These eco-friendly gifts are perfect for the environmentally-minded traveller. They're gifts that not only give to the recipient but give back to the planet.These eco-friendly gifts are perfect for the environmentally-minded traveller.
The Heys America EcoOrbis 26″ Upright Luggage contains 100% ABS plastic. According to the Guardian, one truckload of plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute. By 2050, the weight of plastic is expected to outweigh fish. Anything we can do to reduce, or to reuse plastic has a positive impact on the environment. Not only does this luggage make for an eco-friendly gift, but it's also practical too. It's easy to manoeuvre, has a sturdy hardtop and lightweight.
Eagle Creek has an excellent reputation in the travel industry for their environment initiatives. They produce products that are long lasting so that they don't end up in a landfill and they source materials that have the least environmental impact. They're also incredibly practical. Not only do they keep your clothes organized, but they also allow you to pack more in a small space. The less luggage you carry, the lower your environmental impact will be when travelling. Plus, it's more convenient to travel with less luggage.
I'm a huge fan of crossbody bags for keeping your belongings safe. I'm convinced if I had been wearing one, I wouldn't have gotten robbed while taking the metro in Athens, Greece. Now I always wear one when travelling. Not only is this one good for keeping your belongings safe, but it's also stylish. Constructed entirely of cycle pet, a durable polyester fabric made from post-consumer beverage bottles, it saved over 17 bottles from ending up in a landfill or the ocean.
I love this set of 5 reusable bags and always carry one in my purse, both when I'm at home in Munich, Germany and when I'm travelling. As mentioned above, plastic is one of the biggest polluters on the planet, and reusing bags is an easy way to reduce your environmental impact. Also, it can save you money, since many stores, particularly in Europe, will charge you if you need a plastic bag.
I received a passport holder a few years ago as a Christmas gift from my brother, and it's one of the most practical gifts I've ever received. Several years later and my passport still looks almost brand new. That's important when dealing with immigration. Before I had a holder and carried my passport loosely in my purse, my passport had gotten wet. When I went to renew it, the Canadian government made me get (and pay) for written consent from a lawyer saying that it wasn't a forged passport. For the record, it wasn't. After an extra step of bureaucracy, and an additional $80, I vowed to carry my passport in a holder, and I have ever since. Besides being practical, this one is almost made from post-consumer beverage bottles and saved two bottles from ending up in a landfill or the ocean.
These toothbrushes are made from bamboo, a fast-growing renewable resource. They're 100% recyclable so that they won't end up in a landfill. The company also donates a portion of the profits to the Earthjustice charity. They make for a great stocking stuffer for the eco-minded person in your life. I've asked for a set for Christmas. The little changes we make in our life do add up. As Kermit the Frog says, it's easy being green!
The United States alone throws away 25 billion styrofoam coffee cups each year. Even worse is that styrofoam isn't completely recyclable. It's likely that you'll find remnants of your coffee cup 500 years later! If you have one cup of coffee or tea a day, you'll contribute 23 lbs of waste each year! While paper cups are better than styrofoam, each cup still creates .24 pounds of CO2 emissions. Source: Carry Your Cup. Fortunately, there's an easy solution. Carry a reusable coffee mug. I love this one because it's collapsible and doesn't take up much room when it's not in use. This reusable coffee cup makes a great eco-friendly gift. It can be utilized both at home and when on the road.
If you're brewing coffee at home, purchase organic shade grown coffee. Coffee bushes are planted under native tree species. This increases the biodiversity of the coffee plantation and has a very positive impact on birds. It also has a positive impact on the long-term sustainability of the land for agriculture. Coffee lovers will also be interested in these 20 Fascinating Facts About Coffee.
Every year 50 billion water bottles are thrown away - 50 billion! While I love the idea of a reusable water bottle, I don't like how bulky it is when not filled with water. That's why I love this collapsible water bottle. It hardly takes up any room when not filled. You can also purchase the travel case for the bottle which makes it even smaller.
In some countries, it's not safe to drink tap water. Travel tip: See which countries in Europe you can safely drink water. That's where the Lifestraw microbiological water filtration system comes in. It filters out over 99.9% of waterborne parasites and waterborne protozoa. It's also great if you're in nature as you can use it to filter water from a stream or a pond.
Fast-drying towels are a lifesaver when you're travelling or doing a hike like the Tour du Mont Blanc. There's nothing worse than carrying a large wet towel with you. That's why I like this compact one with antibacterial microfiber. You can reuse it multiple times without washing it and it won't smell. Not only is that convenient when travelling but doing less washing is also good for the planet.
I've been a huge fan of Burt's Bees products for years, especially the Lip shimmer which gives you an amazing peppermint tingle. Burt's Bees products contain natural ingredients that feel fantastic on your skin. I'm also a fan of their philosophy. They measure the triple bottom line; people, profits and the planet, eliminate excess packaging and include post-consumer recycled content in their packaging. They're also transparent about their use of palm oil, which is destroying orangutan habitat and are a member fo the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. They're doing more for the environment than most other skincare and cosmetic companies are, and they make exceptional natural products. Burt's Bees products make for a great eco-friendly gift that will be appreciated both at home and on the road.
While I haven't used a solar cooker, I'm obsessed with the idea. It can cook in as little as 20 minutes with full sun reaching temperatures of up to 550°F (220°C). You can also use it when there are light clouds. I think it would be particularly helpful on a road trip or when camping in sunny areas. Plus, it looks like fun to use.
Instead of driving on your vacation, why not reduce your environmental impact by cycling or hiking for part of it? Cycling and hiking holidays are something I do multiple times each year. Not only are they good for the environment, but they also support local communities.
Plus, adventure holidays do wonders for your soul. Even after hiking or cycling for hours each day and waking up early, I come back much more refreshed than I would had I been lying on a beach. I usually have some sort of epiphany afterwards too. A hiking or cycling holiday is one that stays with you long after it's over. I offer a small selection of hand-picked adventure tours that I think you'll enjoy as much as I have. If you need help in choosing the right one for you, just email me at [email protected], and I'm happy to help.