Part of our sustainable travel guides, our top sustainable travel items, most you probably already use at home, that you can take away, and will help you travel as sustainably as possible. We know travelling is not a very sustainable hobby but, there are steps you can take to minimise your waste, little alterations can really add up. Eco tourism is a growing industry and continuing your zero waste journey into travelling is part of that. There are probably hundreds of blog posts on this topic now, but here are our personal tips;
The classic sustainability item: A Reusable Water bottle.
My tip: always take it in your hand luggage, empty it before security and fill it up after, generally airports in countries where you can drink tap water, will have refilling stations, use them! If you're travelling to countries where it is not advised to drink the tap water still take a reusable water bottle! Buy filters, water purifying tablets or if must buy large plastic multi litres bottles and decant into your reusable water bottle for everyday use. Get something with a fairly wide brim that you can wash inside easily, an essential whilst travelling.
What we own:
a hydro flask (made with non toxic BPA free plastic and food grade stainless steal, and heavy duty for travelling)
Note, this is not big enough to accommodate your recommended daily water intake without refilling, for long hikes I use a water bladder.
You use them at home; Reusable bags
I am not talking about hold luggage and hand luggage, I am talking about your shopping bag, your overflowing bag, your snack bag etc. Just because some countries don’t yet charge for plastic bags, does not mean we should accept them. Some countries also have plastic bag bans meaning a reusable bag would definitely come in handy.
What we own:
A tote bag, always to hand and takes up no room in my bag
More bags, no more plastic: Packing cubes and dry bags
If you have ever travelled with a big rucksack (usually top loading) you will know it can be impossible to find the one thing you are looking for especially that last pair of clean socks! Sectioning your bag is a great was to combat this, do not use plastic bags to do this, get reusable ones that will last you adventure after adventure after adventure. Additionally, buy a reusable laundry bag. We think it is important to point out that this is probably the only item on the list that is pretty exclusive to backpacking. Therefore, if you are backpacking and its your first time, an investment in dry sacks or packing cubes might be a bit OTT. Unless you are sure you will be using them on another trip, instead ask friends and family about borrowing them, you'll be thankful for some type of compartmentalisation in your bag.
What we own:
size specific oval packing cubes designed to fit perfectly in a rucksack, these come in a variety of shapes and sizes and some ever have a netting front so you can easily see whats in each cube.
dry bags by exped
Say no to miniatures; Buy soap bars or buy refillable bottles
Buy, shampoo, conditioner, soap and laundry bars, along with reusable tubs to put them in. We know soap bars aren't for everyone so alternatively, buy reusable miniature bottles and refill them each time with your products you use at home, make sure the products you use at home are free from SLS, paraben's and palm oil, all natural, organic and biodegradable. One of the biggest companys in the soap bar evolution is lush, however, lush are very transparent that some of their products still include some of the ingredients listed above Holly Rose investigated and explain really well why this is click here. So, currently I still buy from lush whilst searching for potential alternatives.
What we own:
silicone reusable travel bottles
Lush Montalbano shampoo bar, its multi use as its also great for washing your clothes whilst travelling, especially in an area with bugs and mosquitoes as the natural ingredients repel bugs.
Carbon Theory Charcoal facial cleansing bar, it comes with its own reusable portable packaging, its vegan and made in the UK.
Tupperware for left overs, takeaways and packed lunches
There's many reasons why having a tupperware box whilst travelling can come in handy here's just a few. A lot of countries portion sizes can be very different to our own, inevitably this can lead to leftovers. Save money whilst travelling on eating out constantly, book a self catered place or use a hostel kitchen and make your own food to take out for the day. Going hiking you'll want snacks in some places this will attract animals and in place like some US National Park's you'll need to keep all your food in bear proof containers as to not entice any bears.
What we own:
lock and lock eco range amongst others
Socks and Sandals