I was called to share my top ways of having less waste while traveling by my friends at Suntribe Sunscreen! We all have a pretty good idea by now on how to produce less waste while being at home. Composting, drinking tap water, using table cloths instead of paper towels, buying in bulk, etc. but what about keeping it low-waste when we hit the road?
It might be a little harder to travel with less waste. Especially because we are so used to the convenience and spontaneous decisions! Well, traveling with less waste will definitely require some extra preparation and some additional thinking. But stay put, it’s worth it!
Before we begin, let me point this out: zero waste traveling is technically impossible – the fuel used to get you from point A to point B creates waste! But it’s pretty easy to do your part to create less waste by being mindful of a few simple things while traveling. (and I’m not just talking about the waste that we see. I’m also talking about the diet we enjoy! Eating a plant-based diet significantly lowers your carbon footprint!
Life Cycle Assessment and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Animal Agriculture (video)
EU agricultural emissions: On the table (video)
Traveling with less waste. Here are my 5 suggestions we can all start utilizing today:
Bring food in reusable containers!
While this might seem like a pain in the booty, just think about all of the fast food and takeout waste that you’ll reduce by preparing your own meals and snacks. Not only that, but you can have all of your favorite foods while you’re away from home. Some of my favorite things to take along with me are dried fruits, veggie sticks, nuts and seeds, roasted chickpeas, and energy balls. I also tend to carry my reusable water bottle with me everywhere I go, and most cafes are happy to refill it for you.
Eat at restaurants that work ethically.
Dining at local and family-owned restaurants is also so good! You can always tell how much they actually care where their produce is coming from, usually sourced as close to home as possible and they also usually make most of their food right at the spot!
Visit the local farmers market!
Wherever I travel, I always love visiting the locals market. It is where the true magic happens, you get to meet interesting people as well as try the local goods! Bring your own bag, bottle or a cup if you want to try some drinks. Kindly refuse the extra packaging on the souvenirs that you buy =)
Read more about supporting the local communities (click)
Pack eco-friendly toiletries!
Shampoo bottles, plastic toothbrushes – all of our favorite beauty products are made from non-biodegradable materials like plastic, which is a huge burden to landfills. While you can recycle your empty bottles rather than toss them in the trash can, plastic can only be recycled once before it’s sent off to the landfill anyway, so why don’t we just avoid that altogether by finding a minimal waste alternative? Some ideas:
Metal razors
Bamboo toothbrushes
Squeeze travel bottles
Menstrual cup ~ I love Ruby Cup! (15% off till Nov 30th)
Soap bars
Take your bottle!
Yes, I said it. Water bottles are one of the greatest pollutants in our oceans. It is the most simple thing in the world to take your reusable water bottle with you. I recommend the Hydroflask. It keeps the hot water hot and the cold water cold.
Read more about ocean pollution and the biggest sources.
And, a few more tips:
Anything else that pops in your mind? Feel free to share! Meanwhile, check out my beautiful supporter ~ Suntribe Sunscreen.
Use a mobile boarding pass
Ask for receipts to be texted or emailed to you if possible
Put your carry-on liquids in a reusable bag, or if you use a Ziploc bag, save it to use as many times as possible
If you’re eating out, try to eat at a restaurant instead of on the go to avoid excess food wrapping
If you’re staying in a place where you can cook, enjoy the experience of going to a local market and cooking a simple, fresh meal
Why I love Suntribe?
Mineral UV-filter (Non-Nano Zinc Oxide)
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Mineral UV-filter (Non-Nano Zinc Oxide)
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Mineral UV-filter (Non-Nano Zinc Oxide)
Pure and rich formulas. Not diluted with water.
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If you happen to be in a search of a natural sunscreen, make sure to use the code “alenka” for an extra 15% off your entire order!
What do you think? Share your plastic-free moments with me over Instagram! I would love to share them with my stories. And help me spread the word, by sharing this blog post on your plastic-free Pinterest boards:
And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest too!
More about Alenka
“My name is Alenka and I’m a Squamish based photographer. I love using my medium to capture sports, adventures, underwater shots, adventures in the mountains and days on snow! Very simply put, I’m one stoked girl, ready to get up at 2 in the morning and hike for sunrise, go to the airport and take a random flight…you name it!
Photography, web design and digital marketing have been things I’m proud to call my job lately! Very flexible, lots of traveling and even more adventures than when I was a kid. Here, on my website I share tips on photography, spreading awareness about the zero-waste lifestyle and sustainability and crazy stories from my travels. Welcome.”
Editing photos
Photography (free mini-course)
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