How to Stay Eco Whilst on the Road

People have often raised an eyebrow in surprise when I tell them that I am a bit of an eco-warrior. “But how can you be,” they say, “when you travel so much…?” 

They’re right in one regard: I do travel a lot. A full-time nomad, I travel not just because it suits my lifestyle, but because my lifestyle depends on it. I am a writer whose main inspiration comes from being on the road. But being on the road constantly doesn’t mean giving up your identity, parking a piece of your soul in one place and continuing to the next destination without it. Great news for me, because deep inside me is a mean, green, eco-activist. 

By Jessica Holmes

@hitchedhikingandhousesitting 

You see, I am in love with the world. That is why I try to see as much of it as I can, and the main reason I fight to keep my eco-ethos front and centre. It is the one piece of luggage I cannot travel without.

So whilst I strive to continue my eco-lifestyle when on the road, trying new green technologies, lifestyle habits and products, I also want to encourage and inspire people to keep going with their own eco efforts and to try things they hadn’t considered which may complement their lifestyles. 

What does being eco mean?

Being “eco” means being environmentally friendly, taking responsibility for our carbon emissions, doing our best to reduce them, and contributing to greener initiatives worldwide. 

I have made it my mission in the last year to become the most eco-friendly version of myself to date whilst living on the road full-time. It hasn’t been an easy transition, and I sometimes feel frustrated if I have no choice but to buy a product which isn’t as ethical or eco as I’d like, but I remind myself every day that I am doing my best. The first step on this journey is to begin thinking about what there is in your life that doesn’t fit the green and eco beliefs you align with. This could be a number of things, such as specific products, your diet, your food shops, or your clothing. 

Where to begin

Starting with something simple like swapping your toiletries is a quick and easy way to begin your eco journey. Wild has a range of soap, shampoo and deodorant bars which come with reusable cases to last a lifetime, so there is literally no waste. They are also perfect for travel as they’re solids, not liquids. 

If you’re looking for eco-friendly skincare products, look no further than Tropic, a carbon negative company whose organic and vegan products are made from sustainably sourced ingredients. Many of their product containers are refillable or can be returned to be recycled. 

Animal agriculture is responsible for an alarmingly high percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide; between 12 and 18 percent. Land for livestock is created by deforestation, releasing huge amounts of CO² and increasing global warming. If you’ve been thinking about trying the plant-based lifestyle, there is no better time than now; with a huge range of options available in Western countries for vegans and vegetarians, you won’t miss meat at all. Consider supplements for any vitamins or minerals you may be cutting out! Whatever your diet, when it comes to buying food, try to shop for locally produced organic fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy; perhaps from a farm shop or deli nearby. It may be a little more expensive but the quality cannot be beaten and the lower food miles and reduced pesticides is a big win for the environment. 

As a society we are probably most guilty for our fashion crimes. No, I’m not judging your style… Fashion is responsible for approximately 2-8 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Perhaps that doesn’t sound like very much, but it is a colossal amount. Every year, 92 million tonnes of clothes end up in landfill and approximately 10-35 percent of microplastics dispersed into the oceans every year come from textiles. This is just the tip of the iceberg! You’ll be happy to know that the solution is simple. You can quickly up your eco-status in regards to fashion by donating to and buying clothes from secondhand shops, mending clothing before throwing things away, wearing items as many times as you can and only buying something if you really need it.

If you are a lover of travel like I am, you will always be on the lookout for more eco-friendly luggage that retains its practicality and looks relatively stylish. Deuter has a selection of products which are 100% bluesign® approved; this means the product has been manufactured under strict controls to increase sustainability – from the type and quality of materials used to the water consumption, use of chemicals, noise pollution and waste generated from the product. All Patagonia products are bluesign® approved, and they also have a ‘Worn Wear’ website which allows you to purchase secondhand items.

Whilst talking about seals of approval such as the bluesign® accolade, it’s a good time to bring up separating the green from the greenwash. Greenwashing is when a product or service is put forward as “eco” but it may not be as environmentally-friendly as advertised. A great way to be able to tell the two apart is to check whether the product is certified by an organisation which can be verified – such as bluesign®, Fairtrade, Green Key, B Corp, or Tripadvisor GreenLeaders. There are hundreds of organisations which hand out accolades for eco-initiatives, and you can easily research what is being promoted before you buy something or book a trip to ensure the companies you are buying from are doing their bit for the planet.  

Recycling is something that most of us do without thinking, but is there more you can do than simply separating your plastics, paper and tins? Perhaps you could consider a food bin or a compost heap for your garden to put your food waste to better use. You can also buy products with less packaging in the first place or buy products which are refillable so that you end up with no waste at all. 

Getting from A to B

One of the biggest factors that I consider each day is how I am going to get from A to B with the lowest carbon emissions possible. This has led to me cutting out all flights in the last year unless the destination is inaccessible by public transport. So whilst I travelled to 10 different countries in 2023, I took just six flights in total, and the places I visited by plane were the USA and the Middle East, neither of which were accessible by routes over land. 

The rail and bus networks across Europe, and some of the US and Asia mean that travel across these continents can be easier than, say, Africa or Australasia. The main thing to do is to ensure you are considering a greener route, whether that is going by bus or train or even simply flying on a plane that emits lower emissions (several websites including Skyscanner will now promote greener flights). Some say that the greenest way to travel is to hitchhike; as the vehicle was already going to be travelling the same route, you only add a fraction to the CO² emissions from the additional weight (note that this may be illegal in some countries or states). Whatever you feel safest and most comfortable doing is best. 

The other easy way to reduce your emissions whilst travelling is to travel shorter distances and to stay in that location for longer. Slow travel has become a big movement in the last decade, with people taking longer to reach their destinations by using public transport and taking fewer but longer vacations. As a full-time nomad, I aim to stay in each destination for at least a month, which allows me to unpack properly, explore the area fully, work efficiently, and also boosts my eco-credentials. 

5 simple ways to instantly become more eco

1. Make the decision to increase your eco-efforts and determine what you can change
2. Reduce your air miles; travel over land
3. Swap your products for eco-friendly ones 
4. Buy secondhand clothing 
5. Reduce your meat intake 

Red flag

If you feel that your efforts to go green are causing you anxiety, stress or getting you down, or thoughts about how you can be more eco are becoming overwhelming, you may be suffering from eco-anxiety. This is an emotional response to environmental issues and climate change that is particularly prevalent in younger generations. Talk to someone about how you feel and perhaps seek advice from a doctor if you are suffering from low mood.  

Top tip:

Don’t feel guilty over things outside of your control; acknowledge them and move forward. Continue making informed eco-friendly decisions on things you do have control over. For example, if you need to travel somewhere and the only way is by flying, you don’t have much of a choice. Consider offsetting the flights’ carbon emissions via a legitimate scheme endorsed by Gold Standard and regulated by the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program, and remind yourself that doing your best is all you can do.

Be kind to yourself and remember that just a shift in your mindset is the start to a greener lifestyle for you. Embrace being the most environmentally friendly version of you that you can be!

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