How to waste less while travelling
How to create less waste while travelling
Do you worry about your waste footprint?
Want to use less and reduce waste while you’re travelling?
Here are some tips to help you to waste less while you’re travelling.
Reusable Cutlery
When I order take out or have left overs from a restaurant I skip the plastic disposable cutlery and go with my own reusable cutlery set with a case.
This is a complete set including 2 straws. What I like about it is that it comes in a nice little case that zips up to make sure that your cutlery stays clean as you travel. It’s small and compact too.
Gotta love the spork! Lol!
Have you heard of it, it is a classic! A 3-in-1 piece of cutlery.
There is a spoon on one side, a fork on the other, and on the side of the fork is a mini knife.
It’s great if you don’t want to bring a whole set, and need to save on space.
Obviously, this doesn’t work when you need to use a fork and knife to eat at the same time though. 😆
It’s plastic, whereas the other set is stainless steel, so that could be another deciding factor for you.
Reusable Straw
Have you noticed the movement over the past several years – no straws.
I have even seen beachfront restaurants where the staff’s uniform says ‘no straws’ on it!
Many restaurants have stopped using plastic straws.
Some restaurants are offering bamboo straws or biodegradable straws, whereas other restaurants and bars do not offer straws at all.
So, if you love a straw while you sip your lemonade or daiquiri in the sun, then you can bring your reusable straw.
It’s very compact because it expands and collapses into the small size you can see in the photo. There are rubber ends to make it easier on your teeth and a little cleaning brush too!
It also has a little loop so you can clip it onto a hook or string if you like.
If that’s not enough for you, or you’re travelling in a group, then you can get this 12-pack of stainless steel straws.
What’s nice about this set is that there are 4 different sizes and shapes of straws. There are straws for if you’re using a shorter tumbler versus a big water bottle.
It also has a cleaning brush and a little pouch to store them in to keep them together and clean.
Reusable water bottle
Another way to reduce waste while you’re travelling is to reuse a water bottle.
I like to have it with me in my carry on bag.
That’s why I choose this small collapsible water bottle.
It’s made of a type of foldable silicone. Yes, it’s BPA free too.
I like that it fits in my bag easily and it has loops to keep it collapsed and compact when I’m travelling.
If that’s too big for you, then you can try this foldable plastic water bottle which is even more compact.
What I find helpful about this one is that it will stand like a regular water bottle when it is filled with water, but it doesn’t keep the shape you roll it of fold it up.
You can choose between 3 sizes of this foldable water bottle too.
Reuse your towel and sheets
I have stayed at some hotels that have signs about towels. They say to put the towels on the floor if you want fresh ones. otherwise they will leave the towels that you have.
This is all in an effort to reduce water usage and waste in general. I think that this is a great way to reduce the use of water after using a towel once.
For me, sometimes I tell the cleaning staff that I don’t need my room cleaned daily, just replenish the supplies that I am low on.
I find it’s the little things like this that add up to make a difference.
Changing the bed sheets is another option.
You could ask the hotel not to change your sheets daily.
You could chat with the front desk or cleaning staff about this.
Take the bus
Instead of taking a taxi everywhere you go, if it’s safe, take the bus or shuttle.
This way you are commuting with a group of people, rather than each person in their own vehicle.
It’s also often a cheaper option as well.
I know that sometimes the bus, subway, shuttle, train or other forms of public transportation may not work for you.
Maybe you’re travelling very early, or to a remote destination, or you’re in a large group.
If you’re able and you feel that it’s safe, why not save some money and reduce the pollution to the environment.
Use an e-sim cards
Imagine how many sim cards are in a landfill…
This is the perfect example of how little things can add up… literally.
Airalo to the rescue! It’s a website and Airalo phone app that you can use to get a digital sim card.
No physical sim card needed!
They have packages for different countries, continents and even a world wide e-sim card.
All you have to do is download the Airalo phone app then pick your destination.
A whole lot of convenience and no waste!
Pack a cloth laundry bag
If you’re travelling for a long time, you may consider packing a laundry bag.
Instead of using plastic bags to gather your laundry, use a resuable bag.
You can get 2 laundry bags with handles to hold your dirty clothing or an even bigger XL pack of 2 laundry bags.
If you’re travelling on a longer trip, check out my other tips on how To Be prepared for a long trip.
These bags can also double as an extra piece of luggage for all of your gifts and clothing that you bought during your travels.
