Sustainable Travel Packing Tips
Travelling as sustainably as possible is very much in trend right now, but did you know that a sustainable holiday starts from the early stages of packing? Over time, I’ve gathered lots of useful advice on what to pack in your luggage to keep your carbon footprint as low as possible, and so I’m sharing that below with all of you green travellers!
When it comes to eco travelling, I like to believe that even a little bit of effort matters, so don’t stress out if you can’t follow every piece of advice – it’s okay to focus on what is most important for you, and what you are most likely to need on your holidays. The good news is that many of these tips can be used even in your day-to-day life, so you can live life a little greener every day and not just on holiday.
Ditch the plastic
We all know this by now, but single-use plastic is incredibly harmful to the environment: not only we use hundreds of millions of tons of plastic every year but also, according to some studies, 91% of that plastic is thrown away and never recycled! So much plastic ends up in landfills and even in our oceans, killing the sea life and contaminating our food with microplastics.
Just think of all the single-use plastic you throw away when you are on holiday: all the paper bags, bottles, straws, cups, cutlery - and the list can go on. Luckily, nowadays there are more and more non-plastic, reusable alternatives popping up on the market, that you can buy and take with you on holiday. Honestly, they are a life changer for any sustainable traveller out there.
Take straws, for example – if you’ve grown accustomed to them and don’t feel like giving them up completely, consider buying reusable ones, made from bamboo, stainless steel, paper or even pasta (I know, crazy!). They are perfect if you are planning to make cocktails with your friend or just need a drink on the go, and they take up almost no luggage space. Just make sure to keep them in proper condition, as each different material has its own method of cleaning.
Another thing to consider is packing a set of reusable kitchen utensils. I recommend dining in as much as possible while on holiday, but if you anticipate needing takeaway or even going to a picnic, you should pack reusable utensils in advance. They can be made from bamboo or metal – there are some great, durable options to purchase out there, but if you are going on a budget trip nobody is stopping you from simply taking some of your cutlery from home with you. In the same vein I recommend packing some Tupperware or stainless-steel food tins, to easily store leftover meals or bring at a picnic.
Pack a reusable liquid container
If you travel to warmer places especially during summer, you’ll need to stay hydrated, so a must-have in your luggage is a reusable water bottle. Single-use plastic bottles are an especially big problem when it comes to pollution, so instead of constantly buying bottled water from a store, it’s better to have something you can use and reuse, and refill at local water stations or at home. Bonus points - some reusable bottles have an in-built water filter, which could come in handy if you are camping, or on holiday in areas with less clean water.
If you are a big coffee drinker but are worried about being wasteful, ditch the coffee cups they give you at the store and pack a reusable coffee mug. Even if the store cups are made of paper, they still produce waste, so why not eliminate it altogether?
Ziploc bags are your best friend
While on holiday, you might go on a day hike or explore nature, so you will need to bring a few snacks – instead of buying the pre-packaged store candy bars and sandwiches which create plastic waste, I recommend making your own snacks at home (or grab them fresh from a market!) I also recommend packing some reusable Ziploc bags in advance, to make sure you carry those snacks in a secure, tight space, without relying on single-use plastic bags.
Canvas bags
It has become a norm to be asked if we need a bag when buying food from any store, so the best way to avoid waste is to just say no. Instead, pack one or two canvas bags in your luggage, and bring them with you when shopping at the grocery store or at the local markets.
When on holiday, nothing compares to visiting a local market where they sell local food and handmade products – not only are you supporting the local economy and empowering the community, but you also get a taste of the local culture. So bring your canvas bag and get to shopping!
Solar-powered electronics
A true life-changer when it comes to sustainable holidays are solar powered electronics, for example battery chargers or flashlights. They are super eco-friendly since they use renewable energy, and well, who hasn’t run out of battery in the middle of the day with no way to charge their devices? The best part is that you can find multifunctional devices, that can be both battery chargers and flashlights, so it becomes much easier to pack them.
Get the right sunscreen
Nowadays sunscreen should be on every traveller’s packing list, but what some of you may not know is that not all sunscreen is good for the environment. Until recently, a lot of products contained substances such as parabens, which have been shown to be extremely harmful to the coral reefs around the world – those sunscreens are actively destroying important ecosystems, adding irreversible damages to the environment.
Although some sunscreens nowadays have a reef-safe label, you shouldn’t immediately trust that with no research, as it is not a regulated label and mostly exists for marketing purposes. Rather, you should check the ingredients list – if you see any names such as oxybenzone, parabens, triclosan or even microbeads (made from plastic), all known to have damaging effects on coral reefs, it’s best to avoid that product.
What about toiletries?
We are all familiar with aircraft restrictions – liquids are only allowed in small doses, which results in lots of people buying tiny versions of their favourite toiletries, even when they still have full bottles of shampoo at home. This habit adds a lot to the amount of wasted plastic around the globe, so I’m here to give you some more environmentally friendly alternatives.
For example, you may not know this, but most toiletries come with solid versions as well. I’m talking soaps, shampoo, conditioner and even face creams. They require little to no packaging, so you will waste no material, and they also take little space in your luggage. Bonus points – no chance for annoying spillages inside your suitcase or backpack.
If you don’t want to buy a new brand, and you already have a favourite shampoo or conditioner that you want to take with you, then I recommend buying reusable cosmetic containers, which you can fill up and reuse whenever you go on holiday – they are under 100ml which makes them ideal for those who travel by plane.
Another thing to consider is the type of deodorant you use – some are full of chemicals such as aluminium and parabens, which are harmful to both your health and the environment. I recommend vegan deodorants (and any other cosmetics for that matter) or any product that has a green label on it and lacks those ingredients.
Tips for packing make-up
For all my ladies out there who wear make-up, it’s always important to research where your products come from. Some cosmetics are tested on animals beforehand which makes them highly unethical, so go for trusted brands that are known to stay away from that.
I also recommend packing reusable make-up removing pads, such as cloth or cotton pads, instead of the usual one-use wet wipes which clutter the landfills around the globe. They can be gentler for your skin, and will also result in less wasted materials – it’s really the best choice for a greener luggage. And you won’t have to worry about re-upping on the trip!
Last but not least, pack the bare minimum
So far I’ve mentioned lots of sustainable items for people to pack for their holidays, but you don’t need to pack everything just because it is sustainable. A lesser-known fact is that, on flights, the amount of fuel consumed is actually influenced by the overall weight of the plane. Too much fuel burnt results in CO2 released into the atmosphere which is one of the main causes for climate change and other environmental issues.
Because of that, I recommend packing only a small carry-on bag or a backpack, and only pack a big suitcase if you are going on a longer holiday. Always make sure to research the location you are going to, and pack only what is absolutely necessary for the trip. Not only that, but it will also be much more comfortable for you, so why not choose comfort and sustainability instead of overpacking?