eco Archives - Tropical Suitcase

The eco-traveller’s suitcase: Seven swaps to change the way you pack your cosmetic pouch.

January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 admin0 Comment Eco-fashion, travel, Travel essentials eco, eco-travel, eco-traveler, eco-traveller, sustainable travel, travel, travel kit, zero-waste

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Hello sunshines,

Are you going on holiday soon? Whether you are going for a weekend away close to home or going away for a week or for a month, you will likely bring your toothbrush with you as well as a few other personal items. How about doing some simple swaps to make the earth a little happier and a better place to live for everyone. Having a zero-waste approach by reducing plastic and other petroleum-derived products is a good start. If you need a bit of new: make the swap to more eco-friendly options. Here are a few swaps tips to help you on your eco-traveller journey:

Tip 1: Replace polyester and plastic cosmetic pouch with one made of natural fibres such as hemp or cotton.

It never ceases to amaze me how petroleum-derived products have invaded our lives. In the name of convenience and low cost, we have let those products creep up in our lives and we do not even realise it anymore. Did you know that polyester is made of the same stuff as single-use plastic bags or water bottles? The transformation process varies slightly but there is no doubt about it, plastic and polyester are sisters and brothers. Both processes use non-renewables as raw materials as well as energy intensive production processes which contributes to climate change. Polyester, just like plastic is non-biodegradable. Those are even more reasons to make the swap and change to a pouch made of natural fibre such as cotton or hemp. Natural fibres are biodegradable and are from renewable sources.

Tip 2: Avoid plastic containers, use bar soaps and shampoos instead

The ills of plastic are well known and trying to avoid them can be a bit of a nightmare. However, thanks to bar soaps and shampoos, that is one easy swap. However, even if you are using those at home, the practicality of bringing your soap bar in your suitcase may not be that obvious. Bars are usually big and a suitable container may be hard to find but this option could be worth it.

Hotel soaps and shampoos may be tempting but did you know that all the leftovers are thrown away which increases the environmental footprint of hotels by creating more waste. Harsh chemical products are often used in making them too, so they may not be so good for your skin. Plus, it is often difficult to know what they are made of. If you have sensitive skin or scalp, perhaps not the best idea. Bringing your own is a better option.

If you can’t find a suitable container to bring your own or feel like a guilt-free pampering option, check out our travel kits here.

Tip 3: Get a bamboo toothbrush and toothbrush holder.

Bamboo is such an underrated material. It is biodegradable unlike its plastic counterpart and is made of renewable materials. Unlike trees, bamboo grows fast and can be harvested quickly. Bamboo does not require pesticides or fertilisers, so it is a more sustainable option. Practical, economical and oh-so chic. Get yours here.

Tip 4: Ditch the toothpaste plastic tube for tablet toothpaste

Bamboo toothbrush, bamboo toothbrush holder, tablet toothpaste and eco floss

That was a game-changer. No more plastic tubes! Simple and easy, chew a tablet, brush and rinse. Repeat. No mess and easy to carry everywhere. The same frothy effect minus the plastic guilt. Definitely, something to smile about!

Tip 5: Get an eco-friendly floss

Do you feel guilty when you do not floss? Even on holidays, make your dentist proud. This floss comes in a cardboard box. Yes, biodegradable and sustainable cardboard. Such a simple solution.

Tip 6: Choose a deodorant in a tin or in a cardboard stick

Well, I know not everyone likes a deodorant in a tin. Personally, I think that it works well. If applying deodorant with your fingers is unappealing, you can use a popsicle stick but just washing your hands after is perfectly fine. If that still does not work for you, we now have the option of a cardboard stick. Recyclable and plastic-free both options will pamper your armpits and will keep you smelling good all day. Check them out here.

Tip 7: New clothes? Avoid fast fashion

Thinking about buying that cute dress for your next trip? Well, consider this before you buy. Buying cheap and trendy outfits may seem appealing but fast fashion is one of the most polluting industries where low ethical standards are the norm. Buying a stylish dress that you can wear time and time again can bring you more satisfaction. Selecting sustainable materials like organic cotton, Tencel and recycled materials will give you the everlasting feeling that your purchase will help the planet. Check out our webpage for some inspiration because eco-friendly does not mean boring.

