5 Everyday Items You Can Repurpose for Travel

We’ve never been the type to rush out and buy everything new. We prefer to manage our finances wisely and often opt for second-hand purchases when possible. But when it comes to travel, the temptation to get the latest and greatest gear is real. New packing cubes, high-tech accessories, and fancy gadgets—all of them are tempting. However, we’ve learned that you don’t need to buy all new items to have an efficient and eco-friendly travel experience. Instead, we’ve found ways to repurpose everyday items we already own. Here are some clever ideas for reducing waste and making your travel gear work harder.

1. Old Containers

Repurposing old containers is a simple yet effective way to stay organized while traveling. We’ve found a variety of ways to reuse items like old makeup containers, pill organizers, or even take-out boxes. Here’s how we put them to good use:

• Hygiene Products: Over the years, we’ve collected mini shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels and hostels. Instead of buying new travel-sized products, we refill these containers with our regular creams or toiletries.
• Memory Cards: As photographers, storing our memory cards properly is crucial. We used to keep them in our camera bag, but storing important items together is risky. Now, we store our memory cards in an old flat makeup container, which is small, practical, and inconspicuous.

Repurposing containers in this way helps us keep things organized while reducing our environmental impact.

2. Contact Lens Cases

If you use contact lenses—or even if you don’t—these small, compact cases can be a lifesaver when traveling. Contact lens cases are great for organizing tiny items, and here are a few ways we use them:

• Pill Storage: We use contact lens cases to store medications, especially if we need to carry both daytime and nighttime doses. It’s easy to keep one in our first aid kit and another in our bag for quick access.
• Jewelry Storage: We used to lose small jewelry items in our bag, but now we store earrings or rings in contact lens cases. These cases are perfect for keeping everything safe and in one place.
• Hand Cream: Travel often leaves our skin feeling dry, especially on long flights. We pack a small amount of hand cream in a contact lens case for easy access and to keep our skin moisturized.

These little cases may seem insignificant, but they are incredibly versatile for organizing small items.

3. Eyeglass and Pencil Cases

Old eyeglass cases can serve many purposes beyond holding glasses. If you have several collecting dust at home, repurpose them for your travels. These hard cases are durable and perfect for protecting small items. Here’s how we use them:

• Jewelry Holder: When traveling, I like to bring a few pieces of jewelry, but I don’t want them to get damaged. An old eyeglass case offers a sturdy solution to keep everything safe.
• First Aid Kit: We always carry a small first aid kit with us, and an eyeglass case is the perfect size for holding band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and other essentials.
• Sewing Kit: A small pencil case is ideal for storing a basic sewing kit. We bring a few needles, a spool of thread, and small scissors—items that have saved us in a pinch.

Eyeglass cases are durable, easy to store, and great for keeping delicate items secure while traveling.

4. Zipper Pouches

Zipper pouches are incredibly handy when it comes to organizing your travel items. We seem to accumulate them over time, and rather than let them pile up unused, we put them to work. These are some of the ways we use them:

• Mini Packing Cubes: Zipper pouches can easily serve as makeshift packing cubes, keeping everything from snacks to chargers organized. Their flexibility makes them perfect for storing a variety of items in your luggage.
• Electronics and Cables: We use them to store power adapters, cables, and other tech accessories that might get tangled or lost in the bottom of our bags.
• Quick Access Items: Zipper pouches are perfect for storing anything you need quick access to, like a phone charger or a travel document. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and help keep your gear organized.

These pouches are essential for keeping small, often-used items easily accessible during your trip.

5. Reusable Bags

We never leave home without a reusable bag. Whether it’s a cotton tote or a more durable bag, we always make sure we have one on hand. Here’s how we use them while traveling:

• Grocery Shopping: We love exploring local markets when we travel, and bringing our own reusable bag is a great way to avoid using plastic. It’s also handy when picking up fresh produce or other items during our travels.
• Storing Dirty Clothes: After a day of exploring, we use a reusable bag to store dirty clothes separately from clean ones. It helps keep everything organized and avoids mixing dirty laundry with clean clothes.
• As Makeshift Packing Cubes: If you’re not keen on buying packing cubes, tote bags can serve the same purpose. We use large elastic bands to keep our bags sealed and compact, making them a great alternative for short trips.

A simple reusable bag is incredibly versatile, and it’s an essential item in our travel gear for both organization and environmental impact.

Conclusion

By repurposing everyday items, we’ve not only reduced our travel footprint but also saved money and minimized waste. The next time you’re planning a trip, take a moment to look at what you already have around the house and see how you can reuse it for travel. It’s easy, eco-friendly, and a great way to travel smarter while helping the planet.