Sustainable Travel Packing List
When choosing travel essentials, one must not only consider convenience and comfort but also sustainability. Impacts of tourism on the environment have grown significantly, so every environmentally conscious traveler should think about implementing greener practices. One excellent way is by creating a sustainable packing list. This guide will walk you through essential items that are eco-friendly, reusable, and responsibly sourced.
Choose Eco-Friendly Luggage
Begin with the right luggage. Opt for those produced from recycled or sustainably sourced materials. Brands like Samsonite eco-nu collections craft their luggage from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. In addition, search for hard-wearing designs that last longer, reducing waste from frequent replacements.
Sustainable Clothing
When packing clothes, prioritize those made of natural or recycled materials. Brands like Patagonia and Everlane excel in sustainable fashion. Cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo-based textiles are excellent choices. Look for certifications like Fairtrade and GOTS to ensure materials have been ethically sourced, and workers treated fairly.
Compact Packing Cubes and Bags
Divide your luggage space strategically. Using packing cubes made from recycled materials can help you organize your belongings while minimizing waste. Items such as BAGSMART’s eco-friendly packing cubes, crafted from post-consumer recycled polyester, are a great choice. Carry reusable shopping bags and totes such as those by Baggu that can be folded up compactly when not in use.
Toiletries and Personal Care Items
In the realm of personal care, plastic waste piles up quickly. This can be mitigated by using solid toiletries like shampoo and conditioner bars, and body lotions. These often come packaged in paper or tin containers, making disposal easier and less damaging. Furthermore, consider a bamboo toothbrush, replaceable head electric toothbrush, or toothpaste tablets.
If you’re an avid user of makeup products, consider brands that offer solid makeup or refillable containers. Companies like Elate Cosmetics prioritize sustainable packaging and practice ingredient transparency.
Travel-Sized Reusable Utensils
Carrying your own reusable utensils minimizes the need to rely on single-use plastics that harm the environment. Kinsho has an offering of a small container featuring stainless steel fork, spoon, and chopsticks. For those that prefer straws, Klean Kanteen provides durable stainless steel straws.
Food and Drink
Bring a reusable water bottle. This simple move will decrease the number of plastic bottles disposed of daily. LifeStraw and S’well offer bottles that are stylish, efficient, and maintain the temperature of your drink. For coffee-lovers, a collapsible coffee cup like those from Stojo would be a great addition.
In terms of food storage, reusable silicone food bags from Stasher, are excellent choices. They’re perfect for sandwiches, snacks, and even liquid items like soups. Bringing your lunch in reusable containers is also a wise decision. LunchBots provide a variety of sizes to fit every traveler’s needs.
Travel-Friendly Tech
Look for solar-powered devices, such as solar power banks, torches, or lanterns for camping trips. Goal Zero has a range of products that both utilize solar power and use their revenue to supply power to communities in need. Opt for e-readers instead of books to save on paper.
Sustainable Travel Hampers and Essential Kits
Companies have begun offering travel hampers featuring sustainable essentials. Brands like Unwrapped Life offers Minimalist’s Travel Essentials hamper that includes solid shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and bars of soap.
Ensure Your products are Multi-Use
The more uses an item has, the fewer items will be needed. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap is biodegradable, vegan, and can be used for everything including hair, body, dishes, laundry, and even teeth.
While this list is not exhaustive, it provides many options across various aspects of travel that can help reduce your environmental impact. By making conscientious choices regarding the products we use, each of us can contribute to a more sustainable world. Embrace your role as a responsible traveler and explore the worlds marvels while reducing the broad footprint of tourism. Ford Gandhi once said, “We must be the change we want to see in the world”. So in our travels, let us empower ourselves to be the change and make a difference.
