During the pandemic, we made a few lifestyle changes for our health and the environment. We’ve been biking more regularly for exercise. We’ve cut out pork from our diet and are trying to adopt a more vegetarian / pescatarian lifestyle these days. We’ve also been frequenting more eco-stores and refilling centers in the neighborhood to get supplies and making sure our plastics are recycled properly.
With travel back in full force, problems are arising from overtourism and plastic pollution. In case you want to lessen your impact on the environment when you travel, here are a few essentials you can bring on your next trip.
Refillable tumbler
According to a 2021 study by the World Bank, 2.7 million tons of plastic waste are generated in the Philippines each year, with an estimated 20 percent ending up in the ocean. Stay hydrated and skip buying drinks in plastic bottles by bringing your own refillable tumblers and refilling it whenever you can.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Sunscreen is an essential for those beach trips, but did you know that there are at least 18 known toxicants used in sunscreen products? UV filters such as nano-particles, Oxybenzene, and Octinoxate are common ingredients that can cause coral bleaching. So without knowing it, you could be using sunscreen that’s both harmful to you and our oceans.
Make sure that your sunscreen’s ingredients have a marine-friendly formula and contain only reef-safe ingredients. MAGWAI is a locally produced reef-safe sunscreen that was born out of love and respect for the beauty of the coral reefs in the Philippines. This sunscreen is made with natural ingredients, has UVA and UVB protection, and is water and sweat resistant, specially formulated to protect the ocean, while protecting users from the sun.
The company has also partnered with The Plaf and Green Antz to help upcycle packaging and reduce plastic waste. Users can donate used and cleaned sunscreen tubes at various drop-off points around Metro Manila. You can buy various Magwai products in various shops nationwide including Back to Basics EcoStore in Maginhawa.
Order Magwai’s reef-safe sunscreen here.
A trusty eco-bag or backpack
Frequent travelers know that it always pays to bring extra eco-bags whenever going on trips to keep essential items handy and to stash those extra souvenir items for the trip home. If you’re not fond of carrying tote bags, you can also opt to bring an extra backpack just for day use. Jansport, known for their backpacks and collegiate apparel, has committed to improving their environmental impact by incorporating renewable energy in their supply chain and making use of recycled materials.
The company uses 600 denier recycled polyester, which reportedly reduces impact on climate change compared to virgin polyester. According to the brand, they’ve also saved the equivalent of 13,000,000 plastic water bottles (based on a 16 oz bottles) by using recycled fabrics and linings in certain styles. As a key part of their sustainability efforts, Jansport promise to make products to last a lifetime and offer to repair backs before replacing them.
Learn more about Jansport’s sustainability efforts here.
Quick drying beach towel
One thing I always forget to pack when I go to the beach is a towel. Since full size towels are often bulky, it helps to bring a light and compact beach towel instead that you can stash easily in a dry bag or tote.
MAGWAI has a line of towels that are absorbent, quick drying and happen to be made from recycled plastic bottles! Each towel is made with 10 post-consumer plastic bottles and makes use of natural dyes. The towel comes in beautiful designs inspired by coral reefs and pawikans. These towels also fit standard yoga mats, so yoga practitioners can use this during their workouts as well.
Get Magwai’s quick drying beach towels for P999 each here.
Shampoo bar
Instead of bringing shampoo in typical plastic bottles or single-use sachets that only contribute to plastic waste, pack a shampoo bar instead. MAGWAI all natural shampoo bars are pH balanced so they won’t disrupt the natural pH levels of your hair and scalp, making your hair soft while helping keep plastic out of the ocean.
The MAGWAI Shampoo Bar Starter Kit includes one shampoo bar and one shampoo bar dish / travel case made of 100% marine bound plastics. Made in collaboration with Precious Plastics Philippines, each Shampoo Bar Dish has a unique pattern from the melted plastics, creating a sea-like texture that can surely bring the ocean into your bath. The upcycled Shampoo Bar Dish comes in 3 unique colors: Pearl, Aquamarine, and Ocean.
Get Magwai’s shampoo bar starker kits for P399 each here.