And tada…. Just by making a few easy eco-friendly swaps you just made this world a better place. Who knew that what you pack can change the world. One bamboo toothbrush at the time. Bonus tip: don’t forget your reef-safe sunscreen! Check out our eco-friendly travel kits here and if you want more tips on how to travel more sustainably, check out our website for info and follow our adventures on social media. Until next time, travel safe and love the earth.

Julie

How to travel better. The Eco-friendly cosmetic pouch makeover

December 8, 2021December 8, 2021 admin0 Comment eco-friendly, Plastic-free, reef safe sunscreen, travel, Travel essentials eco, eco-friendly, ecotourism, ecotravel, sustainability, travel, zero waste

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There are many little things that one can do to give a helping hand to our planet when travelling but one important cornerstone would be what you bring with you in your suitcase. A refillable bottle and reusable shopping bag are always good ideas but let’s go a bit beyond and take a deep dive into cosmetic pouches. Never big enough for some and an afterthought for others. There are a few ways by which we can do a healthy and planet-friendly makeover for vanity bags. The good news is that toiletries can easily be swapped for better alternatives.

First of all, I would say that the pouch/bag would be a good place to start. Avoiding or limiting plastic pouches and favouring more natural materials such as hemp and cotton may be a good start. So swap plastic for natural fibres and you are heading in the right direction.

Next, what about your toothbrush and toothbrush holder? Ditch the plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one and do the same for the holder. Not sure where to find the holder, check the link here.

Whilst we are on the dental hygiene topic, let’s not stop with the toothbrush. Swap the toothpaste in the plastic tube with toothpaste tablets. Wait, what, how does that works? Easy to carry, tablets contain the perfect quantity of toothpaste for one wash. All you need to do is to pop one in your mouth, chew a little and brush. Easy, plastic-free, no mess, you can even bring them in the plane as they are solid. The earth will be smiling. Get yours here or here.

But wait, what about flossing. Remember your last conversation with your dentist? Yes, flossing is part of good dental hygiene but it does not have to cost the earth. A cardboard case will work just fine. Try this one here or here. Make your dentist and the earth a little happier.

Next, let’s move on to other essentials. What about your deodorant? Ditch the plastic and trial one of those two options. The first one is in a tin can (click here or here) and you will need to apply with your fingers. Compact and effective, this is a great way to smell like a rose. If you are not ready for using your fingers to apply your deodorant then you can get the cardboard stick. Effective and eco-friendly, both options are available. Check them out.

And one last thing. Soaps and shampoos. Get rid of the plastic tubes and avoid using the hotel provided ones. These are rarely fully used and end up as waste. Plus, I have found that they often contain way too many chemicals for my own taste. BYO soap and shampoo kit it is. Whether you have oily, dry or sensitive skin, get your perfect travel kit (available in dry, sensitive or oily skin and hair options)

Haaaa, feeling better now. How cool is that? Add your reef-safe sunscreen and you are good to go (here ). If this is sounding a little complicated, build your own perfect cosmetic/toiletries/vanity pouch in a few clicks, right here!

Until next time, travel safe and eco-friendly.

Cheers,

Julie

Fashion and petrol: a love story – The truth about polyester

November 19, 2018August 3, 2020 admin0 Comment Eco-fashion, Fashion and Petrol, Plastic-free, Uncategorized acrylic, eco, Eco warrior, eco-fashion, Fashion, Fashion and Petrol, nylon, polyester, recycling, spandex, sustainability in style, sustainable, synthetic fibers, synthetic fibres, synthetic textiles, textiles, Where do clothes come from

Warning: If you find that this article is little too long or just want to see the videos , feel free to register here to get a mini web-series video about fashion and petrol. Otherwise, enjoy the article below !

Fashion is big business. No doubt. Worth $2.4 Trillion worldwide, it is definitely big business. So much so that if it would be a country, it would be the world’s 7^th largest GDP economy. A quick google search indicates that France currently occupies this position.

It involves an astounding number of actors which are all interconnected through elaborate relations. From concept to production, to market and your wardrobe, there is a long way. Most people, don’t generally realise that there is a very intricate and mysterious beast unpoetically called “The Supply Chain” which crosses many countries and has links to other industry sectors like agriculture and marketing. It is a hard to grasp concept in its entirety for most fashion bands, let alone for the consumer. If you are interested in understanding this concept, this Good on You article is very helpful.

