News

Travel Light, Live Green: 
Sustainable Tips for the Eco-Conscious Traveler

Handso Team

Nov 3, 2024

Where are you headed this holiday season? 

Whether it’s a snowy getaway or a sunny escape, now’s the perfect time to think about how we can travel a little lighter and greener. 

 

With a few simple choices, you can enjoy your vacation without leaving a heavy environmental footprint behind. 

Here’s how to pack with purpose and make your holiday travels as sustainable as they are memorable.

Travel Light for a Lighter Planet

Did you know that lighter luggage not only makes your trip easier but also reduces your carbon footprint? According to a report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), every kilogram of weight reduced on a plane can save approximately 34,000 gallons of fuel each year. By bringing only what you need, you’re helping conserve resources and making travel simpler and more enjoyable. Plus, it's a great way to keep yourself from overloading on souvenirs you might not actually need.

Ditch Single-Use Plastics with Reusables

With travel on the rise, single-use plastics are more prevalent than ever. Every year, between 8-10 million tons of plastic waste end up in our oceans, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Bring along reusable items like water bottles, food containers, and shopping bags to cut down on waste while you’re on the go. And when it comes to toiletries, options like shampoo bars, toothpaste tablets, and reusable containers are convenient and space-saving.

Handso is the Perfect Eco-Friendly Travel Companion

Handso was designed to make personal care more sustainable and portable, without adding single-use plastics to your packing list. Here’s how Handso makes eco-friendly travel easy:

  • Reduce Environmental Impact: Handso encourages use of bar soap in showers, thus replacing bulky plastic body wash bottles with a compact, reusable solution that’s made to last. By ditching single-use plastics, Handso supports a zero-waste lifestyle
  • Maximize Suitcase Space: Compact and spill-proof, Handso fits neatly in your luggage, or hangs on your backpack, saving space and eliminating the need for extra containers, loofahs, or mini travel bottles. No more worrying about spills or messy leaks in your luggage!
  • Convenient On-the-Go Care: With Handso, enjoy a luxurious lather that keeps your skin feeling soft and refreshed. Whether you’re at home, the gym, or exploring a new city, Handso offers a sustainable & convenient way to stay clean.

Conserve Energy and Water

 

Leaving the air conditioning on in hotel or BnB rooms because "we paid for it anyway" is a common habit, but it has significant environmental impacts. Small actions truly do add up, especially in destinations where energy and water are limited resources. In energy-challenged destinations like Hawaii, where most energy is imported, turning off unused lights and AC units can reduce electricity strain on the grid and lower emissions. Skipping daily linen changes is another easy way to reduce your environmental impact. Choose hotels with certifications like LEED, Green Key, or EarthCheck. These certifications show that the hotel meets specific standards in energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management.

Follow Local Waste Disposal Guidelines

Every destination has its own rules for waste disposal, recycling, and composting. For example, in Japan, waste separation is taken seriously, with specific guidelines for sorting recyclables, compostables, and general waste—often down to separate categories for plastics and papers. If you’re staying in a BnB or vacation rental, asking your host about local recycling and garbage pickup schedules is a great way to ensure proper waste disposal. Many places have specific collection days, In Germany, a color-coded bin system—yellow for plastics and metals, blue for paper, green for glass—ensures proper waste sorting. In Taiwan, a community-based system sees residents bring sorted recyclables directly to collection trucks that play music as a signal.

Support Local, Sustainable Shopping

When buying souvenirs, choose locally made, sustainably produced items. Picking up a plastic snow globe souvenir in Bali not only is out of place but also adds to plastic pollution (making of and transportation) and often isn't produced locally. 

Opt for handmade crafts over plastic goods, which often have a high environmental impact. Supporting local artisans helps stimulate local economies and reduces the negative effects of mass production. 

Sustainable travel doesn’t mean giving up comfort—it means making thoughtful choices that support both convenience and conservation. By choosing eco-friendly products like Handso and making small adjustments to your travel habits, you can explore new places while leaving a lighter footprint. Let’s make this holiday season a celebration of sustainable exploration and mindful choices. 

 

References

https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/plastic-pollution-ocean/ 

https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/plastics 

https://www.iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/environment/

https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Zero-use-plastics

https://www.finnair.com/at-en/bluewings/travel-experience/pack-light---save-fuel-and-make-things-easy-on-yourself--2630894