Sustainable Travel Essentials
For those of us who care to live our lives in a more sustainable way, the travel industry can often make it difficult to maintain this level of consciousness in regards to the amount of waste we produce. Companies are constantly releasing travel-friendly versions of their products that are really just excess waste going into the environment. Travel-sized shampoos, body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. The list goes on and on. It seems as if anything you want can be bought in small travel-friendly packaging, however, this is simply just added and unnecessary waste.
For those of us who want to remain conscious of our footprint as we travel the world, I am here to share with you some simple solutions to cutting down on your waste during your travels.
Tooth Care
Toothpaste Tabs
While convenient, most toothpaste options are packaged in single-use plastic tubes, and the same thing goes for traditional floss. A convenient solution to this issue is toothpaste tabs. They are essentially dried toothpaste formed into tabs, allowing you to bite them, causing them to foam, and use them as you would regular toothpaste. You can often buy them in small reusable containers and have companies ship you refills in biodegradable packaging. This is a great option as it is extremely travel friendly, as it is not a liquid, and you can bring exactly how much you need for your trip. I have tried toothpaste tabs from both Bite and Hello and would recommend either of them!
Floss Alternatives
There are a few floss alternatives on the market that aid in cutting down waste and living more sustainably. The most common is bamboo floss, which is biodegradable and often comes in a refillable floss container that is super small and portable. All you do is pop the floss roll in and use it as regular floss, and when you run out, you order refills for the reusable container.
Another alternative is to invest in a reusable floss pick. The best one I have come across is by quip. The floss pick is well designed and easy to use and the product is entirely designed for travel, coming with a compact case.
Bamboo Toothbrush
Toothbrushes themselves are not very environmentally friendly, as they are made entirely of plastic and have a limited number of uses before they get disposed of. A more environmentally friendly alternative is using a bamboo toothbrush. It works like a normal toothbrush, however, once you are done with it the bamboo handle can be composted and will biodegrade instead of sitting in a landfill, you just need to take out the bristles before doing so. And if you are like me and often times overpack, resulting in needing to leave as much behind as possible, this option makes it far less harmful to continually leave behind your toothbrush on all of your travels.
Travel Containers for Toiletries
Nearly all toiletries come in travel sizes and it can be very tempting to purchase what you need for a trip and leave it all behind when you return home. The convenience is undeniable. But oftentimes it is just as easy to purchase reusable travel toiletry containers or even to reuse small containers you have around the house. Fill them up with your conditioner, shampoo, body wash, skincare, etc. and you will be set to go for your travels. And you can continue to use these for every trip you go on. This will save you money from not purchasing travel items for every trip you go on, and will also help reduce your waste!
However, I do know that in modern-day consumerism behavior, it is more than common to receive travel-sized items as gifts and samples when purchasing items, which can make it hard to avoid these products. I urge you to not throw them away as there are so many ways they can be put to use. My number one tip is to get a box where you can collect all of these samples. That way when you go away to travel you can go pick what you need from the box and be on your way. If there are products you know you will not use, I recommend looking into donating them to a homeless shelter, or women's shelter, as they are often in need of sanitary and beauty products and would be very grateful. For me personally, I keep the few items that I know I will use, and continue to reuse the convenient travel-friendly packaging. The rest of the items I give away.
Bar Soaps
Another option for toiletries is to invest in solid bar versions of different toiletries, such as shampoo and conditioner bars, and bar soaps. This option practically completely eradicates waste, as there is no necessary packaging that goes along with the product, it is simply just a solid bar. Your travel preferences may help determine if this is a good fit for you or not. It is definitely easier to travel with due to the lack of packaging. But you would want to ensure you are able to let them dry after using, or else all your toiletries can get a little gross. So if on the go 24/7, opting for reusable containers may be your preference. I recommend testing out different brands to find products that work best for you, as everyone has different needs in their toiletries. Popular brands for these types of products are Lush and Ethique. However, there are countless small businesses that make these products as well and are worth trying out, as some of my favorite products have come from them.
Own utensils
An easy thing to do when traveling anywhere is to invest in a set of utensils that you can travel with and carry with you. Many companies sell travel kits that have all utensils included along with a pouch to carry them in. Often when traveling you will find yourself eating out at restaurants and getting takeout food. Carrying with you a set of utensils will cut down on any unnecessary single-use plastic. This even includes using your own straws at restaurants, which I have taken advantage of on many occasions.
Reusable Water Bottle
One of my travel essentials is a reusable water bottle. Although you cannot take water through security, you can absolutely take empty water bottles through and fill them up at your convenience. It has always alarmed me how easy it is to consume single-use plastic water bottles when traveling, as water is a necessity that many monetize off of. A lifesaver for me has been traveling with my reusable water bottle. I save money from not having to purchase overpriced bottled water, and also reduce my waste from not using single-use plastics.
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