The biggest obstacle to sustainable practices is being caught unprepared. You go out to dinner after work and cannot finish your food, you have no to-go containers on you and the restaurant only has Styrofoam to-go boxes. You see a farmer stand and want to grab a few items but have no bag. This is why you have a sustainable go bag with emergency essentials.
To start a successful to-go bag, it needs to be a bag you can take with you everywhere, however, it might be a good idea to determine your bag after you see what should be in it and can be combined with a purse. However, I am making a distinction between a purse and a go bag.
Sustainable Essentials List
1. Reusable Straw
Reusable straws come in all lengths and materials. I would find one that appeals to you and you can fit it in your bag. I would recommend taking a hard look at your drinking habits before purchasing a straw. If it is mostly thin liquids, a normal-diameter straw is fine, but if you like milkshakes, smoothies, or boba tea, get a wider-diameter straw to have on hand. I also recommend a straw that has a case, because it will prevent your straw from breaking or bending in the bottom of your bag.
2. First Aid Kit
I always have a first aid kit on hand. This is up to you what you want in your first aid kit because as of right now, I cannot find a sustainable first aid kit. Take a look at your self for the past year and what items might be useful to you.
Bandages
For sustainable bandages, fabric bandages that are compostable are ideal.
Chapstick
If you choose to have Chapstick as a sustainable essential in your bag or first aid kit, look for a chapstick that has clean ingredients and is either refillable or a compostable container.
Medicine
For over-the-counter medicines, I would grab the largest bottle from a Costco or Sam’s Club and put it in a smaller container in my bag. It’s more sustainable than having those individually wrapped pills.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must in a first-aid kit. When looking for a sustainable sunscreen you look for clean ingredients, and a refillable container, compostable container, or repurposeful container.
Lotion
For lotion I keep it in a first aid kit or a go-bag, I like lotion bars. Lotion bars are not in danger of getting lotion all over your bag due to being squished and the lid falls off. You use a lotion bar by rubbing the bar directly on your skin.
Bug lotion
Sustainable bug repellent is a must. I use this item all throughout the spring, summer, and fall. You put a little on your ankles, elbows, and on your neck. It works wonderfully and I have never had a problem.
Wound Salve
Women’s Menstrual Products
If you use menstrual products, they should be in your first aid kit, and honestly, it’s a good idea to have some on hand even if you do not use them because, in an emergency situation, you will be asked for some. That is a great time to educate about sustainable menstrual products.
3. Glasses Cleaning Cloth
If you wear glasses or use sunglasses, having the microfiber cleaning cloth prevents you from using tissues, paper towels, the individual wet glasses wipe, etc. to clean your glasses. It’s a simple but effective way to be more sustainable.
4. To-Go Container
You might be wondering, why not Tiffins?! Well, Tiffins are a great option too as they are made from stainless steel and all clip together. If you have room in your bag for Tiffins and find yourself using all three containers, by all means, keep up the good work. Otherwise, I would use a collapsible container to save some space.
5. Cloth Napkin
Cloth napkins serve a dual purpose. They are napkins and you can wrap your cutlery to keep in your bag. They also make great sustainable tissues. I would look for some cloth napkins at yard sales, estate sales, and antique stores/flea markets. There are plenty of them out there to find.
6. Reusable Utensils
Utensils for your go bag do not need to be anything special. You could wrap an old utensil set in napkins and keep them in your bag. You can also get utensils from a good will or other thrift store and wrap them in cloth.
7. Water Bottle/Coffee Tumbler
I found both a collapsable coffee cup and a water bottle. The coffee cup above will collapse with the straw. The only advise I would give is to be careful when putting the lid on. It is collapsable and if it is full of hot coffee and you push down, it might be a disaster. If that is a concern for you, I would just find a tumbler you like that will fit in your bag.
This is a collapsible water bottle. This is essential for your bag. It does not take up a lot of room and will save a lot of plastic from water bottles. Fill at your convenience with water or other beverages.
8. Reusable Shopping Bag
Reusable shopping bags are sustainable essentials now as plastic bags are being phased out. I like to keep a few in my sustainable go bag in case of an impromptu shopping trip. The above bags fold up small to not take up too much space in your bag.
9. Produce Bags
Similar to the idea behind the reusable shopping bags, we have produce bags. They can be used for anything. You found a new bakery to stop at, you have a bread bag. You stop at a farmers market stand, you have produce bags. Your co-worker brings in a popcorn tin and you want to take some home, Boom! You have a bag for it, making produce bags a sustainable essential.
10. Fountain Pen
Everyone has a pen, so for sustainabilitys sake you must carry a sustainable pen. A fountain ben is a refillable pen that writes well and adds a bit of class to whatever you are doing. There is some special care involved in having a fountain pen but it is well worth the effort. This is a Sustainable Essential.