Welcome to part three of 'How To Be More Sustainable'.
In today's post I'm going to be putting together a list of travel friendly alternatives to all the things we usually pack when travelling, that maybe aren't quite so eco-friendly.
This list doesn't just apply to trips abroad. You can use this list for holidays, sleeping overnight at a friends house, a hotel stay and even day trips.
All of these items are affordable and can be re-used over and over saving you a LOT of money in the long run.
Tote bag
I swear by my tote bags. I take them EVERYWHERE with me. I picked mine up for £2 each from Tiger but they are available in most shops now so there's no excuse! I use my tote bags for doing the food shop, for shopping trips where I can avoid the 5p bag charge, I use them as holdalls for when I'm staying somewhere overnight, I use them for trips to the library, and pretty much every time I leave the house. They are easily folded and take up very little space but they are so so useful. If you're in the early stages of trying to be more sustainable, I would say a tote bag should be the very first item of your 'to buy' list.
Travel cup
This is going to help you more than you think. It saves using single-use plastics but it's also going to prompt you to drink more water. I know when I carry round my own travel flask I am 100% more likely to drink water that day. You can buy double walled flasks that are suitable for hot or cold drinks and a lot of them come with infusers for tea or fruity waters, I recommend the Monsuri flask if you want something versatile. Also, Starbucks offer 50p off your drink if you bring your own cup, winning!
Reusable straw
I have been searching for the perfect reusable straw but when I look online, whether it be Amazon or a shop that specialises in eco-friendly items, I can never find the right one.
It's always overpriced, or bad quality, or they don't come with a cleaning implement.
Luckily, the other day I popped to TK Maxx and they had a whole section dedicated to reusable straws! Every colour, size and material you could imagine. I picked up these iridescent ones and they were only £4.99 for 4 and a cleaning tool!
These are so perfect for nights out, coffee shop trips and just keeping in your bag as a 'just in case'.
The cashier mentioned she had bought some online and they were far too tall for the glasses and she reassured me that the ones I had picked would be perfect so even better!
It's always overpriced, or bad quality, or they don't come with a cleaning implement.
Luckily, the other day I popped to TK Maxx and they had a whole section dedicated to reusable straws! Every colour, size and material you could imagine. I picked up these iridescent ones and they were only £4.99 for 4 and a cleaning tool!
These are so perfect for nights out, coffee shop trips and just keeping in your bag as a 'just in case'.
The cashier mentioned she had bought some online and they were far too tall for the glasses and she reassured me that the ones I had picked would be perfect so even better!
Food container
Ditch the little plastic food bags that last a few times and invest in some nice food containers. In fact, even if you did have some plastic tupperware boxes lying around, that's ok! Lets start with banning single-use plastics. As long as you re-use, you're already most of the way there! If you really want to get into the sustainable spirit, buy a steel one!
Ditch the little plastic food bags that last a few times and invest in some nice food containers. In fact, even if you did have some plastic tupperware boxes lying around, that's ok! Lets start with banning single-use plastics. As long as you re-use, you're already most of the way there! If you really want to get into the sustainable spirit, buy a steel one!
Reusable cutlery
It's upto you if you want to invest in some fancy bamboo ones but if you're on a budget, why not get a cheap wrapping case and take a knife and fork from home with you. You can always keep a set in your bag and then you never need to pick up the plastic ones!
It's upto you if you want to invest in some fancy bamboo ones but if you're on a budget, why not get a cheap wrapping case and take a knife and fork from home with you. You can always keep a set in your bag and then you never need to pick up the plastic ones!
Bamboo toothbrush
This is on my to-buy list. You can even get subscription services where they send you a new toothbrush regularly. Did you know plastic toothbrushes take over 400 years to decompose!!! They remain in landfills indefinitely. It would make such a difference if we all used bamboo toothbrushes! I know my next toothbrush will be a bamboo one!
This is on my to-buy list. You can even get subscription services where they send you a new toothbrush regularly. Did you know plastic toothbrushes take over 400 years to decompose!!! They remain in landfills indefinitely. It would make such a difference if we all used bamboo toothbrushes! I know my next toothbrush will be a bamboo one!
Shampoo bar
I'm currently using up the last of my shampoo before switching over to shampoo bars. I'd like to try the ones from Lush. I like the little steel containers for them. Although I'd also like to try making my own. I've heard that shampoo bars take a lot longer to use saving you a ton of money in the long run.
Reusable cotton pads
You can buy these from Amazon, or you could simply buy a flannel if you're on a budget and use that for any make up removal you might need. I'm actually planning on making some for my craft shop, I'm going to make some little soft knitted face scrubbies that double up as an exfoliator.
There are so many small businesses that have started making these so maybe consider supporting a small business rather than a big chain.
You can buy these from Amazon, or you could simply buy a flannel if you're on a budget and use that for any make up removal you might need. I'm actually planning on making some for my craft shop, I'm going to make some little soft knitted face scrubbies that double up as an exfoliator.
There are so many small businesses that have started making these so maybe consider supporting a small business rather than a big chain.
Homemade beauty
The other day I rented out a book from the library about clean beauty. There are so many awesome recipes for making your own products with things you already have in the kitchen. I'm so excited to get started on making my own beauty products. It's something I've wanted to do for so long now! You can save the empty bottle from previous store bought products and decanter your new homemade produce into them. So much better for your skin too because it's totally natural and no nasties!
The other day I rented out a book from the library about clean beauty. There are so many awesome recipes for making your own products with things you already have in the kitchen. I'm so excited to get started on making my own beauty products. It's something I've wanted to do for so long now! You can save the empty bottle from previous store bought products and decanter your new homemade produce into them. So much better for your skin too because it's totally natural and no nasties!
Menstrual cup
I write a whole post dedicated to menstrual cups so if you want to know more about those please go and read my post! It's very interesting if I do say so myself.
And that my friends is just a small collection of items you can convert to on your sustainable journey. You don't have to be some sort of full zero-waste goddess to make a difference. Every little helps and all that!
And that my friends is just a small collection of items you can convert to on your sustainable journey. You don't have to be some sort of full zero-waste goddess to make a difference. Every little helps and all that!
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links.
I work remotely in Alaska half the year and not only are reusable make-up wipes/pads practical, but they also save me a lot of space in my bag (and money!)
ReplyDeleteRachel || http://anotherstationanothermile.com