reusable Water Bottle by Que 

We know a reusable water bottle is the most obvious eco-friendly travel accessory, but since a million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute (so many in airports!), and since LEIGH bags are made of recycled plastic water bottles, we want to highlight our favorite.

The reality is reusable water bottles are bulky and take up a lot of precious room, but the Que bottle’s patented spiral design allows the bottle to be compressed – which also reduces its carbon footprint during shipping. BPA-free, non-toxic and made from LFGB food-grade silicone, the Que is your travel-hydration solution – and 10% of the company’s profits goes to the Rainforest Trust to help acquire and protect land in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.

Sustainable Clothing 

Give “fast fashion” a Google search and phew – your eyes will be open to the detrimental impact of the fast fashion industry. Making more thoughtful decisions when it comes to your wardrobe can make a big impact, and since LEIGH adores its Ionic+™ silver lining technology, which stops bacteria and odor before they start, we LOVE to see this advanced technology applied in clothing. 

If you ask us (frequent fliers that we are…), the perfect travel look is a crisp white t-shirt paired with a blazer and well-fitted jeans. The odorless crewneck tee by Organic Basics is constructed using organic cotton with SilverTech™ thread, is ethically made and is heat regulating – making it ideal for those unpredictable cabin temps.   

We also love the ONNO bamboo t-shirt. Bamboo is soft and silky to the touch, and even more importantly, it thrives without the use of pesticides, produces 35% more oxygen than trees, is beneficial for the soil, and is highly renewable. This t-shirt is 70% viscose from organic bamboo and 30% organic cotton, and Colorado-based Onno purchases carbon offsets from carbonfund.org 

Antimicrobial Tube Blanket 

We’re tooting our own horn here, but our antimicrobial tube blanket is an absolute must for travelers! In the airport or train station, you can wear as comfy scarf or wrap (especially handy when the air-conditioning is on full blast!). Before you take your seat and fasten your seatbelt, let it drop to become completely cocooned in sheer softness and protection during your travels. 

Made with the same Ionic+™ silver yarn as our facial masks and linings of all LEIGH bags, think of it as a shield between you and all the elements wherever and whenever you need it – plus, you won’t need the supplied blankets offered by airlines which are not washed between flights! 

Solid Toiletries 

When it comes to hygiene and beauty, those travel-sized minis are awfully convenient, but they are simply awful for the environment. Enter solid toiletries, which will never give you an issue when it comes to the 3oz. rule (raise your hand if you've tossed a brand new beauty item into the TSA's trash bin). 

For long haul travel, tuck some NUDESTIX NUDESKIN Vegan Bamboo Cleansing Cloths into your carry-on to instantly refresh and rehydrate the skin. Made with soft, sustainable bamboo eco-fibers, the lemongrass packs a citrus astringent punch to cleanse skin while coconut oils gently dissolve heavy-duty makeup and leaves skin super soft. 

We are crazy about plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars from The Earthing Co.  - a Climate Neutral Certified business. Made without any harsh, stripping ingredients, the lux hair care bars come in a variety of scents and last 50-75 washes or 2-6 months. Their line of serums, moisturizers and soaps are also plastic-free and pure goodness. 

As inhabitants of this beautiful but damaged planet, it’s important to remember that small actions make a big difference.

X, Andrea

Andrea E. McHugh is a travel and lifestyle writer, food editor and content creator whose work has appeared in USA Today, Family Circle, Yankee Magazine, Yahoo! News, MSN, Travel Pulse, The Hartford Courant, Providence Journal and Daily Candy in addition to appearing on Good Morning America, featured in Conde Nast Traveler and more. She’s the founder of NewportStylephile.com. And in her free time (lol), Andrea blogs for LEIGH 2-3 times per month (lucky us)!