On the one hand, we are aware that our planet is dying and that travel is a significant contributor to climate change and global warming. On the other hand, we’re stressed out, burnt-out, and knackered and a two week holiday in the Maldives may just solve all of our problems. See, it’s tricky.

Personally, I think it’s unrealistic and even a bit arsey to demand that people stop travelling altogether. Think about how bland and narrow-minded we would become if we couldn’t explore and interact with other places and cultures. If we learned one thing from the 2020 global pandemic, it’s that a complete lack of travel has a massive, negative economic impact on national GDPs and put nearly 10% of the world’s workers out of jobs. No, not travelling doesn’t seem like a practical or sustainable solution. I think it’s far more practical to try to make changes to how we travel and being more sustainable in our packing is an easy place to start. Below are seven simple ways to make sure your packing habits are eco-friendly.

1) Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap Bars

Solid shampoo, conditioner, and soap bars are not a new concept but they are, currently, taking the tourism world by storm. Brands and companies are attempting to be, or appear to be, more eco-friendly to meet customer preferences and market demands; this means that the variety of products, once limited, has expanded. As a consumer, all you have to do is pick your favourite brand, match your hair and skin type, and wash – all while being cleaner for the environment.

The arguments for and against cleansing bars are plentiful but many consumers argue that bars last longer than the liquid versions of shampoos, conditioners, and soaps, making them more wallet-friendly as they need to be replenished less frequently. The added benefit of travelling with solids is that these items are allowed in your carry-on luggage without volume restrictions unlike their liquid counterparts. I switched to shampoo and conditioner bars earlier this year and they have been a game changer. I will say that they did take a little getting used to and my hair did feel different after using them but not in an unhealthy or unnourished way. I was moving from hair care products that contained silicon to chemical-free alternatives so a noticeable difference was inevitable. If you experience this, I would recommend that you push through. Packing my toiletries has been so much less hassle since I made the switch.

2) Refillable Toiletries

If shampoo and conditioner bars aren’t a good option for you, and for some they won’t be, then buying refillable travel-sized bottles into which you can decant your favourite products is an ideal solution. It still helps reduce plastic waste compared to buying mini versions of your chosen products. It saves you money as you’re not splashing out on travel-size brand name bottles, you’re simply filling up a small bottle from the products you have at home, the ones you would have purchased for regular use anyway. I have been doing this for the past 10 years and I’m sure it has saved me an absolute fortune. This method also allows you to have more control over the products you take with you, as so many brands produce limited varieties of travel-sized products.

3) Fully Biodegradable and Multi-Purpose Hygiene Products

Billions of face wipes, tampons, and pads end up in landfills every year. It takes cleansing wipes roughly 100 years to decompose, organic tampons about six months to five years, and pads a staggering 500-800 years to fully biodegrade. It’s a sad realisation to make – the last pad you use will decompose more slowly than you. So now that we are sufficiently down in the dumps (no pun intended), it’s time to rethink travelling with some of these products’ more environmentally friendly equivalents. The list for this one is lengthy and seemingly endless which means that it will have a way of working for pretty much anyone. Not that I’m suggesting that sometimes people make excuses for not being more eco-friendly but… 

Here are just a few things that you could pack:

·       Muslin face cloth

·       Bamboo face pads

·       Salt crystal deodorant

·       Diva cup

·       Bamboo toothbrush

·       Biodegradable Pads

There are  numerous others but for now, we’ll leave it at this. Comment below to share the items you never travel without and give other conscientious travellers some inspiration.

4) Reusable Bags

I love a reusable bag and have a substantial collection. Using them will ensure that single-use plastic bags do not end up in landfills or oceans, becoming harmful pollutants to flora, fauna, and waterways. These bags are perfect for carrying snacks, water bottles, travel journals, hopes and dreams, supplies for a relaxed day at the beach, regret, or a supply of souvenirs for loved ones. Depending on the material or size, most reusable bags can be folded or rolled up so that they take up very little space in carry-on or checked-in luggage. If you don’t want to bring a reusable bag with you then consider buying one from a local shop when you arrive; it will provide a local business with a sale, give you an eco-friendly way of carrying your stuff around while on vacation, and could be a practical gift for someone back home.

5) Reusable Water Bottles

Similar to using reusable bags, reusable water bottles will help cut down on the amount of single-use, non-recyclable plastic that ends up polluting the planet. These days, most airports and accommodations will have refill stations or drinkable tap water from which water bottles can be replenished. Bringing and refilling your own bottle not only helps save the planet, it also helps save you money. Take a moment to think about how much a bottle of water costs. Now think about how many bottles of water you’ll buy each day of your holiday. Multiply that number by the length of your stay. For the average traveller, that total is going to be a decent amount of money spent. That is hard earned cash that could be spent on souvenirs, excursions, experiences, or in local businesses such as restaurants or entertainment venues, all arguably much better ways to spend your money.

6) Your Own Snacks

When I am hungry, I turn into an unacceptable human being. I am an arsehole of the highest order and I can only imagine that I am both a gem and a delight as a travel companion when I haven’t been fed. For that reason, I have always ensured that I have snacks in my bag when I travel. It wasn’t until a good friend of mine mentioned that it was a very sustainable and eco-friendly thing to do, did I start thinking about it that way; I was just trying to stop the murders from happening. But she was right, it is an easy way to be more sustainable. It cuts down drastically on pre-packaged food consumption which means less non-recyclable waste. It also saves a lot of money. We have all had to hide our shock and disgust at the price of airport food – I would rather starve than pay that. Secondly, you’re less likely to hunger-shop which I’m sure we can all agree is never a good decision. This results in unnecessary consumption, packaging, and waste. Bringing your own food is even more sustainable if you pack them in reusable Tupperware that can then be rinsed, washed, and used while you are on holiday. Simple but effective.

7) Less Stuff

Limiting packed items reduces the weight of luggage which lessens the amount of fuel needed for a flight by reducing the weight of the aircraft. If you have the choice, travelling with carry-on and no checked-in baggage is the most environmentally friendly option. Additionally, not checking in luggage results in the use of less electricity in airports as fewer electric luggage belts are needed to transport checked-in luggage to various depots and gates. Travelling with only carry-on baggage also reduces the amount of fuel used in the various luggage transport vehicles needed to get luggage to and on the plane. That is a big impact from such a small action.

For many travellers, these things may not seem substantial in making a difference in fighting climate change or global warming. However, small and manageable changes to travel behaviour lead to bigger changes as customer wants, needs, and demands have a direct impact on market value and supply. It may not feel like you’re doing much but each little change makes a huge difference.