From witnessing exceptional mountain ranges to capturing the vast animal life on a safari, exploring crystal blue waters and staring up at starry nighttime skies, travelling means experiencing all of the natural beauty on offer. Mother Nature knows how to put on a show – no matter where in the world you are.
But have you ever considered that as a traveller, you have a responsibility to preserve the earth’s beauty?
Being a sustainability-conscious traveller may not come naturally or even be easy at first, but collecting an eco-friendly travel kit truly is the best place to start.
In the following article, we discuss responsible travel, and why and how you should convert your travel habits to one that is eco-conscious and sustainability-driven.
Why you should travel responsibly
Sustainable travel is no longer just a fancy hashtag used at the end of an Instagram caption. It also isn’t just another tourism buzzword thrown around the industry. Instead, it’s a scary reminder that travelling can severely affect the environment if we don’t all embrace an environmentally conscious mindset.
Environmentally conscious travel is about encouraging and educating individuals to recognise how their travel behaviour impacts the planet— from the countless plastic water bottles purchased every day to the millions of takeaway coffee cups used once and then discarded. Waste is a big part of travel.
Until now.
The secret to reducing your carbon footprint lies in starting small. Even if it is just you taking the time to make the shift, these small changes end up having a big impact. Don’t disregard how effective switching to an eco-friendly travel kit is.
That said, keep in mind that while we will break down all the essentials for your eco-friendly travel collection, remember that making these changes will require effort, a shift in mindset and a change in some travel behaviours. Reframing your travel style to one that sees sustainability of the earth first is totally worth it in the end.
To help you get started, our team has compiled the ultimate list of eco-friendly travel products that will help expand your mindset on planet-conscious packing and how to lessen your footprint for years to come!
Eco-Friendly Travel Kit: Gadget Essentials
Solar Panel Charger
Who said you need an electronic socket to charge your phone? The sun provides all the energy you need – particularly when travelling in Africa!
Opting for a solar panelled charger means actively contributing to a greener tomorrow by using fewer resources and power. It doesn’t get much better than this eco-friendly travel product. You also get to benefit from being able to use the charger wherever you are in the world. All you need to do is pop the panel in the sun, and you’re good to go!
We highly recommend purchasing one that has a few USB ports and is waterproof too!
Kindle
Bringing a book along for any great African adventure is always a good idea. Instead of lugging around paperbacks that will add to your luggage weight and contribute to deforestation, bring along a Kindle instead. It’s a lot more convenient, and you can easily download all your favourites onto it too! It’s a definite eco-friendly product must-have.
Solar-Powered Speaker
Here comes the sun! There is so much power in natural light that it wouldn’t make sense for us to ignore how it can benefit our planet conscious efforts.
Power up your tunes (or your audiobooks) using a Bluetooth portable solar-powered speaker. We suggest getting one that is both shock-proof and splash-proof so you can comfortably bring it along wherever you go.
Eco-Friendly Travel Kit: Beach Essentials
Reef safe sunscreen
Most travellers aren’t unaware of just how toxic sunscreen is for the reefs in the ocean. All of those poisonous chemicals found in your sunblock actively cause serious harm to the coral reefs.
Before you embark on a fun beachside adventure like snorkelling or diving, make sure to purchase organic sunscreen. Not only will it help keep you protected from the sun’s harsh sun-rays, but it will protect the ocean from toxic ingredients too. Essentially, it’s a win-win for everyone!
Collapsible cups
Instead of purchasing disposable plastic cups that aren’t biodegradable at every juncture, we recommend packing a reusable collapsible cup. These sleek, compact, eco-friendly travel mugs don’t take up much room in your luggage which is an added bonus!
Cheers to saving the planet!
Natural insect repellent
Regardless of where you are in the world, it’s always a good idea to bring along some insect repellent. However, because we are planet-conscious packers, we don’t pack just any repellent. Adding a natural version to our eco-friendly travel kit means reducing the number of toxic fumes released into the atmosphere.
Eco-Friendly Travel Kit: City Touring Essentials
Eco-friendly backpack
Switching to sustainable travelling means switching out your usual travel essentials for more eco-friendly versions. Including your backpack! Opting for a sustainable, eco-friendly bag will help create a lasting social impact.
With many cool designs available, who said sustainability couldn’t be stylish?
Stainless steel water bottle
You must stay hydrated whilst travelling through the city. However, there’s no need to purchase single-use plastic water bottles while you do it. Instead, buy a stainless steel water bottle! We suggest getting one that is BPA-free.
Reusable steel straws
On the topic of switching from plastic to steel, you should be doing the same with your straws! Instead of accepting plastic straws at a restaurant or paper ones – that disintegrate after 30 seconds of being in your drink – bring along stainless steel straws instead!
Bamboo cutlery
Next time you’re out tasting street food or grabbing a quick bite to eat from a nearby food truck or market, politely decline using their plastic cutlery. Instead, you can use your bamboo cutlery set from your eco-friendly travel kit!
Reusable takeaway containers
Now we know that it may be a little unorthodox to bring your own takeaway containers to a restaurant, but just hear us out. Styrofoam containers are incredibly harmful to the environment, so bringing your own means creating a less toxic planet.
Eco-Friendly Travel Kit: Toiletry Essentials
Bamboo toothbrush
You can have fresh breath and help save the planet simultaneously. In fact, it’s relatively simple to do. All you have to do is switch out all of your plastic toothbrushes for bamboo toothbrushes!
Reusable bags
It’s easy to forget that when you’re grocery shopping on holiday, you’ll most likely be offered plastic bags when paying. Because of this, we suggest adding reusable eco-friendly bags to your eco-friendly travel kit.
Biodegradable soap
Your current soap could be carrying more harmful chemicals than you’re aware of. These additives and chemicals are incredibly toxic when added to the local waterway. Switching to a natural biodegradable soap is a great way to do your part and help the environment.
Portable water purifier
Many travel destinations recommend that visitors do not drink the local water. This often results in travellers purchasing bottles of water that are made from single-use plastics. Instead, purchase a portable water purifier! It truly is a game-changer and essential for eco-friendly travel!
Ending Thoughts
Remember that while these may be our suggestions for an eco-friendly travel-kit, we encourage all of you to customise your eco-friendly starter kit to suit your exact travel plans. Let us know what else you’d add to your travel kit!