Although basically the trip itself, especially if you take the plane, the train and others, is not eco-responsible, it is still possible to limit your waste consumption, and so become an eco-friendly traveler !
In this article then, I will explain to you how to travel zero waste, what is the point and where to start! You will see that in the end it is quite simple, you just need to think about it and get started! 🙂
Why be or become eco-responsible when traveling?
When traveling, especially abroad, we unfortunately tend to be less observant. Finally, in reality, it’s because we are more or less forced to consume, whether for a question of practicality, of savings, or simply because we don’t think about everything.
However, traveling is a very polluting activity ! Between planes, buses and other means of transport that pollute, or the waste that we throw away in certain countries or places, travel is far from having a zero waste carbon footprint!
Some countries are already polluted, so there is no point in adding more, and if you are used to taking a few actions in your daily life, then you can do it in other places on the planet too!
How to reduce waste when traveling?
There is in fact any a range of eco-responsible travel accessories, which help reduce waste, even when traveling! I will present some of them to you, to give you something to explore if you want to go zero waste, even when you go abroad! Particularly with the help of very specific accessories, materials or equipment!
7 accessories for zero waste travel!
There are lots of products that you can replace while traveling to go zero waste. I will not review hygiene products in your travel toiletry bag, that will be the subject of another article, I will really focus on the hardware.
Solar chargers:
Among the equipment to take, solar chargers are essential. Electricity is a polluting energy, and we can avoid consuming it abroad by using solar energy and a suitable charger. There are also portable batteries based on the same principle. This will allow you to charge your devices, and more, while reducing pollution from electricity.
Washable wipes:
Large or small, as much for hygiene as for anything else, for women as for men, washable and reusable wipes are essential! We avoid paper towels, but also makeup remover pads or other cotton pads, etc.
The filter bottle:
Essential, and undoubtedly the preferred accessory for eco-responsible travel, the filter bottle ! It also makes it possible to make the water drinkable, but above all to avoid purchasing plastic bottles on site. More explanations in this voyageons.top article: https://www.voyageons.top/meilleure-gourde-filtrante-voyage/
Food boxes:
I recently wrote an article about food storage boxes, they allow you to transport food. Ideal when traveling if you are having a picnic, because it avoids pockets and other packaging.
Cutlery:
Of course, with the food box, you will need Covered ! Note that this cutlery can also be used in restaurants for reasons of hygiene, and of course in food trucks or others who would like to give you plastic cutlery!
Reusable cups:
To drink, again in establishments such as restaurants, but also bars, in hotels or even in youth hostels, a reusable cup will help avoid waste such as plastic glasses that are found almost everywhere.
Reusable straws:
Finally the reusable straws, especially for children when traveling, will allow them to drink without hygiene concerns by drinking directly from the glass or can (I advise against it!), but above all plastic waste once again!
Other ecological travel products!
Of course I talked to you here about equipment, which you put in your backpack or suitcase when you go traveling. But as said above, there are also hygiene products that everyone brings and which can be replaced with a zero waste perspective.
This is the case for soap, for example, or even deodorant, toothpaste, and many others. I will write you a full article on the subject very soon!
3 ways to travel eco-friendly!
Of course, and in addition to the accessories that you can buy to take a trip while limiting waste, it is also possible to review the way you travel to limit pollution and thus make a gesture for the planet. Among them, here are 3 things to change when traveling:
- Public transport : If you are used to road trips or travel a lot, prefer to take public transport there rather than rent a car, for example.
- Opt for cycling or walking: You can also avoid flying in some cases, and prefer to go by bike or walk. Slower, certainly, but clearly less polluting!
- Avoid big hotels: We think about it less often, but these large establishments consume a lot, both in water and in electricity or other energy. Prefer guest houses or youth hostels.
In short, my opinion!
It’s a whole bunch of small actions that you will do while traveling, which can be simple to put in place, and without hampering your way of traveling too much, which will be a great gesture for the planet.
If everyone takes the time to own these accessories, to change their consumption a little, then traveling will not be as polluting for our planet! I’m not telling you to stop leaving, just to do better!
Personally, at home and outside, I apply these few rules, and if everyone did the same, our environment would undoubtedly be much better off!
And you, what do you put into practice to travel with zero waste? Are you able to limit your waste production while traveling?
Mise à jour le : July 22, 2024
