It’s a fact. The pollution caused by non-biodegradable materials such as plastic negatively affects the environment, spoiling our Earth while polluting it with dangerous toxins.
But it gets uglier:
When we are traveling, bad habits such as using plastic bottles or throwing a non-recyclable plastic bag on the ground are even more frequent than when we stay home.
Keep reading to uncover a few different ways to cut the consumption of plastic and other materials and become an eco-friendly traveler:
Eco-friendly Beauty Products
Using eco-friendly products – ie. a bamboo toothbrush – is key to ditch plastic on your travels. Here are a few other ideas:
Solid Shampoo Bars
You do not need to carry heavy shampoo bottles in your luggage any more: solid shampoo bars with organic ingredients occupy little space and equal two or more bottles of ordinary products. They gently cleanse your scalp, and your hair looks shiny without a conditioner.
Check out these solid shampoo bars and add them to your beauty arsenal:
- Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Butter Bar Shampoo
- BeCrueltyFree Shampoo Bar by Lush
- Skinny & Co. Rosemary Shampoo Bar
Body Soaps
Use eco-friendly soaps and plastic-free products without animal fats, minimum chemicals, and caustic dyes. Harmful ingredients are tested on animals and get to rivers, lakes, and oceans. Natural soap bars are another tiny step to help protect the oceans and save our planet.
For example, shea butter bar soap is biodegradable and USDA organic. It’s rich in vitamin E and does not contain any artificial fragrances. It’s easy to get started and be green with Lush Handmade Fresh soaps without plastic packaging. They hold antibacterial and healing properties but do not contain parabens or other chemicals.
Wooden Hairbrushes
When using a wooden hairbrush, your hair looks healthier, combed better, and becomes less static. What is their secret and how to choose the right one? Wood is a naturally sustainable material and interacts with the hair and head more naturally. All wooden combs separate the locks very gently without tearing them. Combing long or curly hair with a wooden hairbrush is much easier. Such combs are indispensable for thin and brittle hair. And, of course, wood does not cause static. As a result, hair breaks and splits less.
- You might like to try a wooden massage hairbrush that stimulates blood flow, gives a good head massage, and strengthens your hair.
- Consider also a gentle sandalwood hairbrush that makes your hair soft and conditioned.
Responsible Eating and Drinking Habits
Have you ever thought of eco-friendly eating and drinking habits?
Buy locally grown foods if possible as there is less chance they contain synthetic pesticides and food additives. Support locally owned markets and farmers. Eat less highly processed foods and conventionally raised pork or beef. Say no to straws and do not grab a coffee to go when traveling unless you bring your own cup.
Speaking about coffee, ditch the aluminum and other metal capsules such as Nespresso and L’Or for good. These coffee pods, usually seen in 3+ stars hotel rooms, have a terrible impact on the environment in terms of materials used and end of life processes like carbon output associated with transport and recycling. On top of that, they also have a big impact on the environment when they aren’t recycled.
Luckily, for those taking long holidays and workcations, it was never easier to replace them to keep enjoying expressos as much as they want. These days, eco-conscious brands like Halo Coffee Pods offer Nespresso compatible and compostable coffee pods that will degrade in just four weeks in compost conditions; bringing nitrate-rich natural fertilizer to nourish the soil. Win-win!
Seasonal eating is another great idea. Eating fresh fruit and veggies guarantees you cut food waste. Just think about Thai mangoes or Mexican papayas! You can eat healthy and delicious while saving the environment.
Remember that your food choices – however small, from buying plastic-free tea bags to eating plant-based – can also help make the earth a better place.
Sustainable Water Bottles
Get rid of these single-use plastic bottles and opt for reusable ones. Do you know that more than 30 million bottles are consumed each day, whereas only half of them are recycled?
Here are some alternatives to plastic water bottles:
- Brita Fill & Go Active Water Bottle with a filter is ideal for traveling and gym.
- You can also try Frank Green Original Smart Bottle by Aussie that is made of sustainable materials.
On the other hand, sometimes water purification is indispensable while you travel. Here are some great products to take with you in those cases:
- SteriPen is a pen-like device that purifies up to a liter of water and kills harmful bacteria.
- Ultralight Water Purifier by Grayl is good for hiking, camping, and global traveling. It removes viruses and heavy metals in water making it pure clean.
Organic Fabrics
Consider organic fabric clothing and bags like bamboo or organic cotton while you travel. Synthetic fabrics do not allow your skin to breathe and cause allergies. Plastic bags are already banned in some countries.
Organic clothing and bags are produced without pesticides and GMO’s and do not cause health concerns.
- USA-based Brook There makes soft lingerie from organic cotton to reduce its environmental effect.
- Groceries Apparel uses only recycles materials for their collections.
- Nomads also value ethical fashion and create comfortable outfits with embroidery and woodblock printing.
- Those One Liners’ sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hoodies are designed in Lisbon, printed in France, made from organic cotton, and for each item, the company plants a tree to offset the associated carbon footprint.
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Today many companies take conscious efforts to cut their carbon footprint and become more sustainable. You can also help them using sustainable products and choosing plastic and other non-biodegradable alternatives.
