Let’s learn to travel without plastic
There are several strategies to reduce your plastic footprint when on vacation, or a work trip. Some are just common sense, while others are a little more inventive. As usual, the goal is to make it enjoyable and gratifying rather than a job. Do not be too hard on yourself if things don’t go exactly as planned, but preparing ahead can help a lot. In my experience, there are three major aspects to consider while traveling, regardless of whether you are traveling by automobile, public transportation, or walking, and whether you are self-catering or staying in a hotel:
We carry our bottles of water, bamboo cutlery, and at least one reusable shopping bag with us whenever we leave the home. We must have saved hundreds of plastic bottles, carrying bags, and cutlery just by using these three products. This is a list of goods that may be included in your basic travel kit:
We go with our own packed lunch and beverages because it is so difficult to find ready-made meals and drinks without plastic wrapping. It’s not as difficult as you may think if you keep it simple like some sandwiches, cheese, fruits, almonds, chestnuts and other dry fruits. Carry plenty of water, which may also be used to wash sticky hands, as well as a flask of hot tea.
While flying, remember to empty your water bottle before going through security. Once in the departure lounge, you may refill it. You are permitted to bring your own food on board a plane. Don’t rely on pricey airport cafes or food trolleys for sandwiches and beverages – it’s a plastic nightmare.
Strangely, if you are on a lengthy road trip, fast food restaurants might be handy for a quick paper-wrapped supper that won’t break the wallet.
Markets are an excellent option to buy without using plastic while on vacation, particularly on the continent. Find out about local markets around you and make sure you know what day they are open before you go.
Instead of supermarkets, shop at local grocery stores. When shopping for freshly produced foods, you may make excellent use of your lunch boxes. If you’re feeling brave, you may take a large covered pot from your vacation kitchen to the market. Always select unpackaged products over-packaged items, next cardboard and paper, and lastly plastic if there is no other option.
Whether eating out, keep an eye out for additional bits of plastic. Individual plastic milk pods and individually wrapped cookies with your coffee, plastic bottles, plastic straws, plastic wrapped hot towel after an Indian dish, takeaways with plastic cutlery, the list is extensive. So many plastic goods go unnoticed until they are handed to us, and even then, we forget that we may simply decline them and return them. If you need something to eat with your evening drink, grab a tiny starter instead of the usual chips and peanuts.
Finally, here’s a pro advice for dealing with the trash while on vacation: Food scraps and anything wet, such as coffee grounds and egg shells, should be placed in one of your lunch boxes or wrapped in newspaper and thrown away at the end of the day. Glass and cardboard should be recycled as normal, and any other dry trash should be placed in a paper shopping bag. You’ll stop using plastic garbage bags entirely.