Since the COVID pandemic hit, the travel world has changed dramatically. Trips that were once easy to plan are now very different. We all face the daily reality of wearing a mask, washing our hands frequently, and keeping social distance. While the the opportunity to travel is slimmer and has added risks, I wanted to share an eco-friendly COVID packing list of essentials to carry if you are traveling during the pandemic!
While there was no opportunity for me to travel during quarantine from March through June, I did take many local road trips to the Jersey Shore and Virginia in July, and also took a 3000-mile road trip from New Jersey to Minnesota in August. I took many precautions during these trips including packing hand sanitizer, masks, and wipes. Many of these products were single-use items I already had in my home that family members had purchased. However, there are eco-friendly COVID essentials that are better for our health and the environment.
Mask: I’ve linked an adjustable, reusable, washable mask made of bamboo. I chose this mask because it’s made of bamboo which is a sustainable material! P.S. I also have bamboo socks from Boody! 🙂
Hand Sanitizer and Refill: Many of us are probably used to the generic hand sanitizer sold in places like CVS and Rite Aid. Traditional hand sanitizers are filled with fragrances, parabens, and sulfates. Hand sanitizer by OLIKA is different; it’s made of natural ingredients including aloe vera and essential oils. It’s also free of phthalates, sulfates, and artificial ingredients. What’s also cool about OLIKA is you get 15x more uses than other similar hand sanitizers (300 sprays per container!). They come in a package of six so you can keep one in your car, in your purse, in your backpack, or gift some to your friends and family members. I kept sanitizer in my car and backpack for easy use on my road trip! I also like that the company sells refill bags so you don’t have to keep purchasing new containers!
Disinfecting Wipes: While these wipes come in packaging, I chose them because they are compostable and made with natural ingredients including: castile (olive-oil based soap), water, and essential oils. No alcohol, dyes, parabens, or perfumes! While these are not “zero waste”, I think it’s important to have a disinfecting wipe for surfaces while traveling. I used similar wipes on my road trip like cleaning my credit card after purchases and the handles of gas pumps!
Lotion: I have been using this lotion by Era Organics for two years now! The lotion is made of natural ingredients including tea tree oil which is naturally disinfecting and other natural oils! This is the only lotion that doesn’t make my face breakout and that heals my cracked skin! After using so much hand sanitizer and washing our hands, it’s important to moisture and nourish our skin. A little of this lotion goes a long way. It may feel oily at first, but it will soak in. I recommend using it at night so it has a chance to completely soak in.
For my other recommended travel essentials, see the travel gear section on my favorite products page!