(content by Nichelle)
Packing for any trip can be quite a hustle. Parking while being conscious of the environment is even harder. Here is a list of seven sustainable items you should always have in your travel bags to make your adventures more eco-friendly.
1. Reusable Water Bottles
With plastic pollution being a serious global environmental problem, many people are now turning to sustainable and reusable travel water bottles. Many plastic bottles are improperly disposed of and end up in parks, oceans, and forests. When traveling, you may end up in a destination where tap water is not safe for drinking. Even if it is safe, you may be required to carry some water with you during city strolls or those long hikes. Carry a reusable water bottle with you to bring enough water for your daily activities in case there is no place to refill.
2. A Sustainable Traveling Bag
You can bring an indispensable bag and use it as a carry-on. Use it to carry things like your neck pillow and headphones. You can also use the bag when taking a stroll around Bali or Mexico’s farmer’s market and bring the everyday items you shop at local supermarkets.
3. A Portable Water Filter
For tourists who are likely to travel to countries with no readily available clean water, or hike through remote forests, a Go Berkey water filtration Kit will come in handy to remove impurities from the lakes, rivers or ponds you come across on your trail. The 14 inches tall kit contains a black filter that will filter 1 gallon of water per hour. You can get your Go Berkey Kit to remove chlorine, bacteria, any heavy metals, and give you healthy and clean drinking water.
4. Reusable Straws
Plastic drinking straws, just like plastic bottles, are a huge source of plastic pollution in the environment. According to National Geographic, over 500 million drinking straws are used in the United States per day, and over 8 billion of them find their way into the beach every day worldwide. Be part of the solution to environmental pollution and carry your reusable straw made from materials like stainless steel, bamboo, and silicone. Buy your reusable straw today and say no to plastic the next time you order that milkshake.
5. Environmental Friendly Insect Repellent
If you are an adventurous traveler, sleeping in a camp by the beach might be normal. Insect repellant is an essential product for that excellent night’s sleep. You don’t want bugs and mosquitoes biting you all night long and leaving irritating, uncomfortable, and itchy lumps on your skin. These insects can also transmit serious diseases such as dengue fever or malaria. Most insect repellents contain a chemical solvent known as DEET that is considered toxic to some fish and bird species and can aggravate your skin. Thankfully, environmentally-friendly insect repellants are made from natural ingredients such as eucalyptus, Citronella, and lemon that are non-toxic to your skin and even the environment.
6. Bring Your Solar Charger
The biggest problem faced by modern travelers is finding a way to charge phones and laptops. Most people carry power banks with them to solve this problem. Lucky for you, there are solar-charged power banks that will help you reduce your carbon footprint wherever you go.
7. Eco-Friendly Sunglasses
Many tourists impulsively buy sunglasses despite having several at home. In today’s world, sunglasses with frames made from eco-friendly materials such as cork, bamboo, and reclaimed wood are simple for reducing plastic use. You don’t have to throw away your old plastic ones, and you can upgrade and replace the frame instead of buying new ones. This will look good on you and will also help you avoid the pitfall of short-term commercialism.
Extra Tips to Be a More Sustainable Traveler
– Choose travel destinations that value environmental conservation, such as Namibia.
– Have a conscious attitude and be aware of the carbon footprint and how much waste you produce.
– Always ensure to turn off the lights and the AC every time you leave the room.
– Be mindful of your surrounding environment and recycle what can be recycled
– When hiking, stick to the marked path, and maintain a safe distance from any animals you encounter.
– Travel in a smaller group and use an environmentally responsible tour operator.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly travel practices help you make environmentally friendly travel choices. Many people are taking this up as a portable lifestyle and choose to impact communities positively they visit while traveling. It’s best to live on the road by the saying: Leave the place better than you found it.