Of course, I wouldn’t pack anything breakable in these bags as they do not have any padding or protection.
Use reusable toiletry containers
I usually buy 1 litre bottles of shampoo and conditioner, so I also have these small travel-sized travel toiletry container.
I put my shampoo, conditioner, face wash and moisturizing cream in them.
They are leak proof, so no accidental waste of your products. Also, they are BPA free.
These small travel jars are also BPA free. They are silicone and leak-proof too.
These are small-sized containers and the lids screw on and off.
I think this is great because sometimes other types of lids can pop open during a flight in a suitcase.
Transportation choices
Getting around, obviously, there are many different choices depending on where you are headed.
Walking, if it’s safe, is always a great option. Personally, I love walking. I see things that I wouldn’t see if I was in a taxi driving by. It’s also a healthy choice.
The local city buses or regional buses are also another affordable option where you’re also causing less pollution because you’re commuting.
Taking the train, subway or shuttle are also other choices where you’re usually travelling with a group of people. Therefore, you’re wasting less gas and causing less pollution.
Horse and buggy is another option in some tourist destinations. This can be super fun or romantic, depending upon who you’re with.
There are also bicycle taxis with a trailer in the back at some destinations.
These are all options of transportation that save on gas, and causes less waste while travelling.
Choose reusable tote bags
I always pack 1 or 2 reusable tote bags.
I do this for several reasons that I will explain here.
- Many grocery stores do not give out bags anymore, so you need to bring your own.
- If a store does give out plastic bags, you can opt out, and use your reusable tote bag.
- If I bought a lot of gifts, clothing or souvenirs, this is a good way to pack them for the plane, train or car ride back home.
- If I buy something breakable, I will use a bag to protect it. I will either put it in the bag and double it, or roll it up in the bag.
- It can double as a beach bag for your wet clothing or thing that you buy at the beach.
- It can be a bag for dirty laundry to keep them separated from your clean clothing.
At the hotel
There are many little things that can be done to reduce waste while you’re at a hotel or many accommodations.
Share the elevator with some other guests.
Turn off the lights when you’re not using them and when you go out.
Unplug the appliances that you are not going to use.
I always unplug the microwave and sometimes the alarm clock too.
It’s partly to reduce waste, but also to get rid of those bright glowing lights as I try to sleep. So – double bonus.
Of course, I already mentioned that you can use the same towels and sheets for more than 1 day.
Check your temperature. What is the heat or air conditioning set to?
Are you happy with that temperature, or adjust it to reduce waste and keep you more comfortable.
Same goes for fans. Some countries have turbo fans in the hotel rooms, there are often different speeds.
Check out which one is the most comfortable for you, and reduces waste.
Consider when you can turn off these appliances to reduce wasted energy.
Buying food
Choose food that doesn’t have too much packaging.
Get loose vegetables and fruit rather than ones that come in styrofoam or plastic containers if you’re buying groceries while you’re travelling.
Consider buying 1 or 2 pieces of tupperware if you’re staying for a while.
The containers can double as a plate, container or a ziploc bag.
If you’re eating out and getting left overs, you could consider the packaging that your take out food comes in.
You could ask for no bag, or less packaging.
Sometimes, I have asked them to wrap the leftover pizza or sandwich in tinfoil, as opposed to a big styrofoam box.
Go Digital
Instead of getting paper confirmations, receipts and documents, choose to have them emailed to you instead.
This way you will have less paper to shred or dispose of.
When you go to the ATM machine to take money out, you could request no receipt, or an emailed receipt if you don’t need a physical copy.
If you don’t need receipts from stores, restaurants, hotels and more consider saying no, when they ask if you would like a receipt.
Every little piece of paper saved can help to reduce waste while you’re travelling.
You can organize your electronic receipts in a digital folder to keep track of them.
Group tours
Book a group tour or excursion.
This way you are commuting to get there and back.
A perfect example of this is when you go on the tour to enjoy the Longest Suspension Bridge in the World!
Canopy River will pick the guests up at shuttle pick up points and drop off as well.
Think of how much money that saves, as well as gas and pollution from separate taxis.
You can book tours and excursions in advance to make sure that you have a spot on the shuttle or boat well in advance with Viator.
How do you reduce waste while travelling?
Is there a new tip that you will start bringing into your daily routine while travelling?
Which tip or tips do you already do?
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also a travel writer, Amazon author and an English teacher. Check out my services here!
