Two of the most asked questions by travelers is how to cut expenses on a trip and how to live sustainably at the same time. Purchasing used gear is an excellent way to go about addressing these challenges.
By buying secondhand gear as much as possible, we ensure that Earth won’t be stressed to maintain providing the resources required to produce more things. There’s practically no vital travel gear that should be purchased brand new.
Here are ways you can decrease your carbon footprint by buying used travel equipment and cut expenses for your trip in the process!
1. Luggage
Luggage is a must when you go for a trip. But it’s also certainly not something you need to purchase new. There are lots of dropped backpacks and suitcases around the globe for us to continually demand newer ones.
It surely can cost a lot, too, when getting them brand new. You may buy used one cheaply on eBay for under $20. So, why not get high quality used backpack or luggage, and save money for your tour instead?
2. Travel Guides
While e-readers have reduced society’s need for hard copies of books, studies reveal that many people are still using printed travel guides for their trips.
You can get used travel books or guides as a smart way to obtain any information you need without spending much money or producing any extra waste on the planet. You can leave these books along the way, too, for other tourists, in airplane pockets or at hotels.
3. Clothing
You don’t need to fork out lots of money on “this season’s hottest top.” You can always find great deals for secondhand clothing on thrift shops, such as Goodwill or Salvation Army.
By doing these, we avoid manufacturers who utilize monoculture or chemically-grown cotton, practice excessive waste production, and abuse workers in sweatshops.
Secondhand clothes are perfect for travel, which is usually harsher on clothing. If your clothing gear gets worn out or no longer fits your preference, you may always leave them after.
4. Cameras and Lenses
Traveling isn’t complete without taking good photos of the picturesque attractions you encounter, which is why a top quality camera is always handy. But, again, you don’t need to invest in newer ones that always come at hefty prices.
There are old cameras you can buy, and they are usually around half the price of the original new model. With proper maintenance, a solid quality camera can last a lifetime.
5. Phones
Mobile phones are regularly deemed essential for any travel traveling. You need to call transportation services and your hotels or accommodations. For those who are inclined to travel blogging, it’s a necessity for real-time management of their social media platforms.
Few numbers of phones would not work outside the country, as big companies like Sprint and Verizon utilizes Code Division Multiple Access (CMDA) networks to lock their devices. So as an alternative, why not buy secondhand phones? They are available at a low price and are already unlocked for trips abroad. Get to enjoy each travel without having to buy a new phone for every country you are visiting.
6. Vans and Cars
If you prefer traveling through road trips or have the goal to reach the 50 U.S. states by land, then fuel-efficient vehicles or caravan may be a necessary investment at any point.
If being on the road is your ultimate dream, you may do it in an eco-friendly fashion by opting to purchase secondhand RVs, camper vans, or cars.
This would be a significant investment. So, it is always better to review the classified ads before forking out a considerable amount of money on something brand new. Secondhand vehicles are a lot cheaper, not to mention a large number of resources you get to save from being unearthed from the planet or just lying and rusting in a junkyard.
7. Camping Gear
Scuba diving, camping, surfing, biking, fishing, skiing or kayaking – regardless of the adventure activity or sport you are planning to take, they all need a massive amount of money for pricey equipment.
Most often this type of stuff are only used once or twice, then abandoned in the bottom of a closet or the attic once the trip is over. That’s undoubtedly a lot of resources, space, and money all going to waste.
When planning to get specialized outdoor tools or equipment, why not buy old ones instead?
While this enables those traveler having a tight budget will be able to get proper gear, it also reduces the amount of waste created for the service of new and most likely temporary activities. After the trip is over, you may opt to use it further or, sell it for other individuals to take its full advantage.
Why Buy Secondhand?
Saving money for a trip is undoubtedly essential for any person. But that is not the main reason why you need to buy used travel gear.
For a good number of years, we failed to recognize is how much impact each one of us all contributed to this widespread consumerism.
Purchasing cheap deals instead of durability and quality makes us continually replacing stuff that must not be in the first place. That is not living sustainably, and it isn’t safe for the planet.
By being a responsible traveler, you can make a big difference by merely purchasing ethical and well-made products to start with. Then, make sure to use them to their full advantage before displacing them. It’s one of the greatest things you can do for Mother Earth. Cutting expenses is only a bonus!
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