Environmentally-Friendly Travel Essentials
By Ashley Corbett
Even if you practice a green lifestyle at home in your everyday life, zero-waste habits often take a hard hit while on the road. There are many potential reasons for this — from convenience, to not knowing the area, to literally having no other option, it’s a lot easier to let the idea of a conscious lifestyle take a backseat when you’re without a routine and the comforts of home.
But like most environmentally-conscious choices it takes mindful decision making and pre-planning. Thinking ahead will do wonders for Mother Earth and can even help you save some money. Read on for our guide to reducing your environmental impact while traveling.
What You Can Bring
These are things you likely already have in your home, but might have otherwise forgotten to pack. And if you don’t have these items, get ’em already. It’s 2020!
A Reusable Straw
We’ve all seen the photos of turtles with plastic straws wedged in places they shouldn’t be. Keeping a reusable straw in your bag is a simple and easily portable switch to make. From metal to silicone straws, there are many options out there and they’re typically sold in multiples! We recommend checking out the FinalStraw for a compact, durable option.
Your Own Towel
Rather than using a new towel at every hotel or Airbnb, why not bring your own? There are plenty of quick-dry towels on the market that will absorb water quickly and fold up super small in your luggage. The less laundry you can create, the more energy you save! MEC has some great choices.
A Grocery Tote
Shopping for convenience is common when on the road, so quick purchases at corner stores and shops are likely. But just as you likely would at home (we hope), why not carry a reusable bag for these inevitable purchases? Any tote is sure to do the trick, but BAGGU’s are easily foldable and super cute.
A Drinking Vessel
Whether it be a water bottle or a travel mug, or maybe something that can function as both, you should be prepared when thirst strikes. Single-use coffee cups and plastic bottles are among the leading causes of pollution and litter, so bring your own along. Nalgene water bottles are an inexpensive, lightweight option. If you’re looking for a mug, check out options for collapsible ones from brands like Stojo that will fit right into small spaces!
What You Can Do
Being an eco-friendly traveller isn’t only about items you have, but also in the steps you can take to reduce waste and to promote environmentally-conscious habits. Here are some actionable ways to travel responsibly.
Go Digital
An easy and cost-free step to eliminating waste along your journey is to “go digital” wherever possible. Did you know that most boarding passes and concert tickets have an option to download onto your phone instead of printing them off? Plus, this eliminates a step for you! A win-win.
Another way you can go paperless is by loading up some reading materials on your phone, tablet, eReader, etc. prior to travel! This way you’ll have digital reads right at your fingertips even while offline.
Reusing Containers
Before heading off on a trip, it’s common to hit up the Dollar Store to purchase tiny travel-size toiletry bottles and other travel swag. An environmentally-friendly way around this is to save up bottles you use anyway, instead of recycling them as you go along. For example, if you got a free travel-sized sample from Sephora with your last purchase, don’t toss the container once you’re finished with the product. Keep it to fill with soap, shampoo, etc. on your next trip!
Another way to reuse while on the road is to bring along a Tupperware container. This way you can avoid over-packaged snacks while out for the day or in transit, and instead simply bring your own. You’ll also be armed with a sustainable option when you decide to grab takeout, street food or even leftovers at a restaurant. These collapsible ones are perfect for traveling.
Sustainable Transportation
While it’s not always feasible to take a boat across the ocean instead of flying like Greta Thunberg, it’s still good practice to consider your options in any given situation. For example, if you can, opt for walking to dinner instead of catching an Uber. Can you rent a bike for the day and enjoy a destination that way? Thinking critically about transport is a great step in the right direction.
Whether you’re doing a weekend trip to a city, or a month of backpacking, we can all make more eco-friendly choices while traveling. Being mindful with your decisions and thinking ahead on what to bring can make a huge difference. Remember that no step is too small in the quest for zero-waste. And with these tips in mind, you’ll be fully equipped with ways to go green on your next adventure.
Ashley is an Account Coordinator with VERB Interactive — a leader in digital marketing, specializing in solutions for the travel and hospitality industry. Find out more at www.verbinteractive.com.
