A Guide to Budget & Eco-friendly Travel Clothing - Travel Like Anna

Want to get more out of budget eco friendly travel without the guesswork? Below we walk through the essentials in plain language, with practical steps you can use right away.

Key Takeaways

•  South Sawyer Glacier, Alaska, June 2019 // According to the U.S.
• In 2018, there were 17 tons of textile waste generated in the U.S. and nearly 66% of it ended up in a landfill!
• Here’s five pointers to make eco-friendly purchasing choices and reduce waste sent to landfills: Last October, REI launched their used gear program.
• It’s a excellent investment.) All items are labeled by condition from excellent, lightly worn and well worn.

How Budget Eco Friendly Travel Really Works

Geological Survey, Alaska’s glaciers are losing 75 billion tons of ice annually and contributing the global sea level rise.  To celebrate Earth Day, I wanted to share some pointers for how to purchase eco-friendly travel gear that’s solid for the planet and doesn’t break the bank. Worth noting: they sell used gear online at a significant discount and their co-op members get store credit for trading in items. (An REI lifetime membership is just $20, and you get annual dividends on your purchases.

• Patagonia has a similar program called Worn Wear where you can purchase used gear or trade in for credit for both new or used gear.
• Both programs keep clothes out of landfills and save you 50% off the retail price.
• More importantly, plus, excellent condition items are frequently just brand new items!
• Near LeConte Glacier, Southeast Alaska // When I’m running photo trips in Alaska (for a carbon neutral company), I wear Marmot’s rain gear.

Getting the Most From Budget Eco Friendly Travel

They make quality gear and earned my loyalty after replacing a jacket I’d worn near the world for years under warranty. (FYI: This is not an ad.) One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started traveling was not investing in quality travel clothing and gear. The high cost scared me away.

• Remember that it took me years to learn that investing in quality items from companies that offer lifetime warranties to either fix or replace an item was a better long-term investment for my bank account.
• Repairing items extends their life and keeps them out of the dumpster.
• Plus, the combination of both repairing and replacing items under warranty saves you money.
• Here are a few of my favorite brands and the items they replaced: Osprey Packs has fixed two of my backpacks and replaced one.

Tips That Make a Difference

As a rule, marmot replaced my PreCip rain jacket when the lining started to rip.  (For the 20th anniversary of this jacket, Marmot released the PreCip Eco Jacket made with 100% recycled nylon!) Patagonia replaced a pair of thermals that were unraveling at a seam the day before a large trip! Keen replaced my hiking boots when they started to come apart at the toe.

• All of these brands have earned my loyalty for life for standing by their products.
• Plus, I’m pretty tough on gear since I travel nonstop.
• In short, outdoor companies including The North Face, Patagonia and Copotaxi have programs that allow you to purchase gear made from recycled materials.
• This ranges from jackets to bags.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Each item has a unique color scheme so no two items will be identical! Each company accepts their items for recycling as well to be included in the program.

• Worth noting: clothing brands like Levi’s, Madewell, Zara & H&M offer clothing recycling choices typically in exchange for a coupon. (You bring in a bag of clothes to recycle and get a coupon.) A large percentage of donated items to places like Goodwill end up in landfills so recycling can be a better choice in some cases.
• This NPR story digs into the details.  Misty Fjord, Southeast Alaska The best place to begin researching a company’s environmental practices is their website!
• Almost each single outdoor clothing manufacturer has a sustainability section on their site that digs into their practices ranging from sourcing materials to labor to packaging.
• Another excellent tool is the brand dictionary by a non-profit called Remake that rates companies by their environmental impact.

Is Budget Eco Friendly Travel Worth It?

More importantly, also, check to see if companies contribute to initiatives like 1% For the Planet, where members donate at least one percent of their sales to environmental causes. Focus on supporting companies that care about the planet.

• The packaging is just as key as the product itself.
• PrAna makes my favorite hiking pants and has one of the best responsible packaging movements.
• Remember that beginning in the fall of 2021, their packaging will be 100% plastic free.
• They apply roll packaging with recyclable raffia ties.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Their mailing envelopes are all brown paper. Patagonia also uses brown paper mailing envelopes.

• As a rule, be sure to recycle all packaging material.
• Plastic mailing bags can be recycled at numerous stores including Target and supermarkets like Publix or Food Lion.
• I haven’t bought a mailing envelope in years since I just reuse ones I’ve gotten in the mail.
• I suggest you do the same.

A Closer Look at Budget Eco Friendly Travel

In short, the site allows you to sell directly to the owner with no middle men, and all sales are 100% carbon neutral. The company’s lifetime guarantee covers both new and used products!

• They make my favorite camera strap and lightweight travel tripod!
• There’s no better method to purchase quality camera accessories on a budget!
• Worth noting: how to Get the Best Deals Since both quality and sustainably made clothing aren’t affordable, there are methods to find solid deals on gear.
• End of season sales are the best time to get deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on budget eco friendly travel?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Worth noting: they sell used gear online at a significant discount and their co-op members get store credit for trading in items. (An REI lifetime membership is just $20, and you get annual dividends on your purchases.

Is it worth shopping around for budget eco friendly travel?

Usually yes. Patagonia has a similar program called Worn Wear where you can purchase used gear or trade in for credit for both new or used gear.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. Both programs keep clothes out of landfills and save you 50% off the retail price.

Smart Ways to Save More on Budget Eco Friendly Travel

• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up budget eco friendly travel against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at savingswitch.com.