Sustainable travel has become more prevalent. Simple ways to lessen waste when travelling include selecting eco-friendly luggage, carrying a refillable water bottle, and using solid shampoo bars. Travel sustainably by opting for digital boarding passes, itineraries, and city maps instead of paper ones to reduce paper waste. Here are nine eco-friendly packing tips every sustainable traveler must keep in mind when packing their luggage.
1. Keep it Light
Packing light can make travel more comfortable and convenient, as well as reduce its environmental impact. Carrying more luggage means using more fuel for transportation.
Opt for lightweight suitcases and backpacks made of sustainable materials like recycled plastic or organic cotton, while using reusable bags for shopping, food and water storage, and sightseeing trips. Pack versatile pieces that can be combined and matched into multiple outfits, reducing the number of clothes needed. Incorporate zero-waste toiletries as well to save plastic waste.
2. Opt for Multipurpose Items
Multipurpose items help minimize travel gear requirements and make for lighter luggage. A sarong, for instance, can serve both as a beach towel and a picnic blanket. Or consider packing reusable menstrual products or cotton swabs in lieu of disposable alternatives.
Many e-commerce sites now provide eco-friendly packing supplies, such as alternatives to biodegradable plastic bubble wrap and recycled paper tape. You may also be able to find used packing materials on online marketplaces or from friends who recently relocated. Avoid unnecessary paper waste by downloading digital boarding passes, using apps for attraction tickets and maps, and only printing where necessary—this way, you reduce both your packing list and carbon footprint.
3. Bring Your Own Reusable Containers
Bring your own containers to reduce plastic waste at restaurants or street vendors who sell food and drinks packaged in plastic packaging. Pack snacks, toiletries, and other small items using silicone, stainless steel, or glass jars that you bring from home in silicone, stainless steel, or glass jars. By doing this you are saving both money and the environment!
Traveling sustainably does not entail forgoing comfort and adventure; rather, it’s about making an impactful contribution to society through each suitcase we pack.
4. Avoid Single-use Items
Travel is an incredible opportunity to experience new cultures and destinations but unfortunately can lead to increased waste production and an impactful environmental footprint. But sustainable travel is becoming increasingly popular, and you can minimize its effects on the planet with some careful packing decisions and planning.
Avoid single-use items wherever possible, like single-use water bottles and Tupperware boxes made of plastic, as this helps reduce emissions due to waste management (Earth Day Network 2020). When traveling for leisure purposes, bring along your soap and reusable toothbrush to minimize plastic-laden hotel freebies.
5. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
Pack only what you need and make a small but significant step towards sustainability by only packing what is absolutely necessary. Overpacking strains your luggage and increases emissions during flights.
Traveling sustainably is an ideal way to experience the world while leaving it better than when you came. This involves cutting paper waste by downloading digital boarding passes, purchasing attraction e-tickets online, and using maps/navigation apps instead of paper maps/navigation guides.
Avoid disposable plastic items like water bottles and bamboo cutlery by packing a stainless steel or glass bottle along with a metal straw and reusable utensils—easily available at most destinations and lessening the environmental impact of plastic waste that takes hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.
6. Buy Local
Traveling sustainably is fast becoming an emerging travel trend. Doing so helps minimize environmental impact while supporting local communities and businesses, and direct flights generally produce lower carbon emissions than indirect ones. Also try to avoid food or beverages packaged in plastic bags, containers, or utensils, as these contribute to plastic pollution issues.
Choose reusable straws when eating on the go; they take up very little room in your bag and last much longer than disposables. Also, support local artisans by purchasing handmade souvenirs instead of from big-chain stores when making souvenir purchases.
7. Opt for Zero-waste Toiletries
Travel can leave an enormous carbon footprint, but small changes can help lessen that impact. Packing light makes transport easier, while reusable water bottles and tote bags reduce plastic waste.
Opting for solid toiletries (such as shampoo and soap bars) eliminates plastic bottle waste while saving space in your suitcase. Furthermore, transitioning from paper boarding passes, city maps, and tour tickets to digital solutions helps further reduce paper waste. Staying at hotels that provide guests with the option to opt out of daily housekeeping can further reduce environmental impacts, and travelers can help reshape the travel industry through these small steps.
8. Bring a Reusable Tote Bag
Weightier luggage requires more energy to transport. By packing only essentials, you can help lower carbon emissions during travel. By switching out single-use plastic items like water bottles, cutlery, and straws with reusable options such as stainless steel or bamboo cutlery sets for refill stations at many destinations, as well as carrying your own stainless steel cutlery set instead of creating unnecessary waste, travelers can significantly lessen their travel impact and plastic waste.
Packing solid toiletries and other zero-waste travel items like shampoo bars and toothpaste capsules can drastically cut back on plastic waste in your bag. Also consider investing in eco-friendly sunscreen that can protect coral reefs and marine life.
9. Support Carbon Offset Programs
Carbon offset programs offer one of the most effective means of lowering your carbon footprint, enabling you to pay for projects that reduce or remove greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as reforestation or methane capture. Opting for reusable items like water bottles, straws, utensils, and bags can help to reduce waste significantly. Also consider zero-waste toiletries like shampoo and deodorant bars stored in leak-proof soap bar containers to further reduce the amount of trash produced.
Select accommodations that prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship, such as eco-lodges and green premium hotels. They typically feature water-saving showerheads, energy-efficient lighting solutions, and linen programs for extra efficiency.
