Hey there travelers and welcome to my post where we will discuss my 9 tips for eco-friendly travel this year. As planet friendly behaviors attract greater general attention, more people than ever before are opting for eco-friendly vacations. In fact, it’s has also become a popular vacation trend with companies offering full blown eco-friendly tours from start to finish.
These vacations incorporate such behaviors as taking the train instead of a plane or staying at eco-friendly resorts that minimize trash and have their own sustainable gardens etc. From a personal level, there are also some smaller things that we can do to do our bit for sustainability and eco-friendliness when we travel. Let’s check them out.
- Water Purification Containers
- Bamboo Toothbrush And Soaps
- Reusable Utensils
- Menstrual Cups
- Reusable Bags From Home
- Natural Insect Repellent
- Coffee Travel Mug
- Use Reusable Q-Tips
- Solar Power Banks
Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel
Those who are passionate about looking after the planet will often outline how every little bit helps. So in keeping that in mind, here are my 9 eco-friendly travel tips below:
1. Water Purification Containers
This is without a doubt one of the greatest things you can get for a trip overseas. Truth is, most nations don’t have drinking water accessible to them from the tap meaning you have to regularly purchase plastic water bottles. And when recycling isn’t an option, they are simply added to the landfill.
Enter the water purifying bottle. These look just like normal water bottles but with an inbuilt filter that enables you to fill it up and cleanses the water as you push down on the top. It’s straightforward to use, and highly effective in places that don’t have drinking water readily accessible.
Should you only have access to a more traditional water bottle, you can try some water purification tabs as well. Simply fill the water bottle from the tap and add the tablet to it. these are effective but do leave a little taste in the water as well.
Check out these: Filtered Water Bottles
2. Bamboo Toothbrush And Soaps
This next option is actually one that you can implement both at home and when you travel. Instead of using a plastic toothbrush, go for an eco-friendly bamboo option. For added points, you may get a bamboo toothbrush with organically farmed bristles too. They don’t last as long as conventional nylon bristles but are entirely biodegradable. Of course this will also work for hair brushes etc. as well.
And whilst we are looking at teeth cleaning, if you are travelling in third world countries then you should be aware that many do not have the waste water management capabilities to handle the chemicals found in soap and toothpaste. So look for chemical free options with all natural ingredients as well.
Swap that liquid bottle of body wash for a solid bar of soap. Firstly, the bar of soap frequently includes healthier components and is more cost-effective than body wash. Plus, there’s no plastic packaging to get rid of, which is wonderful when you’re going to nations that don’t have sustainable recycling measures in place.
And of course there’s no need to lug along a bulky plastic bottle which can save you valuable weight if you are trying to travel on a budget as well.
Check out these: Eco Friendly TSA-Approved Travel Bottles
3. Reusable Utensils
Trying new foods – especially from local food trucks etc. is one of the most enjoyable parts of travel for many. The trouble is, most of these places will give you plastic utensils. From the minute you get on the aircraft, through dining at local markets, and even in select restaurants, you’re provided plastic cutlery. And as with plastic water bottles, they can’t be recycled and ends up in landfill.
Instead, invest in reusable cutlery made from bamboo or aluminum. The difficulty, though, is to make sure you remember to bring these goods with you throughout the day. Our recommendation is to keep them in your day bag and wash them when you reach your accommodation.
Another thing to bear in mind however is that many airlines don’t allow you to carry your knife aboard. Make sure you verify their restrictions or store the knife solely in your checked baggage.
4. Menstrual Cups
For all those traveling women out there! We all know that conventional sanitary goods like pads and tampons are never good for the environment. Plus, they’re a headache to bring about when you’re traveling and have limited room in your bag.
But, you need something on hand when that time comes to call, right! Enter the Menstrual Cup – an eco-friendly approach to keep yourself safe at that time of the month. Menstrual cups are a tad pricy at roughly $30 USD for one but you they last roughly 10 years. So simply take a little of soap and hot water to clean and you will again greatly prevent landfill burdens.
5. Reusable Bags From Home
By now, we all have a ton of reusable tote bags at home. Well, carry one or two of them with you when you travel to be more sustainable. These bags are ideal to use as beach bags, to do your grocery at the local market or to store your dirty clothes in while you travel. Again, they help you limit the quantity of plastic you are using.
Simply keep them in your everyday bag for those times when you know you’ll be making a purchase to avoid the temptation to grab a plastic bag or an extra tote bag.
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6. Natural Insect Repellent
Every traveler knows that bug repellant is a must have while you’re out traveling. However the primary chemical in most insect repellents, DEET, is detrimental to animals and water systems. Fortunately natural, eco-friendly insect repellents are easily accessible.
Usually consisting of essential oils like tea tree, citronella, lemongrass and eucalyptus, DEET free insect repellent will keep mosquitoes away without damaging the environment. As far as eco-friendly and waste-free vacation options go, this is one of the simplest ones to implement.
7. Coffee Travel Mug
A cup of coffee (or two) in the morning is a need for many of use – especially if we have been out a bit late the night before. But while we’re traveling, it’s more handy to get a cup of coffee to go. Unfortunately, the plastic used to make take-out coffee cups waterproof means that they are seldom recyclable.
Thankfully, there is a green solution to this problem. Travel coffee cups will let you to enjoy your morning coffee knowing you are doing your bit for the earth. In fact, many coffee shops around the world are starting to offer discounts for those who bring their own cups so you may even save some $$ too.
8. Use Reusable Q-Tips
Plastic swabs are probably not something we normally consider when we discuss eco-friendly travel, but they are actually one this that is used more so in these times. They not only clean our ears, but work well if we have children with us and need to clean bumps and scrapes or to remove makeup too. And again, they are made of plastic. So if you’re a lover of utilizing them, we have a suggestion:
LastSwab has invented a reusable swab that are a sustainable and hygienic alternative to cotton swabs, cotton buds, and Q tips. One LastSwab is supposed to replace 1000 single-use cotton swabs. They come with a compact and biodegradable carrying bag that keeps your reused q tip tucked away securely. A swab that has been used then may be simply cleaned with soap and water for next time.
9. Solar Power Banks
And finally, keeping your phone charged is often an all consuming need when travelling. For this reason, a decent quality power bank is a useful addition to have on hand. they will keep your phone charged at all times without the need to tap into the power grid.
In order to keep your electronics charged while you’re on the move without negatively impacting the environment, a solar-powered power bank is a great option.
Conclusion
So there you have it, my 9 tips for eco friendly travel this year. I hope it has been of assistance but as usual, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out by commenting below.
Do you have any other tips for eco-friendly travelling? If so, please comment below.
Until next time
Have fun
Paul
