Reduce Your Environmental Impact w/ These Zero Waste Travel Tips
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Between low-cost airlines and high-speed trains, it's never been easier to travel all four corners of the globe. But while exploring and enriching your life via travel has many rewards, it can also generate a great deal of waste. Here are some tips from local Zero Waste heroes The Bulk House on how to reduce your waste and negative environmental impact as you travel:
Use a digital PDF ticket instead of printing
Almost all airlines offer PDF or QR code tickets, so there is no need to waste paper on tickets. Who even owns a printer these days anyway?
Pack lightly for a more enjoyable trip (also, the lighter the aircraft, the less fuel used)
Packing light and having just one manageable sized bag reduces stress because you're not fighting with too much luggage and because getting dressed in the morning is much easier when you have already edited your wardrobe down to a few, versatile options.
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Bring a reusable bottle and say no to disposables (refill whenever possible)
Drinking out of a quality reusable bottle is much nicer than drinking out of a cheap, plastic throw-away anyhow. Once you're in the habit of asking, you'll find that bars, restaurants, cafés, and airline staff are more than happy to refill your bottle for you as you go.
Prepare snacks and food for the flight (save on plastic waste)
Yup, you can totally bring food onto a flight, provided that it's well-packed, doesn't have a high liquid content, and isn't leaking all over the place. If you're unsure, double check the airline policy beforehand. When the meal tray comes around, simply refuse the individually-wrapped snacks that you don't wish to eat, so they can be re-used later.
Try your own DIY toiletries and save on using plastic containers
Save up any dinky little jars and containers that cross your path, and use them to pack travel-sized portions of your favorite cosmetics and toiletries. Unless you're traveling for a really long time, you don't need an entire bar of soap or bottle of shampoo anyway.
Seek out local farmers' markets and bulk stores when traveling
This one requires a little bit of forward planning, but a few quick online searches will show you where to find farmers' markets and bulk stores are so you can plan your grocery shopping.
Bring your own bags
This rule is kinda the holy grail for zero-wasters. In certain countries, vendors are hardwired to offer you a plastic bag but that doesn't mean you need to accept it: just politely refuse, and ask them to use your own bag instead – easy!
Participate in local zero waste communities and activities
Not only will you meet like-minded people wherever you go, but you may also pick up interesting tips and insights about how different countries and communities do zero waste that you can take back home with you afterward.
Pick up garbage on the beach or when hiking on a mountain
By doing so, you'll be making a real, positive impact on the environment and improving it for people who come after you. Plus, if others see you picking up trash, you may inspire them to do the same, or at least become more careful about how they dispose of their own waste.
Remember: positive action brings positive changes
As a continuation of the previous point, never underestimate the power of influence: your individual actions may seem small, but they can add up to great changes.
Experience more things, buy less stuff
There is a saying that that travel is the only thing you can spend money on that makes you richer. Especially if you spend your money on life-enriching experiences and moments, rather than stuff that's just going to collect dust back home.
Get lost in nature and you will find yourself (or eaten by a bear)
Unplug for a while, go off the grid, and hug a tree. Or a bear.
Be conscious, be responsible, and have the time of your life!
What about you? How will you or how do you reduce waste whilst traveling?
This article which originally appeared on The Bulk House's official WeChat account (ID: THE_BULK_HOUSE_1). You can read it in full here.
Images courtesy of The Bulk House
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