Our latest research has revealed that people will go to all sorts of lengths to reduce the weight of their luggage and do their bit for sustainability. The results showed that a whopping 40% of men would be happy to wear the same pair of pants for at least three days, while 20% of women would be happy to wear the same bra for 6 or more.
More broadly, the research also found that the vast majority of you (85%) are happy to make adjustments to your holiday to reduce the impact on the environment. From minimising your plastic consumption such as souvenirs or straws, reusing the same towels in hotels, to not travelling by plane.
Certainly, one of the best ways you can reduce your carbon impact on the environment is to take less stuff. While reusing the same pants is a noble way of travelling more sustainably, there are other ways which are altogether more hygienic. Here are 10 actionable tips to help you reduce the weight of your luggage and minimise its environmental footprint.
- Choose Lightweight Luggage: Start with a lightweight suitcase or backpack to minimise the base weight of your luggage.
- Pack Versatile Clothing: Opt for clothes that can be easily mixed and matched to create multiple outfits, reducing the need to pack excessive clothes.
- Pack Travel-Size Toiletries: Use travel-sized toiletry containers or solid toiletries to reduce the weight of your toiletry bag.
- Limit Shoe Choices: Shoes can be heavy and take up space. Choose versatile shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits to minimise the number of pairs you pack.
- Opt for Digital Documents: Instead of carrying heavy travel guides and documents, store them digitally on your devices.
- Pack Lightweight Fabrics: Choose lightweight and wrinkle-resistant fabrics that take up less space and reduce the overall weight of your luggage.
- Plan Laundry Opportunities: If your trip is long, plan to do laundry during your travels to avoid packing excessive clothes.
- Avoid “Just in Case” items: Be realistic about what you’ll actually need. Avoid packing items “just in case” and focus on essentials to keep your luggage light.
- Choose souvenirs carefully: A gift that doesn’t weigh much is still a gift – after all, it’s the thought that counts.
- Make a packing list: Organisation is the key to travelling light. This will make sure you’re not taking anything you don’t need (as well as ensuring you take the stuff you do!).