Traveling without plastic is easier than you think. It is true that it requires a little planning and organization. We are not going to lie to you. But don’t worry because here we leave you
15 tips and recommendations for traveling without single-use plastic.
Responsible tourism
Tourism accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is expected to rise to 40% by 2025 if we do not change NOW. Policies are needed globally and particularly in each country to reduce tourism’s impact on our planet. But it is also our responsibility to reduce our own footprint.
Therefore, by simply “traveling,” we negatively impact the environment. It is necessary to be aware and make a double effort to reduce our impact.
How do we do this? By traveling more responsibly.
Why is it so important to reduce our plastic consumption?
Because our relationship with plastic is out of control! Plastic waste is affecting the health of oceans, animals, and people. Did you know? “The oceans provide us with food, stimulate economic development, regulate the climate, and provide more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe” (Unplastify). We need the oceans, not the other way around.
Planning the key to traveling without plastic
When you live in the same city your whole life, you already know the business that lets you bring your Tupperware to buy in bulk. You have a distributor of drinking water. You go to the usual bar, where you use your reusable straw without any problem.
But if you are going on vacation or you are a nomad like the US, the situation is not as simple. That is why planning is very important. In fact, it is the basis of everything since not all countries offer the same possibilities for traveling responsibly to be equally easy. It is not the same to travel to Southeast Asia or to the mountains in Italy or Switzerland.
That is why, before traveling, get informed! Not only about which places you are going to visit or where the best bars or restaurants are, but also about whether the water in the country is drinkable, whether they have a separate waste collection, and what the country’s relationship with plastics and waste in general is.
15 Simple Ways to Travel Plastic-Free
1. Replace the plastic bottle with a reusable bottle!
We never go without a reusable bottle! We prefer steel ones because they keep the temperature cold and heat up. But they come in various materials, so this is a matter of taste. The important thing is to eliminate the daily consumption of plastic bottles. Did you know that a PET plastic bottle can take up to 1,000 years to disappear?
The benefit will not only be for the planet; we assure you that you will save a lot by avoiding buying all those bottles daily. So, if the destination you are traveling to requires drinkable water, look for the nearest fountain to fill your bottle, and always have it on hand!
2. If you travel to a destination without drinking water, your ally will be the Steripen
In some places, like Thailand, the water is not drinkable. So, finding a plan B to avoid using bottled water is essential. When we stay a long time in one place, like when we were 4 months in Koh Samui, we use an alternative to hire a water distributor.
Every day, we received reusable bottles of drinking water delivered to our home at a super low cost. If not, another alternative, especially when you will be moving around a lot, is the Steripen. This device allows you to purify tap water or water from a river, for example, in seconds.
3. No straws please! Switch to reusable straws
Who doesn’t love smoothies or fruit juices? We are total fans! But that doesn’t mean we’re using plastic straws now and then!
We carry our reusable straws everywhere, and before we travel, we already know how to say “no straw, please” in the local language! Don’t be embarrassed! If you ask with a smile, they won’t have a problem and will understand. What we also usually do is show them that we already have one – especially when there is a significant language barrier –
4. Reusable bags are always on hand! Something you can’t miss when traveling plastic-free
We have several that we have collected around the world: a large one for shopping, a smaller one that we always carry with us, and a mesh one that we use for fruit and vegetables. Don’t forget always to have it on hand!
5. No more disposables! Switch to reusable cutlery
It’s a classic that can’t be missed! It doesn’t have to be made of bamboo or steel. Anyone you already have and can take with you everywhere will do to say no to disposables.
6. Tupperware, a must for traveling without plastic
On your trip, you will need a container! It can be made of steel, glass, or silicone. Whatever you have will be great! The ones we particularly like are the small accordion, which is reversing from our luggage.
You can use it to buy things at a grocery store or even to buy cheese at the supermarket. Remember, it’s vital to ask well so you don’t get a no for an answer!
7. Reusable glasses or cups – no more waste!
If you love coffee or tea, a reusable cup should be in your suitcase. There are options in silicone, steel, and glass, and thousands of colors and formats.
8. Bamboo toothbrush, an excellent alternative for your oral hygiene
Did you know that we use an average of 300 toothbrushes in our lifetime? Imagine if we could replace that plastic with bamboo! It would already be a massive change for the planet.
The automatic toothbrush is another alternative that, although not plastic-free, at least reduces it a little. In this case, only the top part is replaced, so the amount of plastic is much less than that of a normal one.
9. Try a stainless steel razor
I had permanent hair removal a few years ago—the best decision of my life—but Diego shaves weekly, so it seemed essential to change the usual “Gilette” for a reusable steel one.
10. Solid shampoo, an ally for traveling without plastic
Two solutions in one. Less weight and less plastic! Choosing a solid shampoo is a sure win-win. Make sure to use it sometime before you travel so your hair gets used to it. Say goodbye to chemicals in your hair!
11. Plastic-free deodorant
Did you know that deodorant comes in cardboard sticks? There are also glass containers, so no excuses!
12. Menstrual cups and reusable protectors.
Well, let me tell you there is a before and after of trying the menstrual cup! I’m not lying to you; I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that it has changed my life. It was the best thing I could do for my body, wallet, and the environment!
Putting it on at first may be difficult, but don’t worry. There are thousands of videos on the internet that give you techniques on how to do it. They also help you choose the right size for you. You can also replace the regular pads with reusable ones, and they come in a protector version.
