Plastic waste is a major problem worldwide, but it’s even more of a problem when traveling. When you’re on vacation, you want to make sure that your packing list is lightweight and fun without having to worry about adding in extra weight or storage space for all the plastic. If you know how to use less plastic while traveling, then you’ll have one less thing to stress about when planning your next international trip! Here are some tips:
Check out local shops for reusable bags and water bottles
In order to use less plastic while traveling, bring a reusable bag. Plastic bags are one of the most common forms of litter in the world, and they’re often used just once before being discarded. If you need to carry items while traveling, bring an old backpack or duffel bag with you instead. You can put your purchases inside it as well as use it for other purposes during your trip (like storing dirty laundry).
Bring a reusable water bottle. A single-use plastic bottle of water will take up space in landfills for thousands of years after its initial use. Instead, bring along something sustainable like this stainless steel Klean Kanteen that can be refilled with tap water wherever possible! If this isn’t possible (for example, if there aren’t any faucets available at all), consider getting bottled water from companies like Aquafina, which use 100% recycled plastic bottles rather than virgin crude oil like Dasani does (and then throw them away).
Bring a reusable coffee mug with you
Bring a reusable coffee mug with you. If you’re going to be buying coffee or tea on the go, choose not to use disposable cups. This way, you will create significantly less plastic waste. Most cafes will give away free refills if you bring in your own cup, so don’t feel like it’s an inconvenience. It’s just good for the environment!
If you have one at home, bring your own travel mug when traveling by plane, train, or bus. This way, there will be less waste created from single-use plastic cups, which are thrown away after each use and never recycled because of their small size (the same goes for lids).
If you go to the gym frequently, consider bringing along your own reusable water bottle instead of buying one every time.
Bring food in reusable containers
Bring food in reusable containers. Whether you’re bringing your lunch to work or packing snacks for a road trip, reusable containers are an easy way to produce less plastic waste.
Bring a reusable water bottle and coffee mug. You’ll never have to worry about buying bottled water again! If you prefer hot drinks, bring along a travel mug so that you can make your own coffee at home before leaving. You could even start making your own tea blends using loose leaves instead of tea bags when brewing at home. This will save money too!
Bring a reusable bag for shopping trips or trips to the beach or park where vendors don’t provide plastic bags. You’ll find they come in handy all the time! It’s also good practice not just because it reduces waste but also because it saves money (and weight) on disposable items like grocery bags which cost around $0.10 each when bought in bulk quantities online through the Amazon Prime Pantry program (which allows free shipping on orders over $35).
Use a camping stove instead of disposable butane canisters
Consider bringing a camping stove if you’re traveling and need a portable one. A camping stove is better for the environment than disposable butane canisters because it can be used over and over again.
Check your local laws before using any type of open flame device in public places like parks or beaches.
Skip ice, and use tap water instead when possible
When it’s possible to do so, use tap water instead of ice. If you’re staying in a hotel or hostel and can access an ice machine, ask for some ice made from the tap rather than plastic cups or bowls. You can also bring your own reusable cup with you (and if you don’t have one yet, check out these options).
If you’re traveling by plane or train, bring along a reusable bottle so that when the stewardess asks if she can fill up your drink with bottled water while they’re making their rounds during turbulence, you’ll be able to politely decline and ask her instead if there are any refill stations nearby where you could refill your bottle instead. If there aren’t any nearby refills available, butane canisters available on board as well as disposable ones. Look into bringing along camping equipment like this portable stove burner which uses fuel cans instead of disposable butane canisters, so that when cooking at home away from home after returning from vacationing abroad doesn’t mean having increased trash output compared to normal cooking habits back home
Find refill stations when you’re traveling by plane or train
Look for refill stations when you’re traveling by plane or train and save the plastic water bottles in your bag.
If you’re traveling by plane, look for a refill station. You can fill up your bottle with drinking water instead of buying a small bottled version.
When traveling by train, look for places where they sell reusable bottles. Bring them with you on board. So when it’s time to purchase some refreshments at the snack bar or cafe car, just ask if they have single-use cups available. And save yourself from using additional plastic! If there aren’t any disposable cups available and only reusable ones are sold (often the case), just say no thanks. Keep walking until someone offers something different (or just wait until after arriving at your destination).
Once back home again: recycle those old plastic bottles!
Conclusion
There is too much plastic waste in the world. It is very important to reduce our use of plastic as much as possible. We all know that plastic doesn’t break down. It just breaks into smaller pieces called microplastics which can be found everywhere, from oceans to rivers and even in our drinking water! We hope that these tips help you to create less plastic waste on your trips!