As we continue to become more conscious of our footprint on planet Earth, we search for ways to cut down, eliminate, and be more mindful of the things that harm our environment. As you are well aware, one of the worst killing machines is plastic.
The effects of plastic waste on the environment is putting our world at risk. It litters our oceans, killing our marine ecosystems. Annually, up to eight million tons of plastic is dumped into the oceans every year. Meaning your briefly used bags and straws are likely to be floating along the water or living their days on a secluded island right now. Also, it’s estimated that in 30 years time there will be more plastic than fish in the sea.
Basically, we just need to eliminate plastic use altogether.
At this point, it’s not enough to use plastic with the intention of recycling it afterwards. Most countries lack the infrastructure and money to recycle, with 91% NEVER being recycled globally. Even putting items in a recycling bin does not guarantee it will be recycled or reused.
Think about this: the amounts of plastic spread around the world from the 1950s and beyond will form a noticeable line in the sedimentary rocks of our future. Ew. What a way to leave our mark on the world.
As travelers, let’s take responsibility and strive for more kind and conscious travel as we explore the world. Let’s vow to cut down on our waste. Here’s some amazing ways to get the ball rolling to using less plastic while you travel.
Note: Some of the links below contain affiliate links. This doesn’t increase the cost of any item to you, but simply means that I’ll receive a small commission of any sales from those links. But don’t worry — I only share products that I love and trust!
Use a bamboo toothbrush
Roughly, 3.5 billion toothbrushes are sold every year. What’s your typical toothbrush made out of it? Yep, you guessed it — plastic. Luckily, there’s a beautiful alternative to the traditional toothbrush: bamboo toothbrushes. Coming from the fastest growing plant in the world, it is extremely sustainable and bio-degradable.
Pack a canvas bag
A plastic bag’s lifespan is, on average, 12 minutes. Yep, a bag that can take thousands of years to decompose proves itself useful for just 12 minutes.
Join the fight against plastic bags and start using canvas bags. Made of cotton or linen, canvas bags are an excellent alternative. Keep one rolled up in your purse or backpack at all times and you’ll never need to use a plastic bag. Plus, they’re way more stylish, not to mention kinder. 😉
Use friendlier deodorant
Better yet, use plastic AND aluminum-free deodorant and treat your body as well as the world better. A wonderful choice for finding natural, kind deodorant is Lush (and I wish someone was paying me to say that!). T’eo and Aromaco are their package-free options, and they work very well. You can use your own biodegradable packaging for storage or you can purchase a tin from them for a few dollars.
Here’s an amazing Amazon option that’s packaged in an eco-friendly cardboard material.
Ditch the take-away cup
Simplest way to cut down on one of the worst single-use items around? Drink the beverage where you purchased it. Why the hurry?
However, if you absolutely need to do take-away and don’t have a reusable cup with you, ask for your beverage without a lid. But do note that most paper-based cups have a thin, plastic lining around them, so it’s still not a perfect alternative.
Cut down on waste by purchasing a reusable cup. There’s plenty available online and in local shops. This Earth Bottles coffee cup is a great option for travelers.
Switch to bamboo cutlery and straws
Getting items for takeaway usually results in the server handing you over a set of plastic cutlery enclosed with your food in yet another plastic bag. Opt for bamboo cutlery by having a set with you.
Then, don’t forget about straws. It’s 2019 and we should be beyond the plastic straw by now. Use bamboo, metal, or cardboard straws instead.
Say goodbye to tampons and hello to the menstrual cup
Women, not only is the menstrual cup a huge money saver, but it’s environmentally friendly compared to its plastic-wrapped predecessor. Tampons come individually wrapped in plastic and, not only that, but the applicator itself is, too. Nope, nope. Menstrual cups are made of silicone, and they’re safe for the body. Tampons, on the other hand, aren’t as safe.
Another alternative is reusable cloth menstrual pads. Perhaps not the best option for traveling as discreetly cleaning them might be more difficult, but I thought it was an interesting alternative to traditional pads. I would love to hear thoughts from anyone who has tried this method.
Switch from plastic bottles to an eco-friendly refillable one
It’s estimated that a typical plastic water bottle takes 450 years to biodegrade. That means every single plastic bottle ever manufactured (unless burnt) still exists today. The HIP water bottle is a lovely option for travelers.
Use kinder toiletries and switch to solid products
Reusable, carry-on approved toiletry bottles are an excellent idea. Whenever you’ve used up all the product, rinse it out and refill the bottle.
Another alternative are package-free products. Once again, Lush is an incredible option for this. They have many package-free solid shampoos, conditioners, face washes, moisturizers, and soaps and you can keep them safe and fresh in one of their tin containers. Here’s a list of all their package-free products.
Every time I travel I break off pieces of my solid products, place them into little reusable containers, and plop them into my toiletry bag. Not only do they hardly consume any space, they’re insanely convenient, and less messy than liquid products. Win, win, win!
A special goodie: Check out this vegan waste-free sunscreen from a small business on Etsy.
Do the best you can
As long as single-use plastic exists, we will still come across it whether we want to or not. It’s hard to completely eliminate plastic waste from our travels, but being more conscious and using the above alternatives is absolutely several steps in the right direction. As the saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
#PassOnPlastic
Happy travels, fellow explorers!
Have any more tips on cutting down on plastic waste while you travel? Share in the comments below!
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