In My Bag // Sustainable Travel Essentials
I've been asked quite a few times what my sustainable travel essentials are. I always travel with a few simple items that mean I can refuse single-use plastic, and here they are...
In my bag...
Knife - A wooden knife not only means I never need to use a plastic one, but it can also fly in my hand luggage, unlike the swiss army knife. This one was from portobello market.
Spork - An essential for eating on the go. I tried a plastic one before this but it snapped in half after a couple of weeks. This one is U-Konserve from @therefillshoppe
Toothbrush - In the US alone, an estimated 1 billion brushes go to landfill every year. Brushing with bamboo is the obvious answer, just throw it in the compost after use. Mine is from @thebamboobrushsociety
Water Bottle - I take a water bottle EVERYWHERE, from yoga to the plane, plastic water bottles are my pet peeve. My favourite is @kleankanteen bottles with sports tops that are carabiner friendly.
Shampoo & Conditioner - I normally try to use bars instead of those tempting ones in shiny plastic bottles. My favourite is from @lushcosmetics. I recommend Big for salty mermaid hair.
Sunglasses - I don't leave the house without my sunnies, and after several years use, when my last pair broke I bought exactly the same pair again. These are from @dickmobyamsterdam. They are made from recycled plastics, the case from recycled leather and even the cleaning cloth from recycled plastic bottles.
Straw - Not for everyone but I drink a lot of smoothies, juice and gin and tonics! If you go for a walk on your local beach you'll notice straws littering the shorelines. There are metal, glass or bamboo options. Mines a metal one from @therefilleshoppe, with a homemade little sleeve to stop it from dripping juice in my bag!
Coffee Cup - Hot drinks are a massive part of my lifestyle, post-cold water swim or surf. I've had a lot of cups over the years but my firm favourite is the glass & cork ones from @keepcup. They also have silicone versions that breakeven in 15 uses. Save trees, water, landfill, greenhouse gas emissions and our oceans whilst enjoying your latte.
Journal & Pencil - I take my diary everywhere, and am always on the lookout for beautiful journals made from recycled paper.
Oils - I'm not a big fan of perfumes, their excess packaging and nasty chemicals. Instead, I take organic essential oils with me, either my own blend or something nice from Neals Yard Organics.
Toothpaste - I travel with a little glass jar that i refill from a fluoride-free, cruelty-free toothpaste.
Not pictured...
Bags - I'm in love with all @matt_and_nat handbags, vegan and sustainable, and for travel bags @homeofmillican
Swimwear - I take my toggs everywhere and mostly wear brands that use recycled fabrics. There’s too many to name but try @davyjs or @finisterreuk
On the eternal search for...
Razor - a wooden or metal razor to replace my nasty plastic one.
Towel - an eco-travel towel that doesn't cost the earth.