Look after the world as you explore its beauty
If you’re getting prepped to jet off on holiday soon (we’re not jealous, promise), you’ll likely be facing a typical conundrum: what do you pack?
We’ve all been there: Squishing bags shut to cram in those extra essentials! But have you ever considered whether the must-have travel goodies you’re pushing into every pocket are as planet-friendly as they are bite-sized?
If not, don’t stress. We’ve pulled together 10 eco-friendly travel essentials the world will thank you for bringing along.
Passports at the ready… sunshine, we’re coming!
Cruelty-free and reef-friendly sun cream
Sunscreen. It’s necessary for all climates to keep your skin safe from harmful UV and UB rays, but many off-the-shelf varieties contain chemicals that can wreak havoc on ocean life and precious corals.
The trick is to look for options with mineral ingredients that are free from anything on the HEL list. These include…
- Any form of microplastic sphere or beads.
- Any nanoparticles like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Triclosan
We love this non-greasy SPF50 from Tropic. It’s certified by Protect Land + Sea and they’ll recycle your empties for you.
Slow fashion swimming costumes
We often associate fast fashion with things like t-shirts, jeans or dresses.
But the swimwear industry can be just as damaging, with items unsustainably mass-produced and mostly made from plastic-based materials like nylon, polyester, and spandex.
Great for water resistance, awful for the environment.
Thankfully, there are some brands out there offering more eco-conscious alternatives without compromising your style. Like Stay Wild Swim.
Made from regenerated ocean rubbish, these swimsuits not only look good, but they do good, too.
Secondhand beach reads
Is it possible to lie on a beach without a book? Whether you’re team trashy fiction or team sci-fi thriller, choose to bring pre-loved pages to the poolside.
Not only does this give you an excuse to raid your local charity shop, but you can donate your finished read to your hotel when you’re done.
Top tip: Add your name and the date to the inside cover before you re-gift it to encourage people to avoid buying new and keep the book in circulation!
Recycled plastic sunglasses
It’s the smaller details like glasses that we can often overlook (pun intended) when it comes to sustainability. But many big brand sunnies are crafted from virgin plastics that need non-renewable fossil fuel energy to produce.
For quality sunglasses that protect your peepers and invest in planet restoration, we love CHPO.
They manufacture their specks from recycled plastics, and use bioplastic packaging to boot. Perfect for beach trips, city strolls, or even adrenaline-fuelled days on the slopes.
Scents to increase your zen
Holidays are a time to unwind and relax from everyday life.
To take self-care into your own hands wherever you are, candles are a great companion to blissful evenings under the stars.
Halcyon Naturals Nomad candles come in travel-friendly Mood Packs, with 4 unique scents that can easily fit into your luggage for an extra dose of calm wherever you need it.
Our top pick? Take along Earth from the Earth Elements Pack.
Its blend of warming cinnamon, energy-boosting mandarin and stress-relieving vetiver essential oils will whisk you away into a halcyon state of mind, reminding you not to check those work emails…
Shampoo/conditioner bars
If you’re prone to over-packing, you’ll know that shampoos, conditioners and body washes aren’t always the most space-saving.
Plus, the usual lotions and potions come in plastic bottles, and can contain chemicals that are far from eco.
The solution? Bars. These handy (pocket-sized) solid options are much smaller to lug around, are zero-waste, and contain both skin- and planet-friendly ingredients to keep you smelling fresh all summer long.
This Lemon Verbena Shampoo Bar from Authentic House lasts up to 60 washes!
Reusable earplugs
Earplugs can be the unsung hero if you struggle to sleep on the plane or have long train rides on the horizon. But, as with many things on this list, the majority are either single-use or are made from polyurethane foam, which comes from crude oil.
Happy Ears earplugs are different, though. They launched the first eco-friendly earplugs in 2020, and have both recycled and ocean plastic options.
Quality footwear
To get the most out of your time exploring the world around you, invest in good-quality shoes that will walk you through all types of terrain.
Birkenstock’s vegan range is constantly expanding, with colours and styles that can easily take you from daytime chilling to nighttime dancing and anything in between.
The Arizona style in khaki is a fave of ours, featuring a leather-look strap, a cork base, and their signature foot supporting sole.
Plastic-free toiletry bag
For the toiletries that do make the cut (bamboo toothbrush, your solid shampoo and reusable cotton face pads), you’ll need a wash bag to keep it all together.
OneNine5 is on a mission to rid our trips of landfilling plastics, without compromising on storage.
The eco-conscious wash bag is designed to TSA standards to get you through security without a hitch, features removable compartments, and is made using recycled materials.
It even has a fully waterproof pocket and handy hanging hook!
We love the Moeraki Grey.
Portable solar charger
One for the tech lovers – how cool is this?
If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to be snapping photos and videos throughout your trip. But it can be oh-so-frustrating when your battery starts to dwindle.
Instead of the standard portable chargers that power off electricity, switch things up and harness the power of the sun on your next holiday.
This wireless charger from Brigtviee can be topped up using solar energy, ideal if you’re out hiking or camping.
Bonus!
Need something to put all of these essentials in? Up the luxe with this vegan leather suitcase from Matt & Nat. It’s cruelty-free and (believe it or not) made from water bottles!
Which of these will make it on your packing list? Don’t forget to share your halcyon holiday snaps with us @HalcyonNaturalsUK.
Sources
Haereticus | Protect Land and Sea certification and HEL list of chemical ingredients to watch out for
Fast Company | Your swimsuit is terrible for the environmentConserve Energy Future | Can you recycle foam earplugs