As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impact of tourism, sustainable travel has become a top priority for many.

But where do you start when it comes to travelling sustainably? It’s all about small changes and I’m here to guide you through it!

Simple changes to your travel habits can significantly reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a more positive future.

Let's dive into some simple swaps that can make a big difference, here are my 5 essential items to pack for your next eco-friendly adventure.

1. Refillable Travel Bottles

Forget those single-use travel toiletries you always panic buy at the airport!

Invest in a set of reusable containers and fill them with your favourite toiletries before your trip. It's a win-win: less plastic and more space in your suitcase for the remaining items on this list!

If you’ve got this one down already, try some solid shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste and solid deodorants. Not only are these options plastic-free, but they’re also better for your and the planet’s health.

2. Reusable Water Bottle

Roughly 80% of the world’s plastic bottles end up in landfills.

To help reduce that shocking statistic, keep a reusable water bottle by your side. Not only will it save you money, but it'll also massively reduce plastic waste!

Make sure you choose your reusable bottle wisely depending on the type of holiday you’re taking. For adventure trips, a compact, leak-proof bottle with a side loop might be ideal. For everyday use on a beach getaway, a wider-mouth bottle is easier to clean. And consider an insulated bottle if you're travelling to hot or cold climates.

Remember while glass is a fantastic option from a hygiene and recycling point of view, it might not be the most practical for every getaway.

So, plastic and metal are both suitable alternatives. Although they have more of an environmental impact than glass, they both beat single-use plastic bottles hands down!

3. Coral Reef-Safe Suncream

Suncream can pose a huge risk to marine life, with 14,000 tons of sunscreen finding its way into the oceans each year.

Be sure to protect both your skin and sea life with reef-safe suncream.

Traditional suncreams are often filled with ingredients that are toxic to our underwater environment and wildlife. And sadly you can't take brands at face value when they claim to be "reef-safe" or "reef-friendly".

Instead, avoid products that use these ingredients:

Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Benzophenone-1
Benzophenone-8
OD-PABA
4-Methylbenzylidene camphor
3-Benzylidene camphor
Octocrylene

4. Reusable Bags

A reusable bag is essential when it comes to being more sustainable on holiday and reducing plastic bag usage.

Reusable bags are hugely versatile, you could be popping in purchases from a local market one minute and using it as a beach bag the next!

I bet you have a handful of tote bags lying around at home, so next time you’re packing chuck a few into your suitcase.

Mesh bags and foldable bags are also great options, especially if you need to save space or plan to use them for food shopping while on your travels.

5. Versatile Clothing

One of the easiest ways to travel more sustainably is to be a more conscious consumer.

Instead of buying a new wardrobe for your trip, why not get creative with your existing clothes? Embrace the idea of being an outfit repeater – I promise, no one will know you wore that dress last week!

To do this, create a capsule wardrobe of versatile clothing you already own to minimise your luggage.

“But what if I need to take something on holiday that I don’t own yet?” I hear you cry!

Well, why not swap or borrow with someone else? Or try second-hand and charity shopping - you’ll be surprised by what you can find once you start looking!