11 Small and Easy Ways You Can Travel More Sustainably

Legendary chef Anne Marie Bonneau once brilliantly said, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” Us humans are messy and complicated and we don’t handle change very well. That’s why asking so many people to give up everything they know and love to go green isn’t exactly realistic. It seems like we need a more reasonable and pragmatic way to travel sustainably, for the sake of our planet.

I myself am FAR from perfect. There have been plenty of times that I bought a plastic water bottle in an emergency or that I decided to take a short flight instead of driving somewhere simply because it was more convenient. Or my most shameful moments when I’ll occasionally buy an environmentally irresponsible outfit from ASOS because it’s super cute. May Thor strike me down.

But like Russel Brand said, “If the entry to the debate is perfection, then we’re all fucked.”

Unfortunately, environmental activists are so passionate, they hurt their own cause: rather than educate their audience, they shame and point fingers, making us less likely to try and go green.

A lot of my friends don’t try to practice sustainable solutions simply because they know they can’t commit to an all-or-nothing lifestyle. When I spoke to a fellow travel blogger about that very first quote, my friend said “I wish you would write a blog post about that. If I knew ways to try going green without worrying about committing 100%, I’d be far more likely to try!”

Then I promptly thanked her for a blog post idea as I was experiencing major writer’s block at the time. So here we are! If you’re looking for small ways to travel sustainably that won’t completely change your lifestyle, I gotchu.

Travel With a Reusable Water Bottle

This is perhaps the easiest way to travel a little more sustainably. Bringing a water bottle with you will not only prevent you from buying single-use plastic water bottles, but you will also find yourself hydrating more! (I find that I’m more inclined to drink a lot more water when I’m actively looking to refill it rather than buying as needed.) 

If you’re traveling somewhere with fresh water that you are able to drink safely, I recommend the Bindle bottle. My sister’s boyfriend invented this bottle and I get a new bottle for free every Christmas. Not only does it store a ton (24 oz. to be exact) of temperature-controlled water, but it also has a compartment to store your belongings like keys, cards, cash, etc. (Not to mention it was listed as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things.)

If you’re traveling to a destination where the water is more than a little sketchy, then you have to get the LARQ bottle. This self-cleaning water bottle uses a non-toxic, mercury-free, UV-C LED light to purify your water AND clean the surfaces of the bottle every 2 hours. It’s a little on the pricier side, but if you find yourself traveling to places without safe drinking water often, you’ll end up making your money back from the plastic bottles you’d normally be purchasing.

Travel Sustainably With Eco-Friendly Cutlery

Second to water bottles (and cheap airport trinkets you buy for your loved ones), plastic cutlery and straws are the next biggest contributor to plastic waste. If you’re going out to restaurants that provide you with cutlery, then you don’t need to worry. But if you find yourself getting take away food or you’re at a cafe that doesn’t have metal silverware, make sure to bring some cutlery with you.

Just make sure that you wash them after every use or else they will collect bacteria.

Click here to buy one of my personal favorites

Consider More Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Hotels

Many of us are driven by price when searching for the perfect hotel. I mean I certainly am. After all, we only have so much time and money to travel, we have to be wise about our investments. But there are some sustainable hotels that are in the same price range as other behemoth hotel chains. Consider booking a hotel that is made through sustainable means, practices water conservation or donates to environmental organizations.

Here Are A Couple of My Favorite Eco-Friendly Hotels:

Calistoga Ranch Napa Resort, Napa, California

Proximity Hotel, Greensboro, North Carolina

The Miami Beach EDITION, Miami, Florida

ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Papaya Playa Project, Tulum, Mexico

Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica

Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui, Thailand 

The Outpost Lodge, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Imani Country House, Evora, Portugal

THE OMNIA, Zermatt, Switzerland

Basata Eco-Lodge, Red Sea, Egypt

Instead of Buying Travel-Sized Toiletries, Invest in Green Toiletries and Supplies

It’s quite easy to run to your local CVS, head to the toiletries aisle, and fill your basket with cheap, travel-sized products. By now, I’m sure you can guess that using these baby-sized bottles increases the use of plastic and exacerbates the plastic waste issue. But most of these products aren’t actually very good for you either. These shampoos, conditioners, soaps and face wash often strip your skin dry with harsh alcohol and chemicals. Which is why buying sustainable toiletries are not only good for the environment but are optimal for your own health.

