Sustainable travel starts with your packing list.
By Cora Gold, Editor-in-Chief of Revivalist
When traveling, you probably want to prepare for any situation. However, many of us fall victim to overpacking, which can weigh you down and lead to more waste.
If you want to travel more sustainably, packing thoughtfully is a great place to start. Here is a minimalist guide to packing, and the environmental benefits to traveling lighter.
How Minimalist Packing Helps With Sustainable Travel
Lighter packing automatically makes your transportation more sustainable. No matter which way you travel, when your bags are heavier, it takes more fuel to move them. If you lighten your load by even 15 pounds, it can reduce your emissions by 80 pounds per 10-hour flight. A full 200-passenger plane with minimalist packers could eliminate as much as 16,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Additionally, buying less means you’ll create less waste. Many people feel the need to go out shopping for new outfits. When it comes to sustainable fashion, the best thing you can do is wear items you already own.
Instead of buying new pieces for your vacation outfits, consider mixing and matching items you’ve never worn together before. That will give you the satisfaction of wearing something “new” in your travel photos without contributing to the fashion industry’s waste.
Keep this in mind with toiletries and personal care items as well. You might feel the need to purchase travel-sized versions of every product you use, but try to skip the single-use, disposable options as much as possible.
You can refillable, TSA-approved bottles instead and fill them with products you already have on hand. This method will reduce the amount of trash you produce during your trip, and save you money since you can reuse the bottles.
Key Items to Pack
There are, of course, many non-negotiable items you should pack when going on a trip. Start by packing necessary items like: passport, wallet, phone charger, medications, prescription glasses or contact lenses, cash.
For clothing, you should pack enough, or slightly more than enough, undergarments and socks for each day of your trip. While you can rewear other clothing and plan to do laundry during your trip, socks and underwear are items you don’t ever want to be without. It’s okay to take a couple of extras, especially since they’re small.
From there, consider these guidelines for packing minimally.
Shirts
Pack shirts that are versatile and can be dressed up or down for different occasions. In warmer months, pack solid color, short sleeved shirts that can be the base of any outfit. In the winter, solid long sleeves can serve the same purpose.
Outerwear
Outerwear can depend on the season and your destination, but there are a few good rules of thumb to follow. You can’t go wrong with one casual piece (think a hoodie or cardigan) and one nicer or more structured piece (maybe a blazer or denim jacket). Consider wearing one of these pieces on the plane so you stay warm and save space in your bag.
Bottoms
Pants or skirts are easy to rewear, so keep these to a minimum. If you’ll be doing outdoor activities, you may need extra athletic pants in case they get dirty. Other than that, one pair of jeans and one pair of dress pants or a skirt will be plenty for a weeklong trip.
Dresses
Consider packing a dress if you plan to go to a nice dinner or event. Since a dress is one piece, it can be more efficient than a fancy top and pants. You can also mix it up by wearing it with and without a jacket.
Toiletries
Before packing your toiletries, check your hotel’s website to see what toiletries they provide. You may not need to bring shampoo, body wash or lotion. Other than that, try to pack the bare minimum when it comes to makeup, hair care and skin products.
Electronics
Many people have multiple devices in today’s digital world, but when traveling, you don’t need to bring everything. If you’re staying in older buildings or hostels, charging numerous devices can sometimes overwhelm their electrical system. Consider just taking your phone, and maybe a laptop if you need to work while you travel.
Accessories
Ideally, you’ll pack one pair of comfortable shoes and one pair of dress shoes. It can help to take an umbrella, sunglasses, a hat and scarf or other weatherproof items depending on the weather forecast. For jewelry, plan to wear what you want to bring, and don’t pack any extras.
Non-Essentials
Once you have the essentials packed, there are other things that are nice to have if you have space. For example, a book or journal are always great to keep yourself entertained on a flight or train ride. Bringing non-electric sources of entertainment is wise because they’ll cut down on your energy usage, and they come in handy when you don’t have access to Wi-Fi. If you’re traveling with a group, a pack of cards is the perfect game to pack, and it won’t take up much space in your luggage.
Tips for Packing Light
Are you struggling to narrow your options down? Try these five tips for minimizing your packing.
- Start With a Lightweight Bag
The first step to packing light is having a lightweight suitcase. Soft-sided luggage is much easier for you and your transportation of choice to carry than hard-shell luggage. It also often has exterior pockets you can place smaller items like toiletries and chargers in so you don’t need another, smaller bag.
- Keep the Bulky Clothing Out
Keep your bulky wearables out of your bags. Wear items like sweatshirts or winter jackets if you’re heading somewhere cold, as doing so will give you more luggage space. You’ll also probably need them on arrival, so this is a quick win-win.
- Consolidate Where You Can
When traveling, you could switch from your regular wallet to a slimmer one. You should also consolidate your technology — if your phone can charge by touch or by cable, don’t bring options for both. Choose a lightweight charger. Dual- or even multipurpose items are always a plus.
- Get Critical About What You Bring
The most important element to any minimalist packing list is narrowing down what’s on it. Once you have everything you think you’ll need, check it again. Do you need to bring your whole makeup kit? Perhaps you could get away with just a tube of mascara or a sun-blocking foundation. Can you skip cologne for a week? Focus on the true essentials and skip some of the luxury items.
- Account for Comfort
After you hack and slash through everything you plan to pack, ensure you’re still bringing enough to keep yourself comfortable. Always check what the weather will be, because you may realize you do need that raincoat or an extra sweater. A good way to justify packing an item is to determine whether you can wear it more than once, and that it serves a practical purpose.
Try This Minimalist Packing List on Your Next Trip
Going on a trip is exciting, but getting ready for it can be stressful. Luckily, minimalist packing can make the experience faster and easier. Plus, there are a few sustainability benefits that may encourage you to adopt this packing style more regularly. Try keeping your luggage minimal on your next trip, and see how it can improve your travel preparations.
About the Author
Cora Gold has a passion for writing about life, happiness and sustainability. As Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine Revivalist, she loves to share her insights and find inspiration from others. Follow Cora on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.