This means that the information we are left with, is the tag on the t-shirt which tells us where it was allegedly made, what material it is – using words that could really mean anything to you or me, and some symbols about how we should care for it. Unfortunately, there is a lot more to a piece of garment than this label. One has to dig really deep to understand where clothes come from and what they are made of.

So, where do clothes come from….. No, not the shop, they generally come from either one of those sources: petroleum (that oil rig somewhere), a crop (same place

as your morning cereals), an animal ( killed for the skin or sheared for the wool), some chemical cocktail or any combination of the above. And that is basically it. No more…..

For some reason, that is not well translated on a tag. Most consumers don’t really think about it but polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex textiles are made of the same stuff that you put in your car. Next time you fill up your car…. Look at your socks and shirt…. Yep, both can come from an oil rig.

The nerdy bit ( bare with me, it’s not too long)

For example, to make polyester, two petroleum derived products are used. The process can vary a bit from company to company but in a nutshell. This is how it’s made.

Hydrocarbons are transformed through steam cracking (heating hydrocarbons to ridiculously high temperatures) so that Ethylene is separated and extracted. Etylene is an alcohol also used to make plastic bottles and as a plant hormone in the agricultural industry.

The other component is terephthalic acid which comes from a mixture of tar and petroleum through xylene-oxydation which is an energy intensive process. Xylene is a powerful solvent and is considered toxic. It used in the rubber and leather industry notably.

The actual process by which polyester is made is called polymeristation which involves mixing the etylene and terephthalic acid at high temperatures. Long ribbons of polyester are then extracted from this mix. The ribbons are dried and cut, re-melted and then filaments are extracted. They can be mixed with other products such as cotton or other synthetic fibres.

Some resources to further satisfy your inner nerd can be found here, here and here.

Ok – end of nerdy bit….

Not only those fabrics are from non-renewable sources, they generally quickly end up in the landfill thanks to fast fashion and are not biodegradable. Plus, they leach out a poisonous cocktail in the soil and water streams once they end up there.

This is without mentioning that they have been associate with allergic reactions like eczema in some people.

They even start leaching out chemicals and microplastics in your washing machine drain.

So, instead of reading polyester on a garment tag, one should actually read the following warning: This product is derived from petroleum.

Garment tags are surprisingly misleading. So next time you read one, replace polyester, nylon, spandex by petrol, then only, it starts making sense….. And where it was allegedly made, as per the garment tag, has nothing to do about where it all started. Although, it says on the tag that it was made in Bangladesh, it could well be that the polyester fibre originates from the oil rigs of Saudi Arabia. You will not find this on the tag.

So, in summary, there are quite a few things wrong synthetic fibres but most notably they all have one thing in common, they are derived from petroleum. As we saw, this has several consequences. Something that is particular to petroleum derived textile and their cousin the plastic bottle, is the fact that they do not biodegrade. They end up in our environment, whether it be the ocean, the forest or the landfill and break down in small pieces that are absorbed through the food chain. Not only do they never really go away but they can leach toxic by-products in the environment.

But it is not all gloom and doom. One way to reduce the use of polyester and the like is to avoid, or at least reduce, polyester and other petroleum derived products in favor of more natural fibres such as organic cotton. Check the garment tag for polyester , nylon, acrylic, spandex, microfiber and try to avoid them. For the ones already in your wardrobe or the garments that you just have to buy, wear them for as long as possible and donate them to extend their useful life. It can be hard to find but in some places, they can also be recycled or repurposed.

One reason why we are so addicted to petroleum textiles is that other natural fibres like cotton do not have the “elastic” property that elastane or spandex which is so widely spread in the production of swimwear and active wear.

There is good news thought and innovation has now made possible the recycling of PET bottles into textile. At least, a second life can be given to those plastic bottles and PET products can be re-used. Problem is, those recycled products can be hard to find on the mainstream market and how we dispose of those recycled products is still and issue. Nevertheless, this is better than manufacturing an entirely new product.

Reducing our petrol addiction starts small. Don’t throw everything your own to start afresh. Keeping your favourite items for as long as possible is a good option. But next time you need something, try to avoid polyester and the like. Try to buy second hand or recycled polyester.

There are options, Come along and discover……

Until then…take care.

PS – If you have found this article interesting, please share or register here to get a mini web-series video about fashion and petrol !

Cheers,

Julie