Lifestyle 
Like a lot of you, I try to do my part to take care of our planet. When I’m traveling – which as you know is quite often – this means reducing my carbon footprint. This can be a challenge when you’re racking up the air miles, but these eco-friendly travel products certainly help in my efforts to improve our planet. In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would share them with you.
Bamboo Bowls
I’ve been bringing Zelda with me on a lot of my trips lately (I just can’t stand to stay away from her too long!). Like her owner, she’s constantly hungry. That’s why I like to bring my bamboo bowl from The Green Pet Shop with me. It’s easy to store and carry and I can quickly bust it out whenever Zelda is hungry and thirsty. Best of all, it’s made entirely from renewable resources, including 100% natural plant dye. And since the bamboo strips were bonded together under intense heat and pressure, it’s as strong as any plastic bowl I’ve seen. I imagine Mother Earth approves, and I know Zelda does.
4-in-1 Travel Dispenser
When I travel, I try to reduce waste as much as possible. Which means cutting down on disposable products, like the shampoo and soap bottles found at most hotels. That’s why I like to bring these awesome 4-in-1 travel dispensers for all my soap/shampoo/conditioner/lotion needs. Bonus: these babies are made from eco-friendly, BPA-free plastics (BPA is a harmful chemical used in the manufacture of many plastics). Second Bonus: they’re “TSA-friendly,” which means I don’t have to worry about taking them through security! I love that extra peace of mind.
Bug Bite Thing
My travels take me to the tropics a lot, which means I am often on the lookout for mosquitos. Now I love all animals, but let’s face it, mosquitos are among the hardest to love. But there should still be a way to deal with mosquito bites (and other bites) that’s cruelty-free and not harmful to the environment. Actually, there is! Enter, Bug Bite Thing. It’s a small, portable (and at $10, not too expensive) suction device that extracts the harmful saliva and venom that bugs leave behind. It’s chemical free, doesn’t harm the insect, and prevents me from getting harmed as well. That’s what I call a win-win!
Ostrichpillow Go Neck Pillow
When I’m on a long flight, I simply have to have my neck pillow with me. My beauty sleep helps the time go by, and helps me land feeling refreshed. These days, my favorite neck pillow is from a company called Ostrichpillow (love the name!). It has Memory Foam, so it’s super ergonomical. It also has a washable cover made from sustainable fabric, which I love even more. Doing my part for the environment always helps me sleep easier!
App In The Air
As I said in the intro, extensive traveling can make it difficult to reduce your carbon footprint. That’s why I’m so glad I downloaded “App In The Air.” For an annual subscription fee of $29, I can ensure that my travel is as carbon-efficient as possible. Here’s how it works: the app filters flights by carbon emission output, as well as times and prices. It also helps me keep track of all my itineraries, boarding passes, and loyalty points. And, perhaps coolest of all, they plant a tree for every flight booked through the app, helping me travel guilt-free.
There are so Many Great Eco-Friendly Travel Products Out There
These are just a few of the awesome eco-friendly travel products that you’ll find in my carry-on (and on my phone). There are plenty of others that help me travel the right way. If you have any earth-friendly travel products that you can’t go to the airport without, I would love to hear about them (I’m always looking for a chance to shop some more). Happy Earth Day, everyone!
If you enjoyed this article or have suggestions on how we can improve it, please leave us a comment below. Also, make sure to check out other articles I’ve created or stories I’ve written about food culture – here.