But like every selfie-loving influencer knows, it’s that everyone’s “skincare routine” is incredibly personal and lengthy. There are so many steps and products that I would need multiple blog posts on the subject. However, a couple of my favorite travel-sized, sustainable toiletries include:

• Travel-friendly, waste-free and all-natural shampoo, conditioner, bath soap and deodorant bars

• Biodegradable, Bamboo Toothbrush

• Travel-friendly, sustainably packaged, all-natural skincare (cleanser, toner, and two moisturizers)

• Travel-friendly, fluoride-free toothpaste

• Coral-reef-safe, sustainably packaged, travel-friendly sun block

• All-Natural, Reusable Sisal Loofah Bath Glove

Reduce and Reuse Toiletries

Sometimes, it’s just as beneficial to try and reduce what you’re using and recycle how you use it. Coconut oil for example is great for everything. It works as a makeup remover, moisturizer, cleaner, hair mask, oil-puller for dental hygiene, anti-fungal treatment and more. Buying one, medium sized container of coconut oil will not only keep your luggage light (a sustainable travel tip as mentioned in the next point), but it will also keep you from buying more products and creating more waste.

There are plenty of other ways to combine, reduce, and reuse products, but every girl knows you should never, ever use a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner!

Click here to buy my favorite, eco-friendly and travel-friendly coconut oil.

Pack Small or Donate On Arrival

What increases the fuel used on a plane is the amount of gas needed to lift that heavy, metal bird into the sky. If the plane weighs more, that requires more fuel thus more CO2 in the environment. Sure 1-2 pounds in your luggage isn’t a big deal, but imagine if the whole plane cut down 1-2 pounds. That’s 500-1000 lbs!

If you’re one of those influencers who packs big for photoshoots or your items are on their last leg, consider donating some of those items at the end of your trip when you are done with them. Recycling internationally is eco-friendly and it’s incredibly kind. Do a little research before you leave to find where you can donate your items. You can also ask someone on the ground or leave them with someone at your hostel or hotel!

Eat Locally

And by local, I mean eat the local cuisine wherever it is that your pinpoint lands. You see, if you’re in Bali and you’re craving a McDonald’s Hamburger, you’re not only paying so much more out of your own pocket, but you’re also increasing the CO2 in the air that is created during the importation process.

By eating at a local restaurant that serves food that is made nearby, you’re supporting the local economy, there’s minimal pollution created and you’re trying something potentially new!

Rethink Your Souvenirs

I get it. You were having so much fun seeing the sites and getting drunk with that guy and then hopping on his vespa back to his apartment that you completely forgot to get gifts for your friends. Or maybe you settle for the first souvenir you see at the airport because you’re afraid to haggle at the open markets. But often, the trinkets you’re buying are made unethically in factories using unpaid workers or children, the materials used are bad for the planet or your money isn’t going somewhere ethical.

Try to research souvenirs ahead of time. Locate local businesses that hand-make these items and will profit off of your purchase. These items are more than just a memory you’re bringing back home; you’re making someone’s life better.

If you’re looking for unique ideas and want to help local communities without worrying about bringing it over and damaging it during the commute, check out The Little Market. You can find handmade goods that benefit female entrepreneurs in small communities and villages all over the world!

Explore Your Own Backyard

Who says the greatest adventures to be had are the ones far away? Some of my favorite destinations are found in Joshua Tree, San Diego and Las Vegas, all of which are between a tw0-four hour drive from Los Angeles.

There are a few reasons why traveling more locally is great for the world, the first being that you’re definitely putting less fuel out into the environment. Sure, driving puts out some gas, but nothing compared to that of a flight. Second, you’re increasing the economy and tourism in your local counties, states and even country! And finally traveling more locally will provide you with optimal time to explore. Less transit time means much more time to have fun.

Travel Sustainably With Your Own Trash Bag

Have you ever brought a snack bar with you and didn’t know where to throw it away? Maybe you were on a bus or in a remote area with no trash bags? Rather than leave it on the ground or shove it in your purse/backpack, travel with your own trash bag! Not only will the Earth be happy, but your travel companions will inevitably use it as well.

I also find these bags to be useful to put your wet swimwear, dirty clothes, or as an extra layer of protection so you won’t worry about your toiletries exploding or spilling. IDEALLY you’ll want an eco-friendly, reusable linen bag (like this one) for your clothes, but I still love these biodegradable bags for spilled toiletries.

Click here to buy these biodegradable trash bags

Be Kind and Pick Up Trash Wherever You Go

Even when you do all of the right things, we sometimes wish we could do more. With the trash bags I mentioned previously, feel free to pick up trash wherever you go! Maybe at the airport, at the beach, around your hotel.

This practice may feel foreign and unusual at first. You may find yourself grossed out or even angry at others. But once you make a habit of this, it’ll be easier to rise above the anger and do the right thing by cleaning up for Mother Earth. Just make sure you’re careful and use gloves like these ones so you don’t get sick or pick up something dangerous.

What are Some Ways You Travel Sustainably?

*This blog post contains affiliates so that I can receive a commission and continue to earn a living to write for you lovely readers. Everything expressed here is my own personal opinions.