Eco-friendly essentials for a sustainable travel packing list

With countries opening up again, we can finally start dreaming and planning our vacations again. With climate change still a major challenge, we want to do this in a way that is good for us and the planet. So here are CANO's tips for eco-friendly essentials to put on your sustainable packing list.

1. Eco-friendly travel gear

Let's start with the basics. Having a good suitcase or travel bag is essential when packing sustainably. We always recommend buying secondhand or borrowing items, but if that's not possible there are some great options on the market.

Investing in something high-quality will reduce the need for replacing cheaply made pieces and save resources. Premium travel gear brand NORTVI, for example, makes carry-ons and weekend bags with the extremely strong and eco-friendly material polycarbonate and 100% recycled PET bottles.  

NORTVI's cabin luggage suitcase in Sand White

2. A cute but practical capsule wardrobe

Something good for the planet and your travel partner's sanity is packing light. This will reduce the your vehicle's fuel intake and lower the journey's carbon footprint.

A great way of doing this is by putting together a small capsule wardrobe with interchangeable pieces. You can, for example, challenge yourself with a 10x10 wardrobe or create a travel capsule wardrobe. Be realistic with yourself in packing what you truly need. And if you still find yourself missing a piece, see if you can find it secondhand, rent/borrow it somewhere or find it at a sustainable brand.

Don't feel guilty if you do end up buying something at your travel destination, here are 7 reasons why it's great to support small, local businesses.

CANO's Marketplace Manager Paula also recommends visiting small vintage shops to find the best treasures on your stay abroad.

Instagrammer Sindy Nelia wearing our Laura Natural Cognac on her trip to Mallorca.

3. Zero waste kit

One of the biggest things we notice when going on trips is the amount of waste we create. Luckily, this is something we can influence by being prepared. Get together a zero-waste kit with reusables that will help you cut down on single use items.

Jessica, CANO's Sustainability & Marketing Manager, recommends packing the following products:

  • Reusable bag
  • Beeswax food wrap
  • Cloth napkin
  • Stainless steel straw
  • Bamboo cutlery
  • Lunch box and reusable (coffee) cup + water bottle
  • Produce bags

4. Sustainable toiletries

Eco-friendly toiletries not only cut down on waste but are also made of natural materials that won't harm the environment. Look out for products that are zero-waste or come with minimal packaging and that are biodegradable.

Our Customer Service intern Friederike is a big fan of shampoo bars for her travels.

Some other great, sustainable products are:

  • Solid body wash
  • A bamboo tooth brush
  • A safety razor
  • Tooth paste tabs
  • Natural deodorant like Nuud

If you're going to a sunny destination, do make sure to bring sunscreen without harmful ingredients that break down our ocean's precious reefs (read more about that here).

5. Comfortable footwear

Travel should be enjoyed to the fullest. And we believe comfortable footwear is a huge contributor to this. Unfortunately, many shoes today are made of synthetic fibers that lead to microplastic pollution.

We make sustainable, handcrafted footwear from sustainable materials such as vegetable-tanned leather and natural rubber. So if you're still on the lookout for a great pair of sandals for your planet-friendly packing list, look no further!

Curious to read more? Find out all about our sustainability approach in this article.

Our Social Media Manager Sofia took her Julieta's on a trip to a lush Mexican beach

 

Written by Jessica Teeuw

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Looking forward to Spring

"Very nice quality and they fit very well"

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on LAURA Natural