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by Erica Redding
Traveling can be a life changing experience. We travel to live, to see, to experience all that this world has to offer. It is truly a great thing.
However, in order for it to stay a great thing, we also need to keep in mind our plastic use as we galavant around the planet.
Those who wander can benefit from all 9 of these pro-planet choices, but really, anyone can use this list to make their everyday more Earth Positive this #plasticfreejuly
Our top Plastic Free Travel Hacks
Wear Au Natural Wherever You Go
Just Be Naked!
Kidding. Many countries probably won’t appreciate that.
Consider clothing made from natural fibres such as denim, cotton and bamboo. Not only are natural fabrics very soft to the touch, they also last a long time. Natural clothing can also give you the warm fuzzies knowing that you are making conscious consumer efforts to reduce plastics.
There are so many great options for men, women and children.
Get A Canvas Bag For Your Things
Staying organized when traveling requires quite a few kinds of containers. After all, you don’t want to spend half of your trip wondering where your chapstick is.
Bags are incredibly useful it’s true – but they don’t need to be made of plastic.
You can get creative by making travel bags your own, or try any number of assorted styles that may tickle your fancy.
With a range of sizes, from toiletries and makeup to carry-on tote bags, there is a proper bag for just about any airline requirement.
Wash Dirty Bags And Keep The Earth Clean
In addition to bagging items you want to keep fresh, there are also the dirty things accumulated on trips. The stuff you want to keep together and separate from everything else, like dirty clothes and shoes.
These smelly possessions are typically collected in some plastic bag from your last visit to the grocery store. However, you don’t need plastic for this either, so go ahead and refuse them.
This seemingly small effort to reconsider the benefit of the plastic bag can make a difference in the quantity being produced and later eaten by whales.
Sarongs Are A Traveler’s Best Friend
Want an easy, beautiful, versatile piece for your travel pack? Get a Sarong.
There are masculine and feminine styles, even little cute ones for the kiddos! These can be used for so many things, it’s ridiculous.
Actual uses tested and approved:
- Yoga Mat
- Extra Padding For Your Pack
- Towel
- Blanket – Whether getting warm in those cooler airports or a more picnic type situation
- Skirt or Dress
- Shawl or Cover – Up for those Temple Visit days
- Dirty Chair Barrier – On the train, on the street, on the ground
- Sling Bag
- Baby Carrier
- And many more!
Protect Your Skin And The Oceans
You only get one body. Protect your skin.
Although your rad personal sarong can help a bit to block the sun, you will probably still need sunscreen for your journey.
All Good, Raw Elements and Sea & Summit are all great ocean friendly sunscreen brands that come in non plastic containers.
Plastic Free Your Periods:
Periods can be an absolute bloody nightmare.
However, just because we want to keep our clothes clean, doesn’t mean we have to be wasteful about it. Below is a list of various ways you can tame your flow without the help of plastics.
(Bonus: The Ziggy Cup can be used when being intimate with a partner.)
There are so many options to suit you, whatever you want form your period protection. Whether thats a Silicone Menstrual Cup, the Ziggy Cup or Period Panties; or for a sustainable take on the traditional solutions, reusable Cloth Pads and tampons without plastic applicators.
Keep The Natural Look, With Make-Up
So in right now, right?
If you’re into the make-up thing, find yourself an all natural brand. There are several companies now that do not even use plastics in the packaging. What a guilt-free way to feel beautiful.
If you’re not familiar with plastic-free brands, that’s ok. We found some examples of budding lines like Elate, Axiology, which is entirely cruelty free and Antonym, who packages completely in bamboo.
Have The Best Words
Use that smart phone to be smart, and thoughtful, about your plastic use as you explore. For instance, “No plastic, please” is an easy and valuable expression to have anywhere you go.
When visiting other countries, learn this and other key phrases via Google Translate. By communicating this preference politely with locals, you’ll catch a few more smiles along your journey and maybe a tree-hugging friend or two.
Show Your Support For Plastic Free Travel and Living
Supporting companies that avoid using plastics is a valuable effort. In fact, support is one of the best ways you can encourage plastic free behavior. Monkey see, monkey do and that sort of thing.
When other people see the cool plastic free things that you carry on your person, they will naturally ask about them. This spreads the word and the knowledge that such things even exist.
Putting your money behind your values never felt so good!
