Spring is here and it’s time to plan your next Road Trip! I’m sure you read my recommendations on how to green your ride, and if you haven’t, you should and I’ll wait…I’m waiting… oh, you’re back! Good!! OK, so now that you know the basics and are thinking of the things you want to bring to make your ride more comfortable, I wanted to share with you a list of eco-friendly & reusable items that you need to have with you.
Packing food, snacks and drinks is totally mandatory when road tripping. I don’t know about you but I get really cranky when my stomach is growling 😉 But what do you use? Plastic containers? Certainly not!!! So here are some ideas.
Containers for food
I think glass containers are the best. They are a bit on the heavy side, but they mostly stay in the car and are sturdy enough to not break, so no big deal. The really good thing is that you can see through and know instantly what’s in there and how much is left of those handmade power balls you prepared. These Onyx container have a steel vacuum seal lid so they are water and air tight to keep food fresh.
They obviously come in different size and shape but if you’re going to get a few of them, take the same shape so they stack easily. And make sure they fit in your cooler when stacked!
Another tip? Get a few in smaller sizes rather than a big one. The small ones usually fit in hotels’ mini fridge if needed.
The other reason I like them so much is that I can use them at home, not just when on the road. The glass is heat resistant which mean you can cook in them and they look good in my fridge!!
Even when these containers get a bit dented, they look super cool.
They come in all size and shapes so the choice is yours. But like with the glass containers, think of the stacking possibilities.
Stainless steel containers are preferable to glass containers if your road trip includes hiking and picnics. In which case, you could consider a lunch box like the ones pictured here.
Note that, these are not 100% leak proof because they don’t have any plastic gaskets or other added synthetics. I don’t think it’s a big issue as long as you remember it!
Containers for drinks
Here stainless steel is kind of a must. There are some glass water bottle out there but, well, they are glass so if they are not well protected, they might not survive very long, especially on a bumpy road trip.
Within the stainless steel range, they are again endless options of size, shapes and designs to chose from.
Here are a few tips on how to choose the best one for yourself:
– Make sure it is double insulated.
– Mouth piece are nice but they are usually plastic… your choice.
– a wide opening is great as it allows to see what’s going on inside and makes it easy to clean the bottle.
– Don’t take a huge one if you’re going to carry it around.
– Find one that fits in your bottle car holder!
Don’t forget to let your bottle dry out before putting it away when you are not using it.
I’m not addicted to drinking with a straw, except for my green juices and my mojitos 😉 but I still carry mine around in it’s little pouch and it’s doing just fine.
And remember glass or stainless steel straws are much more hygienic than plastic straws.
Coffee time!
Morning coffee is non negotiable. Whether we are camping or staying in hotels, I have to have a coffee before heading out. Unfortunately, even when staying in hotels, you don’t always have what’s needed to have a proper coffee. The truth is that a lot of them do not provide coffee makers, and if they do, they sometimes have ridiculous small cups or even worst, plastic ones! Call me a snob or a hipster, I don’t care, I can’t do coffee in plastic. Well, I can’t do wine in plastic either but that’s a French thing 😉
So yes, when road tripping, I carry around what’s necessary! No antique chinaware but nice but sturdy mugs usually travel with us. Alternatively, enamel mugs will do! They’re is a ‘je ne sais quoi‘ feeling to drinking in an enamel mug. It’s a bit old fashion and it almost feels like an adventure!
When we were in Sweden, we found some wooden cups which looked so cool. I kind of regret not buying some. They looked just like this one. They are made from birch wood so it doesn’t come much more eco-friendly than that!
And if you are wondering, indeed I also carry around a small kettle!!
Cutlery
I really like these Ecosoulife ones. They are made 100% from botanical ingredients (corn, starch, bamboo and rice husks) and the set includes all the basic needs. These are biodegradable but they are still very resistant and can even go in the dishwasher.
A bit pricey but a much more durable choice than the palm leaf plates. 
On short road trips, I often just bring regular cutlery and we simply eat from our lunch boxes. On longer road trips, it’s nice to have plates and bowls.
The mandatory statement: The above pictures are products sold on Amazon. If you click on those you will be redirected to Amazon and if you decide to buy something, I will get a small commission through the Amazon Affiliated program.
Enjoy your next road trip and keep it green!
