7 Must-have Items in 2020 for Safe and Sustainable Travel
Photo by STIL
The coronavirus has impacted travelers all over the world since it hit at the beginning of 2020. As a result, it has made even the bravest travelers a little more cautious when considering the prospect of travelling this summer. Nevertheless, whether you’ll be enjoying your summer vacation at a nearby park or by going abroad to take a well-deserved break from working from home, you shouldn’t forget about traveling sustainably and reducing your footprint while continuing to stay safe.
This is why we’ve come up with a list of the right products you’ll need to keep yourself and others around you corona-safe, while making sure you have all of the sustainable summer must-haves. Here you can find 7 tips and items to prepare you while you’re on the move:
1.Reusable protectivemasks are currently our best friend. My favorite masks are made by TwoThirds which is a sustainable fashion company from Spain that “makes clothing from sustainable and recycled materials that have a lower impact on the planet”. The items are designed in Spain and crafted in European countries, mainly Portugal, France and Italy, earning them the Superior European Quality label. Due to the short and local supply chain, you get high quality products at a fair price. The protective masks are COVID-19 certified and can be washed at 60 degrees to be reused. Each mask is made 100% of interlock cotton, making the material very soft and safe to wear. The masks can be adjusted at the ears to fit any size and a metal clip at the nose can also be adjusted to one’s preferences.
2.Shampoo bars are the perfect solution to prevent your packed clothes from getting “shampooed” in your suitcase, because there are no bottles that can suddenly “pop open”. Shampoo bars are literal bars that you rub into your scalp and hair when washing. They can last up to 80 uses which is the equivalent to two to three bottles of “regular bottled shampoo”. The bars are generally made from natural ingredients and contain no chemicals and additives, which can’t always be said for bottled shampoo. There are shampoo bars for every hair type whether you are looking for hydration, restoration or color-friendly options. So, do your hair a favor and switch to shampoo bars to avoid plastic and get your natural, cruelty-free ingredient shampoo now. Your hair will thank you later. And for all people with long hair out there: conditioner bars are also available. Our fav pick: LUSH
3.Toothpaste tablets are the revolutionary solution to reduce your plastic waste created by packaging in the oral care industry. HappyTabs brings to you toothpaste that is developed with natural ingredients, free from any chemicals or artificial sweeteners to ensure healthy and safe usage. The tabs are delivered to you in a glass jar, reducing your plastic waste, making them highly sustainable and HappyTabs provides you with the option to refill your jar once it is empty. Toothpaste tablets are very simple to use. You put a tablet in your mouth and crush it between your teeth. Then you just have to start brushing with a wet toothbrush and it will start to foam up. The tablets are ideal when you go on a trip because you can pack as many tabs as you need for your duration and save space in your luggage.
4.Reusable swabs are the innovative alternative to plastic cotton swabs or Q-tips to clean your ears or to apply and fix makeup. Reusable swabs help to stop single-use plastic and reduce ocean pollution. My favorite reusable swabs company is called LastObject, because they are very transparent on their website and provide professional and educational information about the swabs. Last Object offers reusable swabs in either single sets or double sets for different purposes. Customers can choose from various colors, so that every family member can have their own swab. After each use you clean the swabs with soap and warm water or disinfect them with alcohol as well. Instead of running out of cotton swabs and going to the store to buy a new package every few months, you simply buy one reusable swab and it can last up to 1000 uses, depending on the company. We have all seen the photos of seahorses clinging on to plastic swabs as they end up in our waterways and oceans, choosing reusable swabs helps to prevent this from happening in the future.
5.An activated charcoal water filter can become your new best friend when you go on vacation and do not want to carry heavy plastic bottled water from the store to your accommodation. Instead you could have just one big bottle that you refill every time you are out of drinking water and reduce plastic at the same time. Charcoal water filters are a stick that you have to boil for a few minutes before first time use, and then leave it in your bottle filled with water. After one hour the water is filtered and drinkable. Charcoal filters have several benefits, not only are the sticks portable but can also last up to 6 months if used daily. Besides making your water tastier, the filter also adds nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium and iron, to your water. You can find out more about its benefits here.
6.Bamboo cutlery is becoming more popular when you are on the go and want to avoid using single-use plastics from a grocery store. Whether you are going for a picnic or just want to enjoy a salad while you wait for the next train, it is always better to have your own reusable cutlery with you. Most bamboo cutlery comes in a set wrapped in a cute pouch that contains a fork, spoon, knife, straw and brush or even chopsticks. It is eco-friendly because you help to reduce plastic waste and your cutlery is made from natural materials, making it BPA-free and fully sustainable. You can wash your bamboo cutlery by hand and some companies - such as Bambaw - say it is even dishwasher-safe, so there really is no argument against it. The small pouch contains everything you might need for when the spontaneous hunger comes and by always carrying the set in your bag, you empower yourself to say no to single-use plastic, making a statement and being an example for others. Will you bring your bamboo cutlery to your next picnic or trip?
7.Reusable bags are on the verge of becoming an everyday item of people nowadays. Here’s another reminder of what makes them so great. First, reusable bags are very convenient and light to carry. Some are even foldable, so they turn into a pouch smaller than the size of your hand. You can easily carry them in your jacket pocket when you browse in stores and suddenly find an item you want to buy, or you simply use them for your groceries as well. Second, no matter the occasion, there is no reason why you shouldn’t keep a bag in your bag. Some stores even charge customers if you use a plastic bag from there, so by making a small one-time investment into a reusable bag, you save money and say no to plastic in the long run, making our planet a little bit greener. Are you still not convinced of the benefits of reusable bags? Then what about cool looking designs that increase the popularity of reusable cotton bags? It is even considered stylish to carry your cotton bag with a funny, catchy phrase or logo of brands instead of a leather purse. Have you counted how many people you notice on the train or metro with a reusable bag? It’s time to become one of them and say no to plastic.
Now that you have learned about some new tips for safe and sustainable traveling in 2020, which one will be your new favorite item? Did you learn about any new products that you can add to your routine and pack for your next trip? Let’s work together to stop ocean pollution and help save our planet.
For more information about sustainable tourism, reach out to Sea Going Green today to see how you can reduce your environmental footprint and boost your brand at the same time!