15 Travel Souvenirs We’d Love to See Go Extinct
Did you know the average American spends $50 to $100 on souvenirs per trip? It is good to explore the world, but we pay the price for our footprint and the disruption of local communities when we collect our souvenirs. Many popular mementos are mass-produced, harmful to the environment, or culturally insensitive, leaving a toxic footprint in what should be a positive exchange.
If you’re committed to eco-friendly travel and making thoughtful purchases, this is a list of travel souvenirs we think you should leave behind.
Keychains and Magnets
Souvenirs can almost always be found in any gift shop, but most of the time, they are keychains and magnets produced cheaply using plastics and non-recyclable materials.
Ground-up clothing, powder puffs, and massage oils all threaten the environment in their manufacturing. These souvenirs often turn into landfill clutter. Instead, take advantage of the opportunity to buy keepsakes from local artisans, something original.
Exotic Animal Products
Ivory, seashells, and alligator leather may seem luxurious, but many items are sourced unethically and illegally. Wildlife trafficking is a leading cause of species endangerment, the World Wildlife Fund reports. Choose ethical wildlife photography or eco-tours that do not benefit the exploitative industries.
Single-Use Plastic Items
Whether it’s a plastic snow globe or a flimsy drinking cup branded with a destination’s logo, single-use plastic items are among the worst offenders in the fight against waste. Although these souvenirs bring nostalgia, they contribute to the 268 million tons of plastic waste produced yearly.
Reusable, sustainable alternatives, like locally made pottery and artisan-crafted drinkware, are much kinder on the planet, though.
Replica Artifacts
Many travelers purchase replica artifacts or “ancient-looking” souvenirs without realizing their imitated originals may have been looted. If you buy such items, you risk unwittingly funding illegal trade.
Instead of another factory-made trinket from Amazon, authentic locally crafted artwork, such as pottery or textiles made by artisans, is better.
Miniature Landmark Models
Small and mass-produced statues of well-known landmarks often have no artistic value and are worthless. Rather than, for example, buying a plastic Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, acquire a locally commissioned art print or photo of the landmark—it’s lighter to take with you and more meaningful.
T-Shirts with Slogans
A “My Heart Belongs to Paris” T-shirt is rarely as charming as it seems. These pieces typically come from fast-fashion factories with bad labor practices. Bring back a locally designed or sustainably produced item of clothing.
Coral Jewelry
Climate change, overfishing, and pollution already stress coral reefs enormously. It’s bad enough in its own right through overfishing, but coral harvesting for jewelry is making it worse by destroying sea life and biodiversity. There are many coral alternatives—jewelry created from recycled metals that look as beautiful as glass.
Cheap Trinkets for Kids
Why not support local businesses and give kids gifts that will educate them or create cultural experiences they will cherish for years, such as children’s books you can purchase from local authors or handmade adult toys they can keep?
Over-Sized Souvenirs
While large wooden carvings, bulky rugs, or oversized vases may initially work well for you, they can quickly become a burden.
Many are mass-produced and lack cultural authenticity. Instead, choose smaller and lighter items—eco-conscious jewelry or fabric pieces are great examples.
Synthetic Paints on Fridge Magnets
During manufacturing, magnets are coated with toxic and synthetic paints, which also present risks for improper disposal. Nontoxic, sustainable materials, such as hand-painted magnets, are better-conscious alternatives.
Mass Produced Bamboo or Coconut Shell Utensils
Bamboo and coconut can have lovely rings, but many of the utensils sold in tourist markets have been chemically treated, making them much less eco-friendly.
Look for products from verified ethical suppliers or, even better, buy some currently available reusable travel utensils.
Cultural Symbols Made into Gimmicks
A Buddha statue, as a decoration or dreamcatcher from a non-indigenous maker, often appears insensitive to the regions or cultures from which it comes.
Always research your purchase, and don’t commodify sacred or spiritual items. Instead, pick souvenirs that honor the local culture in a way that respects the traditions of that place.
Destination-Branded Packaging
Plastic-wrapped or branded products with excessive packaging are not sustainable, yet food and beverage products are excellent.
You can also delight your taste buds while enjoying the environment by choosing farmer’s market alternatives with simple, biodegradable packaging.
Plastic Bags with Destination Logos
Too many countries still stock shelves with branded plastic bags that serve as “souvenirs.” These bags, along with nearly 5 trillion other single-use bags discarded worldwide, contribute to the problem. When you travel, consider bringing your reusable tote or buying one locally made to reduce single-use waste!
Chocolate and Coffee Unethically Produced
Chocolate and coffee souvenirs are delicious and a great way to gift your visiting friends and family, but they’re a product of exploited practices for farmers in their communities.
By purchasing from Fair Trade-verified brands, you know you support ethical labor and sustainable farming while you spend your dollars.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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