Travelling can quite often mean buying items for convenience. In light of the new zero waste movement, I thought it may be useful to write some tips about avoiding plastic and creating waste whilst travelling.
- Know your luggage rules – the one things that makes me absolutely raging is when people try to bring gigantic bottles through security. There are so many signs around Stansted about the maximum size of toiletries and I still see people who have been stopped as they haven’t put them in a clear bag or have forgotten about that bottle of water they packed. I play it safe and have my zipper bag of liquids only. As I only take a rucksack, I don’t pack any drinks or full size perfume/shower gels etc. as they will be chucked straight into the bin for being oversized. Checked in luggage may differ but please check the airport’s guidance.
- Pre-pack liquids – I have purchased a clear reusable zipper bag small enough to be approved through airport security. Not only does pre-packing all your liquids make life so much easier when bumbling through security, but it also saves many single use plastic bags if you’re able to invest in one which can be used time and time again. I’m not peerfect; my reusable one is still some sort of plastic but I’m unsure of other alternatives which are clear. If anyone knows, please do let me know!
- Take reusable items – as many people know, millions of single-use, disposable coffee cups, straws and cutlery end up in landfill each year. It is worth investing in a more sustainable option if you are going to be buying drinks or food to-go. Items such as bamboo fibre drinking flasks are available as well as bamboo or metal straws and cutlery items. Your hostel or hotel may offer a breakfast service, but if not, it may be worth taking a lunchbox too which you can also use if you don’t have a bowl (and to keep leftovers if you can’t finish a restaurant meal).
- Use e-tickets – printing a paper ticket can give you peace of mind but isn’t usually necessary with most airlines (although please check). You can scan the QR code on your boarding pass to enter through security and check in online, eliminating the need for a paper ticket. If you have a railcard, these can now be purchased in e-formats so you don’t have to opt for a plastic card. If you’re worried about phone battery, why not purchase a recharging pack?
- Refuse plastic bags – I have noticed that at some supermarkets, you must have a staff member weigh and label your food produce. These tend to be automatically placed in plastic bags which are totally unnecessary, especially when nature creates fruits with peels! If a bag is absolutely necessary (who knows why?) or your produce is loose, then ask if paper is available because at least this can be recycled. Remember your reusable bag for the rest of your shopping!
- Eat or drink in – if you can, choose to sit down and have your food or drinks. As long as the venue is not a fast food establishment, you will cut down on disposable coffee cups and plastic that would otherwise be disposed of after one use. Have a rest and drink up some culture!
- Find local recycling bins – most of the places I have visited are slightly different to the UK. Instead of collecting and recycling within households, recycling can be dropped off at the local recycling bank. These are similar to UK bottle banks and you will usually find separate bins for paper/card, glass and plastics. I usually save my recycling up until the end of the holiday rather than allow hotel staff to collect it where it will (most likely) go to landfill.
- Decline daily linen replacements – if comfortable, tell staff not to change your bed sheets and towels on a daily basis. I don’t change my bed sheets at home on a daily basis, so I don’t need this whilst on holiday. Quite often, laundry is sent out-of-house to be washed and so reusing your towel or keeping the same bed sheets can have an impact. Sometimes hotels give you the choice and will collect your towels and if they are placed on the floor, for example. Failing this, I will always leave a note in rooms and let staff know what I don’t need! This also includes bin liners if they’re ok too.
- Use a face cloth – leave the make-up wipes behind and switch to a flannel or muslin cloth. Face wipes are usually made of plastic fibres and so are not biodegradable or compostable. Making this small switch will help to minimise the waste you create.
- Prepare for all weather – eliminate the need to purchase any extra clothing or items such as sunscreen. I was caught out in Malta by the lower March temperature but the sun was strong! I ended up buying some travel size sun screen for €5 which was very small and expensive. The UK is much cheaper for sun cream so be prepared and pack some in a reusable travel size bottle. Equally, pack multiple layers just in case the weather changes or is not as expected. This way, you won’t need to go to the shops and buy something you don’t really like and only needed for a few days.
- Pack snacks – when I first started travelling alone, I was terrified that I’d be pulled aside by security and told off or fined for bringing through any items I was unsure about such as food. If it’s solid and not a liquid, sauce or paste, it should be okay but please do check your local airport guidance. If I’m not 100% sure what vegan options are available in the airport or destination country I will take snacks in my backpack. Although I still get quite anxious and will nervously declare things like “I’VE GOT AN APPLE IN MY BAG!” at the security staff. If in doubt about anything, be sure to ask. Being prepared with food and snacks will cut back on disposable packaging of food items and drinks – both in the airport and on the plane.
The Solo Vegan 