The ultimate eco-friendly packing guide

photo by Wix.com

Living a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life can be challenging when you’re on vacation. You just want to relax, have a good time and not worry about a damn thing, am I right?! But being more eco conscious doesn’t necessarily mean you need to avoid eating out or skip the fancy hotel.

The tips I’ll mention in this post are pretty simple and will help produce less waste, in special plastic waste. Some tips will also save you some money before or during your trip!

If you have a trip coming soon or if you travel often, save this post and check it again before buying anything for your trip.

With no further do, here is a list of things you can do to have a more sustainable trip while still enjoying it at the most!

Luggage

First things first, let's talk about what will hold all your eco-friendly goodies. The best practice with luggage is to use what you already own. In case you don't have any, need something bigger/smaller, or maybe something that is waterproof or hike-friendly, before you go shopping for a new bag at Amazon or Target, one thing you can do is ask a friend or family member to borrow a bag from them. Not only this is an eco-friendly practice, but it’s also FREE and could save you hundreds of dollars depending on what type of bag you need.

Now, if you didn’t find anybody to borrow it from, or if you need something to use multiple times, then the second best option is to buy second hand. I’ve been traveling for 3 months now and my backpack was simply destroying my back, so I went to a local thrift store here in Australia and found a nice suitcase with wheels for only 15 dollars, compared to a brand new at Target that was going to cost me 90 dollars (the cheapest one). You can also check Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and other websites that sell used items and are a great way for you to sell the things you don’t use anymore and make some extra money for your trip.

If you really want to buy a new suitcase and have the money to spend, there are eco-friendly luggage options to shop. My suggestion is buying the Samsonite Magnum Eco made with recycled post consumer waste. Samsonite is one of the best brands for suitcases and they last forever (forreal).

photo by Wix.com

Clothes

Pack light! Carrying a big heavy bag around can be such a hassle during your trip and it also means more weight on the plane and more emission of CO2. Plan your outfits ahead of time. Check the weather at your destination before you go and avoid bringing extra stuff. If you need something new you can go for a thrift shop run and find cute and cheap looks for your next adventure. Another option is buying from sustainable and ethical stores like EAFW, Zanerobe and Aventura.

photo by Pexels.com

Reusable bottle

I know you have a reusable bottle or cup, so all you have to do is pack it. It's easier than ever before to find water refill stations and it could save you from paying for a bunch of water bottles while also helping the planet by avoiding all the single plastic use. A great option also is having a water bottle with a filter to make sure you have quality water at all times even when it's tap water (unless it's not potable water). If you're flying, make sure your bottle is empty at the airport before you go through security.

photo by Amazon.com

Reusable utensils

Traveling usually means eating street food or fast food at least once. For these instances, carry reusable utensils with you to avoid single use plastic. Single use plastic adds up quickly during a trip a this can really help to reduce the waste. And add a steel straw if you’re a straw person like me. I love how many places that I’ve traveled to have adopted paper straws, because it’s better for the environment. But in all honesty, paper straws take away the pleasure of enjoying my drink or smoothie after it gets all mushy and wet, and a reusable straw also produces no waste so it’s much better in my opinion. I suggest a kit like this one that includes all you need and comes in a nice case for only $12.

photo by Amazon.com

Toiletries

Most hotels and accommodations offer free toiletries like shampoo, conditioner and soap. But the little containers when added up cause so much waste. Imagine thousands of those being used daily and many times they get thrown away after one use with a bunch of product left in it. It's such a waste! Not to mention how most part of the times it's not the best shampoo and conditioner and it doesn't do your hair any good. The most ecological way to go with is bringing bar shampoo and conditioner, bar soap and tooth paste tablets, especially if you're traveling for a long period of time. For a short travel, another awesome option is to stick with what you already have at home and use a toiletries containers kit. You can pack it it your carry-on bag and bring your favorite toiletries including body and facial creams in a practical miniature size.

photo by Amazon.com

Electronics

If you're exploring a new place, you will need your phone at all times. Not only Google maps is your best friend when you're looking for restaurants, hotels and attractions, but you also want to make sure you have enough battery to take pictures and videos of everything when you're making memories so pack your power bank to your trips! It will come in handy many times. If you don't have one, make sure you buy a solar powered one. Not only it's more eco friendly, but it also allows you to recharge it on the go as long as there's a sun shining in the sky.

photo by Amazon.com

If you like reading books, packing more than one can cause extra weight and buying physical books is not the most eco friendly option since it uses a lot of paper. Having a kindle is the best option for travelers. You can have multiple books and buy new ones online while you're traveling. This version will even allow you to draw, journal and write, just like a notebook. You can also download books on your iPad if you have one.

If you're a big fan of physical books and can't deal with electronic books, a good practice is to bring one book with you and look for used books stores during your trip where you can donate your book and get a new one. You can also trade your book with another traveler you meet on the way. It's easier to do it than you imagine.

Ecobag

At some moment of your trip you will have to go shopping. Maybe you're shopping for souvenirs or maybe you're on a budget and will get some groceries to avoid eating out. For these occasions, make sure you pack an ecobag and avoid plastic bags. Some places won't even allow you to use plastic bags anymore and you will need to buy one, so to avoid the cost, just bring your own. If you're bringing a beach bag, it works perfectly too! I personally use my ecobag as a beach bag and even as a purse to carry my things when I'm exploring. Its a must have during a trip.

photo by Amazon.com

Sunscreen

Last but not least, don't forget to pack your sunscreen! If you're going to the beach, make sure you use reef safe sunscreen. Some traditional sunscreens can be harmful to the ocean's ecosystem, being a big threat to coral reefs, fishes, dolphins and more. That's why it's important to use sunscreens that are free from harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate. This is the one I always carry with me. It comes in a tin can that you can recycle after it's done or even use to store jewelry and other small things when traveling.

photo by the National Ocean Service

Of course you will pack other things in your bag that are not listed here, but these are the main things you should have in my opinion. Even though I've given suggestions of things that you can buy, keep in mind that it will always be more sustainable to use what you already have! Avoid unnecessary purchases, it will save you money and help the environment.

Wishing you the best trip ever! Don't forget to pack your camera, sunglasses and smiles!

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