Summer is the perfect season for adventure, beach holiday, trekking trip, or urban escape. But tourism creates waste and carbon footprint, and thus traveling sustainably is more of a need than ever before. The good news? You can enjoy your summer holidays while keeping your green footprint to a minimum with these green must-haves.
These are the 7 best green summer travel essentials that will keep you stylish, comfortable, and kind to the planet.
1. Reusable Water Bottle
Summer is when hydration is most essential, yet single-use plastic water bottles have a huge impact on waste. Walking the line of not producing extra unnecessary trash while remaining hydrated on the go, it is recommended to carry a reusable water bottle.
Best picks: Stainless steel bottles that keep drinks cool for hours, or collapsible bottles that save space in your bag.
Eco bonus: Pair your bottle with a portable water filter if you’re traveling to places where tap water quality is uncertain.
Why it works: You’ll save money on buying water while helping cut down on plastic waste, a win-win.
2. Hemp Bags
All tourists need a good bag, but plastic bags are out, so try hemp bags. Hemp is just one of the most environmentally friendly materials: it grows rapidly, uses minimal water, and will remain for years.
Why hemp?
Hemp is inherently strong, wear-resistant, and biodegradable. That means your travelling bag won't just last longer, but also return safely to the earth when it's done.
Use cases: A hemp hiking backpack, a hemp day pack shoulder bag, or a hemp beach tote.
If you'd like to see some real-world applications, go ahead and check out ethically made hemp bags on the Spread Maya store.
Why it works: Durable enough for travel, light enough for summer, and fashionable enough to wear anywhere.
3. Eco-Friendly Toiletries
Travel-sized toiletries are easy to take along, but they're usually single-use plastic containers that accumulate fast. Changing to eco-friendly toiletries minimizes waste and makes packing lighter.
Best swaps:
- Solid shampoo and conditioner bars (long-term and mess-free).
- Bamboo toothbrushes over plastic ones.
- Refillable deodorants and toothpaste tablets.
Packing tip: Store them in a reusable or compostable toiletry bag.
Why it works: These alternatives conserve luggage space and cut down on single-use plastics.
4. Hemp Hats
No summer trip is complete without a hat to keep the sun off your head. Hemp hats are a great choice because they're cool, durable, and naturally UV-resistant.
Why hemp hats are the best: Hemp material is cool, sun-fade resistant, and holds its shape longer than cotton or straw hats.
Top styles: Wide-brimmed hats for beach trips, bucket hats for hiking, or casual caps for city adventures.
There are environmentally friendly options like wide-brim hemp hats from Spread Maya.
that combine sustainability with timeless fashion.
Why it works: An easy way to keep yourself safe when traveling, and it's a sustainable fashion statement, too.
5. Light Reusable Utensils
Takeout meals and street foods are all a part of the traveling process, but disposable plastic knives and forks contribute to waste that is unnecessary waste. A light set of reusable utensils is simple to pack and comes in very handy.
What to pack: A fork, spoon, reusable straw, and chopsticks.
Material choices: Stainless steel, bamboo, or wheat straw cutlery.
Packing tip: Keep them in a small cloth pouch so you never leave home without them.
How it works: You'll get rid of thousands of single-use plastics without giving up the joy of eating on the go.
6. Eco-Friendly Shoes
Traveling usually means long walks, hikes, or rambling explorations of new cities, so having good shoes is essential. Instead of fast-fashion footwear, opt for sustainable footwear made from green materials like recycled plastics, organic cotton, or natural rubber.
Why sustainable shoes: They are longer-lasting, are more likely to be made ethically, and reduce the use of synthetic materials.
Packing tip: Choose multi-purpose types (like sneakers that you can wear with jeans or for walking) so you carry fewer pairs.
Why it works: You get comfort on your travels with less of an environmental footprint.
7. Portable Solar Charger
Staying connected while traveling often means draining your devices, but finding a plug isn’t always easy or sustainable. A portable solar charger lets you harness the power of the sun to recharge phones, cameras, or other small gadgets without relying on electricity from non-renewable sources.
Travel tip: Go for foldable or lightweight solar chargers that easily fit into your backpack or hemp bag, making them perfect for hikes, beach days, or road trips.
Extra benefit: You save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and never have to worry about a dead phone when exploring.
Why it works: Solar chargers keep your devices powered using clean, renewable energy while adding convenience to your eco-conscious travel kit.
Conclusion
Sustainable travel isn't about giving up comfort; it's about making more intelligent choices. From carrying a refillable water bottle to packing hemp bags, hemp hats, reef-safe sunscreen, and biodegradable toiletries, these small alterations matter.
Every eco-friendly product you pack conserves waste, protects natural habitats, and makes you feel good about your holiday.
Next time you're planning a summer holiday, remember these 7 green essentials, you'll thank yourself for it.
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