Are you planning a vacation and want to make it eco-friendly? The good news is that by following these tips, you can reduce your impact on the environment and still enjoy your time off.
Here are some of our favorite green travel packing tips:
Eco-Friendly Products to Take on Vacation
1. Shampoo and conditioner and body soap
Many people want to use eco-friendly products, but might not know what is available. Thankfully now there are many great choices for eco-friendly shampoo, conditioner, and body soap which can be taken on vacation.
The best thing to do is purchase these items before the trip so that they are available when you arrive. If they are not available at your destination, they can be purchased locally or brought with you in travel sizes.
2. A zinc oxide sunscreen
Sunscreen, to say the least, is one of the more fascinating items on the list. The sun’s rays are particularly damaging to the environment, therefore applying a zinc oxide sunscreen is essential for both you and the planet. This is due to the fact that zinc oxide sunscreen prevents sunlight from penetrating your skin rather than coating it like most chemical sunscreens.
3. Reusable shopping bag
Another best things is to pack a reusable shopping bag. You can use this on your return trip or during your vacation. These are great because they are easy to carry, they keep your groceries fresh, and they are environmentally friendly.
It’s also important to reduce the amount of plastic that you consume when you are on vacation by buying snacks that are already packaged and not made from plastic and disposable containers (or, better yet, make them yourself).
4. Reusable water bottle and/or travel mug
For many, packing a reusable water bottle or travel mug is an important component of an eco-friendly traveler’s kit.
First, you need to decide if you want to drink from a reusable water bottle or reusable travel mug. Plastic reusable water bottles are cheap and easy to find, but are not dishwasher safe. Carrying this type of water bottle with you can also be heavy and cumbersome compared to a travel mug.
Travel mugs are more expensive, but are insulated and dishwasher safe, making it easier for them to fit in your bag. If you choose a reusable travel mug, make sure your fluids will stay hot or cold. When in doubt, a stainless steel travel mug is always a good choice.
5. Solar chargers
It is becoming more and more popular for people on an eco-friendly vacation to bring their own solar charger. They do this because they want to avoid using disposable batteries and energy while traveling.
A solar charger is a good investment because it will reduce the use of disposable batteries and provide peace of mind that your electronics will be powered while you travel.
6. Reusable snack bags
Reusable snack bags are a fantastic way to maintain a green lifestyle while traveling. They’re made from heavier-duty material that will hold up to the wear and tear of travel, and come in a variety of colors and styles for your convenience.
Reusable snack bags are great for carrying snacks or even sandwiches-to-go. You can use them on the airplane, in the car, and anywhere else you wish to take a small amount of food with you. Many people like using reusable snack bags because they preserve freshness and taste better than disposable plastic baggies.
If you’re a green tourist at heart, then the number one rule is to reduce your impact on the environment wherever possible. This can be done in a variety of ways too!
Remember, it’s not just about bringing your own reusable water bottles to the airport. It’s also important to find eco-friendly accommodations and buy carbon offsets when possible for a truly sustainable vacation.
We believe that every traveler should be aware of their impact on the environment, so leave us a comment about your favorite environmental practices when you travel. We’d love to hear from you!
useful tips!