Digital nomads are a new breed of traveler, thanks to remote work, reliable internet and air transportation. Traveling around the world while working from your laptop can change your life. However, it can also increase you environmental footprint. Being more aware of your travel habits and why you do so can make a huge difference.

CULTIVATING AN ECO-FRIENDLY TRAVEL MINDEX

It’s crucial to consider your intentions and goals before you can travel sustainably as a nomad. This is not a typical vacation. Digital nomads are accustomed to staying in one place for weeks or months. It’s difficult to match expectations with reality if you don’t know why you are taking this kind of trip.

It’s therefore important to ask: What do you hope to gain from the experience? You might, for example, want to meet people who share your interests or learn more about other cultures. Understanding your reasons for traveling in this manner is crucial to making decisions about where and why you travel. Consider what impact you would like to make on the place you are visiting. Are you interested in volunteering? Do you want to support local business or artisans? Take some time to think about this question if you haven’t already.

After you have thought about your goals, you can choose a travel plan that is in line with them.

Travel Footprint Minimization

Giving back to the local economies is the best way to make a trip sustainable. It’s vital that you fund the right causes in another country. The choices you make about where you live, eat and work, can have a significant impact on the locals, even after your departure.

Accommodation

Staying in a local guest house for a week can improve the quality of the life in your destination town, while staying at a US hotel chain may make it more difficult for the local economy. It’s important for any kind of travel but is especially so for digital nomads, who will likely spend more time and money in one region. Search for accommodations on sites that promote sustainable travel. Examples include ecoBnb and kind Traveler.

Work Trades

Traveling and working in a local trade is a great way of supporting the economy. Sites such as Workaway connect travelers with hosts who are interested in cultural exchange.

In exchange for a few volunteer hours, you can usually get your room and board paid for by a work-trade. Most travelers work in touristic centers like hostels or retreats because it’s a great way to meet other travelers and get involved with multicultural communities. You can work on a farm or live with a host family via WOOF.

You can either contribute your skills (such as teaching yoga, designing, coding, or cooking) or learn new ones, such as farming or hospitality. You can check if these places have strong internet connections before you visit. Consider going between projects or work stints.

A work-trade can make your vacation more sustainable and allow you to meet new people. You will also have the opportunity to gain new skills, learn new things, and experience unique adventures that you would not otherwise get on a normal vacation.

Restaurants and Coffee Shops

Opting for a local, independent restaurant over a national chain can also have a positive effect on the locals.

In certain places you will have to be a bit more careful to ensure that the restaurant in question is not owned by an English-speaking expat. It is particularly true in places such as Bali, where a growing number of restaurants are owned by Australians, which means that money is diverted away from the local economy instead of going back to it. You can make a decision by browsing Google reviews or visiting the restaurant to see what they offer and how it feels.

You have to consider more than where you will stay or eat, since you will be working. If you plan to work from home, you should also consider whether the location has a good Wi-Fi signal. You can use the same strategy to find restaurants. If you’re a digital nomad, coffee shops are your first choice. You might also search for keywords such as “wi-fi”, “work”, or similar to see what previous nomads left behind to help guide you. Visit a coffee shop in the country that produces coffee. This will help to support local economies, and it can have a positive effect on workers and farmers.

PACKING FOR CONSCIOUS DIGITAL NOMADS

It’s not a good idea to go shopping and buy more when you are preparing for a life of digital nomadism. Instead, you should invest in sustainable, high-quality essentials you will need.

Luggage Accessories

It’s true that some digital nomads use a backpack to travel. This is a very minimalist approach. This is a good idea, but you will also need a daypack when you go on adventures or work days.

If you want to travel with a laptop, but need more space, then we recommend backpacks designed for business travelers. The Bee & Kin Nomad Backpack features a laptop sleeve for a 16″ laptop, side pockets to hold bottles and accessories, as well as a phone pocket that has a built in charger. It’s perfect for travel and work days at the airport or coffee shops. Bee & Kin produces its products in small batches, which means they do not mass-produce them. They also recycle the excess materials at their factories, reducing their environmental impact.

This bag can be organized with smaller containers like the capsules from Cadence. These TSA approved magnetic capsules can hold wet or dry materials and are leak proof. They’re great for carrying medicines, hand lotion, powders and more. These magnetic capsules are made from post-consumer material and durable enough to last a very long time.

A set of reusable cutlery is another essential digital nomad item. You can find these easily, such as this bamboo set by Package Free. At only $10, you’ll be able to avoid plastic utensils in airports, restaurants and anywhere else you might find yourself.

Bath and Body

The products you bring with you can also help you reduce your carbon footprint.

If you buy a lot of travel-sized toiletries, it can lead to more waste. Reusable travel bottles, on the other hand, can be used again and again. Kitsch Ultimate Travel includes a spray bottle and pump bottle as well as mini jars and flat pouches. You can refill these items with hotel soaps or, even better, zero-waste toiletries. Kitsch’s products are as sustainable as possible. All of their products are recyclable, reusable or biodegradable.

The travel pack also meets TSA requirements for carry-on and is dishwasher safe. Another great option is packaging-free shampoos and soaps. We love the solid bars from Kitsch which smell incredible, as well as this options by New Zealand-based Ethique.

Apparel

You can be prepared for any situation that may arise in your digital nomad lifestyle by packing the right clothes. Choose athleisure clothing that is both durable and versatile so you can use it in a variety of situations.

Girlfriend Collective, for example, makes clothing from recycled water bottles. It’s soft and comfortable. Wear the Tommy Cropped Bra at any time, whether you’re going to a yoga class or lounging around by the pool. luxe Legging are also great for work, planes, and other occasions. ReGirlfriend is another reason why you should love this brand. allows you to send back used Girlfriend products and receive a $15 credit.

A hat that offers sun protection is another digital nomad must-have, especially when you are planning to do outdoor volunteer work or go on adventure days. The Colorado-based Wallaroo Hat Company has a mission to educate and prevent skin cancer. Their line of Mexico Hats is made from compostable Palm Fiber, so they can be diverted away from landfills.

LONG-TERM TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY

Traveling as a digital nomad is not the same as a normal vacation, because you are working and spending more time in one area. This can have both a negative and positive impact. For example, more flights, more consumption or longer stays in a particular area.

Digital nomads can leave their destination better than when they arrived. Digital nomading is rewarding for you and the people you meet.